Plot/Idea: Two young friends learn to cope with the pain that comes with growing up, all while working together to save a pair of sea otters in this expressive middle grade fiction. The plot turns smoothly, and readers will find the perfect number of twists to keep them engaged, but the highlight is Zerndt’s insight into building intricate, believable characters.

Prose: Zerndt writes smoothly, with nearly flawless prose that rolls across the pages, mimicking the main characters’ tones while delivering powerful scenes through crisp, effective writing. 

Originality: AFK breathes originality in its unique ability to interlace several very distinct stories into one cohesive, heartwarming narrative of love, loss, and the power of friendship to heal pain.

Character/Execution: Zerndt’s characters are deliciously complex, as relatable as they are intriguing. Each is struggling with their own internal battles, and as the story progresses, those conflicts come to light organically—and form the basis for the plot’s forward movement.

Plot/Idea: The blueprint for this gripping view of a displaced girl in the early 1970s hinges on secrets and lies, and deftly explores the implications of the Vietnam war on American families from all angles.

Prose: Wright brings readers straight into 13-year-old Evan’s head with clear, poignant language.

Originality: As the Vietnam war recedes in time, Eat and Get Gas reminds readers about the toxic ripples that emanated from the conflict and the mark it left on generations of Americans.

Character/Execution: Evan’s coming-of-age in the midst of political chaos and familial turmoil is palpable in this page-turner. The bonds of family come to life in Write’s characters.

Blurb: J.A. Wright explores an adolescent girl’s feelings of confusion, abandonment, and a rising desire to find her own place in life in this riveting tale.

Plot/Idea: On the cusp of turning 16, Carly Klein tries to juggle school and her parents’ conflict-ridden relationship while living vicariously through stolen stories of her mother’s psychiatry patients. One in particular draws her attention the most—Daniel, a blind man attending Columbia College—and soon she’s secretly following him, posing as a fellow college student to get close. As her fixation grows, Carly is thrust into a web of deceit and infatuation that rains down both devastating endings and revolutionary beginnings in her life.

Prose: The prose is delicate but precise and clear, building Carly’s world with gentle lines and evocative musings.

Originality: Harlan’s story sets up quickly before devolving into a twisty tangle of duplicity that creatively gives birth to a new Carly. Readers will be entranced with the novel’s transformation.

Character/Execution: Carly is an enigma of endearing and troubled, hiding her angst surprisingly well from her family—and herself. Her metamorphosis is gratifying, brimming with lessons on the uneven paths that often lead to the most worthwhile destinations.

Plot/Idea: 9/11 serves as the backdrop for I Hunt For Stars Alone, a gripping tale of immigration, identity, sexuality, and above all else, family, as the young protagonist adjusts to his new life in Indiana. Small moments, like receiving a bike as a gift and sneaking a burger with his mother, have big impact and keep the reader emotionally engaged.

Prose: From the first page to the last, Quintana-­Vallejo’s lyrical verse gives voices to the inner world of the young protagonist, while carefully placed sonnets told from a retrospective adult perspective add gravity to the most serious themes, such as sexual assault and dementia.

Originality: Readers might recognize themes like sexuality and identity, as well as certain plot beats, from many other YA novels but Quintana-­Vallejo’s inimitable, breathtaking free verse sets I Hunt Stars Alone apart. Specific cultural touchstones from 2001-2002 also build out the novel’s world and provide authenticity to the young protagonist’s experience.

Character/Execution: The young protagonist learns to transform his fears about his sexuality into desire, and his pain at leaving his country into hope. Quintana-­Vallejo has also crafted his cast of supporting characters with such tender nuance that readers will empathize even in difficult moments.

Plot/Idea: Gilm! is a YA Fantasy/Horror novel about new kid Geoff Smith who, intent on impressing his crush, breaks his father's rules, turns to the wrong book, and accidentally plays a cursed song, which has exhilarating/frightening implications for everyone.

Prose: Corley's prose is hilarious and on-point, capturing all the agonies and ecstasies of adolescence, and his internal monologues are especially entertaining. 

Originality: Gilm! is remarkable for its clever, relatable hero and the hilarious/dangerous trouble he brings on himself...and the lengths he's willing to go to in order to solve the problem.

Character/Execution: Geoff is a wonderful hero, foibles and all, with wry self-awareness and the courage to try to fix his mistakes, regardless of the cost. His dimpled dad, the pun-loving owner of Curio City, is terrific, too; his loving support of his son comes through in every interaction. Corinne and Will are also distinct individuals with their own problems as opposed to cookie cutouts billed as "hero's love interest" and "school bully." Corley's ability to write them without relying on common tropes is refreshing.

Plot/Idea: The story of a princess on the run and the ragtag strangers who help her is expertly woven and delivered in this well-crafted fantasy that appears poised to launch a series.

Prose: Harvey’s dialogue is natural, reading like silk as the worldbuilding engrosses readers in the tale. Romantic descriptions are genre appropriate and on point.

Originality: Heir to the Ice Flame borrows from classic fairy tale lore, adding a touch of the familiar to a fresh adventure.

Character/Execution: Harvey’s characters spring from the page. Readers will root for Princess Nina and her band of misfit heroes.

Plot/Idea: Charlotte's Ghosts, a YA historical novel, is the charming, heartbreaking tale of new kid Charlotte "C.C." Cross, who has a plethora of problems: her father was recently killed in Afghanistan, her widowed mother has dragged her across the country to a new school, and she sees dead people. Specifically, she sees Jeremy Turner, killed fighting for the Union in Manassas, Virginia, in 1862.

Prose: Aside from some grammatical and formatting errors, Simone's prose is precise and descriptive, and she does a fine job juggling Charlotte and Jeremy's POVs, jumping between Charlotte's struggles in the present and the early battles of the American Civil War. Simone also vividly captures the cost of war even beyond the loss of lives.

Originality: There are many YA novels about grieving teenagers and the Civil War, but Charlotte's Ghosts is singular: not just a book about a modern teenager and a long-dead teenager; not just about the titular heroine's struggles to deal with family tragedy; and not just a book about the early battles of the Civil War, but a successful blending of these elements that will deeply gratify perceptive readers.

Character/Execution: Simone's characters are each well articulated and developed: Charlotte is a grieving bundle of anxiety, hormones, and curiosity, struggling to deal with the abrupt changes in her life even as she wonders if she's losing her mind. Her widowed mother's suffering is also quietly impactful. For his part, the long-dead Civil War casualty Jeremy Turner, is convincingly portrayed, his regrets trapping him in the ground he died in.

Plot/Idea: Lin’s dual timeline is fluid and engaging, moving quickly and holding interest in both contemporary and past sections of the novel. The star-crossed lovers theme plays well, rendered subtly but powerfully, and the story of fifth-century China echoes exquisitely in the present-day tale. 

Prose: Lin writes skillfully, unraveling dual storylines with ease, all while perfectly capturing the characters’ emotions. The lyrical prose in Wencai’s story is lilting and gentle, every bit as delicate as the butterfly themes that flit throughout the novel.

Originality: This is a captivating, multilayered story that expertly plumbs love, betrayal, and passion over the course of centuries. 

Character/Execution: The myriad of characters is carefully drawn, and backstories develop smoothly, making the cast easy to track. Butterfly’s attempts to navigate the contemporary world are relatable and, at times, even entertaining, and Brandon exerts a strong narrative voice throughout. Perhaps most memorable is the animated, intense relationship between Wencai and Shanbo, one that has a satisfying ending.

Plot/Idea: Shady Rulers is a brilliantly realized story of magic, adventure, and discovery that benefits from a perfectly imagined storyline. Its dramatic action scenes and brisk plot combine to provide readers with a bold and multifaceted tale that does not disappoint.

Prose: Styrkur's text is daring and enjoyable, carving a thoughtfully developed fantasy landscape with strong characters to boot. The book's often poetic, lyrical, and stirring language is immersive, engaging, and sure to appeal to young lovers of fantasy fiction.

Originality: Shady Rulers is an accessible, memorable, and confidently written fantasy novel for young adults. The text is nicely bolstered by maps, illustrations, and a charming character index, which all help enhance Styrkur's burgeoning fantasy landscape.

Character/Execution: The characters in Styrkur's novel are all well crafted, particularly Terrack, an exiled elf desperate for revenge against his father, King Jarsophos. Shady Rulers launches a tantalizing series of fantasy adventure stories for young readers.

Blurb: A captivating fantasy adventure thriller.

Plot/Idea: Body of Origin is an often riveting fantasy/sci-fi YA thriller centered on the unique capabilities of 16-year-old girl living in a complex alternate world. There's a steady give-and-take of rising and falling action as well as exposition, which makes the plights of the characters clear and relatable. The worldbuilding is top-notch, introducing novel concepts while also drawing from true-to-life circumstances. 

Prose: The author's writing style effectively captures the internal voice of a teenager who, while mature and facing impossible issues, is still in some ways innocent and naive enough to retain a fresh and youthful perspective.

Originality: Because the story covers so many topics (political influence, the rights one has over their own body, sexuality and consent, etc.), it would be easy to assume that it would wind up a collection of cliches or tired tropes. This story, however, brings them all together in unique ways that speak not only to the author's talent, but to her grasp of the complexities of each individual issue as well as how they intersect.

Character/Execution: Though they are not yet adults, the protagonists show a tremendous amount of depth and maturity while staying relatable to the intended teen audience. Young adults, lovers of fantasy and sci-fi, and bibliophiles who enjoy political and/or social thrillers will find much to love.

Plot/Idea: Deadly plagues, magical powers, and a terrifying enemy form a firestorm of danger in this multilayered novel that takes place in the year 2077. The plot centers on Ava Firestone, born in an institute with one purpose: to create Gifted children, capable of mastering nature’s basic elements as weapons. There’s a war raging outside the walls of the institute, and cryptic changes happening inside of it, and Vasileva ties it all together with an epic, and complex, ending that will shock readers.

Prose: Vasileva sets up the story’s conflict right away, giving readers a hint that danger is lurking later in the novel, for Ava, her adviser, Patrick, and the supporting cast. The prose is watchful and convincing, alluding to the story’s building uncertainty at every turn.

Originality: Vasileva builds a world teeming with magic but still believable, in a near future beset by greed and reckless violence. Seasoned readers will recognize several of the story’s fantasy elements, but that doesn’t take away from the entertainment factor.

Character/Execution: Ava is bitterly conflicted—about her abilities, her purpose, and her future—but Vasileva convincingly portrays both her vulnerabilities and gifts as strengths. The story unfolds through her voice, a compelling perspective that readers will instantly connect with. Morgana is an equally gripping character, and the twist at the end sets her up for a return appearance in future installments.

Plot/Idea: With ample twists throughout, Gaston has created a heartfelt mystery with strong themes of loss and friendship. Gaston weaves references to literary characters giving the reader an idea of who the whimsical character is while maintaining a sense of intrigue throughout. 

Prose: Gaston's prose is age-appropriate and engaging, with tone shifts effectively conveying shifts between fantasy and reality. The author successfully casts an ominous tone at appropriate times, which highlights an overarching sense of being lost. Occasionally stiff exchanges between characters proves to be a minor off-note. 

Originality: Gaston constructs a unique storyline that blends the relatable struggles of a young girl with an alluring and uncanny mystery. 

Character/Execution: Jessica is an appealing lead, faced with painful family dilemmas, seeking certainty, and grappling with anger. Mitch, meanwhile, proves to be a likable sidekick. The otherworldly elements are nicely parsed out as Jessica and Mitch attempt to unravel the secrets behind the appearance of a strange, music-playing girl and her ability to travel across time. 

Plot/Idea: Oksana and her best friend, Anya, want nothing more than for their sun-filled, hazy adventures in their small Ukrainian village to continue—but all they’ve ever known is uprooted when Joseph Stalin’s troops arrive, taking over Oksana’s family farm, arresting her father, and creating a deep divide among the people in their town. The plot is fast-paced, while still portraying the daily life that Oksana’s village values so much, and Cole interjects meaningful socio-cultural context throughout.

Prose: The prose is convincing and historically sound, skillfully evoking the tone and ambiance of the story’s setting. Cole instills hope for a safer, brighter future in both her characters and readers with every word. 

Originality: Cole’s main character, Oksana, is a strong, touching lead, who undergoes a significant transformation and becomes an unexpected leader for her family, friends, and people. Her appeal lends the novel depth and increases its originality. 

Character/Execution: Cole paints a deeply moving portrait of a nation overtaken by an enemy intent on stealing—and destroying—their way of life. Secondary characters are given breathtaking interiority, allowing them supportive but equally meaningful roles to the main players.

Plot/Idea: Joyce’s plot takes off from the start, centered on a pair of foreign journalists who are caught up in a brutal revolution in Prague. The action is suspenseful and dramatic, but well-balanced by character development.

Prose: Joyce crafts a nuanced, multilayered setting that brings history to life and vibrates with authenticity. The prose calls forth the freedom dreams of the late 1960s, when political machinations and pop culture often collided in a cacophony of mistrust and passion for change. 

Originality: Joyce heightens the action in this thriller through the novel’s vivid setting, richly drawn characters, and a forceful historical context.

Character/Execution: Nineteen-year-old Josie, a Canadian citizen living in Prague and desperate to make it as a journalist, is a solid, intriguing lead, and French journalist Laurent holds his own, as the two work together to break a story that has increasingly dangerous repercussions for both of them—and the country as a whole.

Plot/Idea: Swetnam’s plot is unpredictable and high-speed, as 12-year-old Joey and his sister Clarissa join forces to help a topsy-turvy group of aliens save Earth. Their leader, Cleocatra, sends the siblings on puzzling tasks that seem to make no sense, all in the name of galaxy-saving, and the ride is equal parts wild and sensational, a perfect fit for middle grade readers.

Prose: The prose is as quirky as the storyline, and Swetnam writes with a dry sense of humor that permeates throughout, making the book entertaining and witty. 

Originality: The mix of space hijinks, humorous prose, and untamed adventure here is a winning combination, boosted with endless originality and pizzazz. 

Character/Execution: Swetnam’s characters are engaging and fun, each with an important role that moves the plot forward. Cleo is, quite literally, the cat’s meow, surrounded by a galvanic cast of aliens and humans who make a compelling group. 

Plot/Idea: Vincent creates a politically charged setting that represents a variety of communities that deserve to be heard. Vincent’s passion for these tough but current subjects radiates off the page through her characters and their call to action. While it is stacked with LGBTQIA+ challenges, each one is addressed in an appropriate manner.

Prose: Lots of conversation and interaction among the characters allows them to develop. With sufficient explanation Vincent helps the reader understand terms that belong to the LGBTQIA+ community. As tension rises throughout, thoughtful solutions are developed. Readers will have a deeper understanding of the issues the LGBTQIA+ face and hopefully lead to understanding and galvanization.

Originality: Addressing current issues is necessary to help those that have suffered or been victims of violence against the LGBTQIA+ community. The novel will surely create awareness among readers.

Character/Execution: Well-intentioned, relatable, and multilayered teen characters help drive the plot and embody the injustices they encounter both within their communities and far beyond.