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By: Kristin Milks, Collection Development Specialist

Young and old! Serious and sassy! Fantasy and reality readers! GATHER AROUND! It’s time to talk about the exciting Young Adult books of 2016 we recommend you add to your collection for Teen Read Week.

Now where to start…

Fantasy:
Someone somewhere said that an unknown author by the name of JK Rowling had a new book. We must have other stock worthy of discussion though…

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima is the first in a new series set in the Seven Realms universe. Ash is a healer seeking revenge against the king when he runs into Jenna who is trying to evade notice for a birth mark that makes her a target. Together they will forge a bond over a common enemy.

Mystery:
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro is a fun romp into the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson’s teenage descendants. It has great crossover appeal and is the first in a new series.

Graphic Novel:

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier tows the line between YA and Juvenile, but it’s on the list because it is SO GOOD! Raina writes and draws characters who are easy to like and stories that are easy to digest yet are dealing with some heavy issues. After moving to a new town to help little sister, Maya, deal with her cystic fibrosis, stories of ghosts start popping up everywhere. But Cat, the older sister, is not taken with these silly superstitions and refuses to accept them. A great story about dealing with sickness, finding your roots, and family.

Romance:
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch has too many words in the title if you ask me. Love Gelato would have sold me. There aren’t enough romance novels about food. Anyway, this book is seriously delicious. It takes place in Italy with a young woman, Lina, who starts to discover more about her recently deceased mother through her mom’s diary. Romance, adventure, and an Italian back splash make for a dreamy read.

Realistic Fiction
The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock is YA literature at its best. An exploration of four teens lives in 1970s Alaska, the novel is about finding ones place in a world that is both harsh and unimaginably beautiful.

Ahh! So many more to talk about but no time to do it. If you’re looking for more great picks, take a look at our list and also check out our Kids’ and Teens’ eHighlights catalogs.