Tag: historical fiction

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: And the Trees Stare Back by Gigi Griffis

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Set in Soviet-occupied Estonia in 1989, sixteen-year-old Viktoria (“Vik”) grapples with the inexplicable return of her younger sister, Anna, who vanished into the nearby cursed bog five years earlier. Somehow, she hasn’t aged a day. The oppressive regime and fearful villagers whisper of witchcraft and a lantern-eyed spirit that steals children, while Anna’s unsettling inconsistencies force Vik to question who (or what) she’s become. As Vik navigates her own mental health issues (explained in more depth with an author’s note at the end), and corrosive community paranoia, she begins a search to uncover the truth behind Anna’s return and the hidden horrors lurking in the forest. Content warnings: grief, mental health challenges, child disappearance, oppression, and folk‑horror elements.

And the Trees Stare Back offers all the elements that make for outstanding YA literary fiction: evocative, atmospheric prose; a deeply authentic first-person voice; and historical grounding in a late-1980s moment of political unrest tied to folk horror and speculative twists. The novel’s thematic depth: exploring trauma, marginalization, agency under authoritarian rule, and the ambiguity of reality are complex. Though grounded very much in a particular time and place, they still feel timely. The book is genre blending with elements of mystery, historical fiction, science-fiction, folk horror, and speculative fiction.

This book will resonate most with teen readers who enjoy atmospheric, emotionally intense fiction that merges historical reality with haunting speculative elements, perhaps especially those interested in themes of resistance, identity, and mental health. Comparable titles include House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland, What We Harvest by Ann Fraistat, and The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan.

— Julianne Novetsky

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabes Corpora

Four characters from seemingly different parts of this world find themselves joining up to challenge a tyrannical king and an undead entity. Each of them brings something special to the team from the gift of foresight, to thievery, strength and courage.

This book is beautiful book making with a vibrant cover and sprayed edges that will automatically have readers gravitating towards it. This is based on Egyptian myths that are explored through each of these characters who all play a part in a prophecy determined thousands of years before they existed. The novel starts with introducing where each person comes from and the challenges that they face due to their birthrights. Sita is the princess with two brothers who could both be the next king as their father’s health is fading fast. Rae seems to have been born fighting and is constantly in a physical scuffle defending herself or justice. Neff has an ability that she doesn’t quite understand, but her visions continue to come to life. And Karim survives as a tomb robber who may inadvertently wake a dark force that sets their adventure into motion.

Readers who enjoy epic adventures, world building and mythology retellings will enjoy this book. This is for fans of Heir by Sabaa Tahir, or Fearless by Lauren Roberts.

-Jessica Lorentz Smith

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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Lola de la Peña and her family relocate to Alta California to fulfill Mamá’s spiritual calling to heal the sick and injured with sal negra, a magical substance that cures any injury or malady.  By day, Lola is forced to play her part as the proper young Mexican girl that society expects her to be, but by night she dons the mask of Salvación, the masked vigilante hero protecting the people of Coloma. One night, however, a stranger arrives in town sharing a disturbing story of her own town’s destruction by sal roja and its wielder: Damien Hernández, who happens to arrive in Coloma the next day with promises to return Alta California to México. Determined to protect her town and all that she holds dear, Lola–under the guise of Salvación–races against the clock to determine what is truth and protect her people at all costs.

Full of action, lots of heart, and dangerous magic, Salvación retells the well-known folk tale of El Zorro and flips it on its head with a female protagonist and important themes.

Teens that enjoy strong female leads, folk-tale retellings, and historical fiction, with a side of romance will enjoy Salvación. Readers who have enjoyed Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes series and Marissa Meyer’s Cinder series for their folk and fairy tale retellings, or Erika Sánchez’s I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for its story of a young Mexican girl finding herself despite the expectations of society.

– Amy Kilkenny

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

  • Lady’s Knight
  • By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
  • Publisher: Storytide
  • Release date: June 3, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780062893390

As the whole county gears up for the annual Dragonslayer Tournament, a jousting competition among knights, young Lady Isobelle is dismayed to find out that she and her dowry have been named the grand prize for the winning knight. In a nearby village, a blacksmith’s daughter named Gwen has been crafting her own armor and weapons with the intention of somehow finding her way into the tournament to prove to herself that she has what it takes to become a knight. When Isobelle and Gwen meet at the market, they’re curiously drawn to each other and Isobelle comes up with a plan that accidentally dovetails nicely with Gwen’s dreams of being a knight. Gwen will pose as Sir Gawain, carrying the favor of none other than Lady Isobelle. Outside of the tournament, Gwen will be Gawain’s sister. The goal: win the tournament and save Isobelle from a miserable marriage, a prospect that becomes ever more urgent as sparks fly between Isobelle and Gwen. What could possibly go wrong?

This anachronistic historical fantasy is a hilarious, unabashedly feminist, sapphic romp. The omniscient third-person narration rotates between Isobelle and Gwen’s perspectives with occasional fourth-wall-breaking interludes from the narrator, keeping the pace moving at a fast clip. Readers will be drawn in by the chemistry between the two leads, but what really sets this fantasy apart is the clever subversion of typical fantasy tropes that will keep readers on their toes – and laughing out loud – until the action-packed end. 

The teen reader who would most appreciate this title is the teen who loves some humor and social commentary along with their fantasy. Fans of Lady’s Knight would find similar energy in the Lady Janies series by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows, Lex Croucher’s Not For the Faint of Heart and the Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee.

— Courtney Waters

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2026) Featured Review: The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho and Deb J.J. Lee

Two young North Korean teens’ lives become intertwined, when they meet crossing the river into China. Yunhu plans to reunite with his mother who crossed earlier, while Myunghee is an orphan traveling alone. Both hope for a better life and a chance at real freedom. But to achieve that they will have to cross the borders of at least two countries and face numerous dangers, including swimming across crocodile infested waters and enduring a harsh prison camp.

The story alternates between Yunhu and Myunghee, giving voice to each of their unique perspectives, while revealing the indoctrination and oppression they experienced in their native country. Lee’s muted but expressive illustrations match the lyrical tone of the text. Readers will be inspired by the perseverance needed to successfully traverse the difficult journey of the Asian Underground Railroad. An author’s note provides additional background information about the North Korean government and life north of the DMZ.

Teens who enjoyed Hyun Sook Kim’s memoir Banned Book Club may be interested in this story about her northern neighbors. Give this to readers who find inspiration in books like Eoin Colfer’s Illegal or Jenny Sanchez Torres’ We Are Not From Here, which feature the arduous journey faced by many refugees seeking a better future.

—Heather Christensen

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Us in Ruins by Rachel Moore


Margot has never been on a dig site before or taken a single archaeology class, but when her essay wins her a place on her school’s archaeology field trip, she is determined to prove all the doubters wrong and find the mythical lost Vase of Venus Aurelia. Armed with a handwritten journal by Van Keane, an explorer from the 1930s who died in the search, she travels to Pompeii with dreams and little else. But when she stumbles onto a statue that bears a shocking resemblance to her dead adventurer—and that statue comes back to life!—her quest to find the pieces of the Vase becomes even more perilous and electrifying. Together, the newly-resurrected Van and Margot have to complete death-defying trials and outwit other explorers eager to claim their prize.

This book is a delightful adventure through historical Italian archaeological sites in the pursuit of lost artifacts. It has plenty of high-stakes action, comedy, and a dash of romance. The cover is evocative, the sentence structure flows well, and the pace doesn’t let up once it gets going.


This book would appeal to fans of Percy Jackson and Indiana Jones. Similar titles include The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder, The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, and What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez.

–Jessica Lussier

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher

When Clem, a quippy young healer, is kidnapped by Mariel—the granddaughter of Robin Hood—and her band of Merry Men, things seem to be going according to plan until Mariel’s father is kidnapped by the Sheriff of Nottingham and Mariel is forced to bring her annoyingly chipper hostage along on the rescue mission.

Mariel’s company of Merry Men are so loveable that readers will find themselves invested in them all, even grumpy Mariel. Readers will also be invested in the familiarity of the tale of Robin Hood with a new spin and the alternating POVs between Mariel and Clem will keep young reader’s attention.

Fans of historical fiction and those interested in folklore will enjoy this book. There is a slight romantic element that will peak the interests of romance readers as well. Readers of Croucher’s previous novel, Gwen and Art Are Not In Love will enjoy this novel with its familiar funny tone, along with Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler.

– Amy Kilkenny

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan

It’s 1847, and hunger and disease are sweeping across Ireland. Amid tragedy and hardship, a fragile spark begins to grow between Nell, a bright young scullery maid, and Johnny, the landlord’s heir. As unrest builds in her village and her starving family’s needs grow more desperate, Nell must navigate new love and tough choices. Where the Heart Should Be is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, immersing readers into the devastating reality of The Great Famine. Nell’s tender, seemingly impossible romance, sheds light on the political tensions and social injustices of the time, illuminating a defining moment in Irish history.

Wasson’s narration is clear, warm, and emotive – it hums. Her delivery is unhurried and authentic, reflecting a deep emotional connection to Nell and her family’s story. While generally quite heavy, listeners will find Wasson’s steady and engaging rhythm add approachability and warmth to the story.

Written in verse, this novel is well-suited to the audio format which enhances the sense of yearning and suspense that builds throughout. It is beautifully written, but clear and not overly poetic, making it appealing to a wide audience.

This is a perfect read for those interested in learning more about Irish history or for those who are looking for an approachable, well-paced historical audiobook. Readers who enjoyed Ode to a Nobody by Caroline Brooks DuBois or Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo will appreciate this story’s similar exploration of loss and resilience.

– Tina Chesterman

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Truth, Lies, and the Questions In Between by L.M. Elliott

Patty didn’t become a Congressional page to make any kind of political statement about women’s rights – she just wanted to prove she’s a good daughter, and a future wife to her boyfriend Scott. But Washington is a whole different world from her home in Illinois, full of passionate people fighting for different causes. As she grows closer with her new friends, and witnesses important political events and the hypocrisy of politicians, Patty begins to question everything she’s ever been taught by her conservative parents.

Full of historical facts and inspiration, but also written in a way that highlights how many of the issues in 1973 are still relevant today, this book is a powerful look at what it means to come into your own. Patty’s struggles between her own growing beliefs and those she knows her family, particularly her father, hold are both engaging and relatable for teen readers. The inclusion of real historical photos and articles at the beginning of each chapter grounds this book for readers and offers insight into the time period. Elliot’s writing style is engaging, and readers will feel issues and experiences are being considered with respect.

This story will appeal to teen readers who are interested in both current events and the history of modern social justice movements, as well as those who enjoy political dramas. Teen readers who enjoyed feeling transported in time, and learning about the sociopolitical environment in history, during Last Night at the Telegraph Club will appreciate Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between. This book would also be good for readers who enjoyed Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams and how the main character began questioning and building her own beliefs.

– Erica Schimmel

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

  • The Rose Bargain
  • by Sasha Peyton Smith
  • HarperCollins
  • Publication Date: February 4, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780063372528

For the last four hundred years, England has been ruled by a mercurial and immortal fae queen. In honor of the bargain that bought her the throne, Queen Mor offers every citizen the chance to make a bargain of their own when they come of age.  Ivy Benton is set to make her entrance into society, but ever since her sister’s bargain ended in disaster, her family’s prospects—both social and financial—have withered and died. When the queen declares that her son, Prince Bram, has decided to marry this season, Ivy seizes the opportunity to regain her family’s fallen standing. All faerie bargains, however, come with a price, and as the queen’s trials grow more and more vicious, Ivy will need to decide just how much hers is worth.

The Rose Bargain is filled with romance, political intrigue, and high stakes trials. The writing is accessible, and the events flow well without too much lag. There are occasional inserts of different perspectives, but they are brief and serve to shed light on the other contestants for the crown. The cover is eye-catching and fits the theme perfectly.


This book is perfect for enjoyers of tales of the fae, courtly drama, political intrigue, love triangles, and novels about high society England. It would be perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton (without the explicit scenes), the Selection series by Kiera Cass, and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

–Jessica Lussier