Related
A brilliant blend of dystopian and contemporary fantasy that will leave readers in complete awe by the end.
PREMIUM
Blue Beach
An engaging period piece with an easy-to-follow mystery and highly compelling characters, this is especially relevant for its realistic depictions of race and class in American society.
A lively, heartfelt fantasy anchored by humor and queer community; a strong addition to YA and upper middle grade collections. Fans of Lukens or authors like Mackenzi Lee and Aiden Thomas will not be disappointed.
PREMIUM
Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel
A recommended novel that will resonate particularly with eldest daughters of immigrant families.
PREMIUM
Checking You Out
For romance fans, a middling novel that hits all the right notes, even if it takes a few detours on the way. A wholesome romance for middle or high school libraries.
PREMIUM
Hear Ye Mortals
Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction that explores themes of authoritarianism and social upheaval with an ensemble cast of characters.
PREMIUM
Such a Lucky Girl
Intense, timely, and punctuated with grisly moments of horror, this is a recommended purchase for mature teen readers.
PREMIUM
When Dealing with Dragons
A thrilling and romantic YA fantasy that successfully tackles themes of abuse, classism, and conservation; this is a strong addition to any collection serving fans of dragon-centric fantasy or high-stakes character-driven narratives along with their romance.
PREMIUM
All We Hunger For
The premise is engaging, the themes are clear, and the blend of social commentary, competition, and romance makes this enjoyable, especially for those drawn to stories about defiance, disguise, and hope found in unexpected places.
PREMIUM
Like We Were in Paris
This lighthearted novel is suggested as a first purchase for expanding LGBTQIA+ young adult collections.
A truly stellar example of the best that horror can be, perfect for high schoolers who are not quite ready to engage with the works of Andrew Joseph White.
PREMIUM
The Beckett Effect
A page-turning high school drama that is smart and entertaining. Highly recommended for high school libraries.
A Gothic ghost story haunted by colonial treatment of indigenous Hawaiians, this will stay with readers long after they have finished.
A powerful, unflinching exploration of Islamophobia, identity, and grief. An essential purchase for all collections.
A rollicking adventure that can serve for some readers as a bridge from comic books to novels.
The relative simplicity of the story (once the key elements have been established) and characters is more likely to appeal to younger teens than Taylor’s “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series, but it will be savored by listeners longing to be transported to the faerie realm.
PREMIUM
Every Exquisite Thing
This modern twist on a classic paints beauty, fame, and ambition in haunting new shades.
PREMIUM
The River She Became
Young readers hoping to join the romantasy trend without high levels of spice will find much to savor.
A moving exploration of a young woman finding out what she wants for her life and her body.
PREMIUM
Young World
This colorful mix of social issues, teen drama, and disaster thriller is recommended for fans of Neal Shusterman and Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
PREMIUM
In the Country I Love
A textured exploration of Shia Muslim life in the United States and the pressures facing immigrant youth. Recommended for all collections.
Highly recommended for libraries serving teens who enjoy their fantasy, magic, and romance in small doses.
PREMIUM
Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights
A romance that will fly off the shelves and a good choice for readers not yet ready for the steamy stuff. Recommended for any library where the genre is popular.
PREMIUM
Cursed Ever After
A funny, heartfelt fantasy for fans of The Princess Bride movie and Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, this debut will circulate well in libraries where romantic fantasy is popular.
PREMIUM
Her Sharp Embrace
This story, which is a good hybrid of mystery and queer romance, stands out with its crew of femme fatales and sets the stage for a series full of magical intrigue.
PREMIUM
Showstopper
A great pick for fans of drama, grim humor, and showbiz flair, this audiobook will especially resonate with tweens and teens who live for the spotlight.
PREMIUM
How to Lose Yourself Completely
A bit farfetched as a survival story, but a solid choice for readers in need of an empathetic depiction of mental health issues.
This is a compelling and sweet must-read for all teen romantasy readers who want a cozy but adventure-packed story.
PREMIUM
Change of Plans
Anyone transitioning into adulthood or who enjoys realistic coming-of-age stories will want to pick this one up. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.
PREMIUM
This Must Be the Place
A recommended purchase. This book will appeal to fans of Julie Murphy and Casey McQuiston.
This hard-to-put-down mystery centering an ensemble cast is a solid choice for fans of the genre, especially for those who loved Karen McManus’s One of Us Is Lying or Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games.
A compelling story that is highly recommended for any high school library with romance readers.
A popular girl and a geeky boy discover they have more in common than they think in this slice-of-life manga.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Susie Nadler discusses Lies We Tell About the Stars in this latest installment.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the latest Natalie D. Richards teen thriller, TWO PERFECT LIES by Natalie D. Richards
Sometimes it seemed like she had climbed into my head, plucked out the words, and recorded them in her journal, fifty years before I’d thought them.
Bibi loves Peter. Peter would love Bibi if he wasn't talking to Amy. When Bibi becomes friends with Amy, it shouldn't be a problem since Bibi loves Peter... right?
A heartfelt story of found family and identity.
A toxic familial relationship shows that “abuse is more than bruises” in this emotionally resonant and nuanced look at pressure, expectations, and manipulation.
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes and Champion by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld, and Ed Laroche are this year's winners.
The February Penguin TBR has landed with reviews for THE MOON WITHOUT STARS, SUNDOWN GIRLS, THE CELESTIAL SEAS, and THE ESCAPE GAME
Writing the middle grade biographical series, Muslim Mavericks, means stepping into lives wildly different from my own—from disabled comedians to trailblazing Olympians—and learning to tell Muslim stories with humility and breadth.
Author Jarrett Dapier joins us to talk about his new book, WAKE NOW IN THE FIRE.
Misha and their mother, Audrey, take a wrong turn on a road trip and end up in a mystical world of spirits and monsters.
Writing to me feels like the closest thing you can get to that sense of wonder of digging up something new, only the digging happens on the page.
As a former fairy chaser, I can tell you that representation changed my life. It’s what led me to the library, becoming an author, and finding my community.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Shannon J. Spann discusses A Stage Set for Villains in this latest installment.
When I began working on The Aftermyth, I wasn’t interested in retelling Greek myths as they’ve always been told. I was interested in what happens after the myth ends.
PREMIUM
Falling Like Leaves.
A warm, seasonal choice for those looking for Rainbow Rowell’s Pumpkinheads or Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
PREMIUM
A Guide to Falling Off the Map
A title sure to resonate with teens who like romance grounded by realistic issues where the barriers to the happy ending are internal conflicts.
PREMIUM
Girls of Dark Divine
This title will be savored by teens who enjoy dark fantasy steeped in atmosphere and foreboding.
PREMIUM
The Oks Are Not OK
For fans of Schitt’s Creek, a heartfelt humorous tale about finding your way back to family.
This grim, sophisticated, and deeply unsettling story is a necessary addition for readers dealing with complex social and ethical issues. Fans of gritty, politically charged thrillers will be highly engaged.
A superbly crafted story navigated by a character with a strong, authentic voice. It’s sure to be a hit with teens.
An excellent title for libraries with teens who love genre-blending romance.
This is an important novel about the complexities of life with epilepsy, the challenges of advocating for your own medical treatment, and accepting the loss of loved ones. Highly recommended for readers of books like Kate Korsh’s Never Seen the Stars, Hannah Moskowitz’s Sick Kids in Love, or Abbey Lee Nash’s Breathing Underwater.
PREMIUM
Lying About Last Summer
Not a must-buy for mystery-thriller collections, but readers who enjoy camp stories, like Emma Lord’s You Have a Match or Jessica Goodman’s The Counselors, or stories about dealing with grief, like Jandy Nelson’s The Sky Is Everywhere, may want to pick this up.
PREMIUM
Beast Becomes Her
Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries with elements of horror, fantasy, and strong female characters.
PREMIUM
The Roach King of Raleigh
A moving read about change, adversity, truth, friendship, and community, this is highly recommended.
PREMIUM
The Summer of Second Chances
A well-written story with a heartwarming vibe that is enjoyable to read. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Slow Burn
A love story that celebrates the everyday courage of claiming one’s place in the world, recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
I’m Gonna Get You Back
A fast-paced story filled with gossip, sabotage, and a little bit of romance. Recommended.
A first purchase, recommended for current McLemore fans and for readers who enjoy Taylor Kay Mejia or Freddie Kolsch.
PREMIUM
You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker
Philosophical themes of purpose and regret dominate this rivals-to-soulmates story, recommended for YA collections.
This title’s strong focus on queer and diverse characters tackling urgent and “eternally timely” themes of environmental activism and existential doom ensures its relevance and appeal to older teen readers.
A fun and relatable story about friendship, personal growth, and courage that will captivate fans of Gordon Korman and James Patterson.
PREMIUM
Force of Nature
The fresh lens of environmentalism bolsters this book’s interest. A fun, light addition to the body of stories about teen gods.
PREMIUM
In the Blood
For mature students in libraries where April Henry novels are already prevalent.
This fast-paced dystopian novel is a must have due to the complex plot, fantastic writing, and queer representation.
Deeply relatable and beautifully written. Hand this to mature readers who are fans of Sabaa Tahir’s books or folktales.
PREMIUM
The Hanging Bones
Vivid and suspenseful, this is good choice for older teens hungry for a balance of coziness and horror.
PREMIUM
Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions
An excellent addition to any library. This would be a great recommendation for readers looking for LGBTQIA+ books, stories about friendship, books about sports, and realistic fiction.
PREMIUM
Burn the Water
Ample action and violence, along with the love story, keep the narrative moving, but for a stronger choice of dystopian literature in a similar vein, point students to Paolo Bacigalupi’s “Ship Breaker” series.
PREMIUM
If We Never End
For fans of Gayle Forman’s If I Stay, this contemporary romance with a touch of fantasy will be a hit.
PREMIUM
When I Was Death
Fans of atmospheric stories such as Krystal Sutherland’s House of Hollow or Adalyn Grace’s Belladonna who aren’t deterred by ambiguity may enjoy this novel. Consider it a secondary purchase.
PREMIUM
Meet Me Under the Lights
A sweet, somewhat choppy, small-town romance. A secondary purchase to help expand romance collections where needed.
Reminiscent of the Netflix television series Outer Banks, this is a mystery shrouded in history, wrapped up with a love story.
PREMIUM
We’re a Bad Idea, Right?
May circulate well where readers love rom-coms and the fake-dating trope.
PREMIUM
The Night King’s Court
Bonnin offers a complex, character-driven fantasy that explores grief, memory, and the weight of legacy. Its unique magic system and multiethnic protagonist make it a great addition to YA fantasy collections.
Librarians can’t go wrong putting any Reynolds novel on their shelves, and his latest is no exception. This story’s format and fast pace might catch the eye of reluctant readers looking for a quick yet intense and realistic story.
PREMIUM
Fractured Signals
For fans of the Skibidi Toilet universe and books like Scott Cawthon’s Five Nights at Freddy’s.
A strong addition to middle grade and YA collections, particularly for readers who enjoy magical realism and character-focused storytelling. Recommended for libraries seeking inclusive, thoughtful fantasy.
PREMIUM
This Ain’t Our First Rodeo
A modern Western romance with simmering dialogue and a brisk pace. An easy recommendation for any YA collection.
A thoughtful, character-driven fantasy with strong female leads and themes of courage and identity. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical settings with a modern sensibility.
PREMIUM
The Ruins Beneath Us
A blend of adventure, fantasy, and mystery with a tense lovers-to-enemies affair that will appeal to fans of Lauren Roberts’s Powerless and Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince.
A thrilling, heartrending close to a must-purchase fantasy duology built for lovers of shonen manga who crave a touch of romance.
How many times had I been called too loud? Annoying? Too much? In my original draft, I was unknowingly touching a tender spot in my life that I hadn’t even realized was there.
articles
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
Thank you for visiting.
We’ve noticed you are using a private browser. To continue, please log in or create an account.
