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YA BOOKS OF 2026

A teen travels to Jamaica hoping to answer questions about her absent mother, only to discover more about her identity than she could have ever expected—and find herself caught up in an unexpected love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel by award-winning author DeAndra Davis. Jaliya Powell has never had a real adventure, a real boyfriend, or spoken up for herself. She’s never even been kissed. Despite being valedictorian of her high school class, Jaliya is used to fading into the background. But this summer will be different. June 2026, Simon & Schuster
Caspen Coolsby’s dad is missing. But even though it’s only been a few months, everyone has given up on finding him. Except for Caspen. He finally gets a break in the case when he meets his new upstairs neighbors and discovers he can somehow transport himself into each of the college students’ memories using candle scents that remind them of important moments. No one loved candles more than his dad, so Caspen is sure there must be clues pointing toward where to find him hidden in the memories. September 2026, Simon & Schuster
A heartrending but uplifting tale of twins and their group of friends who are forced to navigate life, relationships, and grief after their world is turned upside down from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. CheChe knows that he and his twin sister Emma lead an unusual life. They enjoy spending time with their parents and grandparents, love to read, and don’t have a huge circle of friends—and they’re happy. Then, just a few months after they turn seventeen, three gunmen show up one morning at their El Paso, Texas, high school, and everything changes. September 2026, Simon & Schuster
Read our last Interview

Interview with Tanya Boteju, Author of Lake Life

Tanya Boteju (she/her) is an English teacher and writer living on stolen territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, Canada). Her novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens (Simon & Schuster, 2019), was named an Indie Top 10 Pick of the Summer by the American Booksellers Association and a Rainbow List selection for 2020. Her next YA novel, Bruised (Simon & Schuster, 2021), was selected as a Gold Standard book by the Junior Library Guild. Her latest YA novel, Messy Perfect (HarperCollins), is out in April 2025, along with a middle grade nonfiction book, Allyship As Action (Orca) in August 2025. Her latest book, Lake Life, will be published in May 2026 by HarperCollins.

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Check out our last top pick

Top Reads: The Lovers, the Liars, and Me by DeAndra Davis

A teen travels to Jamaica hoping to answer questions about her absent mother, only to discover more about her identity than she could have ever expected—and find herself caught up in an unexpected love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel by award-winning author DeAndra Davis.

Find Out More