Maybe it's just me, but I feel like young adult books just keep getting better and better. This year we've seen a treasure trove of fantasy, historical fiction, and novels populated by characters as diverse as the world we live in, dealing with issues that are front page news. If what we've seen published in the first half of the year is any indication, 2019 is going to be a year of young adult novels stacking up on the must-read pile.
The list of our top 20 favorites so far includes something for nearly every reader, whether your taste runs to thrillers, fantasy, nonfiction, or contemporary novels. Our number one pick is SHOUT, a follow-up to Laurie Halse Anderson's groundbreaking book Speak which twenty years ago raised the issue of consent and gave a voice to many who had been silent. SHOUT is Anderson's story, a free verse memoir about her experiences before and after Speak, and what the conversation about sexual assault looks today. It is truly remarkable and inspiring.
Below is the complete list of the best of 2019 in young adult, and you can find more of the best books of the year so far across more than a dozen categories, including literature & fiction, nonfiction, mysteries & thrillers, biographies & memoirs, and more.
You might also like:
- More of our best books of the year so far
- The Amazon Book Review Podcast
- News about award-winning books
Subscribe to the Amazon Book Review, featuring picks for the best books of the month, author interviews, reading recommendations, and more from the Amazon Books editors.
