Simone Newcomb and Campbell Foster, Reporters
Check out our list of young adult must-reads from 2015-16. These books are an intriguing mix of fantasy, science fiction (sci-fi), realistic fiction, historical fiction, romance, and horror.
The Lie Tree
By Frances Hardinge
The Lie Tree By Frances Hardinge is a dark, yet powerful young adult novel; it is an alluring combination of tragedy and mystery mixed with elements of sci-fi.
“The Lie Tree was one of the best books of the year in my opinion,” said Lucy Axtelle. “I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, historical fiction, plants, dark plots, or feminism.”
The story takes place in the Victorian time period, when women weren’t considered equal to men. Even though it is frowned upon in her society, Faith Sunderly hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a natural scientist.
After he mysteriously dies, she looks through his old notes and discovers information about a tree that only bears fruit when a lie is told. This revelation could lead her to the answers she is seeking, or could put her in danger due to the truths she discovers.
Dumplin’
By Julie Murphy
Dumplin’ is a young adult novel that tells a story of Willowdean “Will” Dickson, a brave, young, overweight girl who has always been comfortable with herself and her body. After her aunt passes away, she starts to struggle with her life. In order to challenge societal expectations of beauty, Will decides to enter in the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant alongside three other girls. However, as the pageant date approaches, she begins to question her choice to compete.
“I love all the characters,” said Ms. Stronach. “The main character has these amazing friends that are all misfits in the school, and she talks them into entering the beauty pageant; they are all bellowing the whole image of the pageant with the perfect girls.”
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
By Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany
Years after the famed Harry Potter series rocked the world, a new eighth book has finally come out in play format. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tells the story of Harry Potter’s troubled son, Albus, as he makes his way through Hogwarts. He is accompanied by the unlikely friendship of Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius.
“A new villain, the resurrection of the time-turner device, and several poor choices take the boys back to Harry’s past, allowing Rowling to rewrite her own stories,” said USA TODAY in review of the book.
The Cellar
By Natasha Preston
The town of Long Thorpe had always been a relatively safe place, until one night after Summer Robinson went for a walk in the woods. The next day, she was gone. Little did her devastated boyfriend and family know, she had been abducted by a deranged psychopath named Colin, who refers to himself as Clover. Summer realizes she is not the only one Colin keeps down in the basement. In fact, there are three other girls that he calls Rose, Poppy, and Violet. Colin’s name for Summer is Lily. While trapped in the house, Summer uncovers the truth about Colin’s abusive past, and how he wants his victims to be a perfect family of “flowers.”
“There is never a dull moment in The Cellar,” said teenreads.com, “and Preston constantly has you guessing what will happen next.”
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
By Jenny Han
Whenever sixteen-year-old Lara Jean falls in love, she writes a letter confessing how much she likes whomever the boy is. Instead of sending them, she carefully stashes them in an old hat box under her bed. One day, her letters are sent out by someone unknown. Lara is mortified, and she is left to deal with the consequences stemming from her letters.
“This love story is adorable, and you quickly get attached to the characters,” a reader remarked.
Fellside
By M. R. Carey
Jess Moulson is sentenced to life in prison after she sets the fire that kills Alex Beech, and burns her own face so badly she can hardly recognize herself. She is shipped off to Fellside, a women’s prison located on the remote Yorkshire moors. At Fellside, Jess starts hearing Alex’s voice talking to her, and forgiving her for what she did. She is swept up in his unsolved murder and the ethereal “Other World,” while also attempting to reveal the corrupt drug ring that inmate Harriet Grace operates.
“ I ended up really enjoying the story’s poignant look at life on the inside of a women’s prison, as well as the memorable characters you’ll love to hate and hate to love,” said a reader, “recommended for fans of paranormal mysteries and suspense.”
Seveneves
By Neal Stephenson
After a life-threatening disaster strikes Earth, humans are forced to evacuate and find a new home on another planet. Only a few people survive to see the new planet, due to the dangers they faced on Earth. After 5,000 years, the human population has grown once again. They decide to set out on yet another journey into space, hoping to reclaim their post-apocalyptic planet Earth.
“For all of the fun and speculation and technical geekery in Seveneves,” said the New York Times, “its most affecting moments come when it engineers collisions of human drives and desires, resulting in flashes of genuine insight and sudden emotion.”
Throne of Glass Series
By Sarah J. Maas
Originally based off of the author’s imagination of what would happen if an assassin fled the royal ball instead of Cinderella, the Throne of Glass series grew to incorporate much more than just the outlines of a fairytale. In the kingdom of Adarlan, 18-year-old Celaena Sardothien has to fight her way to the top of a crowd of ruthless outlaws, thieves, and warriors, while struggling to come to terms with the betrayal that put her in that position. She aims to become the King’s Champion, and eventually regain her freedom. However, she soon realizes that there is much more in play. The series continues with Celaena’s adventures as she reveals more about herself, her past, and the land of Erilea. Throughout the plot, she remains an easily admired, fierce, and witty heroine. “Though violent combat and whispers of the occult surround her,” said Kirkus Reviews, “Celaena is still just a teenager trying to forge her way, giving the story timelessness.”