Each quarter, the Selected Lists teams compile the officially nominated titles to date. These titles have been suggested by the team or through the title suggestion form, read by multiple team members, and received approval to be designated an official nomination. These titles were the final nominated titles before the BFYA team compiled the final list and top ten.
–Molly Dettmann, BFYA Coordinator
And the Trees Stare Back. By Gigi Griffis. 2025. 368 p. Holiday House, $19.99 (9780823459124) Gr. 9 – 12
In Soviet-era Estonia, sixteen‑year‑old Vik’s sister returns unchanged after vanishing into a cursed bog, and nothing about her seems real. A chilling folk‑horror steeped in history, grief, and political oppression, this novel is a lyrical, haunting exploration of trauma, identity, and resistance.
Emilie is a battle skater, a mashup of ice skating and martial arts, and in his first senior competition is pitted against reigning champ, Radu. In that match, not only does he figure out Radu’s secret, but they also start crushing on each other.
Aisle Nine. Ian X. Cho. 2024. 272 p. HarperCollins, $19.99 (9780063206809) Gr. 9 – 12.
Jasper learns to navigate life as a 17-year-old who can’t remember anything about themself while fighting demons, crushing on someone at his work, and avoiding the portal to hell that has manifested in aisle nine of the mart where he works as a clerk.
Climate of Chaos. By Cassandra Newbould. 2025. 384 p. Peachtree Teen, $19.99 (9781682637579) Gr. 9 -12.
When her sister is held captive by the Aegis Corporation, and her camp’s leaders decide not to risk a rescue mission, Fox and a group of friends will risk their lives mounting a rescue mission from inside enemy walls in this suspenseful dystopian story.
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe. By C.B. Lee. 2025. 388 p. Feiwel & Friends, $19.99 (9781250778024). Gr. 8 – 12.
Two girls from alternate versions of Earth- one mundane, one magical – meet by chance in a coffee shop and fall for each other as increasing instability between their universes threatens their newfound happiness.
The Corruption of Hollis Brown. By K. Ancrum. 2025. 384 p. Harper Collins Publishing, $19.99 (9780063285835). Gr. 9 – 12.
Hollis Brown’s life is upended when he offers a strange boy shelter, unknowingly trading his own body in the process. A chilling yet tender thriller, this title explores the evolving connection between Hollis and Walt, and features strong secondary characters and impactful social commentary.
The Grove. By Brooks Whitney Phillips. 2025. 291 p. Viking, $19.99 (978059320128). Gr. 8 – 12.
A lyrical coming-of-age story set in the 1960s about two sisters that examines issues of generational trauma, poverty, racism, and growing up in the wake of life-altering secrets.
I Am The Swarm. By Hayley Chewins. 2025. 326 p. Viking, $19.99 (9780593623862). Gr. 9 – 12.
Nell comes into her own magic that manifests her emotions with appearances of swarms of different bugs that demonstrate to the reader how Nell is feeling about her challenges socially, with her family, her music teacher, and love interest.
Last Bookstore on Earth. By Lily Braun-Arnold. 2025. 320 p. Delacorte Press, $19.99 (9780593899489). Gr. 7 – 12.
After a chemical storm kills her family and ravages her New Jersey town, Liz Flannery moves into the bookstore where she worked before her world fell apart. Alone in the crumbling store, Liz knows that she must prepare for another storm coming soon, but other threats loom even closer.
Night Owls. A. R. Vishny. 2024. 356 p. Harper Collins, $19.99 (9780063327306) Gr. 9 – 12
Sisters Clara and Molly have kept themselves alive for centuries running the local movie theater during the day and turning into blood-thirsty, man-douring owls in secret by night. They follow simple rules that Molly is starting to question, including to never fall in love.
On Again, Awkward Again. Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia. 2025. 262 p. Harry N. Abrams Inc, $19.99 (9781419775635). Gr. 7 – 12.
High school freshmen Pacita (Pacy) Mercado and Cecil Holloway have no interest in romance – until they meet each other, that is. But can they overcome their own awkwardness or will it derail their relationship before it even has a chance to start?
Rosa By Any Other Name. By Hailey Alcaraz. 2025. 408 p. Viking, $20.99 (97805935525579). Gr. 9 – 12.
Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, this novel follows Rosa Capistrano, a Mexican American teen passing as white during the civil rights era. When a forbidden love leads to tragedy, Rosa must confront prejudice and risk everything to stand up for justice, identity, and the truth.
Salvación. By Sandra Proudman. 2025. 336 p. Wednesday Books, $21.99 (9781250895080). Gr. 8 – 12.
In this feminist homage to El Zorro, 17-year-hold Lola de la Peña dons the mask of Salvación to protect her town of Coloma and all that she holds dear.
Shampoo Unicorn. By Sawyer Lovett. 2025. 320 p. Hyperion, $18.99 (9781368108959). Gr. 9 – 12.
Rural Appalachian queer teen Brian and his friends use their podcast to solve a mystery, and heal themselves and make connections along the way.
Songlight. By Moira Buffini. 2024. 376 p. Harper Collins, $19.99 (9780063358218). Gr. 9 – 12.
Elsa lives in a world where her songlight is abhorred and referred to as inhuman. She only knows of one other person, Rye, who shares this ability and suddenly, he is snatched from her life.
These Vengeful Gods. By Gabe Cole Novoa. 2025. 432 p. Random House Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9780593898123). Gr. 7 – 12.
When their uncles are arrested, Crew must risk revealing their identity as a descendant of the god of Death by entering the deadly Tournament of the Gods. As they fight for their loved ones, they’ll uncover secrets that could change the world.
Truth Is. By Hannah V. Sawyerr. 2025. 480 p. Amulet Books, $21.99 (9781419776830). Gr. 9 – 12.
Truth dreams of freedom from her past and small town, while navigating an unplanned pregnancy and complicated relationships. After her abortion, joining a slam poetry team helps her process her experiences, until a viral video of her performance thrusts her into the spotlight.
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire. By Don Martin. 336 p. Page Street YA, $18.99 (9798890032706). Gr. 7 – 12
Witch-in-training Verity Vox receives a mysterious message summoning her to Foxfire, a town cursed by a traveling magician named Earl. Verity arrives and offers help, but discovers that the townspeople don’t trust outsiders, especially witches. Can Verity work to gain their trust and break the curse?
When Devils Sing. By Xan Kaur. 2025. 400 p. Henry Holt and Co., $21.99 (9781250357175), Gr. 8 – 12.
Every 13 years, the cicadas descend on Carrion. Along with that, some townsperson go missing. Legend has it that the devil walks among them, offering deals to those most vulnerable. But the cost of these deals can be huge…and painful.
The Dividing Sky. By Jill Tew. 2024. 352 p. Joy Revolution, $19.99 (9780593710357). Gr. 8 – 12.
In a future ruled by a ruthless corporation, Liv sells memories for LifeCorps. While on a dangerous mission that erases her memories, she joins forces with the police officer tracking her. Together, they uncover LifeCorp’s secrets and confront their feelings as they try to survive their journey.
NHis Face is the Sun. By Michelle Jabes Corpora. 2025. 528 p. Sourcebooks Fire, $19.99 (9781464224584). Gr. 9 – 12.
Plagued by corruption and historical prophecies, this foursome must combine talents to bring down the evil king and save their lands from over-farming and unreasonable taxes to the throne.
Kill Creatures. By Rory Power. 2025. 288 p. Delacorte Press, $19.99 (9780593302316). Gr. 9 – 12
A year after killing her three best friends, Nan is forced to confront buried truths when one of them mysteriously reappears.
Legendary Frybread Drive-In. By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, Marcella Bell, Darcie Little Badger, Karina Iceberg, Kaua Mahoe Adams, Andrea L. Rogers, Cheryl Isaacs, Christine Hartman Derr, Brian Young, K. A. Cobell, Jen Ferguson, A. J. Eversole, Byron Graves, Angeline Boulley, David A. Robertson. 2025. 352 p. Heartdrum, $19.99 (9780063314269). Gr. 8 – 12.
In this anthology of loosely-connected short stories by Indigenous and First Nations authors, teens from across North America each find their way to the famous yet mysterious Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In where the food is superlative and the company edifying.
Check out our interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith here!
Nobody in Particular. Sophie Gonzales. 2025. 352 p. Wednesday Books, $21.99 (9781250352491). Gr. 8 – 12.
At her new boarding school, American scholarship student Danni befriends Princess Rosemary, heir to the small European country in which their school is located. The two fall hard for each, but the expectations of Rose’s future role as queen pose a significant threat to their relationship.
On the Wings of la Noche. By Vanessa L. Torres. 2025. 343 p. Alfred A. Knopf, $19.99 (9780593426173). Gr. 9 – 12.
As a Lechuza, it’s Noche’s job to escort souls to the afterlife, but when her girlfriend dies, Noche can’t say goodbye. As Noche struggles to move on while also developing feelings for someone else, soon Noche will have to make a choice.
Ruin Road. By Lamar Giles. 2024. 368 p. Scholastic Press, $19.99 (9781338894134). Gr. 9 – 12.
After a terrifying encounter with police, a talented teen football player makes a wish that unleashes a supernatural force.
Check out our interview with lamar giles here!
A Second Chance on Earth. By Juan Vidal. 2024. 216 p. Holiday House, $18.99 (9780823457113). Gr. 8 – 12.
After his father’s fatal motorcycle accident, Marcos Cadena finds solace in writing and in reading his father’s copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude. A summer in Cartagena deepens Marcos’s bond with his family, heritage, and self.
Sometimes the Girl. By Jennifer Mason-Black. 2025. 304 p. Carolrhoda Lab, $19.99 (9781728493299). Gr. 9 – 12.
Holiday’s summer job cataloging a legendary author’s attic becomes a journey into grief, creative ambition, and healing connection. A poetic, character driven coming of age novel that explores intergenerational queer kinship, artistic identity, and the courage to reclaim your voice.
The Story of My Anger. Jasmine Mendez. 2025. 336 p. Dial Books, $19.99 (9780593531877). Gr. 7 – 12.
When her drama club teacher again gives the starring role to a white student, and her favorite teacher’s class library and lesson plans are censored, Yuli joins her friends in creating a guerilla theatre club.
Top Heavy. By Rhonda DeChambeau. 2025. 352 p. Holiday House, $19.99 (9780823458134). Gr 8 – 12.
Life gets complicated for Esme when she and her best friend are invited to the Elite dance team, where tuition and recital costumes carry a price tag that is out of reach. Then, one night with friends, a stranger gropes her chest, and everything begins to fall apart.
The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday. By Kelsey B. Toney. 2025. 304 p. Random House Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9780593811511). Gr. 7 – 12.
When her dreams for the future seem to be ruined by the devastating period pain her doctors have been dismissing for years, and her new school isn’t supportive of students experiencing chronic illness, Delia rallies with new friends to fight for the care they deserve.
Wake the Wild Creatures. By Nove Ren Suma. 2025. 384 p. Little Brown & Co., $18.99 (9781616206727). Gr. 9 – 12.
High up in the Catskills in an abandoned mountaintop hotel, Talia and her mother have created a community of like-minded women, but their lives are upended when Talia is captured by law enforcement and sent to live with her aunt.