Young Adult Book Recommendations
by Maria Judnick
I've been a member of a monthly YA book club at my favorite independent bookstore for nearly seven years now and it's hard for us to find books we all (mostly) agree on out of the dozen books we read each year. Some of us are writers, many of us are teachers, but all of us love to endlessly discuss books. This top 10 list offers a wide range of the genres we've explored -- historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, science fiction/fantasy, autobiographical fiction, magical realism, and graphic novels. In this list, check out the links to hopefully find a great pick for you too!
- -- If you love this contemporary novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, you can also watch the film.
- - This book - which has won many, many awards - is a heartbreaking, beautifully written story told from the perspective of a young refugee living in Oklahoma.
- -- This book is probably the best book on the foster care system I’ve ever read.
- -- I haven’t laughed out loud reading a book in a long time but this historical fiction is pure fun.
- This gem of a book about a family who can perform miracles is filled with magical realism elements.
- -- I’ve never been to rural Tennessee but this book will transport you there...and you may end up crying.
- -- While the premise is bleak - a “perfect” world in which death is controlled by leaders performing systematic culling - it’s a suspenseful, powerful read.
- -- I love a good book about WWII and this one is inspired by the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, one of the largest disasters in maritime history.
- -- Need a break from divisive politics? Read this LGBT romance between a president’s son and a British prince.
- -- I cannot praise enough these graphic novels that give the first-hand account of Congressman John Lewis as he worked for civil rights and social justice.
Maria Judnick is a Lecturer in the Department of English. Besides tweeting a daily haiku since Jan 2021, Maria contributes book reviews to and other literary publications. She also serves as the Social Media Editor for . Maria enjoys reading YA novels when she isn't happily re-reading But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton to her infant son.
