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Bookshop's Favorite Young Adult Books

Looking for an escape from reality? Our favorite YA books will let you immerse yourself in a world of adventure, romance, and self-discovery! Lose yourself in the pages of our staff's favorite Young Adult titles.

The Shattered City by Lisa Maxwell

The Shattered City by Lisa Maxwell is the page-turning conclusion to the Last Magician series. In this novel, the story follows Esta Filosik through time itself. The young thief has been tasked with stealing a mystical book from a powerful magician named Harte. But things don't always go as planned, and the two find safety in and love for each other. However, more than one enemy is still prowling in the shadows, biding time until Esta returns to 1902 to either save magic or destroy it. I enjoyed this novel, but it took a while for the plot to start rolling. Even though the book has over 700 pages, the ending still felt rushed; it was almost anticlimactic with how much tension there was leading up to it. But the poetic language that Maxwell uses was beautiful and an enchanting writing style. The chapters are also quick and short, making the reading easier. The characters felt real and alive–something I also liked. There is well-written LGBTQ+ representation as well. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who have time on their hands and are looking for an action-packed fantasy filled with twists and turns.

—Sylvi

The Shattered City (The Last Magician #4) By Lisa Maxwell Cover Image
$24.99
ISBN: 9781534432512
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books - December 6th, 2022

The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin

After Kat, a paranormal podcaster, receives an anonymous tip about the mysterious town of Estrella Roja, a whirlwind of eerie events take place. Kat meets Mari, a fellow traveler in town for her abuela’s funeral, and the two uncover the secrets that lie in the town’s hills. The trifecta of cryptids, queer representation, and Mexican lore make this graphic novel a must read for the fall season.—Andrea

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The Hills of Estrella Roja By Ashley Robin Franklin, Ashley Robin Franklin (Illustrator) Cover Image
$21.99
ISBN: 9780358567028
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books - August 29th, 2023

Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song by Austin Paramore

Malcolm just wants to play his music, but his dad finds the whole thing frivolous. In fact, when Malcolm’s keyboard breaks, his dad sees it as a sign and refuses to replace it. However, a mysterious music store owner offers Malcolm a too-good-to-be-true deal for a new one. Bollinger’s very expressive art enhances each frame and melds perfectly with the story. I loved the way this story weaves history, music, and magic together.

—Ivy

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Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song By Austin Paramore, Sarah Bollinger (Illustrator), Marika Cresta (Inked or colored by), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer) Cover Image
By Austin Paramore, Sarah Bollinger (Illustrator), Marika Cresta (Inked or colored by), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)
$24.99
ISBN: 9781637152232
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Oni Press - August 1st, 2023

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

Under the guise of writing her college essays, Dani has pulled away from her friends after being sexually assaulted at a party. Prince—aka local radio DJ LoveJones—has a tight group of friends but dismisses dreams of becoming a big-city DJ. A chance meeting between these two high school seniors leads to a revelatory three-date experiment that centers Black writers, Detroit’s musical history, and tight family bonds as the inspiring backdrop. Read this if you loved The Sun Is Also a Star.—Michelle

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Love Radio By Ebony LaDelle Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781665908160
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - August 29th, 2023

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea

With its mystery noir tone, this debut novel sends you on a wild ride with elements of Lovecraftian horror and political drama. Laure is a Black ballerina that is tired of being overlooked by the prejudiced board members of the Paris ballet. She takes matters into her own hands by making a powerful deal with a running river, and gets roped into solving a murder before she herself becomes the next victim. Atmospheric and visceral.—Mo

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I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me By Jamison Shea Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781250909565
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - August 29th, 2023

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

In the medieval royal capital of Helston, the rules of the realm dictate that girls study magic and boys train to be knights. Callie, however, isn’t a boy or a girl; they just want to be a knight. Bolstered by the support of their new friends, Callie takes on rigid gender norms and fights for change, showing that family are the ones who love you unconditionally. Sir Callie’s adventures continue with book 2, which comes out this November!—Sofia

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The Spirit Bares Its Teeth By Andrew Joseph White Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781682636114
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Peachtree Teen - September 5th, 2023

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Two sisters fight to save each other from the world and from themselves in this stunning fairy tale. Her Radiant Curse explores the dark side of beauty and the unexpected boons of growing up different from the crowd, while also celebrating the deep bond of sisterhood. Moreover, there are dragons, talking snakes, and a beautifully crafted world to set the stage for these loveable characters. —Zoe

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Her Radiant Curse By Elizabeth Lim Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780593300992
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers - August 29th, 2023

True True by Don P. Hooper

In the medieval royal capital of Helston, the rules of the realm dictate that girls study magic and boys train to be knights. Callie, however, isn’t a boy or a girl; they just want to be a knight. Bolstered by the support of their new friends, Callie takes on rigid gender norms and fights for change, showing that family are the ones who love you unconditionally. Sir Callie’s adventures continue with book 2, which comes out this November!

—Sofia

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True True By Don P. Hooper Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780593462102
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Nancy Paulsen Books - August 1st, 2023

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

The book Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli is a light-hearted, enjoyable book. It's about a girl, Kate, who has a crush on the same guy her best friend Anderson does. She's pretty used to short-lived, unrequited crushes, until Matt moves to her school. Kate then realizes that this crush might be different from the others in that it might be reciprocated. She also hopes that this year, she'll finally get a significant part in the school play. Little does she know that getting cast as a couple with Matt might not be exactly what she expects.

Also that sometimes the people you don't notice are the ones that see you the most. This book was really good! It was kind of predictable in a comforting way, but still had surprises. My favorite character was probably Anderson because he didn't out Matt even though he really wanted to tell Kate that they were dating. He respected the fact that Matt was not ready to tell people and didn't go behind his back or anything. Even though he kind of jeopardized his relationship with Kate, but it worked out for all of them in the end. I also really liked Noah because even though he had had a crush on Kate forever, he waited until Kate got over Matt to tell her. He was also always there for her when things with Anderson got weird and tense. Their relationship is cute since Noah is her brother Ryan's best friend from when they were kids. So they've known each other forever.

I don't know, I think I'm just a sucker for that kind of love story. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, comforting love-story, full of laughs and a few tears.

— Payton L

Kate in Waiting By Becky Albertalli Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780062643841
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Balzer + Bray - July 12th, 2022

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Sabriel's father has gone missing and she must take up his mantle of ushering the dead into the underworld. to combat a powerful enemy of the Old World. With the help of an amnesiac and something cat-like, the entire world is at stake. This has been a constant favorite of mine since I was young. You'll want to return to Sabriel's world again and again—thankfully it's an ongoing series! 

— Ivy

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Sabriel 25th Anniversary Classic Edition By Garth Nix Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780063040496
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins - August 3rd, 2021

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