Young adult
New and recommended young adult books this February
We have a number of exciting Australian debuts this month, as well as a novel by classic Australian children's author, Paul Jennings, and some fantastic releases from international authors!
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong
This story is focused around the ultra-competitive gaming world and two teens, Jay and Sam, who both want the same thing: an elusive ticket to the latest game design workshop, which is a fast-track to a career making…
The 100 bestselling kids & YA books of 2022
We’ve run the reports and done the maths. Here are our 100 bestselling kids & YA books from the past year.
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Gabriella Barouch
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
If you liked this popular YA book, you should read….
by Bonnie-Mai SmithLooking for something to pick up during the summer holidays but don't know where to start? Teen Advisory Board member, Bonnie Mai, has some great recommendations based on titles you already know and love. She says:
The sun is beaming and there's not a single thought about studying in my mind, school's out and it's time to go to the beach! For some, the weather has not been very summery, but these books will definitely put you in a shining…
2022 Young adult fantasy and sci-fi favourites
It's been a wonderful year for imaginative and inclusive works of fantasy and science fiction for young adults! This list is by no means exhaustive — there's simply too many excellent books — but it is certainly a wonderful place to begin exploring a selection of this year's highlights.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
In this enchanting debut YA fantasy, a young tea-maker travels to the capital city to take part in a cutthroat magical competition…
Young adult LGBTQIA+ highlights of 2022
2022 was a wonderful year for LQBTQIA+ stories. Our selection of highlights includes both local and international releases, and spans everything from WWII mysteries to the perils of global boy band fame.
Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle
This debut queer romance is both heartfelt and hilarious.
Patch has been deeply and unrequitedly in love with the star of the school’s basketball team for years, but when they are suddenly thrown together due to an unfortunate incident with a bottle of…
Best young adult books of 2022
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past 12 months. Here are the best young adult books of the year, as voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
A Walk in the Dark by Jane Godwin
Four students are thrown together for an overnight hike in the Otways with no adult supervision. They must find their way out on their own, with only a compass, a map and some flashlights – that…
Young adult debut highlights of 2022
There is nothing more exciting than discovering an author at the beginning of their career. We are extremely fortunate that this year has been really strong for debut authors in young adult fiction. Here are a selection of our favourite debut young adult titles for 2022, many of which come from very talented Australian authors.
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
This time-travelling fantasy epic published back in February has been one of our stand-out YA titles this year. The…
Neurodiverse stories for young adults
Adolescence is a confusing, difficult time - even more so when your brain is wired differently to other teens. Here are a collection of powerful stories, both fiction and non-fiction, about living with neurodiversity as a teenager that provide insights and empathy for the complexity, challenges, and joy of living neurodivergently.
Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden
Growing up, Chloe Hayden felt like she’d crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. She moved between 10 schools in 8…
New Kids and YA books for book clubs
We are delighted to have many recent children’s books that are richly imagined and would be perfect for study by book clubs and in classrooms. Here are some of our favourites.
AGES 5 AND UP
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
With humour and pathos, Sworder reflects on the strange nature of giving and receiving love and celebrates those parents who embrace a hard life for themselves in the hope of a better life for their children.
Themes include:
…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Triple Threat by Katy Warner
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
The Goodbye Year by Emily Gale
Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
Chippy Chasers: Chippy Jackpot by Sam Cotton
Our bestselling title this week was the latest young adult…
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