Greetings Bookworms!
I don’t typically read a ton of YA literature, but I’ve been on something of a kick lately. When things in life don’t go the way I’d like them to, sometimes I like to remind myself that at least I’m not in high school anymore. So, without further ado, let’s talk about some great YA fiction, shall we?
I’ll Give You the Sun
by Jandy Nelson: This book is about a set of teenage twins going through some major teen drama… And then some. Half the story is told from Noah’s perspective and half from his sister Jude’s. Noah is a brilliant young artist, though isolated and grappling with his feelings as he falls in love with the boy next door. Jude is a bit of a daredevil running with the popular crowd. Though the twins are as different as can be, they’re close. Which is why it comes as something of a shock to the reader to find that three years hence, the two are barely speaking. I’ll admit to taking sides in a big way, and not just because of the conflict. I just liked Noah’s whole story line better and his circumstances rang more true to me than Jude’s. Still though, it was a good read and smacked me in the feelings in a big way.
The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger:
Girl meets boy. Boy calls girl the DUFF (designated ugly fat friend) of her group of friends. Girl decides to use said boy as distraction from her rapidly-going-off-the-rails home life as a frenemy with benefits. As one does. While I loved most of what the book had to say about self image and romance and intimacy and life, I’m still on the fence about our dreamy jerkface turned nice guy. Ah well. It’s not like they got married at the end or anything. That would be ridiculous for a pair of teenagers in the here and now (side eyes Edward and Bella…)
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina: 
Piddy Sanchez flew under the radar at her old school, but when her mother moves them from their crumbling apartment to a new place, Piddy’s new school leaves something to be desired. That something being one Yacqui Delgado, who, for reasons unbeknownst to Piddy, has chosen to harass and threaten her. Because keeping up her grades, working a part time job, and working up the courage to confront her mother about her absent father isn’t enough to deal with. SUCH A POWERFUL BOOK. GAH! Bullying is the worst.
So yeah. YA books. I’m gobbling them up at the moment. It’ll pass, I’m sure, but in the meantime I’ll enjoy being reminded that I’m not 16. Talk to me, Bookworms! What’s your favorite thing about being a grown up? (If you’re a teenager, my condolences. I am giving you the Hunger Games salute right now. You’ll make it, I promise.)
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
Like this:
Like Loading...
Jenny @ Reading the End
Oh God, how could I ever choose just one thing that I love about being a grown-up? I always joke that my favorite thing is being able to eat all the cookies I want, but I think my actual favorite thing is that I know the rules now. When I was a kid, I never felt like I had a good grip on what the world was and there was always a ton of information I was missing. Nowadays, I feel like I know as much as the next person and I feel confident enough of my knowledge and smartness that I will throw down when people are acting like fools around me. That is much much much MUCH better than being a kid.
Are you going to read Meg Medina’s new book? Burn Baby Burn? I have heard some raves about it!
Amy Sachs
I honestly love YA, and my kick has been going for a solid year at this point. I need to check out Yaqui Delgado! Next time you’re looking for a powerful YA, I really LOVED The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis!