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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 Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

What does it mean to grow up when you'll never get old? Black continues the literary traditions of Dracula and Interview With the Vampire by adapting vampire symbolism to the modern day and a young adult audience in this delicate, elegant text, with beautiful prose and a sly nod towards our often ridiculous, often dangerous obsession with sexy vampires... and, don't worry, a beautiful and dangerous vampire boy to boot.-Yves

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The Coldest Girl in Coldtown By Holly Black Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780316213097
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - August 12th, 2014

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me written by Mariko Tamaki

Despite their on-and-off relationship status constant change, Freddy can’t seem to call it quits with her girlfriend Laura Dean. She’s the cool girlfriend everyone wants, but is it really good for Freddy to keep holding on? In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell team up to show a lesbian love story with depth and complexities that rarely get talked about. Just open it up and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it, too.

—Andrea C.

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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me By Mariko Tamaki Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781626722590
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: First Second - May 7th, 2019

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

You might already be familiar with this modern classic coming-of-age novel told in letters, but have you had a chance to read it? While the film adaptation (script also written by the author) is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations, this novel is told in such a distinct manner that it is best read on your own. Feels like a well-kept secret, intimate and personal, this novel is truly unlike anything else.

—Andrea C.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780671027346
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: MTV Books - February 1st, 1999

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

We Are Okay tells the story of 18 year-old Marin who, months after enduring a tragic loss, must confront the life she ran away from when her best friend comes to visit her. Nina LaCour’s sincere and beautiful prose captures the grief, heartbreak, and hope of the story, reminding us all to fight hard for the people we care most about. One of the most cathartic cries I’ve had from reading, I adore this book.

—Alana

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We Are Okay By Nina LaCour Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9780142422939
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books - February 26th, 2019

All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

The Raven Cycle vibes meets Derry Girls' humor, with its own unique twist. After Maeve Chambers finds a tarot deck and starts giving readings, weird things start happening all over town, including her ex-best friend going missing, an extremist group showing up, and awful nightmares she can’t shake… With a great cast of characters, funny and witty dialogue, bisexual representation, and an engaging storyline, this book became one of my top favorites very quickly.

—Alana

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All Our Hidden Gifts (The Gifts) By Caroline O'Donoghue, Stefanie Caponi (Illustrator) Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781536225266
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Walker Books US - May 3rd, 2022

Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland

Laura wants to use her magic to become a renowned baker, but her workings are prohibited. To find a way around this, Laura signs up to work for a government agency that works to keep magic in blighted zones in check. This is such a great reimagining of the Great Depression and the magic system is so cool! Perfect for fans of Six of Crows or historical fantasy.

—Ivy

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Rust in the Root By Justina Ireland Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780063038226
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Balzer + Bray - September 20th, 2022

Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker & Nicole Goux

Brooke and her friends uncover a potential way out of being outcasts in their small town. How? By burning and selling bootleg anime DVDs to their peers. Their plan seems to have no faults, except for the complicated and changing personal entanglement the girls have with each other. Messy queer romance drama, anime obsession, and a search for belonging make this a graphic novel full of growing pains and nostalgia.

—Andrea C.

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Forest Hills Bootleg Society By Dave Baker, Nicole Goux, Dave Baker (Illustrator), Nicole Goux (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Dave Baker, Nicole Goux, Dave Baker (Illustrator), Nicole Goux (Illustrator)
$12.99
ISBN: 9781534469488
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - September 27th, 2022

How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

Freshly out of a messy breakup, Shani is ready to dive into her month-long Washington, DC, internship, studying her actual true love: fish. However, this winter break plan is suddenly interrupted when Shani’s mom bumps into a girl with her Subaru—namely, fellow scientist May—and possibly creates the perfect meet-cute. A wonderful mix of Jewish holiday representation with two lesbian scientists and a cute corgi. What else could you ask for?

—Andrea C.

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How to Excavate a Heart By Jake Maia Arlow Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780063078727
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: HarperTeen - November 1st, 2022

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman

Internet friends Angel (a huge fan of the boyband the Ark) and Jimmy (its lead singer) bond over music, fandom, and their complicated lives offline. Both narrators talk to the reader like a friend, with familiar language and inside jokes that will resonate with those who grew up online. Oseman explores themes like anxiety with gravity and compassion, making her endearing characters and their relationships more and more real. Nick and Charlie are reading this book on the cover of the upcoming Heartstopper novella!

—Isaac

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I Was Born for This By Alice Oseman Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781338830934
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press - October 18th, 2022

Anne of Greenville by Mariko Tamaki

Anne and her two moms have moved to the middle of nowhere (Greenville), and Anne is ready to dazzle with her sweet disco roller skating dance moves. Upon her arrival, however, it seems like the townies have other ideas of what is acceptable. Anne must hold her quick temper to (rightfully) stand up for herself against homophobic and racist classmates and their parents. A fun retelling that pays loving homage to its predecessor.

—Andrea C.

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Anne of Greenville By Mariko Tamaki Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781368078405
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Melissa de la Cruz Studio - October 4th, 2022

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