My Favorite Young Adult Books of 2015

As a middle school English teacher, I read A LOT of young adult literature.  And I absolutely love it.  I love the worlds that are created, the characters that are developed, and the adventures that are had.  Because I love reading YA lit so much, it was very difficult to pick out my favorites of the year.  However, after much deliberation, here are my top picks.

Please note, that these are the books I read in 2015, regardless of when they were published.  In no particular order:

My Favorite Young Adult Books of 2015

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda begins her freshman year as the most hated girl in her entire school because she called the cops to a summer party.  Melinda begins to shrink more and more within herself, unable to speak out about the real story.  This is a beautifully written book about finding the courage to tell others of a past abuse. Speak does deal with sexual assault (though not in a graphic manner), so I would make sure that you gauge your daughter’s maturity level and possibly read it together.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Anidori, Crown Princess, is married off to the prince of a neighboring land by her mother.  As she and her caravan journey toward him, Ani’s lady-in-waiting, Celia, overthrows Ani and tries to murder her.  Ani has to survive in a new country by pretending to be lowly goose girl caring for the palace fowl.  As she befriends the castle folk and learns more about her new country, Ani also discovers powers that she never knew she had.  I fell in love with this book!  It’s a gently told, imaginative fantasy any 6-9th grader will love.

Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

If your teen loves to be scared, the Lockwood & Co series is for them.  Lockwood, Lucy, and George are teenage ghost hunters trying to contain The Problem–violent ghosts which have plagued London for years.  In the first book of the series, The Screaming Staircase, they solve a centuries old mystery with their wits and bravery.  See my full review for more details!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

This book (recommended for grades 4-8) has everything kids love in literature:  intelligent and resourceful child heroes, adventure, obstacles to overcome, and a happy ending.  If you have a child who loved Harry Potter, do them a favor and introduce them to Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky as they try to outwit the evil Ledroptha Curtain.

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Track star Jessica is involved in a horrific car accident that kills a team member and takes her own leg. Now an amputee, Jessica must relearn how to move, walk, fit in at school, and find hope.  A fantastic book for children grades 6-12 which explores strength, friendship, special needs, and empathy.

Counting by 7s by Holly Sloan

Counting by 7s has been compared to Out of My Mind and Mockingbird, two books that broke barriers by having protagonists who suffer from various physical or mental disabilities.  In this book, Willow, a twelve-year-old genius who struggles to relate to people, has to learn to face the world after her parents die in a car accident.  Despite its grim beginning, the book is a hopeful vision of the power of love and understanding.

Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine

Seeing Red is a work of historical fiction that tells a story of race relations in the South.  Red Porter’s life changes when his father dies.  He and his mother have to decide what to do about the family business and how to interact with others in a world that seems to be changing quickly.  Seeing Red would make an excellent family book club and bring about insightful discussion about prejudice, friendship, and loss.

Runners Up:  If I Stay, Peak, The Mother-Daughter Book Club, and Under The Egg

What are your favorite young adult books?  I always love to get suggestions for my next book to read!

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