Category: What’s Up in YA

Your YA Book News and New Books: December 24, 2020

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 22, 2020

YA Book News

Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land is being adapted for a TV Series.
The fantasy series “The Thief” by Megan Whalen Turner, which just saw its final installment come out 20-some years after the first volume, is also getting an adaptation.
Burn by Patrick Ness has a TV deal.
MK England’s The Disasters just announced series news.
Here’s the latest pick for Reese’s YA book club.
Netflix’s adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone is scheduled for April and there’s a teaser trailer to enjoy.
I do not believe this is going to hit the US (at least not yet!) but Frances Hardinge’s Cuckoo Song was picked up by Netflix UK.
Angie Thomas’s virtual tour for Concrete Rose looks awesome.
And here’s a trailer for the YA Black Canary novel by Alexandra Monir.

New YA Books This Week

I do not have a single book down for release this week! But because we’re not going to have an update next week, here’s a look at the books that’ll hit shelves next Tuesday, December 29.

Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir

Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson (paperback)

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda (series, paperback)

The Grand Escape by Neal Bascomb

Just Our Luck by Julia Walton

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (series, paperback)

Light It Up by Kekla Magoon (paperback)

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (paperback)

YA Book Talk at Book Riot

Where to begin reading Jay Kristoff books.
12 great movies for YA readers.
Where to begin reading Brigid Kemmerer books.
Great YA books about dance.

Thanks for hanging out, pals. I hope you find the perfect books to curl up with to round out this year. I’ll see your inbox in the new year.

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

🎉 🎉 Your Picks for Best 2020 YA Books

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 18, 2020

Sponsored by Flatiron Books, publisher of Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert

A gorgeously illustrated collection of twelve original stories by the New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood and The Night Country. Journey into the Hinterland, a brutal and beautiful world where a young woman spends a night with Death, brides are wed to a mysterious house in the trees, and an enchantress is killed twice—and still lives. Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans alike, Tales from the Hinterland will include gorgeous illustrations by Jim Tierney, foil stamping, two-color interior printing, and two-color printed endpapers.

Hey YA Readers!

It’s time for one of my favorite newsletters of the year: YOUR picks for best YA books of the year and the books that you wish more people read or talked about during the year.

Over the last couple of weeks, you had the chance to drop the titles of your favorites and I’ve compiled and tabulated the results. Books that are not YA or published in 2020 were pulled from the data — there weren’t many! — and I ranked them by the number of times they showed up on the list. That’s all.

Find below your reading list to the best YA for your TBR from the year in books.

For a year that was anything but ordinary, I have to say these lists represent some incredible writing and also some incredible reading. You read across so many genres and authors, as well as an awesome mix of debut novels and books by seasoned YA writers.

Book Riot YA Reader Favorites of 2020

These top ten titles were the ones you voted as best! Titles are in alphabetical order. This is such a cool list of genres and styles, y’all.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Fable by Adrienne Young

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

The Inheritance Games by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Legendborn by Tracy Deon

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

2020 YA Books That Deserve More Attention

Like the above list, I sorted and ranked the titles that showed up on this list. Below are the ten which had the most votes and which didn’t end up on an awards list or a bestseller list. These are in alphabetical order and like the best of list, it’s such a cool range of titles. I think I’ve read seven or eight of these and can vouch for each one.

Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams — I’m including a note here from one of the readers who said this had one of the best Type I Diabetes representations they’ve seen.

Be Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnis

Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith

The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

Goddess in the Machine by Lora Beth Johnson

My Eyes are Up Here by Laura Zimmermann — Chiming in to say yes! I wrote a piece about this over on Book Riot because this book really landed with me.

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert

What I Carry by Jennifer Longo

Thanks to everyone who dropped a title or two into the survey, as this is such a fabulous list for anyone who loves — or wants to start to dip into — YA books. I hope you find a new-to-you read here you can fall for.

We’ll see you later this week with YA book news before we’re off until the new year.

Stay well and keep on reading.

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

Your YA Book News and New Books: December 17, 2020

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 15, 2020

Sponsored by Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley with Fierce Reads

“What do you get when you combine Tommy Orange, Angie Thomas, and Tomi Adeyemi?” —Entertainment Weekly

Firekeeper’s Daughter is a groundbreaking thriller centered on Daunis, a biracial unenrolled tribal member who’s never quite fit in. After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.
How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known?

Keep the secret. Live the lie. Earn your truth.

Hey YA Readers!

Let’s catch up on the latest in YA book news and new YA books. Because we’re wrapping up the year, it should be no surprise this roundup is shorter than usual. That just means more time to catch up on all of the books (or maybe if you’re like me, it means indulging in Tiny Pretty Things on Netflix!).

YA Book News

Here are this year’s Morris Award finalists for best debut YA novel and it’s a GREAT slate.
The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes is a new release (I haven’t heard of it!) and just got picked up for adaptation.
Ned Vizzini’s Be More Chill, which has had a great run on stage, is being adapted into a graphic novel.
For writers who are trans/non-binary/two-spirit/genderqueer, do not miss this call for submissions to be part of a YA anthology dedicated to showcasing your voices and experiences. I don’t usually post calls like this, but Annick does really solid work and this is such a sorely needed collection — plus, I suspect there are a number of y’all who are reading this needing the push to submit or know someone who should submit. Here it is!

New YA Books

Coming Up for Air by Nicole B. Tyndall

For Better or Cursed by Kate M. Williams (series)

This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano

Warmaidens by Kelly Coon (series)

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed (paperback)

YA Book Talk

Your guide to 2021 YA book to movie adaptations.
Excellent short stories for high schoolers.
Great YA books set over the holidays.

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you again on Monday with your picks for best YA of 2020!

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

YA Books Set in the 1970s

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 13, 2020

Sponsored by The Age of Darkness series by Katy Rose Pool with Fierce Reads

Kingdoms have begun to fall to a doomsday cult, the magical Graced are being persecuted, and an ancient power threatens to break free. But with the world hurtling toward its prophesized end, one man’s haunting vision reveals the dangerous beginnings of a plan to stop the Age of Darkness.

From Katy Rose Pool, the author POPSUGAR calls “one of the best fantasy writers of the 21st century,” the Age of Darkness series is Six of Crows meets Graceling with a dash of ‘Winter is Coming.’

Hey YA Readers!

In the latest episode of Hey YA, Hannah brought up a book set in the 1970s and how that’s a time period we don’t see portrayed much in YA books. We’ve definitely seen an array of books set in the 80s and 90s, particularly in the last five years or so, but the 70s have been less represented.

That got my mind going, wondering what types of YA ARE set in the 70s. As you’ll see below, there’s a bit, though not a whole lot.

I’ve pulled a handful of 1970s-set YA books for you to dig into, and because I, too, am scratching my head thinking about what YA I’ve read set during this time period (only two or three of the below!), I’m relying on publisher descriptions to highlight these. But now I’ve got a goal for 2021, which is to read a little more YA set in the 20th century prior to the 80s.

Note that these are not YA books written in the 70s, but written more recently. Yes — and apologies because as an early 80s baby I know how much this hurts — these books are technically historical fiction. And no, this list isn’t comprehensive. I know some titles are missing.

Aya by Marguerite Abouet (series)

Ivory Coast, 1978. Family and friends gather at Aya’s house every evening to watch the country’s first television ad campaign promoting the fortifying effects of Solibra, “the strong man’s beer.” It’s a golden time, and the nation, too–an oasis of affluence and stability in West Africa–seems fueled by something wondrous.

Who’s to know that the Ivorian miracle is nearing its end? In the sun-warmed streets of working-class Yopougon, aka Yop City, holidays are around the corner, the open-air bars and discos are starting to fill up, and trouble of a different kind is about to raise eyebrows. At night, an empty table in the market square under the stars is all the privacy young lovers can hope for, and what happens there is soon everybody’s business.

Aya tells the story of its nineteen-year-old heroine, the studious and clear-sighted Aya, her easygoing friends Adjoua and Bintou, and their meddling relatives and neighbors. It’s a breezy and wryly funny account of the desire for joy and freedom, and of the simple pleasures and private troubles of everyday life in Yop City. An unpretentious and gently humorous story of an Africa we rarely see-spirited, hopeful, and resilient.

Be True To Me by Adele Griffin

How far is too far to go for love?

Jean: Could it be true? Instead of a summer playing handmaiden to Daphne, was I being delivered something entirely different—a summer in the spotlight? A summer starring Gil Burke and me?

Summer flings and sexy romances were Daphne’s territory. Not mine. I was the one you didn’t pick.

I swatted off my hope like a bumblebee, knowing it was already too late. I’d been deliriously stung.

Fritz: People always joked about summer romances because they didn’t last. Summer romances were made out of ice cream and cotton candy, intensely sweet before they melted into nothing. But I’d never thought of Gil as a summer thing.

Gil was my real love, my real first. We were outsiders together, we had each other, we didn’t care that we didn’t belong.

Bones of a Saint by Grant Farley (March 2)

Set in Northern California in the late ’70s, this timeless coming-of-age story examines the nature of evil, the art of storytelling, and the possibility of redemption.

Fifteen-year-old RJ Armante has never known a life outside his dead-end hometown of Arcangel, CA. The Blackjacks still rule as they have for generations, luring the poorest kids into their monopoly on petty crime. For years, they’ve left RJ alone…until now.

When the Blackjacks come knocking, they want RJ to prey upon an old loner. But RJ is at his breaking point. It’s not just about the gang who rules the town. It’s about Charley, his younger brother, who is disabled. It’s about Roxanne, the girl he can’t reach. It’s about the kids in his crew who have nothing to live for. If RJ is to resist, he must fight to free Arcangel of its past.

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

Nora Lopez is seventeen during the infamous year 1977 in New York.

After a freezing winter, a boiling hot summer explodes with arson, a blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam, who is shooting young people on the streets seemingly at random.

Not only is the city a disaster, but Nora has troubles of her own: her brother, Hector, is growing more uncontrollable by the day, her mother is helpless to stop him, and her father is so busy with his new family that he only calls on holidays.

And it doesn’t stop there. The super’s after her mother to pay their overdue rent, and her teachers are pushing her to apply for college, but all Nora wants is to turn eighteen and be on her own. There is a cute guy who started working with her at the deli, but is dating even worth the risk when the killer especially likes picking off couples who stay out too late?

Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer

It’s 1979—the age of roller skates and feathered bangs, of Charlie’s Angels and Saturday Night Fever—and Susan Klintock is a junior in high school with a lot of sexual fantasies…but not a lot of sexual experience. No boy, at least none she knows, has ever been worth taking a shot on.

That is, until Bobby McMann arrives.

Bobby is foxy, he’s charming—and he’s also the coach of the brand-new girls’ soccer team at school and totally, 100 percent, completely off limits. But Susan decides she’s going to try out for the team to get close to him anyway. And over the course of an eventful season, she discovers that what she wants might not be what she first expected when Bobby McMann walked in the door—and that figuring out who she is means taking risks, both on and off the pitch.

Girls Like Us by Randi Pink

Set in the summer of 1972, this moving YA historical novel is narrated by teen girls from different backgrounds with one thing in common: Each girl is dealing with pregnancy.

Four teenage girls. Four different stories. What they all have in common is that they’re dealing with unplanned pregnancies.

In rural Georgia, Izella is wise beyond her years, but burdened with the responsibility of her older sister, Ola, who has found out she’s pregnant. Their young neighbor, Missippi, is also pregnant, but doesn’t fully understand the extent of her predicament. When her father sends her to Chicago to give birth, she meets the final narrator, Susan, who is white and the daughter of an anti-choice senator.

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

For thirteen years, Ben Tomlin was an only child. But all that changes when his mother brings home Zan — an eight-day-old chimpanzee. Ben’s father, a renowned behavioral scientist, has uprooted the family to pursue his latest research project: a high-profile experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills. Ben’s parents tell him to treat Zan like a little brother. Ben reluctantly agrees. At least now he’s not the only one his father’s going to scrutinize.

It isn’t long before Ben is Zan’s favorite, and Ben starts to see Zan as more.

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. Asha knows this is temporary—just until Baba sends for them. But with scant savings and time passing, the tension builds: Ma, prone to spells of sadness, finds it hard to submit to her mother- and sister-in-law; Reet’s beauty attracts unwanted marriage proposals; and Asha’s promise to take care of Ma and Reet leads to impulsive behavior. What follows is a firestorm of rebuke—and secrets revealed! Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. Asha can hardly believe that she, and not Reet, is the object of Jay’s attention. Then news arrives about Baba . . . and Asha must make a choice that will change their lives forever.

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

Four very different lives are about to become entangled.

I’m realizing after looking through and reading the descriptions of these books that what I’d LOVE to see is a great YA book about Black or brown teens finding their power during the disco movement. If you don’t listen to the podcast You’re Wrong About, an episode earlier this year dug into Disco Demolition Night in the 80s, which was seen as the “end” of disco, but within the podcast is a really excellent look at how disco was a movement for marginalized folks. This seems so ripe for a good YA!

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you later this week. Next Monday I’ll share with y’all your picks for best YA this year.

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

Load Up Your Ereader With YA EBook Deals

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 11, 2020

Sponsored by the audiobook edition of The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo, read by Ben Barnes and Lauren Fortgang.

Enter the world of the Grishaverse and Shadow and Bone, soon to be a Netflix original series!

Dive into the epic world of international best-selling author Leigh Bardugo with this audiobook adaptation of The Lives of Saints, read by Ben Barnes and Lauren Fortgang.

The audiobook features tales of saints drawn from the beloved novels and beyond. Out of the pages of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, from the hands of Alina Starkov to yours, the Istorii Sankt’ya is a magical keepsake from the Grishaverse.

Hey YA Readers!

It’s time for another roundup of outstanding YA books you can get on the cheap. There’s something here for every type of reader, and given how this year has gone, I definitely encourage you to treat yourself in preparation for the long winter months ahead.

All of the deals are current as of Friday, December 11.

Smash It by Francina Simone, which just came out (!!), is on sale for $2. This one’s been sitting on my to-read shelf and I can’t wait to dig in.

Want a modern take on A Christmas Carol? Pick up The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand for $2.

A teen girl in 1800s Korea joining into a police investigation of a murder is a sweet premise. Pick up The Silence of Bones by June Hur for $3.

Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer is on sale for $2.

Pick up Randi Pink’s Girls Like Us for $2 (psst: I’ll be highlighting this one in Monday’s newsletter!)

For fantasy lovers, Kingdom of Souls by Rena Baron is $2.

Horror fans will want to grab And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich for $2.

And fans of technology-focused thrillers will love The Loop by Ben Oliver. $2.

Rocky Callen’s debut A Breath Too Late, which explores mental health issues, is $3.

If you haven’t yet, the latest Marie Rutkowski fantasy The Midnight Lie is worth picking up and is currently $3.

For fans of nonfiction and comics, Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang is currently $3.

And the first book of a richly layered series, Lobizona by Romina Garber, is $3.

If you end up buying every single one of those books, I honestly can’t blame you. This is a treasure trove of outstanding YA reads.

Until Monday!

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

Your YA Book News and New Books: December 10, 2020

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 8, 2020

Sponsored by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers School & Library Marketing.

Poetry is an excellent vehicle through which to examine tough emotions, situations, and subjects. This LBYR Poetry Collection offers books that center poetry as a tool that does just that—in these books, poetry names the unspeakable, gives voice to the unheard, and acts as a record of history. The topics are real and tough, but the stories are ultimately empowering, triumphant, and healing.

Hey YA Readers!

Here’s your reminder to drop your picks for the best YA book of 2020 and the most under-the-radar YA book of 2020 before the survey closes.

Now, onto all things YA book news and new books!

YA Book News

I missed this piece in early November, but it’s timeless: a look at how YA nonfiction takes teen readers seriously.
Speaking of YA nonfiction, here’s the shortlist for this year’s Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction award from the American Library Association. It’s a great list, but there seems to be a glaring omission in a year of on-going racial justice movements and anti-racism.
AudioFile named their 2020 best YA audiobooks. I haven’t listened to any of these, but I’ve read nearly all of them and suspect they’re outstanding to hear!
This year’s best Jewish children’s books, including great Jewish YA.
The trailer for the adaptation of Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets is here.

New YA Books This Week

19 Love Songs by David Levithan (paperback)
Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (paperback, series)
Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen (paperback)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (the entire trilogy is being re-released with new covers this week in anticipation of the next book in January)

The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson (paperback)
The Pursuit of Miss Heartbreak Hotel by Moe Bonneau (paperback)
Switchback by Danika Stone (paperback)
A Universe of Wishes anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton

YA Book Talk

Your winter 2020-2021 YA paperback releases are here!
Five YA books about teens who travel.
Nancy Drew wasn’t the only teen girl sleuth. Here are eight others to get to know!
Put these December releases onto your TBR if you haven’t already.
Some great queer YA books.
For readers who love YA thrillers, don’t miss these YA domestic thrillers.
YA fantasy books for fans of The Crown.
A Louisiana public library pulled LGBTQ+ books from its children’s section, including at least one YA series. Note: the director of the library did not want to do this.

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you on Saturday with some great YA ebook deals.

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

🎁 The Perfect Gifts for YA Book Lovers

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 4, 2020

Sponsored by We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, with Fierce Reads

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt the Flame—first in the Sands of Arawiya duology—is a gripping story of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

“Lush and evocative . . . We Hunt the Flame is gripping right from the first page.” —PopSugar

“Filled with rich worldbuilding with stakes that will keep you at the edge of your seat.” —BuzzFeed

Hey YA Fans!

Before diving in, it’s that time of year for you to share your favorite YA books of 2020. Drop your favorite 2020 YA book — keep it to 2020 releases and YA books only, please — into the document here by December 14. I’ll tabulate the votes and share your top favorite reads this year in a newsletter before the end of the month. Psst: 99% of folks who take part in this are awesome, but the 1% who think they can slide their own title in or rally others to do it for them…I just delete those answers because that’s not fun.

Onward!

You’re probably seeing tons of gift guides in your inbox, and while you’re getting another one, know this one is tailored to those who love young adult books. AKA: cool stuff you can buy yourself or someone else now or anytime in the future.

I’ve pulled together a few great YA goods, and at the end of the roundup, I’m including a couple of things that have made my reading life a little better this year. One of these items is something I didn’t know exactly how much I’d use, but has become a staple in my life and something I get asked about all the time.

I kept this to items that are broadly YA, though whatever books or fandoms you or a loved one are into, know you can find so much great stuff for those interests in Etsy. Sarah J. Maas, Marie Lu, The Hunger Games…there are so many cool things related to those books and author fandoms.

A beautiful print of a stack of YA fantasy books. $15.

While you’re reading, enjoy the scent of a freesia, violet, and musk candle. $11.

A planter made of YA books! I love this so much. There is only one available as of this writing, but if you click through to the seller’s full shop, there are some other cool repurposed book pieces to explore. $44.

The perfect mug — look at that giant handle! — for YA readers everywhere. $20 and up, depending on size.

The perfect sticker for all of the main characters out there. $3.50.

“It’s a good day to read YA” shirt. Grab this in an array of color options. $29 and up.

If you head to the main shop, you can find a number of YA character and book themed scents. But I thought it was worth sharing the one that was pretty broad: the book and library collection. Three perfume oils in the scent of “old books,” “new books,” and “dusty manuscript.” Buy the set and gift to three different friends (or keep ’em all for you). $32.

And here are two items that have improved my reading life this year:

Early on in quarantine times, I kept seeing this “reading bean” advertised. Did I really need a special pillow to read? The answer is YES. This thing is soft and silky and the way it contours to your lap and belly makes holding a book open so easy. As my pregnancy has gone on, my carpal tunnel has gotten especially bad and not having to hold a book open with my wrists up has been a life saver. The Book Bean has a ton of colors and styles to choose from and is worth every penny of its $30 price tag.

I have child-sized ear canals and a budget, so putting money down on anything Apple-related is squarely in the “not for me” category. I needed a new pair of headphones for audiobook listening and picked up this wireless set. In addition to being affordable — $40, but right now there’s even a 20% off coupon — these buds come with a few different sized pieces to adjust to your ear size. A+, would buy again.

Thanks for hanging out, and don’t forget to cast your votes on best 2020 YA book in the document at the top of the email.

See you later this week!

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

Your YA Book News and New YA Books: December 3, 2020

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date December 1, 2020

Sponsored by Heiress Apparently by Diana Ma

Gemma Huang’s family has one rule: Never set foot in Beijing. But when Gemma, an aspiring actress, gets the lead in a movie filming in the Chinese capital city, she can’t say no. It’s too important for her career, and maybe she’ll discover why the city is forbidden in the first place. Her questions only grow when she’s mobbed by paparazzi at the airport and discovers she bears a striking resemblance to notorious socialite Alyssa Chu. Her quest for answers begins a season of revelations and romance—and uncovers a legacy her parents have spent their lives protecting her from.

Hey YA Readers!

We’re (finally) in the last month of the year. I don’t know about you, but even though I know 2021 might not look much different, something about being able to turn the page on this calendar year feels like a triumph.

Last week there was no YA newsletter on Thursday due to Thanksgiving, so there’s a little more news this week than usual at this time of year. I’ve also included last week’s new YA books here so they don’t get missed.

YA Book News

Netflix will be taking the adaptation of Walter Dean Myers’s Monster. I’m so excited about this one.
Did you know Graceling was getting a comic adaptation? This looks outstanding.
In reverse news, Kody Keplinger is penning a YA novel about the comic star Poison Ivy. (Is “penning” the right word when most writing is now done on screen?)
School Library Journal released their 108 best children’s and YA books of 2020 — I know one of those books well! But dang, what a collection.
Are you an Aussie reader in Melbourne? You can see the stage adaptation of Alice Pung’s Laurinda. That’s Lucy and Linh for readers outside Australia.
The Wilds isn’t based on a YA book, though it reminds me of a number of them, but this Netflix YA show looks awesome.

New YA Books

Admission by Julie Buxbaum

The Ballad of Ami Miles by Kristy Dallas Alley

The Bitterwine Oath by Hannah West

The Black Friend by Frederick Joseph

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao (paperback, series)

Bright Shining World by Josh Swiller

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian (paperback)

Essentially Charli by Charli D’Amelio

Fall Into Me by Mila Gray

Finding My Voice by Marie Myung-Ok Lee (reissue)

Finding a Way Home by Larry Dane Brimner

The Frozen Prince by Maxym M. Martineau (series)

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett (paperback)

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan (paperback, series)

Good Devils by Chris Lynch (series)

The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett

Heiress Apparently by Diana Ma (series)

Infinity Son by Adam Silvera (paperback, series)

It Only Happens In The Movies by Holly Bourne

The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley

New Year’s Kiss by Lee Matthews (paperback)

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (series, paperback)

Ruinsong by Julia Ember

A Sky Beyond The Storm by Sabaa Tahir (series)

Tears of Frost by Bree Barton (paperback, series)

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal (paperback, series)

What She Found in the Woods by Josephine Angelini (paperback)

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez (paperback)

YA Book Talk at Book Riot

So many great YA books set in bookstores.
Where to begin reading John Green books.
YA books about finding love abroad.
This handy guide will show you where to start reading Marie Lu books.
Morally ambiguous YA books about monster hunting.
Middle grade and YA books by Indian writers.
Last, but not least, where to begin reading the work of Ally Condie.

I’m obsessed with this feminist shirt reading “read books and smash the patriarchy.” $23. If this is up your alley, may I suggest a stroll through this guide to all things feminist gifts for book lovers?

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you again on Monday!

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

🎧 📚 Great YA Nonfiction on Audio

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date November 30, 2020

Sponsored by The Lives of Saints by bestselling author Leigh Bardugo with Fierce Reads

This holiday season, experience the Grishaverse like never before. . .

Out of the pages of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, from the hands of Alina Starkov to yours, soon to be part of a Netflix original series—immerse yourself in the epic world of international bestselling author Leigh Bardugo with this beautifully illustrated replica of The Lives of Saints, the Istorii Sankt’ya. The perfect gift for any fantasy fan, these tales include stunning full-color illustrations of miracles and martyrdoms from familiar saints plus strange and obscure stories drawn from the novels and beyond.

Hey YA Readers!

Let’s continue our journey of YA nonfiction for this last Monday of November and explore another format: audiobooks. I’m a huge audiobook listener, though the bulk of my listening is adult nonfiction. This doesn’t mean I don’t listen to YA on audio, but when I do, it’s not a surprise that I lean toward nonfiction. Something about nonfiction — be it the way it’s easier to dip in and out, be it the way it’s like listening to a podcast — makes it easy for me to enjoy aurally.

Here are some outstanding YA nonfiction books to listen to in their audio format. You’ll notice that the bulk of these are memoirs or essay collections and that’s purposeful: though the often do include photos or images, one of the things that makes nonfiction for young readers so great in print are the visuals. In these stories, the visuals aren’t exceptionally vital to the text itself.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Performed by Johnson, this is an outstanding and moving memoir about growing up at the intersection of Black and queer. It’s vulnerable, open, and compelling and would pair so spectacularly with Stamped (below!).

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Performed by Lameese Issaq, Saedi’s memoir is a humor-soaked memoir about life as an illegal immigrant in America. We get a great look at Saedi’s family, her relationship with her sister, and the lengths that her parents went to to obtain green cards for them all. Sprinkled throughout the story are FAQs about Iranian culture and tradition which are written in a really funny yet informative manner.

Obviously: Stories From My Timeline by Akilah Hughes

Hughes performs her own audiobook, which is a series of essays for YA readers on everything from growing up in a small Kentucky town to becoming a spelling bee champion to graduating at age 15 and moving herself to New York to pursue her dream. This is another listen for readers who love a good laugh.

Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes

A brutal and powerful verse memoir about growing up in an unstable family dealing with schizophrenia, absenteeism, sexual assault, and the foster care system. But through it all, Nikki’s solace in writing comes through, as does her commitment to being a survivor. Messy and challenging and moving, the memoir is made even more explosive by Grimes performing the audio herself.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Reynolds is such a natural performer, and he carries this must-read adaptation of Kendi’s adult book to the teen audience perfectly. It’s not a history book — a refrain that comes up over and over — but instead is a searing look at racism and antiracism today. The book clearly breaks down the differences between being racist, an assimilationist, and anti-racist, and listeners get a solid look at some of the most lauded Black leaders and where and how they did and did not advance anti-racist causes.

When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, asha bandele, and Benee Knauer

I listened to the adult edition of this book, but the young adult rendering is also performed by Khan-Cullors, with a forward by and performed by Angela Davis, and I suspect it’s just as outstanding aurally. This is a look at the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement and the systemic injustices experienced by Black people in America. Readers who aren’t familiar with the criminal justice system and the American police state will have their eyes opened here.

Grab some headphones or a blue tooth speaker and enjoy these outstanding works of nonfiction on audio.

Thanks for being here, and we’ll see you later this week. New book releases not highlighted because of last Thursday’s holiday will absolutely be included there, so you’ll get a nice load of books for that ever-expanding TBR.

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.

What's Up in YA

Your YA Ebook Deals This Weekend

Post author By Kelly Jensen
Post date November 27, 2020

Sponsored by Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas with Fierce Reads

Determined to prove his true gender to his traditional Latinx family, Yadriel tries to summon the ghost of his dead cousin to help set it free. Instead, Yadriel summons Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy. Julian is not about to go quietly into death. And the longer they’re together, the less Yadriel wants to let him leave. . .
Aiden Thomas’s debut novel is the first trans-centered fiction book by an openly trans author to make the New York Times best seller list and POPSUGAR says it’s “the inclusive supernatural romance the world needs right now.”

Hey YA Fans!

I hope you’re enjoying a nice weekend, whatever it might look like. As we near the end of another month, here’s a reminder that if you see a deal, snag it sooner, rather than later. Often, the deals change at the start of a new month.

As always, these are as current as possible. Find your new favorite read below!

Need a read that’ll make you feel good? Dumplin‘ by Julie Murphy is $2.

Seeking a darker read? Tiffany D. Jackson’s Monday’s Not Coming is a must-read. $2.

A historical read about teen pregnancy and feminism? Count me in for Randi Pink’s Girls Like Us, $2.

A fantasy featuring magic and science? Grab Between The Water and the Woods by Simone Snaith. $2.

Melissa de la Cruz’s Because I Was A Girl is an excellent nonfiction book about girls and their stories around the world. $3.

I adored Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now by Dana L. Davis and you will, too. $3.

If you liked The Hate U Give and similar stories, you’ll want to make sure you read Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles. $2.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith is $1.

Get started on a fast paced mystery series with Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson. $3.

The boarding school drama/mystery They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman, which came out in August and has been optioned for the screen, is only $3.

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban is one for fans of thrillers. $3.

If you haven’t yet read Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, for $3, no better time than now!

For rom-com seekers, The Best Laid Plans by Cameron Lund is $3 (also a book that came out this year!)

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you again on Monday!

— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.