Activists, writers, scientists, cons, or rebels. No matter how you define them, the characters leading this year’s YA novels were all working towards something they believed in—or at the very least wanted to. Read on for EW’s best YA novels of the year.
Double Down (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond
Bond’s tale follows Lois Lane before she grows into the character fans know and love, and seamlessly weaves in references to the Superman universe while introducing not one, but two mysteries for the young reporter to solve. In doing so, readers are introduced to Lois’ ongoing desire for the truth, as well as the seeds of what will grow to become a complex relationship with Clark Kent—or in this case, “SmallvilleGuy.”
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Stiefvater concludes her popular Raven Cycle series on a somewhat quiet, but no less thrilling note, once again celebrating the friendships and magic that made the series so memorable.
Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North
Never was there a tale of more woe than when a student learns they’ve been assigned Romeo and Juliet. But in Ryan North’s creative hands, the Bard’s most famous play quickly becomes a romp through different—and no less hilarious—scenarios as readers get to choose how they want the story to end. It’s quite literally, a different kind of play.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
In the midst of Chokshi’s lyrical prose lies a fairy tale that blends Greek and Indian mythology, while also touching upon themes like love and reincarnation. It makes for one exciting debut and an even more exhilarating read. —Nivea Serrao
Delilah and the tea-loving Mr. Selim return for their second heart-pounding adventure as deeper, more fleshed out characters. Cliff’s clever writing is only supplemented by his gorgeous artwork, easily making Delilah Dirk a hero worth following. —Nivea Serrao
Girard creates a real, relatable character in Pen, a teenager who feels neither like a girl nor a boy and rejects the notion of labeling their sexuality. It’s necessary a tale of acceptance (both of yourself and those around you) featuring a protagonist that’s rarely seen in YA fiction. —Nivea Serrao
It’s Jane Austen meets Jane Foster in Anstey’s debut novel, which serves up a delightful combination of Regency romance, scientific curiosity, and spy intrigue for a tale that will have readers rooting for love and science. —Nivea Serrao
Tahir not only matches but surpasses her previous book in the series, An Ember in the Ashes, as Laia and Elias’ story continues with multiple twists and turns in this thrilling (and highly addictive) follow up. —Nivea Serrao
If Bardugo’s confident—and more mature—return to the world of her original Grisha Trilogy was intricately plotted and ingeniously executed in Six of Crows, then Crooked Kingdom is doubly so as the author raises the stakes and places her main crew of characters in even greater peril. It’s a rare achievement as the duology reaches its incredibly satisfying conclusion. —Nivea Serrao
A teenage girl mourning the loss of her dead boyfriend reluctantly agrees to help find a missing Jewish girl in this Netherlands-set, World War II thriller. Hesse’s novel is a powerful reminder that not only is history filled with heroes and rebellions that could match any modern dystopian setting, but also that sometimes, unimaginable events can be fueled by the simplest of actions. Girl In the Blue Coat is an urgent and incredibly timely read about a period and place in history we don’t often consider. —Nivea Serrao
Laughter and tears abound as aspiring screenwriter Quinn Roberts works through his grief—and first love—following the death of his sister in Federle’s deeply emotional YA debut. —Nivea Serrao
McLemore’s lush writing gives way to a necessary tale of love and truth that spans across gender, sexuality, and even ethnicity—all with just a hint of magic. —Nivea Serrao
A standard-issue story about two teens falling in love quickly morphs into a much larger tale about the interconnectedness of the universe, examining the many ways people can affect one another. Yoon effortlessly weaves together themes of family, immigration, and sacrifice while also exploring what it means to follow your dreams. —Nivea Serrao
In his graphic novel, John Lewis tells the incredible tale of his involvement in the civil rights movement, which serves as a stark reminder of not just the power of the storytelling medium, but also the importance of looking back on history. It’s an extraordinary story, from an extraordinary man. —Nivea Serrao
Activists, writers, scientists, cons, or rebels. No matter how you define them, the characters leading this year’s YA novels were all working towards something they believed in—or at the very least wanted to. Read on for EW’s best YA novels of the year.
Honorable Mentions
Double Down (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond
Bond’s tale follows Lois Lane before she grows into the character fans know and love, and seamlessly weaves in references to the Superman universe while introducing not one, but two mysteries for the young reporter to solve. In doing so, readers are introduced to Lois’ ongoing desire for the truth, as well as the seeds of what will grow to become a complex relationship with Clark Kent—or in this case, “SmallvilleGuy.”
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Stiefvater concludes her popular Raven Cycle series on a somewhat quiet, but no less thrilling note, once again celebrating the friendships and magic that made the series so memorable.
Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North
Never was there a tale of more woe than when a student learns they’ve been assigned Romeo and Juliet. But in Ryan North’s creative hands, the Bard’s most famous play quickly becomes a romp through different—and no less hilarious—scenarios as readers get to choose how they want the story to end. It’s quite literally, a different kind of play.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
In the midst of Chokshi’s lyrical prose lies a fairy tale that blends Greek and Indian mythology, while also touching upon themes like love and reincarnation. It makes for one exciting debut and an even more exhilarating read. —Nivea Serrao
10. Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling by Tony Cliff
Delilah and the tea-loving Mr. Selim return for their second heart-pounding adventure as deeper, more fleshed out characters. Cliff’s clever writing is only supplemented by his gorgeous artwork, easily making Delilah Dirk a hero worth following. —Nivea Serrao
9. Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
Girard creates a real, relatable character in Pen, a teenager who feels neither like a girl nor a boy and rejects the notion of labeling their sexuality. It’s necessary a tale of acceptance (both of yourself and those around you) featuring a protagonist that’s rarely seen in YA fiction. —Nivea Serrao
8. Love, Lies, and Spies by Cindy Anstey
It’s Jane Austen meets Jane Foster in Anstey’s debut novel, which serves up a delightful combination of Regency romance, scientific curiosity, and spy intrigue for a tale that will have readers rooting for love and science. —Nivea Serrao
7. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Tahir not only matches but surpasses her previous book in the series, An Ember in the Ashes, as Laia and Elias’ story continues with multiple twists and turns in this thrilling (and highly addictive) follow up. —Nivea Serrao
6. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
If Bardugo’s confident—and more mature—return to the world of her original Grisha Trilogy was intricately plotted and ingeniously executed in Six of Crows, then Crooked Kingdom is doubly so as the author raises the stakes and places her main crew of characters in even greater peril. It’s a rare achievement as the duology reaches its incredibly satisfying conclusion. —Nivea Serrao
5. Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
A teenage girl mourning the loss of her dead boyfriend reluctantly agrees to help find a missing Jewish girl in this Netherlands-set, World War II thriller. Hesse’s novel is a powerful reminder that not only is history filled with heroes and rebellions that could match any modern dystopian setting, but also that sometimes, unimaginable events can be fueled by the simplest of actions. Girl In the Blue Coat is an urgent and incredibly timely read about a period and place in history we don’t often consider. —Nivea Serrao
4. The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle
Laughter and tears abound as aspiring screenwriter Quinn Roberts works through his grief—and first love—following the death of his sister in Federle’s deeply emotional YA debut. —Nivea Serrao
3. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
McLemore’s lush writing gives way to a necessary tale of love and truth that spans across gender, sexuality, and even ethnicity—all with just a hint of magic. —Nivea Serrao
2. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
A standard-issue story about two teens falling in love quickly morphs into a much larger tale about the interconnectedness of the universe, examining the many ways people can affect one another. Yoon effortlessly weaves together themes of family, immigration, and sacrifice while also exploring what it means to follow your dreams. —Nivea Serrao
1. March by John Lewis
In his graphic novel, John Lewis tells the incredible tale of his involvement in the civil rights movement, which serves as a stark reminder of not just the power of the storytelling medium, but also the importance of looking back on history. It’s an extraordinary story, from an extraordinary man. —Nivea Serrao
