Category: What’s Up in YA

Hey YA Readers! Let’s talk audiobooks.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Caracal, the middle grade imprint of Lion Forge.

When the Hamster Aquatic Mercenaries (H.A.M.) are hired to save their badger allies from flooding, the colony’s most ambitious young hamster pups compete for their chance to join the team and earn glory and prestige. Those who succeed, however, soon discover that life outside their burrow is not the grand adventure they imagined, but instead find a world of deadly threats and conflicting stories about their species’ origins. The Underfoot Vol. 1: The Mighty Deep by Emily S. Whitten, Ben Fisher, and Michelle Nguyen is in stores now from the Caracal imprint of Lion Forge!

There’s something fun about listening to an audiobook performed by someone whose voice is already familiar to you because you’ve seen them on your favorite television show or movie. Certainly, many who listen to audiobooks have favorite non-celebrity performers, but celebrity voices are often a nice entry point for those who are new to audiobooks and don’t know where to begin. Celebrity audiobooks are, of course, also great for long-time listeners who just want to mix up the reading experience.

Find below five awesome YA audiobooks performed by celebrities. By no means is this a comprehensive roundup — I’ll save that for another day — but this is a means of dipping one’s toes into the world of celebrity YA audiobooks.

Since I haven’t listened to any of these and haven’t read all of them (I have read some, of course!), I’m relying on the Amazon descriptions so as not to give too much or too little away.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Audiobook performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Yep! Before Hamilton helped Miranda’s career explode, he performed the audiobook of the award-winning Aristotle and Dante.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, performed by Tatiana Maslany

This special edition audiobook hit shelves in honor of the 10th anniversary of the book in October 2018. If you’ve already read and listened to this book before, maybe give this a re-read with award-winning Maslany as the narrator.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before – and survival, for her, is second nature. Still, if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Leah On The Offbeat by Becky Albertalli, performed by Shannon Purser

You might best know her as Barb from Stranger Things. Whatever happened to Barb, you ask? She’s performing great YA audiobooks. I suspect given how great Leah’s voice is in this book that this audiobook is outstanding.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat – but real life isn’t always so rhythmic.

She’s an anomaly in her friend group: the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends – not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high.

It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting – especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

Sabriel by Garth Nix, performed by Tim Curry

This entire series is performed by Curry, who is likely best known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show and/or Clue and/or the original TV miniseries It where he portrayed Pennywise.

Ever since she was a tiny child, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the random power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won’t stay dead. But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into that world.

Though her journey begins alone, she soon finds companions: Mogget, whose seemingly harmless feline form hides a powerful and perhaps malevolent spirit; and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories.

With threats on all sides and only each other to trust, the three must travel deep into the Old Kingdom, toward a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death, and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own hidden destiny.

A tale of dark secrets, deep love and dangerous magic, Sabriel introduces Garth Nix as an exceptional new talent.

White Cat by Holly Black, performed by Jesse Eisenberg

All three books in the trilogy are performed by Eisenberg, who was in Adventureland and Zombieland, as well as in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they’e all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got magic, so he’s an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail – he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He’s noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

Did you know today launches the annual Audiobook Sync program, too? If you love audiobooks and YA books, you’ll want to make sure you grab your two free audiobooks each week from the program. Check it out! 

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll catch up with all the latest in YA news on Monday.

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

Hey YA readers: Let’s catch up on the latest in YA book talk.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Disney Publishing Worldwide.

New from Rick Riordan Presents, the second book in the best-selling Pandava series. Just when she’s learning how to be a Pandava, Aru is accused of stealing the god of love’s bow and arrow. In order to prove her innocence, she must navigate the serpent realm with Mini and two new companions, one of whom is a BOY!

We’ve been talking about YA a ton over on Book Riot, and today seems like a great day to catch up with the happenings over on site. Grab your TBR and prepare for it to get even bigger.

• Do teens get pushed out of YA when YA is referred to as a genre?
• Relevant to the news: 3 YA books about college admissions scandals.
• If you need your book series complete before you read them, then you’ll be glad to discover this list of 50 must-read completed YA book series.
• YA graphic novels for your spring to-read lists.
• 50 excellent must-read YA fantasy books.
• 30 teen book bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagrammers you should know.
• These YA book titles will become your next earworm.
• New and upcoming political YA books to have on your radar. Here are some more political YA books, too.
• Here are over 150 YA books hitting shelves this spring. Too big a list? Try these 20 YA books to add to your spring TBR.
• Three books about when best friends become more than friends.
• You’ll want to listen to these YA poetry books read by the authors.
• YA books that feature religion and faith.
• Time travel back to the 1970s with these YA novels.
• Read an excerpt of We Hunt The Flame.
• Then read an excerpt from Somewhere Only We Know for your rom-com fix.
• Here are some books featuring teens being educated non-traditionally.

Upcoming Authors on Tour

By popular request, here’s a round-up of a handful of YA authors who will be on tour in the next few months. See if you’ll be near one of these bookstores or libraries and pop in to meet a favorite — or a soon-to-be favorite! This is in no way comprehensive.

• Julie Berry: April and May, US.
• Arvin Ahmadi: May and June, US.
• Tahereh Mafi: May and June, US and Canada.
• EK Johnston: May, US and Canada.
• Hafsah Faizal: May and June, US.
• Jay Kristoff: April and May, Australia, US, Canada.
• Sandhya Menon: May, US.
• Elizabeth Acevedo: May and June, US.
• Stephanie Garber: May and June, US.
• Maurene Goo: May and June, US and Canada.
• Sarah Dessen: June and July, US and Canada.

Love YA? Wear that pride on a tee. $25 and up.

Thanks for hanging out and we’ll see you again later this week!

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

Hey YA readers: Your deals are here!

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by The Art of Losing by Lizzy Mason and Soho Press.

A drunken mistake. A life-changing accident. The bonds of sisterhood are tested by addiction and a crushing betrayal in Lizzy Mason’s debut. When 17-year-old Harley Langston sees her boyfriend kissing her sister Audrey at a house party, she’s furious. But when her boyfriend drunkenly tries to drive Audrey home, he crashes leaving Audrey in a coma. Adrift in a sea of guilt, grief, and anger, Harley is surprised to reconnect with Raf, an old friend just out of rehab. As Audrey recovers, Harley can see a path forward with Raf’s help—one guided by honesty and forgiveness.

These deals are current as of a.m., Friday, April 19. Enjoy a little bit of everything genre-wise!

If you haven’t already read Amy Spalding or her latest book The Summer of Jordi Perez (And The Best Burger In Los Angeles), you should pick it up for $2. Rom Com + queer romance + a burger rating app + fashion + a fat main character.

• Want a historical mystery with characters of color by an author of color? YS Lee’s The Agency is $2.
• Elizabeth Acevedo’s award-winning novel in verse The Poet X is $3.
• How about an anthology about queer teens throughout history? Saundra Mitchell edited All Out, which you can snag for $4.
• Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson is $3.
• The first book in Scott Reintgen’s “Nyxia Triad” series, Nyxia, is $2. The second book, Nyxia Unleashed, is also $2.
• Pick up an Edgar Award winning mystery in Mindy McGinnis’s A Madness So Discreet for $2.
• If you’re looking to kick off a historical fantasy series, Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves is $2.
• You can snag a three-book collection of the first titles in the Pretty Little Liars series for $4.
• Itching for some horror? Madeleine Roux’s House of Furies is $2.

Don’t miss the hilarious collection of essays by Shane Burcaw Laughing At My Nightmare for $3.

• A Dexter-style mystery/thriller calling you? You’ll want to try Kim Liggett’s The Unfortunates for $3.
• Lamar Giles is a YA author you should be reading, and if you haven’t yet read Endangered, you can snag it for $2.

Grab one, grab two, or grab ’em all and enjoy your weekend of good YA reads.

See you again on Monday!

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

Hey YA Readers: today highlights YA memoirs, mental health, and more with guest Samantha Schutz.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Algonquin Young Readers, publisher of In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton.

In 1958, Ruth Robb’s family moves from New York City to Atlanta after her father’s death. In her new hometown, Ruth quickly figures out she can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can’t be both. Eager to fit in, Ruth decides to hide her religion. Before she knows it, she is caught between two worlds, two religions, and two boys. When a violent hate crime brings the different parts of Ruth’s life into sharp conflict, she will have to choose between all she’s come to love about her new life and standing up for what she believes.

Samantha Schutz published a YA memoir back in 2016 called I Don’t Want To Be Crazy. It’s a chronicle of her experience with a mental breakdown and the book itself helped serve as a means for her to cope with understanding her mental health.

Nearly fifteen years later in an era where discussions of mental health are happening more frequently — though certainly not at the level they should be happening — Scholastic has republished Schutz’s book with a new author letter. This rerelease marks an opportunity for the title to reach new readers and the note included in the book connects Schutz’s personal experiences at the time of her writing with the research and realities acquired in the time between its publication and now.*

I’m excited to talk with Sam today about I Don’t Want To Be Crazy, her experiences with mental health, and more, what she sees and hopes to keep seeing in terms of mental health representation in YA and with teens more broadly.

Samantha Schutz: Scholastic approached me about creating a new edition a year ago. “People need this book now more than ever,” was a reoccurring phrase I heard from the Scholastic team. In fact, that’s what most people say when I tell them about the new edition of the book.

SS: I’m impressed with the tremendous efforts that publishers have gone to to represent diverse and authentic voices. When IDWTBC first came out, there were just a handful of YA books in this genre. The ones that were impactful on my process included Speak, Luna, Perks of Being a Wallflower, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Crank, Cut, Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. Now there are so many more books available about mental health issues.

That’s why I started @youmakemefeellessalone on Instagram. People can submit their art and writing about the challenges they are facing. The person submitting benefits because it’s a way for them for them to unburden themselves. The viewers benefits too because they can relate to what they are reading and feel less alone.

SS: I loved reading the journals of Anais Nin during those times. There was something about the way she scrutinized all of her emotions and picked everything apart that really drew me in. I was also a somewhat obsessive journal writer myself, so she was my idol.

The most recent book I read that deals with mental health and really blew me away was Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka. This YA graphic novel memoir is about growing up in a family grappling with addiction and finding the art that helps you survive. It’s painful and honest and incredibly beautiful. Also Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life, a memoir by Amanda Stern, was wonderful. It was fascinating to be inside the mind of the author as very young girl and hear her seemingly endless anxious thoughts.

I’m also a big fan of anything Ellen Hopkins has written. She takes verse to a whole new level. Any time I see her poems that are written in two columns, I take a deep breath and smile. That format usually means that in addition to being able to read the poem horizontally across the page from left to right, it also means that you can read the vertical columns independently as two different poems. Each way you read it, it takes on a different meaning. It’s incredible!

Thank you so much for talking with us, Sam!

*Of note: Because the content of the book has not changed in the time between its original release and rerelease, there might be some language that doesn’t sit well with contemporary readers.

Thanks for hanging out and we’ll see you again next week!

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

Hey YA readers! Let’s talk middle grade today.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Dynamite Entertainment.

Nancy Drew is seventeen and good at everything, but life hits a snag when a mysterious message drags her back to the hometown she left behind. There she’ll have to find out which of her friends are still her friends, which are enemies, and who exactly is trying to kill her…and (hopefully) stop them before they succeed.

We’re not talking exclusively middle grade. At least, not in the way that might make you wonder why you’re getting this kind of piece in your YA newsletter. Rather, this is a look at some of the rad middle grade books you might want to pick up or hand to a reader in your life by authors who’ve had some dynamite YA novels out. Whether you’re a big middle grade reader or want to dip your toes into the ever-growing category of books for readers between elementary and middle school years, starting with authors you know is always a solid decision.

Not all of these YA authors are first-time middle grade writers, but many are. Because I’ve read any of these yet, I’m sticking with Amazon descriptions, but you better believe I’ve added a ton of titles to my own TBR.

I’ve stuck with first books in a series or stand alones to avoid description spoilers, but know that authors like Roshani Chokshi, Laura Ruby, and Victoria Schwab have middle grade books releasing this year, too.

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

Life is harsh in Chennai’s teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city’s trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.

Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy (October 1)

Patricia “Sweet Pea” DiMarco wasn’t sure what to expect when her parents announced they were getting a divorce. She never could have imagined that they would have the “brilliant” idea of living in nearly identical houses on the same street. In the one house between them lives their eccentric neighbor Miss Flora Mae, the famed local advice columnist behind “Miss Flora Mae I?”

Dividing her time between two homes is not easy. And it doesn’t help that at school, Sweet Pea is now sitting right next to her ex–best friend, Kiera, a daily reminder of the friendship that once was. Things might be unbearable if Sweet Pea didn’t have Oscar—her new best friend—and her fifteen-pound cat, Cheese.

Then one day Flora leaves for a trip and asks Sweet Pea to forward her the letters for the column. And Sweet Pea happens to recognize the handwriting on one of the envelopes.

What she decides to do with that letter sets off a chain of events that will forever change the lives of Sweet Pea DiMarco, her family, and many of the readers of “Miss Flora Mae I?”

The Last Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles and illustrated by Dapo Adeola

Otto and Sheed are the local sleuths in their zany Virginia town, masters of unraveling mischief using their unmatched powers of deduction. And as the summer winds down and the first day of school looms, the boys are craving just a little bit more time for fun, even as they bicker over what kind of fun they want to have. That is, until a mysterious man appears with a camera that literally freezes time. Now, with the help of some very strange people and even stranger creatures, Otto and Sheed will have to put aside their differences to save their town—and each other—before time stops for good.

My Life As An Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi (August 27)

Twelve-year-old Ebony-Grace Norfleet has lived with her beloved grandfather Jeremiah in Huntsville, Alabama ever since she was little. As one of the first black engineers to integrate NASA, Jeremiah has nurtured Ebony-Grace’s love for all things outer space and science fiction—especially Star Wars and Star Trek. But in the summer of 1984, when trouble arises with Jeremiah, it’s decided she’ll spend a few weeks with her father in Harlem.

Harlem is an exciting and terrifying place for a sheltered girl from Hunstville, and Ebony-Grace’s first instinct is to retreat into her imagination. But soon 126th Street begins to reveal that it has more in common with her beloved sci-fi adventures than she ever thought possible, and by summer’s end, Ebony-Grace discovers that Harlem has a place for a girl whose eyes are always on the stars.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (May 28)

Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives.

At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US—and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before.

But this life also brings unexpected surprises—there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.

Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson (September 3)

All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father’s family in New York City–Harlem, to be exact. She can’t wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family–and herself–in new way.

But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It’s crowded, with confusing subways, suffocating sidewalks, and her father is too busy with work to spend time with her and too angry to spend time with Grandpa Earl. As she explores, asks questions, and learns more and more about Harlem and about her father and his family history, she realizes how, in some ways more than others, she connects with him, her home, and her family.

Spark by Sarah Beth Durst (May 14)

Storm beasts and their guardians create perfect weather every day, and Mina longs for a storm beast of her own. But when the gentle girl bonds with a lightning beast—a creature of fire and chaos—everyone’s certain it’s a mistake. Everyone but Mina and the beast himself, Pixit. Quickly enrolled in lightning school, Mina struggles to master a guardian’s skills, and she discovers that her country’s weather comes at a devastating cost—a cost powerful people wish to hide. Mina’s never been the type to speak out, but someone has to tell the truth, and, with Pixit’s help, she resolves to find a way to be heard.

Stargazing by Jen Wang (September 10)

Moon is everything Christine isn’t. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known.

But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends, sharing their favorite music videos and painting their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she reallybelongs.

Moon’s visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine’s best friend is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?

Hey YA Readers: Let’s catch up on the latest in YA news.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Wednesday Books, publisher of Wicked Saints.

The monster hidden behind pale, tortured eyes and a devastating smile. The girl with Dark Gods whispering spells in her head. The prince surrounded by deadly assassins and ambitious suitors. “This gothic jewel of a story will sink its visceral iron claws into you, never letting go until you’ve turned the last page.” (Robin LaFevers)

The YA news world has a lot of good stuff this week about adaptations, upcoming books, and more. Time to dig in!

• Last year’s most challenged books included a number of YA books — particularly with queer characters — according to the American Library Association.
• Some casting news for the Netflix adaptation of Looking for Alaska.
• This year’s slate of Hugo finalists in the YA category are outstanding. You’ll also see a YA title in the graphic novel division.
• Buried in this piece is an update (or news, maybe?) that filming for the adaptation of The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson will be happening.
• More casting news for the sequel to To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.
• The latest issue of Cosmopolitan on news stands has a big old cover story about the duo leading the YA adaptation The Sun Is Also A Star. Go pick it up.
• If you’re near Minneapolis and want to see Ned Vizzini’s Be More Chill on stage, you can through the end of the month.
• Here’s the trailer for the next season of The 100.
• The details for the final episodes of Shadowhunters on Freeform.
• The Outsiders will be hitting the stage as a musical in Chicago next year.
• Tomi Adeyemi’s next book has a cover and it’s stunning.
• Peep the cover and learn about the upcoming sequel to The Hazel Wood called The Night Country.

Recent Reads…

Two excellent YA books I’ve blown through recently I want to highlight include one from an underrated author you should be checking out and one from an exceptionally-decorated author putting out her sophomore effort (with no slump!).

We Are The Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan (May 21)

This is a hilarious and poignant YA retelling of the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story following best friends Aphra and Bethany. Aphra is outspoken, loud, and bold — but also, in her words, plain and not noteworthy in the looks department — while Bethany is blessed with being beautiful but is painfully shy and quiet. When Aphra develops an app for a class project and it ends up not working well but instead, allows her to connect with a boy who happens to be Bethany’s crush, Aphra uses the opportunity to give Bethany the personality that will help her connect with that crush. Only, Aphra decides she likes him, too. This is a book about identity, featuring an incredible through line about body dysmorphia and about what it means to be yourself.

With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo (May 7)

Emoni’s been raising her daughter and living with her abuela all through high school. Her daughter’s father is not entirely out of the picture, but he’s also not really in it. It’s senior year and Emoni is able to take a culinary arts class at her school. She’s always loved to cook, and this could open up a ton of doors for her, especially if she can find a way to pay for the class’s one-week immersion trip to Spain. But she and the teacher butt heads and it looks like the whole class will be a loss, until Emoni steps back and plays the class by the teacher’s rules. It ultimately ends up helping her find her own way with food and cooking and discovering how to make a future in the industry.

Gorgeously written with a handful of recipes in the book, I am so ready to try Emoni’s cooking. This isn’t a verse novel, but Acevedo shows her poetry through the delicious prose. The cover of this book is so appealing, and I can tell just from having read the advanced copy, this is going to be a beautifully packaged book when it’s out.

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you again next week!

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

Hey YA Readers: Let’s talk YA biographies!

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Albert Whitman & Company, 100 Years of Good Books, and publisher of Descendant Of The Crane.

Princess Hesina of Yan, always eager to shirk responsibilities of the crown, until her father is murdered, finding herself thrust into power, suddenly the queen of an unstable kingdom. Determined to find her father’s killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death, as magic was outlawed. With information illicitly provided by the sooth, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator and convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of her kingdom at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

We’re in a real golden age of excellent YA memoirs. There’s been a wide range of voices sharing their stories and experiences with young readers, including Malala, Laurie Halse Anderson, Shane Burcaw, and more. But what we have seen less of in recent years are biographies. Sure, there’ve been a number of collective biographies — I’ve highlighted them here before! — but few full-length biographies have emerged.

For those who don’t know the distinctions, here’s a guide to the differences between memoirs and autobiographies. Biographies differ from both of these in that they’re written by someone who isn’t the subject of the book. There are biographies of living individuals, but more often than not, biographies are about people of the past.

I’ve been really happy to see more YA nonfiction, including biographies, move toward a more novel-like trim size, meaning that they look like YA fiction or adult nonfiction, as opposed to having a larger trim size like books for younger readers. It’s easier to carry and hold them and more, they make the books look more appealing to YA readers, both teens and adults.

Find below a handful of YA biographies worth checking out. There are recent titles here, as well as some deep backlist books. I could write my own descriptions here, but they wouldn’t be as useful as the publisher copy, so know these are from Amazon.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary tract on evolution and the fundamental ideas involved, in 1859. Nearly 150 years later, the theory of evolution continues to create tension between the scientific and religious communities. Challenges about teaching the theory of evolution in schools occur annually all over the country. This same debate raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to spark intense debates.

Deborah Heiligman’s new biography of Charles Darwin is a thought-provoking account of the man behind evolutionary theory: how his personal life affected his work and vice versa. The end result is an engaging exploration of history, science, and religion for young readers.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose

On March 2, 1955, an impassioned teenager, fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin found herself shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders. Undaunted, a year later she dared to challenge segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of PT Barnum by Candice Fleming

Known far and wide for his jumbo elephants, midgets, and three-ring circuses, here’ s a complete and captivating look at the man behind the Greatest Show on Earth. Readers can visit Barnum’s American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only 39 inches tall) and his tinier bride (32 inches); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum’s legacy to the 19th century and beyond. Drawing on old circus posters, photographs, etchings, ticket stubs—and with incredible decorative art by Ray Fenwick—this book presents history as it’s never been experienced before—a show-stopping event!

The Greatest: Muhammad Ali by Walter Dean Myers

A riveting portrait of the world’s greatest boxer chronicles his childhood, his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battle against Parkinsons’ disease to demonstrate his accomplishments both inside and outside the ring.

Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge

Pairing free verse with over three hundred pages of black-and-white watercolor illustrations, Mary’s Monster is a unique and stunning biography of Mary Shelley, the pregnant teenage runaway who became one of the greatest authors of all time.

Legend is correct that Mary Shelley began penning Frankenstein in answer to a dare to write a ghost story. What most people don’t know, however, is that the seeds of her novel had been planted long before that night. By age nineteen, she had been disowned by her family, was living in scandal with a married man, and had lost her baby daughter just days after her birth. Mary poured her grief, pain, and passion into the powerful book still revered two hundred years later, and in Mary’s Monster, author/illustrator Lita Judge has poured her own passion into a gorgeous book that pays tribute to the life of this incredible author.

Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña

Graciela Iturbide was born in Mexico City in 1942, the oldest of 13 children. When tragedy struck Iturbide as a young mother, she turned to photography for solace and understanding. From then on Iturbide embarked on a photographic journey that has taken her throughout her native Mexico, from the Sonora Desert to Juchitán to Frida Kahlo’s bathroom, to the United States, India, and beyond. Photographic is a symbolic, poetic, and deeply personal graphic biography of this iconic photographer. Iturbide’s journey will excite readers of all ages as well as budding photographers, who will be inspired by her resolve, talent, and curiosity.

Robert E. Lee: The Man, The Soldier, The Myth by Brandon Marie Miller (June 11)

Robert E. Lee’s life was filled with responsibility and loyalty. Born to a Revolutionary War hero, Lee learned a sense of duty and restraint after weathering scandals brought on by his father and eldest brother. He found the perfect way to channel this sense of duty at West Point, where he spent his days under rigorous teachers who taught him the organizational skills and discipline he would apply for the rest of his life. The military became Lee’s life: he was often away from his beloved family, making strides with the Army, forcibly expanding the United States toward the Western coastline, and fighting the
Mexican-American War. And ultimately, the military and his defining role therein–General of the Confederate Army–would prove to be Lee’s legacy. Author Brandon Marie Miller separates fact from fiction and reveals the complex truth behind who Lee was as a person, a soldier, a general, and a father.

Unpresidented: A Biography of Donald Trump by Martha Brockenbrough

Born into a family of privilege and wealth, he was sent to military school at the age of 13. After an unremarkable academic career, he joined the family business in real estate and built his fortune. His personal brand: sex, money and power. From no-holds-barred reality TV star to unlikely candidate, Donald J. Trump rose to the highest political office: President of the United States of America.

Learn fascinating details about his personal history, including:

-Why Trump’s grandfather left Germany and immigrated to America
-Why Woodie Guthrie wrote a song criticizing Trump’s father
-How Trump’s romance with Ivana began―and ended
-When Trump first declared his interest in running for President

Discover the incredible true story of America’s 45th President: his questionable political and personal conduct, and his unprecedented rise to power.

Thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you later this week with a look at the latest in YA news!

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

Hey YA Readers: It’s time to stock up on some cheap reads.

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by our $100 Amazon gift card giveaway! Enter here.

Since y’all have been enjoying these bi-weekly Saturday deal round-ups, we’ll keep them coming. Expect to see them approximately every first and third Saturday and prepare your wallet accordingly.

Here are some of the best YA deals this week. Current as of Friday, April 5!

• Pick up the lush, magically real Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore for $2.

Shane Burcaw’s hilarious and wickedly enjoyable first memoir Laughing At My Nightmare is $3 and I cannot recommend it more.

• Speaking of memoirs, Elena Dunkel and Claire B. Dunkel’s dual memoir about an eating disorder, Elena Vanishing, is $2.
• Though Jordan Harper’s She Rides Shotgun is an adult book, it was an Alex Award winner and is one YA readers will love. $2.
• The first book in Claudia Gray’s “Defy The Stars” series — called Defy The Stars — is $2.
• Want a survival story? Try SA Bodeen’s The Raft. $3.
• Furyborn, the fierce and fiery first book in Claire Legrand’s new fantasy series, is $3.

Want a realistic queer story about girls of color? Misa Sigiura’s It’s Not Like It’s A Secret is $2.

• You’ll also want to check out this YA queer girl book for $2: Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown.
• Shatter Me, the first in Tahereh Mafi’s series, is $2.
• Last but not least, even though it’s a little bit more in price than I normally include in these, I’m adding Saundra Mitchell’s anthology All Out. Tons of great stories about queer teens through history, as written by queer authors. $4.50.

Enjoy yourself some new reads, and we’ll see you again on Monday!

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

Hey YA Readers: Let’s get series-ous!

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by the late spring and summer picks of the Class of 2k19 books, 20 authors, 20 MG and YA novels debuting in 2019.

WE RULE THE NIGHT: “The richly textured world, filled with disparate people who want to win the war, is background to a powerful story.” – Kirkus starred review

THE BEST LIES: Told in alternating timelines, Thelma and Louise meets Gone Girl in this twisted psychological thriller about the dark side of obsessive friendship.

ALL OUR BROKEN PIECES: “Crichton is a master at manipulating her reader’s emotions […] sharply written and deeply moving.” -Tamara Ireland Stone

THE GRIEF KEEPER: The Grief Keeper is a tender tale that explores the heartbreak and consequences of when both love and human beings are branded illegal.

Next Monday, over on Book Riot, I’ve got a mega list of completed YA book series that should be on your to-read, if you haven’t already marathoned them. What I didn’t include on the list were series coming to a close this year, so it seemed only right to do a small round-up of those titles here.

I struggle with series books because I need to read the series cover-to-cover. So I’ll get my hands on the first book, then I’ll be sad to have to wait for years to get the final one before starting. I am not patient and it’s too easy for me to forget key parts of a story while waiting for so long.

But completed series? Sign me up. Here are a handful coming to their conclusions in 2019. I’ve included the Goodreads descriptions for the first book, mostly because I’ve not read any of these said for above-stated reasons and to avoid potential end-of-series spoilers in using final book descriptions. I’ve included the title and publication date of the final book in clickable links.

“The Bone Witch” series by Rin Chupeco, ending with The Shadowglass which is available now.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.

“The Black Angel Chronicles” by Kristen Orlando, ending with You Won’t See Me Coming, available now.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan. Now Reagan must decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she’s always wanted? And does she even have a choice?

“Alex & Eliza” by Melissa de la Cruz, ending with All for One, publishing April 16.

Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

“Three Dark Crowns” by Kendare Blake, ending with Five Dark Fates on September 3.

When kingdom come, there will be one.

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

“Royal Bastards” by Andrew Shvarts, ending with War of the Bastards on June 4.

Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children.

At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children.

Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness.

Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery.

The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey

Happy reading, y’all! Thanks for hanging and we’ll see you again later this week for some YA news.

PS: If you haven’t already, check out our brand new podcast all about kid lit!

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

Hey YA Readers: Let’s highlight some upcoming YA nonfiction for our TBRs!

“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Disney Publishing Worldwide, publisher of The Devouring Gray.

After the death of her sister, Violet finds herself dragged to the hometown her mother fled years ago. Violet may be new to Four Paths, New York, but she soon learns her family isn’t. They’re one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods. When Violet accidentally wanders into the Gray and unleashes the monster, Violet and her new friends must band together to unearth the dark truths behind their families’ abilities in order to defeat the monster… before the Gray devours them all.

I’m a big fan of YA nonfiction, and I’m so thrilled to see that it’s been growing as a category in the last few years. While I’ve hit on some great collective biographies that are coming out this year (or have hit in recent memory), as well as a handful of memoirs, I haven’t highlighted some of the awesome YA nonfiction that has hit or will hit shelves shortly this year.

Let’s change that now.

Because I’ve not read all of these — I’ve only read a couple and the rest are sitting on my never-ending stacks — I’m pulling descriptions from Amazon because I can’t come up with better. If you haven’t read YA nonfiction before, these titles would be excellent starting places. There are Young Reader Editions (aka: the books adapted from adult books for younger audiences) and original titles.

Dissenter on the Bench by Victoria Ortiz (June 4)

Dramatically narrated case histories from Justice Ginsburg’s stellar career are interwoven with an account of RBG’s life—childhood, family, beliefs, education, marriage, legal and judicial career, children, and achievements—and her many-faceted personality is captured. The cases described, many involving young people, demonstrate her passionate concern for gender equality, fairness, and our constitutional rights. Notes, bibliography, index.

Dreamland by Sam Quinones (July 16)

As an adult book, Sam Quinones’s Dreamland took the world by storm, winning the NBCC Award for General Nonfiction and hitting at least a dozen Best Book of the Year lists. Now, adapted for the first time for a young adult audience, this compelling reporting explains the roots of the current opiate crisis.

In 1929, in the blue-collar city of Portsmouth, Ohio, a company built a swimming pool the size of a football field; named Dreamland, it became the vital center of the community. Now, addiction has devastated Portsmouth, as it has hundreds of small rural towns and suburbs across America. How that happened is the riveting story of Dreamland. Quinones explains how the rise of the prescription drug OxyContin, a miraculous and extremely addictive painkiller pushed by pharmaceutical companies, paralleled the massive influx of black tar heroin–cheap, potent, and originating from one small county on Mexico’s west coast, independent of any drug cartel.

Introducing a memorable cast of characters–pharmaceutical pioneers, young Mexican entrepreneurs, narcotics investigators, survivors, teens, and parents–Dreamland is a revelatory account of the massive threat facing America and its heartland.

Girl Mogul by Tiffany Pham (April 2)

Welcome to Girl Mogul! No matter who you are or where you come from, this book can help you define success, envision it, and make it happen―in school, in your personal life, and at work. Get ready to awaken all the awesomeness that is already inside of you.

You are fierce.
You are bold.
You are unique.
You are driven.
You are inspiring.
YOU ARE A GIRL MOGUL

Tiffany Pham, founder and CEO of Mogul, created one of the most successful platforms for girls worldwide, reaching millions of people to enact true change in their lives, after receiving thousands of emails asking for advice. In Girl Mogul, she speaks directly to teens and young adults, sharing insights from her own life as well from the lives of the most incredible and inspiring women on Mogul. Tiffany has proven that with the right attitude, the right people, and the right vision, there’s nothing girls can’t do.

It’s Trevor Noah by Trevor Noah (available April 9)

Trevor Noah, the funny guy who hosts The Daily Show, shares his remarkable story of growing up in South Africa, with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child like him to exist. But he did exist–and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved Trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government.

This compelling memoir blends drama, comedy, and tragedy to depict the day-to-day trials that turned a boy into a young man. In a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, Trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself, thanks to his mom’s unwavering love and indomitable will.

It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime not only provides a fascinating and honest perspective on South Africa’s racial history, but it will also astound and inspire young readers looking to improve their own lives.

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller (August 27)

When the Dionne Quintuplets were born on May 28, 1934, weighing a grand total of just over 13 pounds, no one expected them to live so much as an hour. Overnight, Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie Dionne mesmerized the globe, defying medical history with every breath they took. In an effort to protect them from hucksters and showmen, the Ontario government took custody of the five identical babies, sequestering them in a private, custom-built hospital across the road from their family–and then, in a stunning act of hypocrisy, proceeded to exploit them for the next nine years. The Dionne Quintuplets became a more popular attraction than Niagara Falls, ogled through one-way screens by sightseers as they splashed in their wading pool at the center of a tourist hotspot known as Quintland. Here, Sarah Miller reconstructs their unprecedented upbringing with fresh depth and subtlety, bringing to new light their resilience and the indelible bond of their unique sisterhood.

The Stonewall Riots by Gayle E Pitman (May 14)

This book is about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community in reaction to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The Riots are attributed as the spark that ignited the LGBTQ+ movement. The author describes American gay history leading up to the Riots, the Riots themselves, and the aftermath, and includes her interviews of people involved or witnesses, including a woman who was ten at the time. Profusely illustrated, the book includes contemporary photos, newspaper clippings, and other period objects. A timely and necessary read, The Stonewall Riots helps readers to understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement.

VIRAL by Ann Bausum (June 4)

Thirty-five years ago, it was a modern-day, mysterious plague. Its earliest victims were mostly gay men, some of the most marginalized people in the country; at its peak in America, it killed tens of thousands of people. The losses were staggering, the science frightening, and the government’s inaction unforgivable. The AIDS Crisis fundamentally changed the fabric of the United States.

Viral presents the history of the AIDS crisis through the lens of the brave victims and activists who demanded action and literally fought for their lives. This compassionate but unflinching text explores everything from the disease’s origins and how it spread to the activism it inspired and how the world confronts HIV and AIDS today.

Want more YA nonfiction recommendations? I pulled together 50 must-read YA nonfiction books you might like, too! 

Thanks for hanging out and we’ll see you later this week!

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