We Were Liars

E. Lockhart

One hot day in August, 16 year old Laureth and her little brother Benjamin board a plane for New York City. They are on a quest to find their father, who has gone missing; after receiving a blackmailing email, Laureth suspects foul play. Two problems: No one knows where they are going, and Laureth is blind. Both mystery and thriller, this unusual novel explores the idea of coincidence. Is it a matter of mathematical probability, or something more significant? Let the reader decide.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood, #1)

Ann Brashares

This well-loved series has been around for a while, but still ranks as one of the best-ever books about female friendship . . . and summer adventures, romantic and otherwise.

The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker

Louis Sachar

Alton Richards, 17, jobless and broke, has been hearing stories about his Uncle Lester – rich, blind and cantankerous – all of his life. When Alton is recruited to be his uncle’s cardturner, it sounds like the worst job ever. Alton ends up learning a lot more than he bargained for – about his family, romance, and especially the game of bridge. Like Holes, Louis Sachar’s best-known book, this story contains plenty of humour, quirky characters, a bit of mystery and a few ghosts. The reader will also get more than a glimpse into the competitive bridge world. This may be the only YA novel ever published which teaches the fundamentals of bridge, but it will be a “two-fer” of entertainment and mental challenge for the right reader.

She Is Not Invisible

Marcus Sedgwick

One hot day in August, 16 year old Laureth and her little brother Benjamin board a plane for New York City. They are on a quest to find their father, who has gone missing; after receiving a blackmailing email, Laureth suspects foul play. Two problems: No one knows where they are going, and Laureth is blind. Both mystery and thriller, this unusual novel explores the idea of coincidence. Is it a matter of mathematical probability, or something more significant? Let the reader decide.

Lobsters

Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

Sam and Hannah have an embarrassing romance, with a littlle help from their friends.

strong language; drugs/alcohol; sexuality

Just One Day (Just One Day, #1)

Gayle Forman

Allyson didn’t really expect a summer trip to Europe would change her life, but when she makes an impetuous decision to visit Paris with a near stranger there are far-reaching consequences. Much more than a summer romance novel, this engaging story explores how one crucial day can spin a life into a whole new direction. The coming-of-age theme gets an emotionally complex treatment in this novel for older YA readers.

strong language; sexuality

In Darkness

Nick Lake

This award-winning novel takes two characters and storylines and weaves them together in a rich, complex way. One storyline explores the historically factual life of Toussaint, a former slave who liberated the slaves of Haiti and waged war on both the French and English. The other storyline imagines a young boy called “Shorty,” a gangster from the slums, trapped in rubble after the Haitian earthquake of 2010. This novel is a challenging read in every sense, rewarding for the reader not put off by the difficult language and emotionally disturbing content.

strong language; violence; drugs

Atonement

Ian McEwan

On a hot summer day in 1934, 13 year old Briony Tallis sees something she does not really understand. Briony’s desire to be the centre of attention leads to accusations, misunderstanding and finally a tragic expulsion. War, romance and family tragedy: history comes alive in this surprising and dramatic novel, which will appeal to many older adolescents.

strong language; emotionally disturbing; violence; sexuality

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Morgan Matson

Amy doesn’t drive anymore, and she cannot talk about the reason why. When her family moves from California to Connecticut the summer before her senior year, Amy needs a driver. Meet Roger. Amy and Roger start out as strangers, but after many thousand miles and a lot of significant detours, their relationship definitely evolves. This road trip novel is part emotional journey, part travelogue; the graphic extras, including Roger’s iPod playlists, add a lot of interest to the storyline.

sexuality; drugs/alcohol

All the Bright Places

Jennifer Niven

When Fitch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower, it is debatable as to who is saving whom. Violet hasn’t recovered from her sister’s death, while Fitch – the class “freak” – struggles with highs and lows that he cannot control. Tentative friendship turns into romance, but can there be a happy ending for this unlikely pair?

sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol

What Was Never Said

Emma Craigie

When 15 year-old Zahra sees the woman in black, memories of her Somalian childhood come flooding back. Zahra has been told nothing, but what she suspects will motivate her to do anything to protect her younger sister – even if it means running away from home. Author Emma Craigie draws attention to the important human rights issues of FGM with this contemporary novel set in London. The disturbing topic is sensitively handled.

violence; drugs/alcohol; strong language; emotionally disturbing

We All Looked Up

Tommy Wallach

As disaster approaches, four high school seniors become unlikely friends. If you only have two months to live, how do you make that life count?

violence; sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol

This Is Not a Love Story

Keren David

Kitty has heart problems, and not just the physical kind. When her mum’s job takes them to Amsterdam, Kitty embraces her new Instagrammed life. There are also new friendships with not one, but two intriguing boys: Theo and Ethan. Will friendship develop into romance – or just more complications?

sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol

Vanishing Girls

Lauren Oliver

Before the accident, Nick and Dara were the closest of sisters. But now Dara is hiding secrets and Nick cannot seem to remember what really happened. When a local girl goes missing, Nick has a hunch that the mystery is somehow connected to her little sister. This psychological thriller will appeal to readers who enjoy the unsettling and unpredictable.

strong language; drugs/alcohol; violence; sexuality

Me Being Me is Exactly as Insane as You Being You

Todd Hasak-Lowy

Darren Jacobs is having a really bad year. His parents have got divorced, his dad has come out as gay and he has a hopeless crush on the mysterious and troubled Zoey. This humorous coming-ofage novel has a unique narrative style. Through a series of lists, Darren’s “tragic” life is described to great comic effect.

sexuality; strong language; drugs/alcohol

If You Were Me

Sam Hepburn

After their narrow escape from the Taliban, Aliya and her family hope to rebuild their lives in London. Instead, their situation worsens. Aliya’s brother is badly injured by a bomb, and then accused of terrorism. Aliya is determined to prove her brother’s innocence, even when everyone else turns against them and the dead bodies start piling up. Help comes from an unexpected source – but can Aliya trust Dan, the plumber’s son? This tense thriller will grip readers from the first chapter.

violence; drugs/alcohol

I’ll Give You the Sun

Jandy Nelson

Jude and Noah are twins: intensely close, but fiercely competitive about everything from their artistic talent to their mother’s attention. At the beginning of their 14th year, a series of secrets and betrayals – and one huge tragedy – drives them apart. Art becomes a wedge between them, but also offers redemption and transformation. This beautifully written novel won the 2015 Printz award.

This novel contains some sexual scenes and references to drugs/alcohol.

Grasshopper Jungle

Andrew Smith

It all starts when Austin and his best friend Robby are beaten up by four local thugs. Ealing, Iowa may look like a dead-end town, but all kinds of dangerous secrets are buried there. When a scientific experiment gets spilled, havoc is unleashed. Part science fiction, part social satire, this original novel will appeal to readers with a strong stomach for gross-out humour.

strong language, sexuality; violence; drugs/alcohol

Extraordinary Means

Robyn Schneider

Lane is a classic overachiever, always living for tomorrow’s goals. When he is diagnosed with tuberculosis, he must trade dreams of Stanford for a sanatorium. Exiled at Latham House, Lane meets Sadie and her group of friends. Although they are living with the constant threat of death, Lane is having fun – for maybe the first time in his life.

strong language; drugs/alcohol