Although the Young Adult room in our library holds mostly fiction titles, there are other curated collections that you should consider checking out the next time you come to visit us. We have a number of popular high interest books in Spanish, a robust teen graphic novel section, and a small but mighty nonfiction collection. While our young adult curriculum-based nonfiction and most biographies written for a teen audience are held in the children’s department due to space constraints, we do have some great informational books in our YA room. Here are some nice options to get you started!
Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love edited by Heather Demetrios (9th & up)
YA 155.51 DEA
A couple of years ago, young adult author Heather Demetrios asked teens to send her letters asking questions or looking for advice about love. The resulting letters include those dealing with being ghosted, some were experiencing unrequited love, a few were in unhealthy and even abusive relationships, and more. Eighteen YA authors have answered those letters in raw, revealing, and honest responses. Whether you have experienced heartbreak, are scared to make yourself that vulnerable, or just admire one of the participating authors, this is a valuable collection.
How I Resist: Activism and Hope For a New Generation edited by Maureen Johnson (8th & up)
YA 320.083 HOW
This is another all-star collection similar to the selection above, but this time the focus is on being proactive and making a positive change in the world. Containing interviews, essays, illustrations, and poems, the selections come from a variety of contributors, including authors (Alex Gino, Karuna Riazi, Jason Reynolds, Malinda Lo & more), illustrators (Jonny Sun), TV stars (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), stage actors (Hamilton’s Javier Munoz), and others.
How to Do It Now Because It’s Not Going Away: An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done by Leslie Josel (9th & up)
YA 371.3 JOS
Even though this guide is primarily geared towards high school and college students, I think I might have to give it a read! It offers practical advice and a ton of tips on how to help cut down on procrastination and get that to-do list checked off! Since a new school year is upon us (sorry for the reminder!), this will really come in handy for everyone who finds themselves a little overwhelmed by balancing school, extracurricular activities, work, and more.
Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook: the Complete Middle School Study Guide by Altair Peterson (6th & up)
YA 510 PET
Need a brush up on the basics after the long summer break? This series is just what you need! In addition to the math book, you can also get an overview of English Language Arts (428 EVE), Science (500 EVE), World History (909 ROT), and American History (973 ROT). With these easy guides, you’ll be unstoppable!
Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: a Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary (7th & up)
YA 616.85 MCCREARY
Michael McCreary is an accomplished stand-up comedian who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 5. Through this entertaining and informative memoir, he shares a bit about what it’s like to live with autism. The book is sprinkled with ASD facts, vignettes about McCreary’s life, and sound advice for readers -- whether they have ASD or not -- and it’s a great read.
The Babysitter’s Survival Guide: Fun Games, Cool Crafts, Safety Tips, and More by Jill D. Chasse (6th & up)
YA 649.1 CHA
Now that school is starting, and life is returning back to normal (relatively?), some of you might be looking to make a bit of extra cash by taking on a bit of child care/babysitting. In case it’s been a while, and you’ve forgotten some of the top tips for surviving a babysitting gig unscathed, this guide has everything you need to keep your charge entertained and your sanity intact. Good luck out there!
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (6th & up)
YA 791.54 NOA
As mentioned in the intro above, while most of our young adult biographies are held in the children’s section, we do have a handful of autobiographies and memoirs in the YA department. In this memoir, adapted from the adult New York Times bestseller, Trevor Noah talks about his experience growing up as the child of a Black South African mother and a white European father in South Africa during a time when the government deemed it illegal for a biracial child to exist. This is a thought provoking memoir, and well worth a read.
Wild Nights Out: The Magic of Exploring the Outdoors After Dark by Chris Salisbury (7th & up)
YA 796.5 SAL
Summer is almost over, but there is still time to sneak in some outdoor excursions before the reality of school really kicks in. This guide has advice about how to conduct safe night walks. It also includes 25 ideas for outdoor games and activities, stargazing stories, and other recommendations -- so get out there and enjoy!
The Hill We Climb: an Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman (6th & up)
YA 811.6 GOR
Short, but powerful, this is the transcript of the poem that Ms. Gorman delivered at President Biden’s inauguration. She is the youngest poet to ever have this honor, and her poem -- an eloquent message of hope -- makes it clear why she was given that distinction. If you’re a fan of poetry (or want to be one), there are a few other great poetry books in our collection such as Please Excuse This Poem: 100 New Poets for the Next Generation, For Every One by Reynolds, and Ordinary Hazards by Grimes.
The Grand Escape: The Greatest Prison Breakout of the 20th Century by Neal Bascomb (8th & up)
YA 940.4724 BAS
During World War I, the German prison camp Holtzminden was infamous. Reputed to be a horrible place where the most rebellious prisoners of war were kept, the camp was meant to crush the spirits of any Allied inhabitant. In 1918, however, 29 soldiers devised a bold and dangerous escape plan that they thought just might just be crazy enough to work. This true story is told in a narrative style that brings readers right into the action. The pages will be flying as the suspense builds to a crescendo.
