The 38 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020

Posted by Cybil on January 2, 2020


Love, loss, magic, and wonder: 2020 looks to be a year of glued-to-the-page reading in the young adult genre. Among the most anticipated books of the year in YA fantasy are the first novel in a new trilogy from YA favorite Cassandra Clare and the buzzy debut All the Stars and Teeth. Meanwhile, in contemporary and historical YA, Elizabeth Acevedo writes about a death in a family with Clap When You Land, and a debut novel imagines the perils of a young orphan navigating Korea in the year 1800.

To create our list of the year's must-read young adult fiction, we focused on what Goodreads members can't wait to read. How do we measure that anticipation? By taking a look at how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves. We also factored in the reaction (and reviews) of early readers. We then sorted them by fantasy versus historical and contemporary novels.

Which of these upcoming releases are making their way onto your Want to Read shelf? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
 
Young Adult Fantasy:

 

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Release: January 7
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Release: January 14
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Release: April 7
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Release: April 28
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Release: May 5
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Release: May 19
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Release: August 25
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Release: September 22

Young Adult Contemporary & Historical:

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Release: January 7
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Release: January 21
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Release: February 4
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Release: February 18
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Release: April 21
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Release: May 5
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Release: May 12
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Release: June 2
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Release: June 9
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Release: July 21
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Release: August 4
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Release: August 4
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Release: August 18


Which of these upcoming YA novels are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments!

Check out more recent articles:
33 Highly Anticipated Books of 2020
28 of the Hottest Romances of 2020
The Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2020

Comments Showing 1-50 of 91 (91 new)


message 1: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Morgan I kissed Alice by Anna Birch


message 2: by Alicia (new)

Alicia I can't wait for Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson! I'm reading the Advanced Reader's copy right now!


message 3: by Heather (new)

Heather The Mall was great, I devoured the ARC.


DauntlessMockingjay The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has my vote!


message 5: by Bosco (new)

Bosco The Silence of Bones!! 😀😀😀


message 6: by Selena (new)

Selena The Betrothed by Kiera Cass


message 7: by GJ (new)

GJ For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His statement, “I was going to do an ‘In Memoriam’ but It wasn’t diverse enough” was so funny because it was so sadly accurate. How about going back to actually writing good stories instead of identity politics and virtue signaling.


message 8: by Kevin (new)

Kevin T J Klune The Extraordinaries

I am SOOOOOOO excited about this book!


message 9: by dany (new)

dany Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


You sound mad there's more books with diverse casts :) Stay mad! Looking through your bookshelves, you don't seem to have any books (prove me wrong though) that focus on gay couples or much YA at all. It's clearly not what you like to read, which is fine, so don't complain about what others like :) Indoctrination---don't make me laugh!!!


message 10: by Gabi (new)

Gabi There's 7 (or maybe 8) lgbt books on this list. I'm shocked. ;D Can't wait for Loveless by Alice Oseman. And the Fascinators sounds fascinating. ;D Also the cover just aaah! :)


message 11: by TMR (new)

TMR These sound excellent, eager to try them out.


message 12: by HPAAG (new)

HPAAG Cannot wait for imagine me! Been hooked on the story for so long, highly recommend. Also found some other books that I would like to read.


message 13: by Greg (new)

Greg dany wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky G..."


Well said, dany!


message 14: by Sneha (new)

Sneha The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins and Chain Of Gold by Cassandra Clare!


message 15: by Juliet (new)

Juliet Smith I'm looking forward to Chain of Gold and Return of the Thief. Another YA book that isn't on this list that I'm also anticipating with excitement is Girl, Serpent, Thorn.


message 16: by Summer (new)

Summer Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


I don't understand why anyone would get upset over having diversity in books? If you don't like it, don't read it. As a young teenager/child I would've loved more diverse books.


message 17: by Shijia (new)

Shijia Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


Wow, I feel sorry for you- all these wonderful diverse stories you'll never pick up and experience. Stay mad hun x


message 18: by Florencia (new)

Florencia Heather wrote: "The Mall was great, I devoured the ARC."

Hi Heather, sorry for the question but how can one get ARC's? Thanks


message 19: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Florencia wrote: "Heather wrote: "The Mall was great, I devoured the ARC."

Hi Heather, sorry for the question but how can one get ARC's? Thanks"


I suggest entering the giveaways here on Goodreads, I think there's still one going on for The Mall!


message 20: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


Wow, being mad about diversity AND hating YA? That's two squares for Boomer Bingo!
In all seriousness, maybe you should pick up the books before you scream "indoctrination!" and "iDeNtiTy pOLiTiCs!!", if you remove that stick from your arse I'm sure you'll enjoy them.


message 22: by Kendra (new)

Kendra I can't wait for Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa


message 23: by TiredRamenNoodle (new)

TiredRamenNoodle I can’t wait for the books coming this year!


message 24: by Eva (new)

Eva B. I'm looking forward to the ones listed, along with Dark And Deepest Red, Felix Ever After, Stay Gold, Set Fire To The Gods, Fair Is Foul, Queen's Peril, Iron Heart, The Midnight Lie, The Princess Will Save You, Six Angry Girls, and 10 Things I Hate About Pinky.
Plus many, many more lol, 2020 is going to be a great year!


message 25: by Neena (new)

Neena I can’t wait wait to read Where Dreams Descend


message 26: by Adrienne (new)

Adrienne The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes for me!


message 27: by I. (new)

I. Madreia S. I'm very exacted about all fo these books, but mostly Ruthless God by Emily A. Duncan :)


message 28: by Sunita (new)

Sunita Dhurandhar Amy wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky G..."


I agree Amy! I wish we had more diverse books available when I was younger and am glad that they are available now.


message 29: by GJ (new)

GJ Eva wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky G..."


I hate to melt you, snowflake, but I work in the Youth Services department of a large, diverse public library. As such, I not only process new YA materials but also read the ARC’s so have access before publication. My point is not that there isn’t a need for a variety of characters, rather that simply to publish materials on the basis that there ARE diverse characters that meet a current media narrative is ignorant.


message 30: by GJ (new)

GJ Shijia wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky G..."

Oh, “hun” you can check my response to ‘Eva’. Experience is not the thing which I lack, nor is common sense.


message 31: by GJ (new)

GJ dany wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky G..."


Just because I don’t put every book, and especially ARC’s which I receive on the regular through work, on my “shelves” doesn’t mean I haven’t read them.


message 32: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Gwen wrote: "Eva wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful..."


There's nothing wrong with more diverse casts but okay. And I'm clearly not the "snowflake" in this situation, since you feel the need to ruin the happiness that others have over diverse books. It's not "indoctrination" to have characters that don't fit the cishet white male mold, it's simply realistic. And besides, you don't know the reason an author is publishing a book. Things like leads of color and LGBTQA+ leads are simply becoming more accepted (as they should be) and so we're seeing more people who are free to tell their stories.


message 33: by GJ (new)

GJ Using made up words like ‘cishet’ is enough to end this discussion.

You were also ignorant and abusive in your first post with the stick up the arse comment. I don’t waste my time on those with nothing of value to add, which is clearly how I would define you, snowflake.

Good day.


message 34: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Honestly the more I look through the different release lists, the more books I'm excited for lol. I'll have to add Clown In A Cornfield (tentatively. I'm really hoping it'll be self-aware and play with the tropes), He Must Like You, Rules For Being A Girl, The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly, Lobizona, Girls Save The World In This One, Bone Crier's Moon, Anna K: A Love Story, Wicked As You Wish, Frozen Beauty (that cover ), and Belle Revolte!


message 35: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Gwen wrote: "Using made up words like ‘cishet’ is enough to end this discussion.

You were also ignorant and abusive in your first post with the stick up the arse comment. I don’t waste my time on those with n..."


Cishet isn't a made up word?? And it's really nice of you to tell a depressed teenager that she has nothing of value <3
I've won multiple awards, so....
Adios and blocked, boomer :)


The Damsel in the Library Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


I'm on your side.


message 37: by Eva (new)

Eva B. "Where Dreams Descend" has some very strong Phantom of the Opera-esque vibes and looks amazing!


message 38: by Jim (new)

Jim why 38???
what i am looking forward to:
1) people reading what they want
2) people ceasing negative commentary about a book they haven't read (or won't ever read)
3) people unafraid of books by or about people that are not like them. try one! or refer to 2) above
4) authors who stop just dropping in LGBTQIA+ characters/themes in their books and not developing them. it is disrespectful to LGBTQIA+ people specifically, and readers in general
5) Trump losing the 2020 election to Elizabeth Warren


message 39: by Eva (new)

Eva B. I know, there's so many phenomenal-sounding books coming this year that 38 seems way too small.


message 40: by Kanootcha (new)

Kanootcha 6 and 1/2 male authors out of 38. so much for equality.


message 41: by Juliet (last edited Jan 14, 2020 04:17AM) (new)

Juliet Smith Gwen wrote: "Eva wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful..."


So glad you don't work at my local library. I'm glad that there are finally Middle Grade and YA books for disabled people and LGBT+ people where we play central roles.


message 42: by Katherine (new)

Katherine Reilly The ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. Super excited, might not make it to May 19th. Also excited for May 5th one of my favorite authors has a new book coming out that day as well.


message 43: by Eva (new)

Eva B. The one I'm most excited for is The King of Crows by Libba Bray, I'm so happy I don't have much of a wait!


message 44: by Tib (new)

Tib Eva wrote: "I'm looking forward to the ones listed, along with Dark And Deepest Red, Felix Ever After, Stay Gold, Set Fire To The Gods, Fair Is Foul, Queen's Peril, Iron Heart, The Midnight Lie, The Princess W..."

You just listed most of my anticipated release list on top of the list provided lol. Super excited for all these diverse books coming out! So tired of the white cishet narrative and I'm so glad we're getting more and more options to choose from!


message 45: by Cynthia (new)

Cynthia Saunders I can't wait for the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes


message 46: by #BooksAreMyLife (new)

#BooksAreMyLife I can't wait for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes By Suzanne Collins! I also can't wait for Chain of Gold By Cassandra Clare!!!


message 47: by Karen (new)

Karen Cavazos Always excited for the release of a YA book by Abigail Johnson! Just started her latest, Every Other Weekend. Her stories are so deep and engrossing, hard to put down.


message 48: by Eva (new)

Eva B. Tib wrote: "Eva wrote: "I'm looking forward to the ones listed, along with Dark And Deepest Red, Felix Ever After, Stay Gold, Set Fire To The Gods, Fair Is Foul, Queen's Peril, Iron Heart, The Midnight Lie, Th..."

Same, I can't wait!!


message 49: by Mackey (new)

Mackey Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is I’m thankful for Ricky Gervais. His s..."


Thank you!! Once in a blue moon there is a good YA novel that slays me. The rest of them, I wouldn't have read in middle school!


message 50: by Mackey (new)

Mackey Juliet wrote: "Gwen wrote: "Eva wrote: "Gwen wrote: "For the last couple of years publishing has gone the way of all media. The YA market has been particularly hard hit with the indoctrination.

All I can say is..."

There always have been books about those who are different. I've been reading for over 50 years and gladly would give you a list if you'd like. That is not what the original poster meant. If you cannot see that there is a helluva lot of dumbing down and indoctrinating readers into one particular mindset then, sadly, you have made her point for her. Books are meant to open your mind, not sell you on a belief system, regardless of what that belief system might be.


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