YA Round-Up

Want to get a sense of what media teens are reading, watching and listening to these days? Need some older titles to suggest to your younger Gen Zers that they might not have tried yet? Well, look no further!

Here’s a starter pack of YA (Young Adult) materials — print and non-print — that I’ve put together. Whether you’re a teacher, a librarian , a parent or a teen looking for ideas, my YA Round-up is a mix of recent releases, older titles and award-winning classics across genres and mediums to spark interest and conversations.

My list is both inclusive and diverse, with:

  • Canadian content 🍁
  • Indigenous titles 🪶
  • Multiracial perspectives ✊🏾
  • LGBTQ+ characters 🏳️‍🌈

These materials will allow teens to explore complex issues like identity, current events, social justice, friendships, relationships and other matters important to them and their peers. There’s something for everyone.

Click on the links below to get all the details, Enjoy!

Print

Atlantic Canadian Book: Decoding Dot Grey, by Nicola Davison (2022) 🍁
Decoding Dot Grey, by Nicola Davison (2022)

Vibe: Quirky, heartfelt, introspective

Appeal: For readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a unique narrative voice, exploring themes of grief, guilt, identity and found family.

Summary: Set in 1997 Halifax, Dot Grey is a socially awkward but sharp-witted recent high school graduate who prefers animals to people. Working at an animal shelter offers her refuge. Animals don’t ask about her offbeat, artistic mother, who has been in a coma for several months after a terrible accident. Animals don’t think it’s weird that Dot taps her fingers in Morse code when she’s anxious or stressed — which is almost all the time now. And animals don’t judge when she avoids her Dad’s pager messages.

When fellow shelter employees Rachel and Joe befriend her despite her idosyncrasies and standoffishness, Dot finds herself navigating both unexpected friendships and her mother’s deteriorating condition. But as she slowly opens up, Dot discovers that Joe has a secret—one as devastating for her as it is for him. With a genuine and engaging voice, Decoding Dot Grey is a coming-of-age Canadian novel for fans of emotionally resonant, realistic fiction.

Awards:

Award-winning Fiction: Looking For Alaska, by John Green (2005)
Looking for Alaska, by John Green (2005)

Vibe: Bittersweet, rebellious, poignant

Appeal: Ideal for teens who are drawn to emotional tearjerkers.

Summary: Miles “Pudge” Halter leaves his uneventful life behind for Culver Creek Boarding School, hoping to seek the “Great Perhaps.” There, he’s drawn into a world of pranks, deep conversations, and reckless adventures with his new friends, including the enigmatic, self-destructive Alaska Young. When tragedy strikes, Miles and his friends are left reeling, searching for meaning in the aftermath. Looking for Alaska blends humor, philosophy, and heartbreak, capturing the exhilarating highs and devastating lows of being a teen. Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower or They Both Die at the End will appreciate the emotional journey of self-discovery and search for meaning. Teens may also enjoy the 2019 Looking For Alaska TV mini series.

Awards:

Biography/Memoir: Shout: A Poetry Memoir, by Laurie Halse Anderson (2019)
Shout: A Poetry Memoir, by Laurie Halse Anderson (2019)

Vibe: Raw, powerful, deep

Appeal: For fans of both free verse poetry and hard-hitting memoirs, especially those who want to explore heavy topics such as family dysfunction, sexual violence, advocacy and social justice work.

Summary: In this searing poetic memoir, Laurie Halse Anderson shares her personal history with family struggles, sexual assault, trauma, and healing. As the author of Speak, Anderson expands on her own experiences and the impact of her novel in sparking conversations about consent and sexual violence. With honesty and lyricism, Shout is both a personal testimony and a rallying cry for survivors. This book will be a compelling read for teens who appreciate poetry with emotional intensity and anyone looking for an empowering look at survival and advocacy.

Awards:

Controversial or Challenged Book: The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas (2017) ✊🏾
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas (2017)

Vibe: Gritty, powerful, real

Appeal: For teens who want an emotionally-charged, character-driven story that centres on personal struggle and broader social justice issues like racism, gang violence and police brutality.

Summary: This novel follows Starr Carter, a Black teen who witnesses the fatal police shooting of her unarmed friend, Khalil. When a grand jury does not indict the shooter, public outrage rises and Starr’s two worlds—her home in the inner-city neighbourhood of Garden Heights and her private school in a wealthy suburb—collide. Starr must figure out who she is, where she belongs and how she wants to use her voice. Although one of the most-challenged books because to was alleged to be profane with an anti-police message, the complex issues of poverty, violence, race, activism and identity are handled with sensitivity and nuance. A must-read for all teens.

Follow-up books by Thomas include Concrete Rose which tells the story of Starr’s father Maverick when he was a teen, while On the Come Up is a stand-alone novel about a new teen protagonist chasing her rap dreams in the same community of Garden Heights

Awards:

Graphic Novel: 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary, by Don Brown (2023)
83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary, by Don Brown (2023)

Vibe: Harrowing, urgent, gut-wrenching

Appeal: For youth who are drawn to fast-paced, unflinching accounts of war, survivial and human resilience.

Summary: From well-known and award-winning author/illustrator Don Brown comes a gritty graphic non-fiction book that recounts the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, specifically the brutal battle for Ukraine’s port city of Mariupol back in 2022. Brown’s black-and-white artwork conveys the chaos, fear and devastation with visceral intensity.

* Trigger warning: This book is not for everyone, as there are allusions to rape and torture as well as black-and-white depictions of dead bodies. Best suited for older teens, the book offers a first-hand perspective of wartime journalism with a day-by-day account of what happened in Mariupol before it fell. A powerful resource for classroom or book club discussions about the human impact of war.

Hi/Lo Book: Dreaming in Color, by Melanie Florence (2020) 🪶🍁
Dreaming in Color, by Melanie Florence (2020)

Vibe: Heatfelt, empowering, uplifting

Appeal: A strong pick for teen readers who like underdog stories about overcoming hardship and discrimination to follow your dreams.

Summary: When Jen, a mixed Indigenous teen, is accepted into a prestigious arts high school, she and her family are thrilled. She had been working on her art for years, often incorporating traditional Cree elements into her work. However, not all of her new classmates are as happy. Jen finds herself the target of some students who claim she only got in to fill a quota and that her art is “too Indian.” The night before a major art show, her intricately beaded art piece is deliberately destroyed. Heartbroken, Jen is determined not to let the bullies win — but the clock is ticking. Written in accessible language, this Orca Soundings title is perfect for reluctant readers who still want an emotionally-satisfying story with authentic representation. 

If teens want to read more about Jen’s loving family, Florence has also written the hi/lo novel, He Who Dreams, about Jen’s older brother, John. He wants to explore his Cree identity through pow wow dancing, but he faces pushback both from his soccer friends for dancing, and from other Indigenous youth who think he is “too white” to belong.

Awards:

Historical Fiction: Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo (2021) 🏳️‍🌈
Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo (2021)

Vibe: Romantic, poignant, thought-provoking

Appeal: For historical fiction-loving teens who are interested in mid-century American culture and LGBTQ+ history.

Summary: This moving historical YA novel set in 1950s San Francisco captures the intersectionality of queer identity, Chinese American heritage, and Cold War paranoia. Lo’s thorough research of the 50s Red Scare helps create a repressive atmosphere that evokes a sense of dread from the very beginning of the novel. Against this backdrop, 17 year-old Lily Hu is trying to figure out who she is in a world that fears and ridicules not only her ethnicity and her queerness, but also her ambition to become an astronaut. With her new friend, Kath, who dreams of becoming a pilot, Lily begins sneaking out to the Telegraph Club — a fictional lesbian bar inspired by real ones that operated in San Francisco at the time. However, police raids are frequent, and it is only a matter of time before Lily and Kath’s newfound freedom is threatened.

At the heart of this novel is Lily and Kath’s forbidden love story, adding warmth and humanity to the historical details. Lo’s novel is a window into a tumultuous time in history, and a meaningful exploration of identity, culture, belonging, and first love.

Awards:

Realistic Fiction: The Summer of Broken Things, by Margaret Peters Haddix (2018)
The Summer of Broken Things, by Margret Peterson Haddix (2018)

Vibe: Emotional, reflective, bittersweet

Appeal: For teens looking for a satisfying summer travel read about friendships and complex family relationships.

Summary: When confident, athletic and self-centered 14 year-old Avery is dragged to Spain by her workaholic dad, the last thing she expects is to be paired with Kayla, an awkward and shy older girl she barely remembers from her childhood. The two start Spanish classes together, but the tension continues. Soon, what was just an uncomfortable travel arrangement becomes even more complicated when a family secret surfaces and changes everything. Told in alternating perspectives, this nuanced story touches on identity, class, and the lifelong impact of adult choices. While teens may initially find the slower pace and the main characters’ personalities frustrating — especially Avery’s brattiness and Kayla’s painful meekness — they will likely become invested in the characters’ personal and relationship growth as the story unfolds. A quiet but satisfying read that will linger in the minds of teen readers long after the final page.

Awards:

Revised Fairy or Folktale: The Legendborn Cycle series: Books #1 and #2, by Tracy Deonn (2020, 2022)✊🏾🏳️‍🌈
Legendborn, by Tracy Deonn (2020)
Bloodmarked, by Tracy Deonn (2022)

Vibe: Bold, emotional, action-packed

Appeal: For teens who crave immersive, real-world fantasy with rich worldbuilding, fierce heroines, and stories of legacy and reclaiming power — especially for readers seeking more Black voices in the fantasy genre.

Summary: This electrifying series begins when Black teen Bree Matthews, still reeling from the sudden loss of her mother, is drawn into a secret society of magic users at UNC-Chapel Hill — the Legendborn, descendants of King Arthur’s knights. As she uncovers hidden truths about her mother’s past and her own ancestral power, Bree’s world is turned upside down. What follows is a thrilling mix of secret orders, magical battles, and slow-burning tension with Nick, the golden boy from the Order, and Sel, the brooding and fiercely loyal King’s mage.

In Bloodmarked, Bree steps fully into her power, but at enormous cost, confronting complicated grief, identity, the weight of legacy and the painful enslaved history of Black Americans. Deonn skillfully intertwines the classic Arthurian legend lore with the traumatic legacy of colonial violence and Black resilience, for a page-turning series readers will not be able to put down. Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses or Shadowhunters will be all in.

With the third book in the series, Oathbound, just recently released, readers who fall hard for Bree, Nick, and Sel won’t have to wait to see how their story continues.

Awards:

For Legendborn:

Romance/Relationship: Jess, Chunk and the Road Trip to Infinity, by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (2016) 🏳️‍🌈
Jess, Chunk and the Road Trip to Infinity, by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (2016)

Vibe: Heartwarming, affirming, funny

Appeal: For teens who enjoy character-driven stories about friendship, identity, and personal growth — especially those who like road trip stories with emotional depth and humour.

Summary: On a cross-country road trip to her estranged (and transphobic) father’s wedding — to her mom’s former best friend, no less — Jess, a trans teen girl, hits the highway with her best friend Christophe, aka Chunk. Between gas station snacks, roadside diners, and a few painfully awkward reunions, Jess finds herself dealing with identity, rejection, and some complicated romantic feelings that might just change everything. With sharp dialogue, real warmth, and a lot of awkward charm, Clark’s novel balances tough topics with an easygoing tone. A great pick for readers looking for trans representation in a heartfelt, funny, and ultimately hopeful story about friendship, acceptance, and becoming who you are.

Awards:

Science Fiction/Horror: The Marrow Thieves & Hunting By Stars, by Cherie Dimaline (2017, 2021) 🪶🍁
The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline (2017)
Hunting By Stars, by Cherie Dimaline (2021)

Vibe: Dark, haunting, intense

Appeal: For teens who are drawn to “cli-fi” novels (speculative fiction about ecological disaster), especially ones that weave Indigenous perspectives into the narrative.

Summary: In a near-future ravaged by climate collapse, most people have lost the ability to dream — except Indigenous peoples, whose bone marrow is believed to hold the cure. Hunted by government Recruiters for their bone marrow, Frenchie, a Métis teen, and his makeshift family — Miig — the Anishnaabe father figure, Wab, the twins Zheegwon and Tree, Chi-boy, Slopper, Isaac, Rose, little RiRi and Minerva, the elder —  flee north through the rain-soaked forests of what was once Northern Ontario.

In The Marrow Thieves, their journey is dangerous, filled with death, betrayal, new love and self-discovery. In Hunting by Stars, Frenchie is captured and imprisoned in a marrow-harvesting facility that is eerily similar to Canada’s former residential schools. This impactful duology is perfect for mature teens who crave action-acked speculative fiction about survival, resilience and what makes a family.

Awards:

The Marrow Thieves:

Hunting By Stars:

Series Fiction: The Agency series, by Y.S. Lee (2010 – 2015) ✊🏾🍁
The Agency series, by Y.S. Lee (2010 – 2015)
1. A Spy in the House
2. The Body at the Tower
3. The Traitor in the Tunnel
4. Rivals in the City

Vibe: Feminist, adventurous, suspenseful

Appeal:  For teens who love espionage and intriguing plot-driven narratives, or who want a feminist twist on Sherlock Holmes-style mysteries.

Summary: This multi-award-winning mystery series about a half-Chinese orphan raised in a secret all-female detective agency is set in grimy, gaslit Victorian London. Smart, sharp, and fearless, young Mary Quinn balances mystery, danger, disguise and unexpected romance with her quick wits, confronting both crimes and the constraints placed on women of her time. Blending historical grit with quick pacing and thoughtful character growth, this series is a stellar choice for readers who loved The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer or the Netflix adaptations. Canadian author Y.S. Lee’s series came first—and in many ways goes further, offering even more edge, intrigue, and a fierce feminist protagonist.

Awards:

A Spy in the House

The Body at the Tower

The Traitor in the Tunnel

Non-Print

Library Website for Teens: Vancouver Public Library — Teens 🍁
https://www.vpl.ca/teens

Vibe: Vibrant, creative, inclusive

Appeal: A great website for teens looking for youth resources and activities, book recommendations and inspiration.

Summary: The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) Teen website is an informative, easy-to-navigate hub for young adults in Vancouver. It provides a variety of content, including links to homework help and other teen resources like mental health support, job search skills, and information on truth and reconciliation. Teens can also access ink, a teen-run journal, and find out about volunteer opportunities like the Teen Advisory Group or STEAM Buddies. The website offers book recommendations, event listings, and links to programs like Teen Art Hive. While geared towards Vancouver teens, the VPL Teen website can offer ideas and inspiration to youth and organizations serving youth across Canada.

Magazine: The Teen Magazine
The Teen Magazine

Vibe: Fun, trendy, engaging

Appeal: For aspiring writers and teens who love pop culture, lifestyle content, politics and/or social issues.

Summary: A youth-led digital magazine covering everything from fashion, food, entertainment, art & literature, mental health and wellness to music, films, social justice and the environment.
Articles and opinion pieces are researched, thoughtful and articulate, and include diverse topics  such as, “Trump Dismantling the Department of Education – What This Means for Students” and “The Perfect Body: Why Are Women Still Being Judged for Their Appearance?” 

On the lighter side, there are lots of quizzes, including, “What K-Drama Should You Watch Next?” and “Which Popular YA Novel Series Should I Read Next?” Teens can also join an online community to connect with other teen writers. A wonderful example of youth empowerment in content creation, The Teen Magazine is hip, informative and inclusive.

Movies: Bottoms (2023) and Wicked: Part 1 (2024) ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈
Bottoms (2023)
Wicked: Part 1 (2024)

Bottoms

Vibe: Irreverent, outrageous, chaotic

Appeal: For teens who love satirical comedies with a bit of raunchiness and biting social commentary.

Summary: This sharp, ambitious teen movie takes jabs at several classic movie tropes: high school misfit stories, coming-of-age dramas, sports hero tales, heteronormative romances and even fight clubs. Outcast lesbians, PJ and Josie, start a fight club to hook-up with cheerleaders, and sell the idea to their football-obsessed principal because attacks from a rival high school are on the rise. Soon though, their plan spirals out-of-control and unhinged, hilarious chaos ensues, threatening their friendship. With its zesty dialogue and critiques of gender roles, cliques, and high school football culture, Bottoms is a wild ride, best suited for older teens who enjoy no-holds-barred satire and crude humour with plenty of action.

Awards:

Wicked

Vibe: Whimsical, lush, enchanting

Appeal: For teens who love musical theater, visually rich films and stories that are character-driven.

Summary: This film adaptation brings the Broadway hit Wicked to life with powerhouse performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.The movie follows the unlikely friendship between Elphaba — the future Wicked Witch of the West — and Glinda, The Good Witch, during their early days as roommates at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. The musical numbers, the lavish costumes and the emphasis on friendship and overcoming differences gives Wicked a light, playful vibe on the surface.

However, many teens will appreciate the darker undertones as the film progresses. Elphaba, who experiences racism because of her green skin, empathizes with the growing number of silenced talking animals in Oz. Blamed for the widespread drought, they are not only losing their voices, but also disappearing — a clear, if not subtle, allegory of fascist regimes who alienate, isolate and scapegoat minorities. Wicked offers a compelling mix of spectacle and substance and its cliffhanger ending poses a thought-provoking question: do you have what it takes to take a stand?

Awards:

Music Recording: The Tortured Poets Department, by Taylor Swift (2024)
The Tortured Poets Department (2024)

Vibe: Introspective, moody, poetic

Appeal: For all teens, not just Swifties, who love deeply personal, lyrical storytelling songs about love and heartbreak, self-reflection and reinvention.

Summary: Taylor Swift’s latest album-turned-anthology is perfect for teens, offering 31 brooding tracks all about the emotional turmoil associated with love, loss and identity. The standout breakup songs on the album speak directly to young adults in the thick of romantic struggles. “So Long, London” is especially poignant as Swift says farewell not only to a lover but a city. “How Did It End?” delves into the pain of explaining a breakup to others, while “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” delivers upbeat energy that masks the heartache of the lyrics: “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday everyday.” 

For those teens who need something more fiery, “Down Bad” hits hard with pouty, petulant lyrics. “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” is another angry breakup anthem with spicy lines like “And in plain sight you hid/But you are what you did/And I’ll forget you/but I’ll never forgive/The smallest man who ever lived.” And if listeners want songs more about defiance and standing up for themselves, “But Daddy I Love Him” and “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” take on an edgy rebelliousness — great for teens who want to push back against expectations or authority. 

“Florida!!!” (with Florence + the Machines) offers a carefree abandon to the album with a bright, solid beat and an underlying yearning for escape. Rich in literary and biblical references, “Guilty As Sin” and “The Prophecy” explore desire, guilty thoughts and destiny, while “Peter” reimagines Peter Pan from Wendy’s perspective. 

While the album doesn’t explicitly feature LGBTQ+ themes or characters, the emotional complexity, defiance, and themes of personal struggle might resonate with LGBTQ+ listeners. This album captures the raw emotionality of relationships and identity that will appeal to a wide range of teens.

Awards:

  • 6 nominations at the 2025 GRAMMYs, including Album of the Year
  • Winner of 10 Billboard Music Awards including Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Hot 100 Songwriter – 2024

TV Show: Arcane: League of Legends, Seasons 1 and 2 ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈
Arcane: League of Legends (2021, 2024)

Vibe: Intense, fast-paced, dramatic

Appeal: For teens who love dystopian drama with a steam-punk edge, Arcane has it all: visually-rich animation, complex world-building, morally gray characters and action-packed storytelling.

Summary: You don’t need to be a League of Legends (LoL) gamer to get hooked on Arcane. This visually breathtaking 3-D animation series is a loose prequel to the LoL battle arena video game, but it is so much more. Arcane explores the early development of Hextech technology and its impact on the citizens of Piltover and Zaun, diving deep into family trauma, sibling rivalry, class struggle, and the blurred lines between good and evil. At the heart of the story are Vi and her younger sister, Powder — later known as Jinx — whose fractured bond gives the series much of its tension and emotional weight. Those who love strong, complex female protagonists and anti-heroines like in The Hunger Games will find Arcane especially gripping. With LGBTQ+ representation and a racially diverse cast, the show will resonate with a wide range of teen viewers.

Awards:

Video Game: Stardew Valley for PS4
Stardew Valley (2016)

Vibe: Cozy, comforting, calming

Appeal: For teens who want to decompress with an open-ended video game that emphasizes community, creativity, and personal growth.

Summary: In this very popular video game, players inherit their grandfather’s farm near Pelican Town in the Stardew Valley. The goal of the game is to restore the farm through clearing the land, growing and harvesting crops, raising animals, mining, foraging and fishing. In addition to farming tasks, players can socialize with non-playable characters (NPCs) in town and even start families. The game can also be played alone or with up to seven others. While generally peaceful and slow-paced, Stardew Valley can offer unexpected emotional depth, with some storylines exploring grief, addiction, isolation, intergenerational expectations, and mental health. Additionallly, players can marry any eligible character regardless of gender, normalizing diverse relationships. With its bright, nostalgic pixel-art and calming music, it’s ideal for teens seeking an escape from their busy, stressful, and sometimes complicated lives.

Awards:

YA Podcast: Welcome to Night Vale (2012 – present)
Welcome to Night Vale (2012 – present)

Vibe: Eerie, surreal, humorous

Appeal:  For teens who love dark, atmospheric tales with more than a touch of the absurd, where the setting itself is a character in the story.

Summary: Set in an unusual little desert town where conspiracies are true and reality is fluid, Night Vale is a sophisticated, genre-bending mix of horror, sci-fi, and dry humour, an undefinable but truly weird ongoing story. The community radio broadcast, hosted by the eccentric and mysterious Cecil, delivers disturbing supernatural news stories that are seemingly unfolding in real-time, and weather reports that are often strange meteorological events like noisy sunsets or inexplicable musical interludes. Addictive and easy to jump into, Night Vale taps into teens’ love of the bizarre and serves as an excellent introduction to audio storytelling.

Awards:

YA-related Website: DoSomething
DoSomething

Vibe: Inspiring, energetic, passionate

Appeal: Perfect for youth who are concerned about the state of the world and want to take real action to make a difference.

Summary: Founded in 1993, the DoSomething organization’s mission is, “We fuel young people to change the world” and since 2018, 650,000 actions have been taken by DoSomething members. As one of the largest online platforms for youth-centred social activism, DoSomething offers accessible tools, coaching and campaigns on everything from equity and justice to climate change and sustainability as well as safety and well-being. With flexible, often online-based initiatives, youth can make an impact on the issues that matter to them. An especially fantastic resource for teen clubs in schools, libraries and youth organizations.

Awards:

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