Plot/Idea: Prep School for Serial Killers envisions a unique future world in which an experiment has resulted in a population largely without the capacity for empathy. Crafting a scenario in which psychopathic traits are considered a strength, Platt delivers a thought-provoking and entertaining scenario that unfolds with careful plotting. 

Prose: Platt's prose is expressive and evocative, with vivid imagery employed throughout. 

Originality: The author's concept allows the work to stand apart. While additional worldbuilding and establishment of the circumstances leading to the present-day events may benefit the story, the concept truly shines.

Character/Execution: Platt creates a cast of characters who, while psychopathic in nature, are never simplistic. Through Anathema, Platt explores ideas of individuality, empathy, and what it means to be fully human. 

Plot/Idea: When 12-year-old “space junkie” Finley wins a trip to space aboard the Aether, it seems too good to be true—but Gartner raises the stakes quickly, and readers are launched into a no-holds-barred fight for survival that will resonate with middle grade fans.

Prose: The prose fits the story’s premise perfectly and effortlessly matches the intended audience. Gartner builds intensity naturally as the plot progresses.

Originality: The cast in One Giant Leap is young, and largely capable of solving the plot's problems with minimal adult interference, a detail that will especially gratify readers. Gartner delivers a unique mix of character development and suspense that lends the book an edge.

Character/Execution: Gartner’s characters complement the novel’s theme, and readers will easily relate to them while cheering on their mission. The cast’s moments of danger and suspense are well-crafted, with believable interactions and emotions.

Plot/Idea: This brisk plot follows the Super siblings, all of whom possess their own superpower, with the exception of 16-year-old Hanna—who, despite her fervent desire to be like the rest of her siblings, has never manifested any extraordinary abilities.

Prose: Powerless takes place in a world of superhuman feats, where certain people with a triggered gene mutation are gifted unique powers that set them apart from others. Pretty builds a convincing system, complete with cutting edge science, phenomenal exploits, and a sharp betrayal that ratchets up the story’s edginess.

Originality: This is an entertaining and distinctive novel, and Pretty goes to great lengths to endow its characters with singular abilities that will wow readers. There is some familiarity in the idea of superheroes being ostracized for their special talents, but the addition of the cryptic Brotherhood to the plot adds suspense and depth. 

Character/Execution: Hanna is a richly developed character with surprising interiority. Her struggles are relatable, as she tries to find her place in her family and the world at large, and Pretty ties in Hanna’s fight to fit in with discovering her true purpose in the end. Supporting characters match the story’s premise.

Plot/Idea: Initially, the plot feels clear, with an intriguing balance of quick and slow pacing as well as a host of familiar supernatural elements. As the story progresses, readers will notice several moments in which plot points become obvious before the reveal; though this may lessen the novel's surprises, readers will still be charmed.

Prose: Martin favors authorial intrusion to immerse readers in the characters' experiences, but the story's uneven pacing results in fluctuations in their emotional depth. The style breathes sincerity, and Martin offers readers just enough worldbuilding to spark curiosity— though in an effort to set up the rest of the series, the novel is slow to reveal information on just who the Prynns are and what is happening to Belle.

Originality: The wrapping of spirituality, fairytales, science fiction, and supernatural aspects into one novel is absorbing and avoids some of the more traditional fantasy routes. Elements of the text may feel familiar to readers throughout the narrative.

Character/Execution: Belle exudes a strong, well-rounded presence, with a compelling personality and just enough interiority to prompt readers' contemplation about her relationship with her father. Secondary characters offer readers detailed and engrossing backstories as well. 

Plot/Idea: In this first installment of the Sevordine Chronicles, Robinson takes his time and immerses readers into a serene world before turning the tables and plunging them into a suspense-filled adventure. The brisk pace will keep readers zeroed in on the story's critical details until the very last page.

Prose: Robinson's tone is perfectly suited to YA readers. The prose is serious but written with a comical edge, and the natural dialogue between characters is appealing.

Originality: This is a fast-paced and engaging adventure, where nothing is as it seems and excitement pulses around every corner.

Character/Execution: The book boasts a solid balance between action and character development. As the protagonists are forced to work together regardless of their initial connections, they slowly mature, and Robinson paints them as smart, likable problem solvers. 

Plot/Idea: Stoneham's novel is wonderfully ludicrous. As Alice returns to Wonderland, nothing is quite right. Time is turned on its head and the cast of familiar figures is twisted and shaken up, with new fairy tale characters introduced in each chapter. Readers are in store for quite the journey as they discover, along with Alice herself, what she has to do to return back home. 

Prose: Stoneham pays clear homage to the source material, and the fresh storytelling has plenty to relish. Regardless of its strengths, jokes and wordplay feel a tad forced. And, although Alice's injections of modern perspectives and sensibilities are authentic and hilarious, the use of slang can sometimes break the spell.

Originality: Stoneham both nods to and subverts the classic work of fantasy. The introduction of new characters plucked from other sources is a lively diversion. Ultimately, the author creatively intertwines the story's many threads in a manner that would likely make Lewis Carroll smile. 

Character/Execution: While Alice doesn't conventionally grow--if anything, she does so in reverse--the journey she goes on in this story is notably marked by all the people she meets, setting her up for victory in the end. To top it off, Stoneham's portrayal of every fairy tale character is dynamic, and each varied in their quirkiness.

Plot/Idea: In Kill the Turkey, 13-year-old friends Lyric and Atusko reside in oceanside Otter Rock, Oregon, where they practice surfing and come to know two older residents of the community, including the kind and eccentric Burt, who is haunted by the death of his son and is committed to saving the otters who are facing removal from the region. Zerndt crafts the setting carefully and vividly, while exploring the experiences of the story's main characters and how they become interconnected throughout.

Prose: Zerndt's prose is warm, and evenly balanced between description, effectively delivered exposition, and authentic dialogue that goes a long way toward character development and establishing the distinctive setting. 

Originality: Kill the Turkey integrates a lot into a relatively short novel, including a brush with a shark; a mystery surrounding an old barn and an errant chair (ultimately revealed to be a quietly tragic story); and the fate of a region's local wildlife. The story also explores themes of friendship, family struggles, and grief. All told, the work's many threads are somewhat underdeveloped, each deserving of more attention and space to fully coalesce.

Character/Execution:  Lyric and Atsuko are nicely established characters with an easy rapport who individually come to better understand their familial circumstances, while also examining larger questions about life and loss. Atsuko is a skilled surfer coping with her grandmother's failing health, while Lyric's narrative arc is more focused on his struggles with his father's alcoholism and parents’ divorce. The adult characters are well-rendered, though their connections to Atsuko and Lyric occur somewhat hastily in the story, and their own pasts--particularly Burt's--could benefit from more attention.

Plot/Idea: Childs offers an intriguing dive into the lives of Silicon Valley techie youths who are trying to uncover a mystery while at an impressive technology-focused boarding school. Not only does this book focus on girls and women in STEM, but it also presents them as fully rounded characters, who can successfully be both daring and playful.

Prose: Childs writes wonderful figurative language that will keep readers, both young and old, enticed and laughing out loud. 

Originality: Childs places the book in an unusual setting, a technology boarding school. While the setup is inherently fun, Childs also has hints of magic (as Nina states, the line between magic and technology is small) throughout, which makes the book all the more entertaining for young readers.

Character/Execution: The characters in Childs's book fall somewhat into tropes on the surface, but they are also fully fleshed out, developed characters that readers will become easily invested in. Childs enhances the story through inventive chapter names and relevant graphic design elements.

Plot/Idea: A group of teenagers is forced to navigate a catastrophic solar flare—as well as its aftereffects on their relationships with each other and their community—in this well-paced YA stunner. The author ups the ante in a natural, unforced rhythm that slowly builds tension as the plot unfolds.

Prose: Written with crisp dialogue and powerful descriptions, the prose directly confronts sociocultural factors that come into play during times of crisis, making the story incredibly relevant for contemporary audiences.

Originality: Surge effectively combines suspense, action, and even some romance, generating an easy but gripping read that young adult fans will embrace.

Character/Execution: The main characters, a group of high school students, are convincing in their reactions to the devastating solar flare. The stakes are definitely high, but the protagonists rise to the challenge, particularly Mya as she tries to makes sense of the unthinkable changes happening around her—and inside of her. 

Plot/Idea: This is an engaging coming-of-age story set at a summer camp in the late 1970s. McCoy offers a realistic yet nostalgic look at an impactful time in a teenager's life. 

Prose: McCoy is a strong writer, able to gain and hold the reader's interest throughout, while effectively capturing the perspective of a child. The author ultimately strikes a fine balance between dialogue, action, and background. The author shows particular strength when it comes to description, which is effortlessly worked into the narrative.

Originality: On the Waterfront uplifts timeless themes of growth, identity, and acceptance through a vibrant setting and original characters that will stay with the reader long after the final page.

Character/Execution: The author does an excellent job with characterization, particularly with the protagonist Danny, delivering a fresh and moving depiction of the anxieties and insecurities of early adolescence.

Plot/Idea: Peter, an initiate at Spiral Hall—a premier school for students with the skills needed to be “agents of nature”—receives a cryptic message that his father, rumored to have died several years ago alongside his mother, is still alive. That news understandably distracts Peter from his studies, eventually leading him into a classic hero quest of self-discovery and purpose. The plot is somewhat slow to start, but once it takes off readers will be pleased at the surprising—and exciting—twists in store for Peter and his friends.

Prose: Colless builds an alluring world rich with believable conflict, challenging adventures, and an appealing camaraderie between Peter and his friends. The prose is vivid and distinct.

Originality: The story’s creatures and setting are intensely original, and the novel highlights climate change issues in a way that will engage and entertain readers. 

Character/Execution: Peter is noteworthy in several ways: within the storyline, his birth was viewed as a portent of his special powers, but Colless also crafts an intuitive, likable hero in him. Secondary characters are memorable, including the evil Anthrogs, who manifest as ecological threats.

Plot/Idea: Chester Midshipmouse Time and Tide is the third title in an endearing children's book series that centers on a wondrous and delightfully layered world of mice living amongst humans at a naval academy.

Prose: Weisberg's writing is gentle, vivid, and alluring. Readers will become immediately immersed in Chester's journey to graduate from the Naval Mouse Academy and sail the seas as an officer.

Originality: Chester Midshipmouse Time and Tide follows in the storied tradition of classics like Redwall, but the novel's setting and worldbuilding are fresh and fun.

Character/Execution: Chester is a sweet, courageous young hero readers will root for. Weisberg establishes a convincing hybrid world of sentient mice and the humans who carry on unaware of the rodent attendees of the Naval Mouse Academy existing above them.

Plot/Idea: In Reed's charming coming-of-age story, narrator and space-enthusiast Quinn Knight has recently moved with her family to a town outside of Austin. When she observes a curious phenomenon in the sky and an odd note is delivered to the house by a stranger, she investigates how the events are connected.

Prose: Reed's pleasantly descriptive, vivid writing is as spirited as her lead character. Quinn's narrative voice is distinctive from the first page and will keep readers emotionally invested in her journey.

Originality: Stories of adapting to life in a new community are familiar middle grade and YA territory. Reed uplifts the more conventional aspects of the story through the mystery elements, vibrant and immersive details about the Texas environs, and the lead character's unique interests.

Character/Execution: From her passion for learning about space to her struggles with chronic migraines, Quinn is an unusual protagonist. Quinn's family members (notably, her self-centered sister, Vivica) and friends are all provided with a degree of depth and individuality.

Plot/Idea: Best friends (and mice) Cheddar Chessman and Tone Provolone own a cheese shop that’s on its last legs. But things start to turn around after a dangerous encounter proves their mettle, and soon they’re playing a central role in saving their town from certain disaster. 

Prose: The setting is delightful and skillfully done, with plenty of entertaining snippets that will please middle grade readers. The author interjects fun names and descriptions that give this novel serious appeal.

Originality: There are some familiar elements in Winfield’s story, but the setting and amusing characters elevate this beyond the expected. The small touches—such as the sound the telephone makes in the cheese shop, or the mouse code that dictates the mice’s behaviors—are a perfect fit for the audience. 

Character/Execution: Winfield’s characters are charming, each with a unique (and humorous) name that fits the story’s premise. They transform through shared hardships and well-earned wins, and their experiences highlight many important themes.

Plot/Idea: Zorya’s a Nightwalker—otherwise known as a vampire, though that word is no longer popular—and she’s falling for Daywalker David, who, oddly enough, is attending her exclusive Night School. The main characters go through classic teenage angst, with humorous asides on their unique living circumstances sprinkled in, but the story’s not all for entertainment value—Brosz addresses some hefty themes along the way, including discrimination and the importance of staying open minded. 

Prose: The prose is lighthearted for the most part, matching the book’s witty feel, and Zorya’s first-person perspective is delivered in a way that feels enjoyably natural and informal.

Originality: Brosz turns the vampire trope upside down with creative worldbuilding that finds “Nightwalkers” and “Daywalkers” coexisting. The descriptions of their differences (the extra long tongues of the Nightwalkers and the Daywalkers’ willingness to sell their own blood for a profit, among others) are entertaining and add interest to the story.

Character/Execution: Despite her vampire status, Zorya is relatable for young adult readers, and David is a worthy match for her pluck and spirit. Brosz holds out some surprises for the main players that will please readers. 

Plot/Idea: In an intriguing world of monsters and gatekeepers, the novel's strong theme of finding friendship and trust in unexpected places will speak to young readers as well as adults. Fans of fantasy and gory battle scenes will rejoice, and there is an added bit of romance for others.

Prose: Brown constructs an imaginative world with exceptional detail and description—a world where partnership and survival rely on each other. Readers will be drawn in from the beginning with Brown's lyrical writing and intrigue.

Originality: Brown's skillful worldbuilding is remarkably well-done, resulting in a system that relies on the synergy between friendship and trust to exist.

Character/Execution: Brown ensures plenty of background for readers to understand the characters and their relationship to each other. Fans will cheer for the main characters' friendship—and their kingdom—to prevail.