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In eighth grade, I was scared of the world finding out the truth about me. But I think, even scarier, was admitting that truth to myself.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, and over the last half-decade, YA adaptations have brought even more excitement to her work.
Teen librarian reviews the debut novel LET'S SPLIT UP by Bill Wood
How I ended up writing Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur, two companion books sprung from a single seed.
Next time you’re worried you’re not quite as alone as you think, remember that not all spooky encounters are what they seem. And you’ll maybe even get a fun story out of it.
An adorable, romantic, sapphic rom-com perfect for fans of the original, but still accessible for new readers who just want a quick, fun romp.
PREMIUM
Death in the Cards
Manansala has maintained aural consistency with her adult titles; hopefully, YA listeners can expect to hear Salvacion’s in future pairings.
PREMIUM
Up in Smoke
Brooks’s all-too-timely, aurally-proven, close-up ready thriller just needs that studio contract.
PREMIUM
Deadstream
What’s most aurally notable here is not so much distinct characterizations, but the range of media contained within.
PREMIUM
The Summer I Ate the Rich
Despite uneven wobbles, Sewak’s distinctly elevating performance will likely impel listeners to the final track.
PREMIUM
Very Dangerous Things
Murder, of course, is highly dangerous, but Rey ensures it’s also twisty-turny deadly fun.
Gibson single-voicedly transforms an already electrifying read into a polyphonic marvel.
PREMIUM
Fine Young People
Clearer distinctions between Frankie’s narration and the 18-year-old interstitials of what happened then would have elevated Powers’s performance.
Van Ness gloriously elevates these pages into empowering, enlightening entertainment.
A must-purchase for Spanish-language YA collections, this first volume in a planned trilogy will draw readers in from the start.
PREMIUM
Fake Skating
While seemingly formulaic at times, what good romance novel isn’t? Give this one to any lover of the genre.
PREMIUM
The Sacred & the Divine
Recommended for those who enjoy romances, a historical setting, and supernatural narratives.
PREMIUM
How to Survive a Horror Movie
This page-turner is an ode to slasher films and funny ghost stories. A great, twisty introduction to horror for teens.
PREMIUM
The Trespassers
Fans of unsettling and propulsive realistic fiction will welcome this gripping addition.
A skilled author of popular Australian children’s books takes on issues of suicide and serious illness with love and care in her first YA novel.
PREMIUM
Lou with the Band
This flawed but fast-paced novel will be of interest to teens who enjoy romance and music. The diverse racial and ethnic cast of characters also adds to the book’s appeal.
PREMIUM
Let’s Split Up
If the names were changed, this could be the origin story for the Scooby Gang. Wood has reimagined Mystery Inc., for a whole new generation.
PREMIUM
The Deep Well
A secondary purchase for high school collections, recommended for libraries where Courtney Gould is popular.
A highly recommended read for fans of young adult psychological thrillers and Jackson’s previous works.
PREMIUM
Catch Your Death
Guron creates a spiral of twists and turns, truly unpredictable and sure to engross readers as the full story unwinds.
PREMIUM
And the River Drags Her Down
Yun’s intent to help readers live with grief is well-executed as she reminds readers of the importance of facing it. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Leave It on the Track
This debut is a heartrending coming-of-age story of loss, self-discovery, and self-acceptance that will be enjoyed not only by derby fans, but those who are derby-curious, or are just looking for a story with some emotional depth and featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.
A gritty story of trust and betrayal, Lucy’s life absorbs readers and leaves them wanting more. A definite first buy.
A timely exploration of love, conservation, and resilience, it’s highly recommended and heartfelt story for those looking for an emotional read full of lessons and all YA Spanish-language collections.
PREMIUM
Songs for Ghosts
Patient readers fond of historical fiction will appreciate Adam’s search for identity.
A perfect addition to libraries looking to expand their LGBTQIA+ and mental health collections that is sure to resonate with fans of authors like Lynn Painter and Jennifer Dugan.
PREMIUM
Top Heavy
A solid addition about a young woman’s experiences with her body in the world and learning to feel comfortable with oneself.
An excellent first purchase for libraries, especially those looking for supernatural mysteries.
PREMIUM
Influenced
A timely and worthy addition to any shelf, and one that would be great for book discussions.
PREMIUM
The House of Quiet
A good addition to collections where White’s other works are popular or where patrons are into Wednesday, X-Men, New Mutants, and other dark, quirky fantasy.
PREMIUM
When We Were Monsters
Older teens preparing for their future and exploring their identity will appreciate this new YA mind bender.
Get a sneak peek at CHAMPION, which comes out on September 2.
I can’t wait for readers to experience the characters’ journeys to debutante delirium in the fashion capital of the world. Everyone is cordially invited to attend!
My writing life has been an imperfect storm, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I promised myself when I began writing for teenagers in 2017, that I would tackle topics often silenced or totally ignored in households within my faith community specifically.
Ali Terese: writing mayhem full of hilarity and heart! She's my new fav and should be yours, too.
Maybe I DO have something I’m hoping kids will learn from my books after all: That even when the world feels like it’s falling down around them, they can still find laughter.
Because I love imagery, developing an image system for a verse novel is one of my favorite challenges.
![Alternative [Self Liner Note] | Review](https://goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image.png)
A musician struggles with a creative block and self-doubt in this special one-shot manga.
Entering portals requires bravery and hope and the willingness to see what happens, which are generally good things to apply to living life in general.
How does what we put on our plate intersect with climate change? How can we think about our diet in a way that is kinder for the earth and ourselves?
The power of words can help save us---reading them, writing them, feeling them. They can help us find our way back to ourselves when it seems like everything was taken. A powerful look at trauma, bravery, and survival.
School Library Journal and NCTE continue to champion works that have long been taught in classrooms, including YA classics like Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton and Robert Cormier's We All Fall Down.
Sometimes we are not okay. Sometimes we crave respite from the onward march. Sometimes we need the relief of being seen. And that, I believe, is okay.
PREMIUM
The Silenced
Multiple threads of abuse, romance, and shady real estate deals layer this horror novel with a lot of story, but readers will be drawn to the close relationship between Hazel and Maddie.
Every library, especially those looking for more LGBTQIA+ representation on their shelves, should have this on the shelves.
PREMIUM
The Hex Girls: A Rogue Thorn
This fun, fast-paced mystery and romance will have broad appeal and will especially delight the Scooby-Doo fandom. A great first purchase.
PREMIUM
Grave Flowers
A Gothic romantasy grounded in Tudor-esque worldbuilding and Shakespearean drama, consider this title for larger collections.
The memory of a song helped inspire my latest nonfiction book, Many Voices, Building Erie, the Canal that Changed America.
As a writer, it’s been fascinating to watch the publishing team and artists add a visual layer to these books. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how and why they do it.
Kelley Armstrong talks with SLJ about danger, mystery, and romance in her upcoming book A Deadly Inheritance. Following the Q&A is an exclusive first look at the cover.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares a list of 5 YA books coming out September 2025.
This feel-good magical fetch-quest-style adventure will do well in libraries with diverse young fantasy readers who love a cozy tale.
PREMIUM
When Love Gives You Lemons
This love story is sure to please fans of Tobias Madden’s Wrong Answers Only and Loan Le’s A Pho Love Story.
PREMIUM
My Fair Monster
Rom-com fans will root for these two to win it all, and just give in to the chemistry. A good addition for libraries with readers who enjoy wickedly funny, realistic romance.
A powerful addition to the genre of teen fighting competition novels, and for fans of The Hunger Games.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen walks you through a low-tech and a high-tech way to make personalized magnetic bookmarks, because librarian
For me, gardening is not only a way to neatly symbolize the writing journey—I feel that it’s also one of the best methods for gathering story ideas.
These four titles discuss women's equality in America, as well as women's suffrage worldwide. Hand them to young readers for Women's Equality Day and throughout the year.
Stephenie Meyer’s phenom turns 20 years old this year. For its milestone birthday, we explore Twilight's impact.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews April Henry's newest teen mystery/thriller, WHEN WE GO MISSING
In a deeply personal acceptance speech at ALA Annual in Philadelphia in June, the YA author discussed her life influences, racism in publishing, and professional uncertainty.
I always needed the girl I tried to leave. Every word we write shapes a chance to see the world and ourselves in new ways.
PREMIUM
The Yomigaeri Tunnel
A surreal emotional journey for any teen seeking validation in shared experiences. Recommended for most collections.
PREMIUM
Two Truths and a Lionel
An optional purchase where teens are impatient to move into YA books.
PREMIUM
Come As You Are
For fans of her other romances and those by Kasie West, Sophie Gonzales, and Emma Lord, this boarding school friends-to-lovers story is a delight.
PREMIUM
A First Time for Everything
Highly recommended for those seeking a story that is heartwarming and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
The Whisperwood Legacy
A good blend of action, magic, and surprises will entertain readers despite some uneven plotting. A solid purchase.
PREMIUM
Love and Video Games
A secondary purchase for collections with fans of books with mythology and video game themes.
PREMIUM
Always Be My Bibi
With Clueless vibes for a new generation, this rom-com of disastrous meet-cute to happily ever after will brighten any reader’s day.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares some new YA coming out this August
With a compassionate tone, accurate information, and thoughtful design, this book is easily one of the best resources available for young people navigating adolescence.
A solid starting point for anyone interested in the psychological and physiological dimensions of anxiety, though it could benefit from smoother transitions between its main content and outside sources.
It offers valuable insights and strives to empower teens to embrace who they are. With its vibrant tone and focus on self-love, it’s a solid resource
PREMIUM
Nettle
An additional purchase for readers who have exhausted the back catalog of fairy-tale retellings.
PREMIUM
Falling Like Leaves
Romantic and fun, give this to Gilmore Girls fans and aficionados of autumn-spiced stories. Recommended for most middle and high school romance collections.
PREMIUM
The L.O.V.E. Club
This will capture readers not just with the fantasy video game aspect, but also with the friendship of the L.O.V.E. Club and the well-crafted world. A purchase for all.
PREMIUM
Girls of Dark Divine
A dark fantasy for fans of The Phantom of the Opera and Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows. Recommended for collections where this genre is popular.
PREMIUM
The Last Tiger
This star-crossed romance heavy with historical allegories is a secondary purchase for collections looking for diverse romantic fantasies.
PREMIUM
An Embroidery of Souls
The character development is noteworthy in this highly romantic fantasy, but the book’s structural problems are too big to ignore.
This fantastically thrilling ghost story will have readers flinching at all the little noises that go bump in the night. Selectors should pick up multiple copies, as this won’t stay on the shelves long.
PREMIUM
Roar of the Lambs
An interesting examination of racism, classism, and misogyny wrapped up in a supernatural mystery that spans generations. Purchase where supernatural horror and queer romances are popular.
PREMIUM
Watch Us Crack
A fast-paced thriller that will keep readers questioning who to trust right up to the very end.
PREMIUM
Through Our Teeth
Harris’s novel offers a modern take on the slasher setting, resulting in a quick, deliciously dramatic read for teens.
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