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Editors’ Picks: Children’s & YA
The children’s and YA books our editors continue to love into adulthood.
Published on April 22, 2020
The Hunger Games
Suzanne CollinsEquipped with only a bow and a heart of gold, Katniss Everdeen caught cultural fire, igniting the rebel in us all. A brilliant, action-packed social commentary on media manipulation that defines the dystopian YA genre.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'EngleA strange delight that contains everything from thorough explorations of time travel to strong, vulnerable characters. One of few books that continues to completely enthrall children and adults alike.
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael BondWhen a sweet, bedraggled bear appears in Paddington Station with “Please look after this bear” pinned to his coat, the Brown family gains a new family member — and infinitely more adventures.
A Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning
Lemony SnicketBegin at the beginning of this wonderfully weird, impressively imaginative, sprawling series by master wordsmith Snicket, whose spellbinding prose captivates readers of all ages.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen ChboskyQuiet implications of deep distress and profound happiness litter this epistolary novel, penned by outsider Charlie, who makes inroads with various cliques to move past cliches. A modernized “The Catcher in the Rye.”
Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine PatersonThis Newbury Award–winning classic is worth revisiting for its healing powers of imagination in the face of unfathomable tragedy alone.
Alanna: The First Adventure
Tamora PierceDecades after its initial publication, this fantasy quartet continues to inspire young women. Strong-willed Alanna won't let her fears or her gender deter her from becoming a knight.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky AlbertalliYou’ll love this book if you’re a champion of more LGBTQ+ representation in YA and if you generally enjoy quippy teenage wit. Simon’s coming out story is a great blend of lovable teenage hijinks, mystery, and cute romance.
Weetzie Bat
Francesca Lia BlockThis beautifully offbeat novel deftly entwines a magical Los Angeles (aptly called Shangri-L.A.) with all-too-real issues of adulthood in the ’80s. Its poetic prose is sure to dazzle teen and adult readers alike.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire SáenzLives up to the elegance of its cover and mouthful of a title. A visceral reminder of how formative and raw our teenage years are, and the life-altering effects that happen when you meet that one person — your first love.
More Happy Than Not
Adam SilveraAdam Silvera’s debut is unforgettable, with its compelling characters, its deft depiction of class politics without relying on stereotypes and slang, and its message that hardship helps us find happiness.