Hey, YA Readers!
I’ve been traveling the last two weeks, first for the eclipse and then last week for a youth librarian conference in (way) upstate New York. I loved both a lot, but it sure is nice to be back home and getting into my routines again. As always, I had grand plans of reading more while out and about, but, aside from finishing one book, that didn’t happen. Hammock hung now, I do suspect my book consumption will be up soon as I get to settle into outdoors reading with the weather getting nicer.
Enough about me. Let’s get into this week’s YA paperback releases and YA book news.
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Bookish Goods
Mouse & Books Enamel Pin by ForeverSleepyDesigns
This enamel pin featuring a mouse and its TBR is flippin’ adorable. Grab one for $11.
New Releases
This week’s paperback releases are limited in number, and with that limited number comes the reality that the books I’m highlighting here do not represent the diversity of authors or stories available for YA readers–indeed, this is the first time I think I’ve only included two white male authors in this newsletter during its many-year tenure. There are a couple of other new paperback releases, but either I’ve recently highlighted them (Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle was in Monday’s newsletter!) or they are graphic novels that I’ve highlighted here in an email earlier this month or in this roundup.
That said, it’s fun that both of these are sci-fi reads–of all the YA genres, this one feels like it is often the most challenging to find, especially as standalone reads.
I’ve mentioned them above, but of course, you can always grab the full roundup of new paperback YA releases here. You might need to toggle your view on the links below to grab the paperback edition.
Another Dimension of Us by Mike Albo
Described as The Breakfast Club meets Stranger Things, this book is told on more than one timeline and travels more than one dimension.
In 1986, at the height of the AIDS crisis, which filled the country with homophobia (more blatantly so), Tommy knows he’s falling in love with his best friend Renaldo. He knows he can’t share this. But one night Renaldo is hit by lightning and is no longer the person he once was.
It’s now 2044 and Pris Devree wakes up from a nightmare involving a boy named Tommy and a house in her neighborhood that has earned the reputation of “Murder House.” Pris needs to understand, so she goes to the house and stumbles upon a self-help book.
But it’s not what you might think. It’s a guide to trans dimensional travel, and now Pris and Tommy are working together to save Renaldo from a demon.
Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby
Deep space exploration is a reality in 2199, but Jessica finds herself on a lander that has crashed into a post-extinction planet 14 light years from Earth. She was only supposed to be viewing this planet from afar, but now, she’s here. Alone.
The lander she is in is covered in bloody handprints. The machines are all malfunctioning. When the 17-year-old steps outside the lander, she discovers a graveyard of fresh graves.
What happened? Why is she here? Those are the questions at heart in this space-set mystery.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
YA Book News
- Maybe my favorite YA headline in a long time (and speaking of science fiction!!): Elliot Page is producing an adaptation of the YA book The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer.
- Here’s your first look at the adaptation of the My Lady Jane book.
- Gone Wolf by Amber McBride won the L.A. Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature.
- This roundup isn’t entirely YA books, but it’s got a lot on there. Here’s what to read based on your favorite Taylor Swift era.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, which was picked up by the BBC, will be available on Netflix.
- R. L. Stine is writing a teen comic series for BOOM! called The Graveyard Club.
As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday for some YA book deals.
Until then, happy reading!
–Kelly Jensen, currently reading The Collectors edited by A.S. King