Tag: Own Voices

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2024) Featured Review: Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

  • I Kick and I Fly
  • by Ruchira Gupta
  • Publisher: Scholastic Press
  • Release date: April 18, 2023
  • ISBN: 9781338825091

Effie is a high school senior with a lot on her mind. Not only is she trying to decide which college she wants to attend next year, but she is crushing on the nice boy from class and she has to deal with the frustrating ableist administration at her high school. Effie has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, and her school doesn’t even have a working automatic door button.

Effie’s senior year is fraught with challenges and big changes, but also filled with lovely friendships and fierce bravery. Effie visits different college campuses to determine where she wants to attend, but unlike her friends, she must also determine how accessible each college is for wheelchair users and take that into account during her decision making process. Additionally, her mom is taking a step back with the hope it encourages Effie to advocate for herself to help prepare her for college, all while Effie is just trying to participate in fun senior year activities with her friends. This is a thoughtful #ownvoices story.

Teen readers who enjoy stories about finding their voice, getting ready for college or a sweet romance should pick this up. Where You See Yourself would make a great choice for those who enjoyed You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa See and for readers who want to learn more about advocacy for people with disabilities. This book would pair well with Judith Huemann’s memoir Rolling Warrior: The incredible, sometimes awkward, true story of a rebel girl on wheels who helped spark a revolution.

– Allison Riggs

Other Nominated Titles

Release Date: March 28, 2023
Release Date: April 11, 2023
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Release Date: March 14, 2023

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: https://bit.ly/BFYA24TeenFB

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2024) Featured Review: Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

  • Whiteout
  • by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jacson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
  • Narrated by Nic Stone, Danielle Shemaiah, Shayna Small, Bahnie Turpin, Alaska Jackson, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Kevin R. Free, James Fouhey, and Korey Jackson
  • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc./Quill Tree Books
  • Publication Date: November 8, 2022
  • ISBN: 9780063088177

It’s winter holiday time and science-minded Stevie made a mistake. A huge mistake. She must find a way to apologize to her girlfriend, romance-loving Sola, or lose her forever. An amazing group of friends pitch in and help her attempt the apology of a lifetime, while also navigating their own love stories. The only problem is, Atlanta is experiencing a once-in-a-decade snowstorm.  

The same authors who brought us 2021’s Blackout, are back at it, this time in Atlanta. Twelve young friends work together to help save a relationship at risk. Stevie enlists her friends to help, and all are on board, but when Sola issues a time-sensitive ultimatum, the rush is on. Stevie’s friends adapt, but there’s a bigger problem: Atlanta is experiencing a snowstorm. Flights are delayed or canceled, roads are dangerous, and time is running out. During the course of the book, six couples will face second-chances, friends-to-lovers, and the realization that friendship and love are the most important part of the holiday season. 

Multiple narrators expertly represent the diverse cast of characters, each narrator reading one of the stories. The pacing and intonation of each narrator lifts each couple off the page making their stories come alive. This fun, fast-paced, romance has something for everyone.


For fans of Blackout by the same group of authors. Readers who enjoyed audiobooks like Slay! by Brittney Morris, Ibi Zoboi’s Pride, narrated by Elizabeth Acevdeo, or reruns of the 80s sitcom A Different World will enjoy this story of Black love and friendship.

-Jen Haas

Other Nominated Titles

September 13, 2022
January 10, 2023
September 13, 2023
February 7, 2023

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.