From a gender-bent Vlad the Impaler to the wisdom of Oscar Wilde, here are our top young adult picks for July.

(You can find out find our top children’s book picks here.)

YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE MONTH

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Mina is a refugee who has fled Afghanistan. She has done her time in refugee camps and detention centres, and now she has worked hard to secure her place as a scholarship student. Michael is the son of a man whose political party, Aussie Values, is founded on an anti-immigration platform. And when they meet, they’re at a refugee rally on opposite sides…

It’s a less than ideal start to a relationship, but as Michael and Mina give in to their attraction to each other, they’re forced to confront their own views and the values they’ve been brought up with.

Abdel-Fattah is a masterful writer, and she does an excellent job of creating well-rounded characters who eschew cliché. In the words of our reviewer:

‘This is a classic Romeo and Juliet love story set against a contemporary backdrop of the current refugee crisis and without the tragic ending. When Michael Met Mina is a fantastic read that would also be a great book for classes or book clubs to discuss. It is highly recommended to readers, both male and female, of contemporary realist fiction aged 13 and up.’

Read the rest of our review here.

OUR TOP YOUNG ADULT JULY PICKS

• The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham – From the editorial consultant of Zoella’s Girl Online series comes this story of four friends who form a secret group guided by the wisdom of Oscar Wilde.
  
  
• The Road to Winter by Mark Williams – A young man fights to keep those around him safe in post-apocalyptic Australia. This is an edge-of-your seat read for fans of Tomorrow, When the War Began.
  
  
• Burning by Danielle Rollins – Angela fears for her life inside Brunesfield Correctional Facility after a new girl arrives with terrifying powers.
  
  
• One Step by Andrew Daddo – Dylan is a typical guy caught up in the trials of his teenage years: crushes, identity and bullying. This is a powerful story with an endearing main character.
  
  
• The Witch’s Kiss by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr – With her feuding family and tenuous grip on school social life, the last thing Meredith needs is her burgeoning witch powers. A compelling paranormal romance.
  
  
• Black by Fleur Ferris – Black Marshall is cursed, everybody says so. Some unfortunate accidents have made her an outcast in her little town, and when her date ends up in intensive care, things only get worse.
  
  
• And I Darken by Kiersten White – This reimagining of the legend of Vlad the Impaler is a dark, well-researched historical read with interesting characters.

Holly Harper