Who would have imagined a trend in YA literature toward realistic, character-driven, and emotionally intense stories? If that is up your alley, we have some recommendations for you.
Where You’ll Find Me by Natasha Friend
Anna’s mom is bipolar, her dad just had a new baby with his new wife, and her best friend broke up with her. Friend delivers a layered story with dialog that rings true.
The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass
Castella Cresswell and her five siblings have never seen anything beyond their home and the deep woods surrounding it. They have never disobeyed the rules of God delivered directly through their father that keep them bound to the woods, their father, and each other.
The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
Hidden truths and confused memories haunt this story of a struggle between a girl and her mother.
Underwater by Marisa Reichardt
A debut novel about learning to forgive yourself and finding a way to live with the past, however unfortunate, and moving on.
Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
Riley Cavanaugh is a gender fluid punk rocker with an ultraconservative politician father. Perfect for readers who loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
Dill is the son of a notorious Pentecostal minister and the target of bullies at school. This is the story of the final year of high school for Dill and his friends and fellow outcasts, Lydia and Travis.
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
Mark and Kate sat next to each other for an entire year and never spoke. In one night, they will know each other better than anyone else knows them.
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey
Coming of age, coming out, friendship, and agoraphobia.
Thicker than Water by Kelly Fiore
CeCe loses both her brother to drugs and herself to blame and guilt.
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!