Being a teenager is not easy, and it never was. Teens have to learn so much about the world in a short period of time—the transition between childhood and adulthood—and sometimes all at once. This year’s young adult stories had us looking at familiar things—like summer camps and chess—and challenging the status quo in a new way. We loved along with our characters for the first time, and lived their first big mistakes too, which, in the end, made everyone into a better person. That’s the beauty of being young and impressionable—you can make yourself over and over again.
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Krystal Marquis’s debut novel boasts not only heart but depth, exploring the lives of a wealthy Black family navigating Chicago society in 1910, inspired by the family of real-life inventor Charles Patterson. In this story, everything I didn’t know I was seeking in my next listen unfolded before me—romance, heroines rebelling against social constructs, and a thoughtful exploration of what it meant to be a successful Black person in society and the weight they carried. Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s narration captures the energy of the characters and vibe of the time with thoughtful cadences and endearing rasps. —Kelley S.
Divine Rivals is an epistolary love story set against the backdrop of a war of literal mythological proportions. Trolley cars and old-fashioned newsrooms conjure a cozy mystery vibe, while magical typewriters whisper steampunk. Heart-wrenching love letters and teen angst delivered in swoony dual narration by the super talented Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk round out the romance. Whatever this mash-up is, it's boldly and beautifully untethered from reality, and I gobbled up every minute of it. The countdown is on for the sequel! —Emily C.
No joke, I listened to Ali Hazelwood’s YA debut in about 24 hours. It’s an underdog story done right, and I learned a lot about what the world of chess might be like for women, who are all unfairly underdogs in the professional realm. I rooted for Mallory fiercely as she learns her true worth and takes a lot of names at the chessboard. And narrator Karissa Vacker made me laugh out loud with her delivery of the creative insults and quick wit that Hazelwood’s characters are known for. —Melissa B.
Hayley Kiyoko’s trajectory and creative prowess fascinates me. She’s a pop star, actress, social media sensation, director, and now we can add author to the list. Her debut YA novel, based on her hit song of the same name, covers grief, longing, and belonging in a multifaceted yet approachable way. Coley, who is voiced by Kiyoko, is facing devastating loss and seismic shifts in her world when she meets and falls for Sonya, a confident, popular girl in the new town she never wanted to move to. This coming-of-age story about losing and finding yourself in formative relationships delivers. —K.S
I was absolutely mesmerized by this unpauseable thriller from writer-to-watch Joelle Wellington. Part satire, part social commentary, Their Vicious Games reimagines the college admissions process as a sinister game of life or death. When her acceptance to Yale is rescinded due to a fight with a fellow classmate, prep school student Adina snags an invite to an exclusive competition in hopes of securing a second chance. Ariel Blake’s beautifully complex performance infuses Adina with a defiant determination to succeed, balanced by tender moments of vulnerability, as she learns harsh truths about privilege and power in this searing debut. —Margaret H.
No stranger to making waves, football quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick shares the moving true story of the first time he had to challenge the expectations the world had set out for him. As a high school senior and star baseball player (you read that right), Kaepernick was being heavily recruited by colleges and the MLB, but he had football in his heart. In this YA multicast dramatization starring Kaepernick and Jaden Michael, he shares the genesis of the truth that has driven his life and career: Never stop imagining—and fighting for—the world and life that you want. —E.C.
I can honestly say I’ve never listened to anything quite like The Wicked Bargain. It’s the story of a nonbinary teen pirate who has magic inside them that needs to be released and is quite hard to control. Mar is very powerful, but the problem here is that not many people have magic, and those that do are feared. The stakes kept getting higher and higher, and I ended up falling deep inside Mar’s world of Diablos, demonios, and the open sea, narrated so lushly by the beautiful voice of Vico Ortiz. I didn’t want to leave it behind. —M.B.
Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters trilogy is one of my favorite romance series, so when I learned that she was writing a young adult romance, I knew it would not disappoint. Featuring delightful narration from Amina Koroma and Jonathan Andrew Hume, Hibbert’s YA debut is a hilarious rom-com centered on former friends who sign up for a wilderness survival course with a college scholarship—and their hearts—on the line. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute was this year's first release from Joy Revolution, an imprint led by YA powerhouse couple Nicola Yoon and David Yoon. —M.H.
This vibrant novel-in-verse is made ever more stunning by its audio production. Narrated by the author herself, Amber McBride’s poetic words land with grace, even as she depicts clinical depression and the trauma of grief. When the main character, Whimsy, meets a boy named Faerry who she realizes has magic inside of him just like she does, I was hooked—I had to discover what tied them to each other. Full of wisdom that can be appreciated at any age, this story is ultimately the tale of two adolescents finding refuge in friendship despite the harsh realities they have lived through. —Madeline A.
Becky Albertalli, perhaps best known for her Simonverse series and its film adaptation, was once subjected to online scrutiny and invalidation surrounding her identity. But now, nearly three years after her own complicated and public coming-out journey, she’s ready to reflect on those experiences with Imogen, Obviously. With a character that not only mirrors Albertalli’s experiences surrounding sexuality and coming out, this story also dives headfirst into the issues of biphobia, gatekeeping, and the fraught discourse that still surrounds coming out, with Caitlun Kinnunen sensitively narrating Imogen’s story. —Michael C.
Alaska Jackson is quickly making a name for herself as a go-to YA narrator. She expertly juggles the three young women at the heart of The Blackwoods, Brandy Colbert’s captivating love letter to Black Hollywood. In the aftermath of their great-grandmother Blossom Blackwood’s death, teenage cousins Ardith and Hollis must navigate the ups and downs of being born into a famous family. Chapters that follow a 15-year-old Blossom, starting in 1942, chart the Hollywood star’s historic rise to fame—and showcase how events of the past can reverberate across generations. Jackson gives each woman’s POV a distinct voice that complements their character’s individual personality. —M.H.
After finishing this listen, I fully understood why it has been called “a love letter to queer Latinx communities.” The story, which revolves around a nonbinary Mexican American teen falling in love with the sexy new waiter at their family’s taqueria in San Antonio, Texas, is both heartwarming and painfully realistic as ICE threatens to come between the young lovers. Truly captivating, Ander & Santi Were Here follows the plight of an exceptional couple you can’t help but root for and won't soon forget. —M.A.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka is back again after his award-winning Hey, Kiddo with a moving story about the hope and joy to be found at a summer camp for sick children and their families. In high school, Jarrett volunteered at Camp Sunshine, where he at first felt totally out of his depth. But as it turns out, being out of your depth can be a good thing. Along with a full-cast narration, Sunshine features sound effects that thrust you right into the heart of camp. The quality and emotional authenticity of the performances made me homesick for something I’d never experienced—and made me remember high school in a way I hadn’t thought about in years. —M.B.
It was a surprise and a delight to be able to listen to Murtagh, a continuation of the series that began with Eragon more than 20 years ago. The events begin after the conclusion of the first four books, so in a way it feels like starting over. What could Murtagh be striving for in this new beginning? It’s just him and his dragon, Thorn, as they try to do right in a world that never wants to see their faces again. Gerard Doyle, our original series narrator, returns with iconic performances of characters both familiar and new. —M.B.
