6 Best YA Books of 2023

As the pages of 2023 turned, the realm of Young Adult literature witnessed a captivating surge of creativity, transporting readers to fantastical worlds, unraveling complex mysteries, and exploring the depths of human emotions.

The year was a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, with authors weaving narratives that resonated with a diverse audience of teens and adults alike.

Join us on a literary journey as we unveil the six best Young Adult books that defined the literary landscape in 2023.

From gripping adventures to heart-wrenching coming-of-age tales, these novels not only captured our imaginations but also left an indelible mark on the YA genre.

So, buckle up for a ride through the vibrant tapestry of young adult literature, where every page turned is an invitation to a new, enchanting world.

AND DON’T LOOK BACK BY REBECCA BARROW

Harlow Ford has spent her entire life evading, but now she’s decided to stand her ground.

For years, seventeen-year-old Harlow and her mother, Cora, have been on the run from an elusive foe and the undisclosed secrets of Cora’s past.

Their latest escape, under the cover of darkness, takes a tragic turn when Cora sustains fatal injuries in a car accident. In her dying moments, Cora instructs Harlow to locate a safety deposit box in a nearby town.

Opening it reveals a stash of money, a house deed, photos of a young Cora with two strikingly similar girls (“all so alike: black curls and coils, light brown skin gleaming”), and a newspaper article about a missing white woman from Crescent Ridge, Washington, who appears to be Harlow’s unknown grandmother.

Faced with newfound mysteries, Harlow journeys to Crescent Ridge, where Severn House, the property listed on the deed, awaits.

There, she encounters a captivating girl named Sloane and discovers rumors of haunting surrounding the deserted place in the woods.

This thriller masterfully employs classic genre elements. Harlow’s authentic and angst-ridden voice, presented in third-person narration, draws readers into her journey, while “before” chapters provide glimpses into Cora’s enigmatic past.

With its well-crafted twists, turns, and compelling pacing, the novel keeps readers hooked until the final revelations—a captivating thriller that keeps its secrets shrouded until the very end.

PROMISE BOYS BY NICK BROOKS

When the revered founder of an excessively strict school in Washington, D.C., is murdered, three students—each boys of color—find themselves at the center of suspicion.

The police bring in a trio of Urban Promise Prep students, two Black and one Salvadoran, for questioning in connection with the killing of Principal Kenneth Moore. J.B. Williamson feels stifled by Urban Promise’s stringent rules, but a glimmer of hope emerges when he takes a tentative step forward with his crush.

Trey Jackson, the class joker, strives to secure his spot in the important basketball game, defying even his formidable Uncle T. Ramón Zambrano harbors dreams of owning a restaurant but makes ends meet by selling pupusas at school, resisting pressure from his cousin César, the feared leader of the Dioses del Humo gang.

In the competitive environment of Urban Promise, a single misstep could jeopardize their chances of a college-bound future.

Unfortunately, all three boys had public disagreements with Principal Moore before his death. To clear their names, they must embark on an investigation to uncover the identity of the real killer.

Through skillful use of multiple perspectives, both from the main protagonists and secondary characters, Brooks crafts a narrative filled with intrigue, uncertainty, and gossip.

Crucial details and clues are revealed gradually, prompting readers to reconsider and reevaluate the unfolding events.

With a keen exploration of systemic inequality in urban schools and the experiences of Black and Latine boys, this novel captivates with its complexity and intrigue.

It’s a breathtakingly intricate and compelling story.

PLAN A BY DEB CALETTI

In the small town of Paris, Texas, sixteen-year-old Ivy thrives as an assistant manager at Euwing’s Drugs, in a community marked by a fake Eiffel Tower and a prevalence of megachurches.

A dedicated student with dreams of attending college and exploring the world, Ivy’s aspirations face a critical juncture when she discovers she is pregnant. Paris, Texas, is vehemently anti-abortion, and the state of Texas prohibits the procedure after six weeks.

Facing a potential end to her ambitions, Ivy confides in her boyfriend, Lorenzo. Together with Ivy’s mother, they devise a plan to embark on a journey to Oregon, where Ivy’s resilient grandmother resides, to seek an abortion.

What unfolds is a poignant road trip, navigating towns named after global cities, providing Ivy with a unique semblance of experiencing the world.

The narrative also serves as a powerful reflection on the divergent landscapes of abortion access and community attitudes.

As the trio travels, Ivy encounters other individuals with their own abortion stories, revealing that one in four women undergoes the procedure.

The narrative, conveyed through Ivy’s first-person, present-tense perspective, delves into historical and contemporary attempts to control women, examining how women have either acquiesced to or rebelled against these efforts.

The book compellingly argues for choice while exploring the oppression and resilience of women, all through an intimate lens. Ivy’s individual story becomes a conduit for readers to connect with universal experiences. The main characters are portrayed as white.

This brilliant and multilayered narrative is an absolute must-read, offering a powerful exploration of personal choice and the broader societal implications of restrictive abortion laws.

THIS DELICIOUS DEATH BY KAYLA COTTINGHAM

In the wake of a climate change-induced pandemic in California, victims discover a sinister conspiracy that adds a layer of danger to their already transformed lives.

A transformative event occurred two years ago when melting permafrost unleashed a peculiar pathogen, leading to the emergence of the Hollowing.

Those afflicted with this condition develop a disturbing craving for human flesh. Fortunately, the advent of lab-grown SynFlesh allows them to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Zoey, Celeste, Jasmine, and Valeria, all grappling with the challenges of Hollowness, set out for the Desert Bloom music festival in the Mojave Desert.

Their encounter with No Flash Photography, one of the festival’s bands, introduces them to Eli, the lead singer with a strong anti-Hollow stance.

Val finds herself captivated by Eli, leading to an invitation to a festival party. However, the festivities take a dark turn when Val abruptly flees.

The discovery of her consuming Kaiden, a bandmate of Eli’s, sets off a chain of events involving a mysterious powder in Val’s drink, suggesting foul play.

As Val’s cravings intensify and other Hollows fall victim to drugging, the group of friends embarks on a mission to uncover the perpetrator and deliver justice before society turns against all Hollow individuals.

This captivating and multi-layered novel places queer and racially diverse characters at its core.

Using the unconventional backdrop of an unusual hunger, it skillfully explores themes of scapegoating, alienation, and self-loathing, resonating strongly with teenagers from marginalized and stigmatized communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ community.

Simultaneously, it offers a compelling narrative for enthusiasts of the horror genre with its riveting blend of horror and insightful social commentary.

THE LOVE MATCH BY PRIYANKA TASLIM

Zahra Khan’s life takes on the vibrant hues of a Bengali natok, or drama, as two charming young men make an entrance into her world.

Though Zahra’s true passion lies in writing, the tumult of adulthood, love, and the tight-knit Bengali community in Paterson, New Jersey demands her attention.

To support her struggling family, Zahra puts her college dreams on hold, working at the local Pakistani tea shop, Chai Ho, following her father’s demise two years ago.

While Zahra grapples with making ends meet, her mother strives to arrange a match with the handsome and well-mannered Harun Emon, hailing from an affluent family—a prospect that aligns perfectly with her mother’s aspirations.

Despite the lack of romantic interest between the two 18-year-olds, they feign a relationship to appease their parents. Concurrently, Zahra finds herself drawn to Nayim Aktar, a recent Chai Ho hire and impoverished orphan from Bangladesh.

As the stakes rise, Zahra confronts a crucial choice: fulfill her obligations or prioritize her own desires.

Taslim skillfully depicts the Bengali community, offering an authentic portrayal of diverse Muslim identities and practices.

From the nuances of Fajr prayer to the complexities of halal dating and the internal struggles surrounding physical intimacy, the novel captures genuine experiences.

The narrative delves into significant themes, such as the double standards in the South Asian community, the intersection of queer and Muslim identities, and the stark reality of limited access to higher education—providing depth to the story.

With its candid, textured, and humorous narrative, this novel promises to captivate readers, compelling them to devour it in a single sitting.

SHE IS A HAUNTING BY TRANG THANH TRAN

In the heart of Vietnam, a vintage French colonial residence looms ominously, poised to engulf its contemporary inhabitants.

Jade Nguyen stands at the crossroads of an unconventional deal: spend five weeks with her estranged father in Đà Lạt, and in return, he’ll contribute to funding her aspirations at UPenn—a dream beyond the financial reach of her mother, a hardworking nail salon employee.

Tasked with crafting a website for her father’s ambitious bed-and-breakfast project, Jade partners with Florence, the attractive niece of his business associate, a connection that triggers subtle tensions in Jade’s bisexuality.

Intent on navigating the summer discreetly, Jade’s plans unravel as peculiar occurrences and eerie phenomena unfold around the 1920s house being meticulously restored by her father.

Ghostly apparitions infiltrate her dreams, unveiling a dark past entwined with colonialism, her family’s history, and their lingering impact on the present.

Despite her initial resistance, Jade becomes inexplicably drawn to the spectral entities, all while grappling to shield her family from the looming supernatural threats.

The narrative weaves atmospheric descriptions and a well-crafted plot, blending slowly intensifying supernatural peril with real-world challenges.

A nuanced exploration of Western influences and historical atrocities in Vietnam, and their lasting effects on the diaspora, seamlessly complements the novel’s eerie elements.

The story emerges as a gratifying fusion of traditional horror, infused with contemporary themes and pertinent concerns.

Within this intricately layered tale, both the enchanting ghosts and the captivating humans possess allure and lethality.

The work delves into the complex interplay of past and present, delivering a compelling narrative that reflects on modern societal issues while embracing the spectral dimensions of the supernatural.