Native Hawaiian teen, Aouli Smith, lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the gloomy weather mirrors her problems with her family, her friends and the expectations her family and church place on her. But with love and guidance from Aunty Ehu and others in her Native Hawaiian community, Aouli finds the courage and strength to spread her wings and choose something different for herself and her sister.
This novel-in-verse is written as if you are reading Aouli’s song journal. Above all else, this book is character driven with lines that hit you with an emotional gut punch. Readers will genuinely feel that Aouli is a real person–she just leaps off the page. While not an action-centered plot, the format and structure are immersive and the pages just fly by. The use of white space on the page represents the emotional depth in a compelling way without getting heavy-handed and bogged down with prose. It wrestles with real emotions and questions about identity. While you see growth on the page and the story ends on an uplifting note, readers are free to guess what happens next. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs or as a buddy read. Much like real life, not everything is tied up at the end with a bow on it, but the ending is still satisfactory for the reader.
Fans of novels-in-verse and coming-of-age stories will gravitate toward this one.
This is a great readalike for fans of All the Fighting Parts by Hannah Sawyyer, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo.
-Megan Nigh
Check out our blogpost featuring a personal interview with KauakanilehuaMahoe Adams, “Verse as a Comfort Blanket“!
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. At the end of the year, each team will choose the final list of nominations and determine the Selected List’s Top Ten from these titles.
– Erica Schimmel, 2027 BFYA Coordinator
The Secret Astronomers.By Jessica Walker, 2025. 304 p. Viking Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9780593692677). Gr. 7-12.
Two students find an unexpected friendship when they begin communicating through notes and drawings in an old, abandoned astronomy textbook in their high school library. Using code names, the two develop a closer relationship than either would ever expect – and discover a mystery tied to the town’s past.
The House Saphir. By Marissa Meyer, 2025. 432 p. Feiwel and Friends, $19.99 (9781250320957). Gr. 9-12
Legend has it that Bluebeard killed his wives. Mallory uses that legend to con people to pay for a tour of Bluebeard’s house. One night Bluebeard’s heir joins the tour and wants to hire Mallory to solve the mystery of who is murdering people at his haunted family estate. Is the killer a ghost or alive?
Sisters in the Wind. By Angeline Boulley, 2025. 384 p. Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), $19.99 (9781250328533). Gr. 9-12
When severely injured due to a pipe bomb explosion, 18-year-old Lucy is forced to reckon with her dangerous past and learn about her Indigenous heritage while on the run.
K-Jane. By Lydia Kang, 2025. 326 p. Quill Tree Books, $19.99 (9780063354623). Gr. 7-12.
With the impending arrival of a new baby brother, 17-year-old Jane Choi questions her family’s lack of Korean-ness. To save her baby brother from the same fate, Jane begins exploring everything Korean on a private social media channel. When more people find out about the channel, everything falls apart.
The Last Resort. By Erin Entrada Kelly, 2025. 240 p. Scholastic, $17.99 (9781546132431). Gr. 3-7.
The Last Resort will appeal to fans of many genres (such as horror, supernatural, mystery and realistic fiction) and across many grade levels. Lila’s grandfather passes and her family inherits his old house, which happens to be a portal for ghosts (that only Lila can see) to cross to the other side.
Season of Fear. By Emily Cooper, 2025. 352 p. Christy Ottaviano Books, $19.99 (9780316581639). Gr. 9-12. Ilse is unable to feed fear she doesn’t feel to the terrifying Saint of Fear, endangering both her sister’s and her own life. In her quest to shield her sister from certain death, Ilse discovers the truth behind her fearlessness.
Winter White. By Annie Cardi, 2026. 272 p. Union Square & Co., $18.99 (9781454960584). Gr. 9-12.
Pia and her family live in isolation, earning money by selling eggs in town. When an accident sidelines her father, Pia must make the deliveries on her own. But what is really being delivered underneath the egg cartons? Is Pia’s entire life a lie?
Reasons We Break. By Jesmeen Kaur Deo, 2025. 416 p. Disney Hyperion, $18.99 (9781368113748). Gr. 9-12.
In the midst of personal setbacks, against a background of a gang war, Simran and Rajan find themselves pursuing an risky star-crossed romance.
The Faraway Inn. By Sarah Beth Durst, 2026. 384 p. Delacorte Press, $14.99 (9798217024308). Gr. 7-12.
Calisa just wanted to escape her bad breakup by escaping to Vermont for the summer. She planned to stay at her Great Aunts bed and breakfast, but she arrives to a failing inn. There are some very odd things happening at the Inn. Things like a swirling portal in the broom cupboard, a very strange reptile, and whispers coming from under the porch.
Freddie and Stella Got Hot. By Maggie Horne, 2026. 336 p. Feiwel & Friends, $19.99 (9781250377371). Gr. 9-12.
Freddie and Stella enter a school contest to take down their former bestie, Levi. When Stella turns ruthless, taking down every popular girl in their class, Freddie starts to get uncomfortable. The only way she can stop Stella is by befriending the enemy that started this whole mess–Levi.
Last Chance Live! By Helena Haywoode Henry, 2025. 544 p. Nancy Paulsen Books, $21.99 (9780593625309). Gr. 7-12
Eternity Price enters the popular reality TV show Last Chance Live, hoping to earn her freedom and amnesty following a crime that leaves her on death row, but when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she’s forced to make the difficult decision of which she wants more: companionship or freedom?
The Lion’s Run. By Sara Pennypacker, 2026. 288 p. Balzer + Bray, $18.99 (9781250392817). Gr. 4-6. Though others call him a coward, 13-year-old Lucas proves his bravery by rescuing kittens, aiding the French Resistance, and helping mothers. Determined to help his friend’s horse evade Nazi capture, he embarks on an extraordinary journey of courage.
One Word, Six Letters. By Adib Khorram, 2026. 224 p. Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), $19.99 (9781250405555). Gr. 7-12. On a dare, Dayton yells a gay slur at school. Farshid hears and wonders if it was directed at him. If he gets stronger, maybe no one will question him. As the school year continues, the incident looms over both boys as they question the men they are becoming.
Check out our interview with the author of One Word, Six Letters, Adib Khorram!
Beth is Dead. By Katie Bernet, 2026. 400 p. Sarah Barley Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9781665988698). Gr. 7-12.
Told through alternating POVs of the famous Marsh sisters from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, Beth Is Dead reimagines everyone’s favorite sisters as they grapple with the death of the second youngest, Beth, and band together to solve the mystery of how their sister died in the woods.
The Danger of Small Things. By Caryl Lewis, 2026. 272 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9781665977517). Gr. 7-12.
In this near-future dystopian novel that takes place after the last bee has died, a young girl uses the power of Art to incite change during what feels like the darkest of times.
Soundtrack. By Jason Reynolds, 2026. 336 p. Crown Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9798217231591). Gr. 7-12.
Emotional and fast paced, Soundtrack will immediately draw readers in. Those involved in the arts will relate to the band that becomes a family. A message that a family doesn’t always have to share blood will resonate with readers. Reynolds has mass market appeal and this book will be no different.
Ilse has known since childhood that she was different from the other girls and women in Heulensee; even her own mother looks at her differently. When the time comes to perform her rite in worship of the Saint of Fear, Ilse is unable to conjure the necessary terror within herself to satisfy the Saint that protects the town. Her failure puts her entire family in danger, particularly her sister Thea, whose life is threatened by the Saint as punishment for Ilse’s failure. When the town turns against her, she flees into the Hexenwald, a forest from which nobody returns. With her sister’s life hanging in the balance, Ilse must confront her true nature to survive the Hexenwald and save her sister.
Season of Fear is a high-stakes dark fantasy with strong, well-developed characters and a fast-moving plot. While the main storyline focuses on Ilse’s bid to save her sister, the action-packed plot incorporates a compelling Sapphic romance as a strong subplot.
Readers who enjoy rooting for strong, but believably flawed female main characters and don’t mind a bit of gory violence will devour this thrilling tale. Read-Alikes include My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino and A Girl Walks Into the Forest by Madeleine Roux.
-Katy Henderson
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On a dare, Freshman Dayton yells a slur at a school assembly and is labeled the school’s resident homophobe. But he’s definitely not and it’s just a word (right?). When Farshid hears that word in their freshman assembly, he wonders if it was directed at him. Maybe if he goes to the gym more and becomes the picture of masculinity, no one will think of him and that word together. As the school year continues, the incident continues to loom over Dayton and Farshid.
Like many of Khorram’s YA books, One Word, Six Letters deals with some sensitive, but important topics with a side of humor. The second-person POV allows readers to see the incident and the fallout from both Dayton and Farshid’s perspectives and dig deeper into the lives and issues that impact these well-developed characters. This books tackles homophobia, misogyny and body dysmorphia as they relate to teen boys, and it does it well. At just over 200 pages, it is also perfect for teens looking for a quick read.
Give to teens looking for a quick but reflective realistic story about high school life. If you enjoyed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli or How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi, you may like One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram.
-Alejandria Galarza
Check out interview with the author of One Word, Six Letter Adib Khorram!
Pia and her younger brother live with their father, Leo, on an isolated farm in rural Maine. Their father says they must stay on the farm for their own safety. Leo has a temper so it’s best that they do as their father says. An accident puts Leo out of commission and for the first time, Pia must go to town by herself and continue her dad’s mysterious delivery service. While in town, Pia befriends librarians and a cute boy named Felix. She also starts to question what is really being delivered underneath the cartons of eggs and if her father is telling the truth about their life. While this is a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, readers don’t need to be familiar with the play to enjoy and understand this retelling.
Winter White is an introspective, well-paced read. The book has a strong sense of place and believable characters. Serious topics like domestic abuse and drug trafficking are handled realistically, but sensitively. Teens will find Pia relatable. The depiction of the public library and the librarians that work there is a spot-on. If teen readers aren’t already using their library, this book is a wonderful introduction to the power and support they can find there.
With short chapters and clocking in at just over 250 pages, this is an approachable, well-paced story for selective readers looking for a gritty, realistic tale. The modern retelling will also hold appeal for students reading Shakespeare in their literature classes, including as an assigned text to complement literature curriculum. Winter White is a great readalike for fans of Strong Like You by T.L. Simpson and The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen.
–Megan Nigh
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Eighteen-year-old Eternity Price is on death row, so she decides to take her chances and become a contestant on the country’s most popular reality TV shows, Last Chance Live!, a show where the winner is forgiven of their crimes and can go back to society, but all of the contestants voted off the show are executed within a week. On the show, Eternity must convince the country that she deserves a second chance, but when she begins making strong connections with fellow contests and finds herself with friends for the first time in her life, she must grapple with the tough decision of whether she should take the risk and betray the only friends she’s ever had to survive, or protect her new found companions, no matter the cost.
Last Chance Live! has strong character development and will keep teens on their toes while also addressing some of the social issues in the criminal justice system. Mature teens interested in social justice, dystopias, and that liked Squid Games will enjoy this book.
Readers of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Truth Is… by Hannah V. Sawyerr, and The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez will enjoy this book.
-Amy Kilkenny
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Mallory has a long line of witches in her family line but her magical power is conning people out of their money on tours of Bluebeard’s house. But then Bluebeard’s heir Armand brings Mallory and her sister to his home to get rid of the ghosts, including Bluebeard’s. But are the ghosts killing people or is it someone who is alive doing the murdering?
This book has a twisty turny mystery that will keep readers engaging. It includes elements of mystery as well as romance and fantasy. The book is fast paced and well written. Characters are well developed and multi-layered. The main character, Mallory, is intelligent, courageous and resourceful.
Readers who enjoy a good mystery with a romantic element will enjoy this book. The pacing of the book, while on the longish side, will make it appeal to both strong readers as well as striving readers. Fans of romantasy books will enjoy this one.
This book will appeal to fans of Meyer’s other series. Fans of Sasha Peyton Smith and Catherine Doyle books will enjoy this one too.
–Melissa Palmer
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With the impending arrival of a new baby brother, 17-year-old Jane Choi begins to question her family’s lack of Korean culture. To save her baby brother from the same fate, Jane becomes K-Jane and begins exploring everything Korean on a secret, private social media channel solely for use by her cousins. When more and more people find out about the channel, everything falls apart and Jane comes face-to-face with the question that started it all: what does it mean to be Korean?
K-Jane is a funny and quick-paced exploration of cultural identity and belonging with relatable characters. Some of Jane’s actions end up being cringy in all the best and humorous ways. The exploration of cultural disconnect is relatable to teens beyond Korean Americans and Jane’s heartfelt voice make this an accessible read. Readers who enjoy a quick, light-hearted reads with laugh-out-loud moments will enjoy diving into Jane Choi’s world. Comparable titles include Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park and Eighteen Roses by Shannon C.F. Rogers.
–Alejandria Garcia
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After the death of her father, Lucy Smith was thrust into the system and a series of foster homes that expose her to dangerous situations. Now, she’s on the run, until a mysterious man appears at her workplace and she’s soon after injured in a pipe bomb explosion. During recovery, Lucy learns that she is of Ojibwe descent and still has relatives living on the reservation, but before she can learn more about her family, she must face why she was on the run in the first place: someone wants her dead.
With a gripping story, wide appeal, and deep character development, this book is sure to be one of the top titles of the year.
Teens seeking Indigenous representation, mysteries and thrillers, and stories that explore self-identity will love this book.
Readers of Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter or any of her other novels, the anthology Legendary Frybread Drive-In, and K.A. Cobell’s Looking for Smoke will enjoy Sisters of the Wind.
We sit down with Printz Honor and Winner Angeline Boulley to discuss novels as a teaching opportunity, exploring and celebrating identity through storytelling, and revisiting her wildly successful Sugar Island saga.
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Viking Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House
Publication Date:November 4, 2025
ISBN: 978-0593692677
Grieving their mother’s death, a teen is sent to live with their grandparents in West Virginia to finish their senior year of high school. Feeling like an outsider, they find solace in the library doodling in an old astronomy textbook – until another student leaves them a note in the same book. The two teens, who choose the code names Copernicus and Kepler to keep their identities secret, begin developing a deep friendship through exchanging notes. As their friendship grows, they discover a mystery involving Copernicus’s mother and the strange events that happened when she attended the very same high school.
With a unique format and engaging characters, this story feels like authentic insight into teen friendships. Copernicus and Kepler come from very different backgrounds, with very different experiences, and yet the growth of their friendship feels natural. The illustrations add an interactive element for readers. The mystery also feels real and reachable, reflecting how impactful small mysteries can be. Copernicus’s experience as an outsider in a rural town, and Kepler’s balance between love for her town and awareness of some of its problematic aspects, are nuanced and sensitively portrayed.
Teen readers who value authentic portrayals of teen friendship will be drawn to this story, as will art lovers and teens who appreciate stories driven by character development rather than action.
Titles similar to The Secret Astronomers include A Guide to Falling off the Map by Zanni Louise and I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston.
