The New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens list doesn't come out until November, but the committee of YA staff members is hard at work reading as many 2019 titles as they can get their hands on. Here's some new fiction that's on their radar.

A Story about Cancer (with a Happy Ending) by India Desjardins and Marianne Ferrer

When she is ten years old, a girl is diagnosed with leukemia and describes her journey through the next five years, including her medical treatments, her relationships with nurses and other patients, and falling in love.

This book is: Authentic, Emotionally intense, Moving, Romantic.

 

 

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel

After her best friend, Agnes, goes into a coma as a result of a game of Truth or Dare, rising senior Hannah's secrets begin to escape while she is locked in a psychiatric hospital.

This book is: Character-driven, Emotionally intense, Suspenseful.
 

 

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Friends Hetty, Byatt, and Reece go to extremes trying to uncover the dark truth about the mysterious disease that has had them quarantined at their boarding school on a Maine island.

This book is: Gritty, Haunting, Suspenseful.

 

 

 

Mike by Andrew Norriss

A promising young Wimbledon hopeful navigates his relationship with a mysterious imaginary friend whose inconvenient presence forces the young athlete to confront both his greatest fear and desire.

This book is: An allegory, A coming-of-age story, Quirky, Reflective.

 

 

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, on the Silk Road, which is currently protected by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, from attacks by the violent and ruthless Shayateen djinn--but Fatima was infused with the fire of the Ifrit who died saving her when she was four years old.

This book is: Court intrigue, Fantasy, Own voices, World-building.

 

 

 

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza

Marlowe hopes that meeting the family of her heart donor will help her move on from being "The Dying Girl," but family, neighborhood, and other complications hold her back.

This book is: Amusing, A coming-of-age story, Romantic.

 

 

 

Summaries via the NoveList database.

Check out more of our New & Noteworthy books, and let us know which new kids' books you're excited about in the comments!

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