Best Teen Books 2017Like this list

25 items

• The Upside of Unrequited

  Albertalli, Becky,

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  Molly and her twin sister have always been close. Now that Cassie has a girlfriend, the sisters are drifting apart, so Molly is determined to turn her 27th crush into her first relationship. A coming-of-age story full of humor and heart.

• City of Saints & Thieves

  Anderson, Natalie C.

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  Tina, a Congolese refugee, believes her mother was murdered by Mr. Greyhill. When her revenge is derailed, she teams up with his son to uncover the truth. Deftly explores issues of race and economic exploitation without sacrificing an…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Crack in the Sea

  Bouwman, H. M.,

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  Fantasy meets history in this moving and complex novel that weaves together an imaginary world with two real tragedies: the slave trade of the 1700s and the plight of Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s.

• Pashmina

  Chanani, Nidhi,

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  Pri is curious about her dad and her Indian family, but those topics are off limits with her mom. When Pri discovers a hidden pashmina, it transports her to a dream India, where the graphic novel's black and white illustrations burst into…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Spellbook of the Lost and Found

  Fowley-Doyle, Moïra,

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  A spell to bring back missing things has unexpected consequences for six Irish teenagers. Fowley-Doyle's rich, atmospheric writing imbues this dark story with magic and suspense.

• Turtles All the Way Down

  Green, John, 1977-

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  Aza and her friends are on the hunt for a missing billionaire, but this thoughtful novel from superstar Green is really an exploration of what its like to live with anxiety and OCD. Challenging, complex, and heartbreaking.

• Vincent and Theo

  the Van Gogh Brothers

  Heiligman, Deborah,

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  Vincent Van Gogh's relationship with his brother Theo made the artist's famous paintings possible. Drawing on the hundreds of letters the brothers wrote, Heiligman draws a captivating portrait of their complex relationship.

• Amina's Voice

  Khan, Hena,

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  Amina learns to balance her Pakistani heritage with the parts of American culture that she loves, especially music, all while dealing with complicated middle school friendships. A relatable coming-of-age story for readers of all…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• We Are Okay

  LaCour, Nina

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  Nearly drowning in grief and confusion after her grandfather's death, Miren decides to spend winter break in her dorm rather than return home to San Francisco. A visit from her friend Mabel brings her past to light in this quiet,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

  Lee, Mackenzi,

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  Lord-to-be Monty, his sister Felicity, and his friend (and unrequited love interest) Percy embark on a Grand Tour of Europe, but Monty's penchant for hedonism leads to trouble. Exuberant, smart, and tons of fun.

• Genuine Fraud

  Lockhart, E.,

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  Jule and Imogen have the kind of intense, all-consuming friendship that's impossible to leave behind. Or they did until Immie killed herself. Now Jule is alone and on the run - but why? Intricately plotted, razor sharp, unputdownable…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• One of Us Is Lying

  McManus, Karen M.,

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  Five students go into detention; four come out. The murdered student is the creator of a gossip app, and all of the others had reason to want him gone. Now they're the primary suspects and must prove their innocence in this twisty thriller.

• When Dimple Met Rishi

  Menon, Sandhya,

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  Dimple is at the summer program to develop a new app; Rishi is there to meet Dimple, his future bride. But nobody told Dimple about the arranged marriage, and she's less than thrilled when Rishi tries to explain. A sweet and funny romantic…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ramona Blue

  Murphy, Julie, 1985-

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  Blue-haired lesbian Ramona is "the responsible one," working multiple jobs to support her dad and pregnant sister. When an old friend resurfaces, Ramona questions everything she thought she knew about herself in this endearing love story.

• Loving Vs. Virginia

  a Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case

  Powell, Patricia Hruby, 1951-

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  Mildred and Richard Loving's battle to have their interracial marriage legally recognized went all the way to the Supreme Court. Free verse, historical documents, and illustration combine to tell the Lovings' incredible story.

• Long Way Down

  Reynolds, Jason,

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  In this breathtakingly tense read, fifteen-year-old Will rides an elevator down seven floors. Tucked into his waistband is the gun he plans to use to avenge his brother's death. Can the elevator's other passengers change his mind?

• The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

  Sáenz, Benjamin Alire,

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  Sal's not one for trouble, but when someone insults his adoptive gay dad, he gets into a fight; another soon follows. As Sal and his friends struggle with anger, change, and loss, Sal's loving family supports him. A spare, profound story.

• I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

  Sánchez, Erika L.,

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  When her dutiful older sister dies, decidedly undutiful Julia is left to pick up the pieces with her Mexican-American family. Angry and brash, Julia struggles with her family's expectations in this gritty exploration of young adulthood.

• Undefeated

  Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team

  Sheinkin, Steve,

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  Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, was an incredible athlete who led the Carlisle Indian Industrial School's incredible football team. Undefeated chronicles Thorpe's rise amid the appalling and racist practices of the school.

• Strange the Dreamer

  Taylor, Laini,

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  Lazlo dreams of visiting the mythical city of Weep, where centuries ago men defeated the gods in a battle so destructive the city itself disappeared Lazlo. Taylor's sumptuous writing and astonishing world-building star in this rich fantasy.