Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The political landscape has never been so tumultuous: issues with the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a lack of representation have led to Americans of all ages asking, How did we get here?
The power to change lies with the citizens—especially teens! Rather than pointing fingers, You Call This Democracy? looks at flaws in the system—and offers a real way out of this mess. Each chapter breaks down a problem plaguing democracy, exploring how it’s undemocratic, offering solutions (with examples of teens who have started working toward them), and suggesting ways to effect change—starting NOW!
Hey YA Fans!
Let’s catch up on the latest and greatest in the world of YA. Grab your TBR and prepare it to grow a bit here.
Note: there will not be a new newsletter on Monday because of the holiday, so the next time I’m back in you inbox will be with news and new releases next Thursday. This means plenty of time to work through your books.
YA Book News
- This piece on trans representation in YA is required reading.
- HBO Max is going to be bringing more queer YA to screens everywhere. The latest project is LC Rosen’s Camp.
- A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares has been optioned.
- I’m super into the rest of the paperback cover redesigns for Marissa Meyer’s books.
- Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson has a rad trailer to check out.
- A pair of YA Star Wars novels will be turned into manga.
New YA Books This Week
As has become a normal refrain, I’ve done my best to ensure these books are out this week, but with pub date changes, it’s possible some got moved. Preorder for a surprise to your future self. A * means I’ve read the book and recommend it.
Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough (paperback)
Atomic Women: The Untold Stories of the Scientists Who Helped Create The Atomic Bomb by Roseanne Montillo (nonfiction)
A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (prequel)
Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab
Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
Just a Boy and a Girl In a Little Canoe by Sarah Mlynowski
*Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson (paperback)
Love and Other Curses by Michael Thomas Ford (paperback)
Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt
This Coven Won’t Break by Isabel Sterling (series)
We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
*We Regret To Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
YA Book Talk at Book Riot
- The ultimate guide to finding YA short stories by your favorite authors.
- Quiz o’clock: what Twilight character are you?
- Settle in with a YA book about summer break.
- Great YA books featuring mother-daughter relationships.
Yes indeed: it’s a good day to read YA.
Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you again in one week!
— Kelly Jensen, @heykellyjensen on Instagram and editor of Body Talk, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and Here We Are.