YA's Obsession With: Dead Loved Ones

If you lived in the YA world, it's likely one or both of your parents, your favorite siblings, the grannie who raised you, your first crush, and/or your best friend all died last week. Barring that, they'll be dead ten pages from now--which will either send you into an existential quandary someone will need to pull you out of, or have you hunting for a killer that trained investigators can't seem to catch. Good luck with that...

This list is for all YA novels that feature dead parents, siblings, important relatives, girl/boyfriends, or friends as a part of character history or the starting gun for character motivation.

NOTE: If you see a book listed here erroneously, please leave a note for me so I can remove it. Thanks!

-----

Please only list books published with traditional presses (large or small; no self-published please) that are published in hardcover or paperback (ebook is fine, as long as hc or pb also are available)

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling 4.47 avg rating — 8,699,257 ratings score: 590, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins 4.32 avg rating — 7,514,518 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 1,146,179 ratings score: 394, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 3.81 avg rating — 3,160,423 ratings score: 297, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) by J.K. Rowling 4.62 avg rating — 3,298,628 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Operation Oleander by Valerie O. Patterson 3.68 avg rating — 166 ratings score: 276, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	While It Lasts (Sea Breeze, #3) by Abbi Glines (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 56,440 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 26,304 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Meet Me at the River by Nina de Gramont (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 411 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Crux by Julie Reece (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 1,091 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 406,867 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1) by Jenny Han (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 725,314 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 218,738 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,222,154 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Wild Cards (Wild Cards, #1) by Simone Elkeles (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 18,330 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Coda (Coda, #1) by Emma Trevayne (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 1,228 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Fairest Beauty (Hagenheim, #3) by Melanie Dickerson (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 11,417 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors, #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.85 avg rating — 37,777 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 4.22 avg rating — 1,546,706 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause 3.79 avg rating — 41,323 ratings score: 168, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Sempre (Sempre, #1) by J.M. Darhower (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 27,477 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	A Symphony of Cicadas by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, #1) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 17,184 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Starters (Starters, #1) by Lissa Price (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 42,514 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 80,582 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Full Measures (Flight & Glory, #1) by Rebecca Yarros (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 17,704 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 307,158 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Forever Thirteen by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 24 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Stetson by S.L. Rottman 4.05 avg rating — 168 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Where She Went (If I Stay, #2) by Gayle Forman (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 281,140 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner 3.81 avg rating — 1,370 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	More Than Forever (More Than, #4) by Jay McLean (Goodreads Author) 4.46 avg rating — 16,589 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink, #1) by Mindy McGinnis (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 13,046 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Road to Hope (Hope #1) by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 47 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Confessions of a Murder Suspect (Confessions, #1) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 29,165 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	My Clarity by M. Clarke (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 4,289 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 106,116 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	I Was Here by Gayle Forman (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 63,337 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 7,158 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 890,927 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 50,483 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher (Goodreads Author) 3.43 avg rating — 3,817 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Life of Pi by Yann Martel 3.93 avg rating — 1,498,071 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Dessert First by Dean Gloster (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 203 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 2,186 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 83,514 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 10,125 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Old Town in the Green Groves: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Lost Little House Years by Cynthia Rylant 4.05 avg rating — 5,217 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Smoke (Burned, #2) by Ellen Hopkins (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 13,102 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Tracked (Tracked, #1) by Jenny Martin (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 947 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 103,366 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 33,503 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Tex by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 11,494 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Cy in Chains by David L. Dudley 3.91 avg rating — 105 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 4,438,853 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 200,006 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 20,885 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 30,076 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 5,167 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Backwater by Joan Bauer 3.79 avg rating — 1,535 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Sisterhood Everlasting (Sisterhood, #5) by Ann Brashares 3.91 avg rating — 35,678 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Nothing But Blue by Lisa Jahn-Clough (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 147 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood, #2) by Ann Brashares 3.80 avg rating — 94,787 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 2,910 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester 3.63 avg rating — 1,140 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Shade of the Moon (Last Survivors, #4) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.29 avg rating — 10,531 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.80 avg rating — 31,265 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Spellbound by Christopher Pike 3.66 avg rating — 2,529 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin 3.87 avg rating — 1,060 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	A Breath of Eyre (Unbound, #1) by Eve Marie Mont (Goodreads Author) 3.34 avg rating — 1,801 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Shooter by Walter Dean Myers 3.66 avg rating — 3,220 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1) by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 82,194 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 892,451 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars