I’m glad that more and more people are giving Young Adult (YA) novels a chance, because there are truly some really special, really spectacular reads out there. These are a few that have made an impact on me lately…
One by Sarah Crossan took me by surprise, in a good way. Told entirely in verse (which I generally don’t dig), this is the story of Tippi and Grace, conjoined twins who share everything. As they navigate high school, they have to contend with love, the future, each other, and the mounting need for a dangerous separation surgery. Emotional and well-written, I absolutely devoured this novel – highly recommended!
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven just…broke my heart with its beauty, raw energy, and obvious love for Indiana. Violet and Finch first meet when they are both on top of the bell tower at school, contemplating the unthinkable – and they both end up back on solid earth. But who saves who? From there, a friendship begins, pulling them both along through thick and thin. This gentle novel tackles so much with tremendous emotion and heart, and it just…I can’t even talk about the end. Except that as soon as someone reads it, I’ll NEED to discuss it. So, SO good.
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon is EVERYTHING. I tore through this in a matter of hours, because I was just UNABLE to put it down. Lovingly illustrated and beautifully told, this is the story of Maddy, a literal “girl in the bubble”, and what happens when Olly moves in next door. Wrought with emotion, sadness, yearning and hope, I can’t recommend this enough. You HAVE to read this one!
Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova is just a really cute graphic novel, one that would definitely help hook girls into this genre. The awkward girl, the awkward boy, high school, and how relationships don’t always have to fit convention. Quick and cute, I really enjoyed it!
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