Staff Picks for Young Adults

Clap When You Land

“Clap When You Land is a story of sisterhood unlike any I've experienced before, with characters as multi-faceted as the places they come from. The free verse is rhythmic and pounding in all the right places, soft and lyrical in all the others. And for a story so rife with grief and struggle and anxiety and (the list goes on)... it's hopeful, but not without being real. Acevedo proves that tragedy can bring strangers together and make them family in ways both literal and metaphorical, and gives voice to the survivors whose pain outlasts the media coverage every time. This is one to be savored, and enjoyed by readers of all ages.”

Britt, Second Star to the Right

This program is read by the author

"Just brilliant."—Kirkus Reviews

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism—all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson's Piecing Me... Read more »

New York Times and USA Today bestseller * Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor * Walter Award Winner * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Time Magazine Best Book of the Year * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the... Read more »

Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything

“Sia's mother was deported by ICE to Mexico, a country her mother was brought from as a baby. In a desperate attempt to return to her family, Sia's mother entered the desert, but she didn't make it out. That was three years ago. Sia is just trying to get through the rest of high school, mostly by having private ceremonies on the edge of the desert, with ancient cacti and her grandmother's ghost to keep her company, or by tending to her little garden of native corn plants. But then a strange boy moves to town, and strange lights begin appearing in the sky...This beautiful book blends heartbreak, imagination, and extraterrestrial life so well.”

Lafe, Oblong Books

Raybearer

“Joniece Abbott-Pratt did a stunning job with narrating this duology! She brought Ifueko's beautiful world to life. With sweeping prose and magical storytelling, this is a tale you won't soon forget, I promise. Truly one of the best audiobooks I've listened to! ”

Emily, Vroman's Bookstore

Children of Blood and Bone

“A sprawling fantasy teeming with deep and meaningful magic. One of the things I like most about this debut is that it raises very real and important issues of our time through multiple character's perspectives. No character is one-dimensional, and every character must learn from failure and introspection to become who they were meant to be.”

Kelly, Mysterious Galaxy Books

If you enjoyed The Hate U Give, then you’ll love This Is My America.

“I can’t believe this is Kim Johnson’s debut novel! It has easily cemented a spot in the social justice YA canon, alongside The Hate U Give, Monster, and co. Written with an expert hand, This Is My America follows Tracy Beaumont as she fights to get her innocent father off of death row, while also trying to keep her community safe from police violence by teaching Know Your Rights workshops. But she’s soon forced to divert her attention to a murder case in which her brother is the main suspect. A compelling story of injustice and resistance—with a bit of a love triangle—This Is My America is required reading.”

Mary, Raven Book Store

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

“Darius is struggling. He doesn't fit in at school. He has trouble making friends. He's bullied. And to top that off, he's plagued by horribly negative thoughts including the very painful feeling that his father doesn't like him and wishes to replace him with his younger sister. Darius, indeed, is not okay. Everything changes when Darius meets Sohrab, while visiting relatives in Iran. Sohrab is generous and caring, helping Darius to see many things and even himself in a new light. I was truly moved to tears by this incredibly rare depiction of a tender and loving friendship between two adolescent male teens. An honest and accessible read for those wanting to understand teens struggling with clinically diagnosed depression.”

Zinna, A Great Good Place for Books

A Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Told in two distinct and irresistible voices, Junauda Petrus's bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.

Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out... Read more »

Frankly in Love

“What a beautifully narrated and wonderfully written story. This may be classified as YA, but I will certainly be recommending it to readers of all ages. Frankly In Love is a story of family, coming of age, young love, heartbreak, and friendship. It truly covers all of the bases and frankly, I'm in love with this book. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a really well written and narrated, feel-good story.”

Mary, Anderson's Bookshop