Plot/Idea: In Everly, writing has been outlawed, and when a tragic event occurs in the Pennymore household, Parker Pennymore vows to uncover the truth—and tell stories in her own way, by putting quill to paper, despite the consequences. She soon finds herself at the center of a dangerous game, forced into the role of a hero, in order to rescue her world from certain destruction. Koester’s plot is appealing from the start, full of exciting twists that keep readers engaged. 

Prose: The prose is every bit as expressive and sparkling as the story’s setting, and Koester interjects humor into all the right places—a perfect fit for YA audiences.

Originality: Koester stuns with vivid worldbuilding, crafting a fantastical place where writing truly is magic, with written words that howl at their author, writing pages that fashion themselves into shapes from stories, and quills with a mind of their own.

Character/Execution: Koester builds convincing characters, crafted with careful attention to their place in the story. Parker is desperate to write her own story, her way. As she grows more convinced of her strength, she blossoms naturally into the leader she was born to be, willing to take the necessary risks to save her family and their world. Her siblings are supportive, entertaining in their own right, and play important roles in the storyline.

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: 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: 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: A hodgepodge of Edwardian London kids from upstairs, downstairs, and around the corner work together to solve the mystery of what’s going on at townhouse number seven in this charming adventure, an installment in the Mysterious Mansions series. 

Prose: Hatt has a sparkling prose style that captures the beats of the historical era while maintaining energy and forward momentum. 

Originality: Hatt draws from classic capers to craft a lively, kid-centered, and lightly spooky mystery. Throw in a cute dog and bumbling adults, and this romp through important London landmarks is thoroughly enjoyable.

Character/Execution: Alice, Theo, and their East End companions prove to be fully-formed, magnetic characters who each play an integral role in the storytelling. The London setting comes to life via the well-described environs, both historic locales and mysterious nooks and crannies alike. 

Plot/Idea: Lukas Lincoln is in love with his brother’s girlfriend, which seems like a big deal until the zombies—or ‘Furies’—arrive. Lyons leads the story to a satisfying conclusion while leaving open the possibility of a follow-up book.

Prose: Lyons’s writing is smart and engaging, making it easy for readers to connect with the story. Cleaning up instances of passive voice would hone it even more.

Originality: Teens fighting against overwhelming odds is nothing new, but this is a worthwhile read. Lyons layers in a love triangle, which adds interest.

Character/Execution: The characters are all distinct and well-rounded—quite a feat for a large cast of teens in a fast-paced story. Lyons also impressively manages to make key Furies recognizable—all without dialogue.

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: Squire Burchard Wolfensberger dreams of battle even after his vision of a great white wolf warns him of unforeseen danger. Themes of teamwork, found family, and the harsh realities of war will strongly resonate with readers.

Prose: Jensen’s writing is well-crafted and dynamic, with striking descriptions of a fantasy realm that fully envelop readers in the storytelling.

Originality: Chronicles of Sword and Fang blends familiar elements of fantasy, adventure, and animal magic, but the result is a riveting tale for young readers.

Character/Execution: Fourteen-year-old Burchard and his peers are crisply depicted as they evolve and learn the importance of working together to battle forces of evil.

Plot/Idea: In a world where Fae and Humans coexist uneasily, Queen Maelys entrusts Caden, a half Fae, half human seeker, to find Sislie, a fairy princess thrust to the forefront of political intrigue. Wool's story moves quickly, the different subplots neatly interlaced, and transports readers into a glimmering fantasy world of betrayal, trickery, and new beginnings.

Prose: Wool’s writing is strong and polished, braced by expressive worldbuilding and eloquent prose. 

Originality: Medieval settings, fairies, and magic are familiar tropes reinvigorated by Wool’s engaging characters and their adventures, as well as the novel's interesting geopolitical dynamics.

Character/Execution: Sislie and Caden are vividly constructed, both convincing and appealing characters who will coax readers into their journey from the beginning.   

Plot/Idea: Final Video Game is a fun, clever romp exploring humanity’s deepest fears regarding AI. Middle grade readers will connect with Speakes's coming-of-age themes and energetic plot.

Prose: Speakes’s writing expertly brings readers along on protagonist Oliver’s wild ride and opportunity to be a hero, with strong, witty prose that advances the story. 

Originality: Final Video Game feels both timely with its AI antagonist, and timeless, as it leans into the kids-team-up-to-save-the-day trope.

Character/Execution: Main character Oliver is believable as a 13-year-old navigating grief and self-doubt, all while trying to fit in with new, well-rounded friends. Teen readers will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek style Speakes uses to write adult characters.

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: 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.