Big Books of 2026

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Divergent by Veronica RothThe Fault in Our Stars by John GreenCinder by Marissa MeyerThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsLegend by Marie Lu
2012 YALSA Teen's Top Ten Nominations
198 books — 343 voters
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. MaasKing of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
New adult//R-rated fiction Marketed towards underage readers
309 books — 301 voters

Again, But Better by Christine RiccioKing of Scars by Leigh BardugoThe Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra ClareHouse of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. MaasNightchaser by Amanda Bouchet
2019 - 2020 New adult with Professional-looking covers
254 books — 206 voters
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow RowellThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakI Am the Messenger by Markus ZusakThe Sea of Tranquility by Katja MillayThe Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks
YALSA 2014 Best of the Best
85 books — 34 voters

Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire SáenzFinnikin of the Rock by Melina MarchettaAmy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan MatsonRevolution by Jennifer DonnellyShip Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
YALSA 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults
99 books — 26 voters
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa TahirSix of Crows by Leigh BardugoA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasIlluminae by Amie KaufmanBone Gap by Laura Ruby
YALSA 2016 Best Fiction for Young Adults
64 books — 24 voters

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. MaasThe Young Elites by Marie LuThe Kiss of Deception by Mary E. PearsonThe Winner's Curse by Marie RutkoskiDon't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
2015 YALSA Teens' Top Ten Nominees
24 books — 19 voters
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret AtwoodTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeIn the Time of the Butterflies by Julia AlvarezThe Chosen by Chaim PotokBless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Fiction - Outstanding Books for the College Bound
53 books — 13 voters

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox OstertagThe Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 1 by Jun MochizukiMy Brother's Husband, Volume 1 by Gengoroh TagameThe Promised Neverland, Vol. 1 by Kaiu ShiraiQuiet Girl in a Noisy World by Debbie Tung
YALSA 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens
90 books — 13 voters
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham JonesThe Nickel Boys by Colson WhiteheadBlack Sun by Rebecca RoanhorseGender Queer by Maia KobabeThe House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Alex Awards from 2020 thru 2029
60 books — 10 voters

Girl in Translation by Jean KwokSoulless by Gail CarrigerReady Player One by Ernest ClineRoom by Emma DonoghueRelish by Lucy Knisley
Alex Awards from 2010 thru 2019
100 books — 8 voters
Insurgent by Veronica RothPoison Princess by Kresley ColeGrave Mercy by Robin LaFeversCrewel by Gennifer AlbinUnderworld by Meg Cabot
YALSA’s 2013 Teens’ Top Ten Nominations
28 books — 7 voters

Lady Midnight by Cassandra ClareScythe by Neal ShustermanLove & Gelato by Jenna Evans WelchNightstruck by Jenna BlackThe Killing Jar by Jennifer Bosworth
Teens' Top Ten 2017
29 books — 7 voters
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfieldWater for Elephants by Sara GruenThe Whistling Season by Ivan DoigThe Blind Side by Michael LewisBlack Swan Green by David Mitchell
2007 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 6 voters

The Kite Runner by Khaled HosseiniThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey NiffeneggerStiff by Mary RoachPersepolis by Marjane SatrapiWonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis
2004 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 5 voters
We Were Liars by E. LockhartHeir of Fire by Sarah J. MaasThe Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse AndersonThe Kiss of Deception by Mary E. PearsonI'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
YALSA 2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults
58 books — 5 voters

My Lady Jane by Cynthia HandThe Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnisMerrow by Ananda Braxton-SmithGirl in Pieces by Kathleen GlasgowThe Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
YALSA 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults
63 books — 5 voters
The Whistling Season by Ivan DoigGirl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy ChevalierNickel and Dimed by Barbara EhrenreichWhen the Emperor Was Divine by Julie OtsukaThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Alex Awards from 2000 thru 2009
100 books — 5 voters

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi PicoultSwimming to Antarctica by Lynne CoxShadow Divers by Robert KursonCandyfreak by Steve AlmondDonorboy by Brendan Halpin
2005 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 4 voters
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly BlackPerfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefanoProdigy by Marie LuRose Under Fire by Elizabeth WeinThe Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman
YALSA 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
99 books — 4 voters

The Glass Castle by Jeannette WallsMidnight at the Dragon Café by Judy Fong BatesUpstate by Kalisha BuckhanonAnansi Boys by Neil GaimanAs Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway
2006 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 3 voters
The Eyre Affair by Jasper FfordeThe Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann PackerOne Hundred Demons by Lynda BarryMy Losing Season by Pat ConroySeeing in the Dark by Timothy Ferris
2003 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 3 voters

River, Cross My Heart by Breena ClarkePlainsong by Kent HarufHigh Exposure by David BreashearsEnder's Shadow by Orson Scott CardEducating Esmé by Esmé Raji Codell
2000 Alex Award Winners
10 books — 3 voters
The Fault in Our Stars by John GreenTiger Lily by Jodi Lynn AndersonCatch & Release by Blythe WoolstonMe and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse AndrewsDust Girl by Sarah Zettel
YALSA 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults
102 books — 3 voters

Icefall by Matthew J. KirbyWhere the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-FattahThe Blood Lie by Shirley Reva VernickEnclave by Ann AguirreOut of Shadows by Jason Wallace
YALSA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults
112 books — 3 voters
Black Hammer, Vol. 1 by Jeff LemireBrave by Svetlana ChmakovaSpill Zone by Scott WesterfeldThe Backstagers, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IVI Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina
YALSA 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten
12 books — 3 voters

Lady Midnight by Cassandra ClareNightstruck by Jenna BlackThe Killing Jar by Jennifer BosworthPassenger by Alexandra BrackenTell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
2017 YALSA Teens' Top Ten Nominees
26 books — 2 voters
Always the Almost by Edward UnderhillAnder & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza VillaAs You Walk On By by Julian WintersBecoming a Queen by Dan ClayBianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans
Best Fiction for Young Adults 2024 (YALSA list)
66 books — 1 voter

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