Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
The Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list identifies titles aimed at encouraging reading among teens who dislike to read for whatever reason. The list selects fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novel titles. Criteria for these titles include those with a high interest "hook", a catchy title/cover, sufficient plot to sustain interest, humor when appropriate, and more (see "Policies & Procedures" tab below). View the full annotated Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers lists below.
Suggest a Title for the 2026 List Here
Current List
★= top 10 selection
🎧= recommended audiobook
Cho, Ian X. Aisle Nine. HarperCollins, 2024. ★
Like many teens, Jasper works a retail job and has to deal with grumpy customers. He also has to clean up the open portal to Hell in aisle nine. A quirky debut with a lot of humor, a little romance, and plenty of demon-fighting.
Fleming, Candace. The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win WWII. Scholastic Focus, 2024. ★
This nonfiction account tells the stories of ten women who, as teenagers, supported Britain's World War II code breaking efforts through top secret work that only became known decades after the war's end.
Gibbs, Shawneè and Shawnelle Gibbs. Ghost Roast. Versify, 2024. ★
When Chelsea gets caught at a party, her punishment involves working all summer at her dad's embarrassing paranormal extermination company. However, things get really interesting when she discovers that she can actually see ghosts and that one of them is a really cute and intriguing boy her own age.
Hahn, Erin. Even if It Breaks Your Heart. Wednesday Books, 2024. ★ 🎧
Winnie graduated early to work on the Michaels' ranch to help her younger siblings, but she dreams of rodeo stardom. Case is a rich kid that is grieving the loss of his best friend. Fast-moving plot points and easy-to-root-for characters make it a great pick for the country and romance fans.
Hirsch, Rebecca E. and Eugenia Nobati (illustrator). A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants. Zest Books, 2024. ★
True crime, history, and natural science are all collected in a book about plants that are not only pretty to look at; they can kill.
Lally, Megan. That's Not My Name. Sourcebooks Fire, 2023. ★ 🎧
A teenage girl wakes up with no memory of who she is, until a man claiming to be her father, seemingly with proof, says that her name is Mary. Meanwhile, a boy searches for his missing girlfriend, whom most of his town thinks he murdered.
McBride, Amber, Erica Martin, and Taylor Byas, editors. Poemhood: Our Black Revival: History, Folklore, and the Black Experience: A Young Adult Poetry Anthology. HarperTeen, 2024. ★
A short, poignant poetry anthology that explores the diversity of the Black experience in America through the poetry of thirty-seven classic and contemporary Black poets. The poems touch on a range of topics including family life, history, folklore, religion, and politics.
Parish, Theo. Homebody. HarperAlley, 2024. ★
This memoir shares Theo's nonbinary journey: both the highs and lows of self-reflection, questioning societal expectations, and what it feels like to feel at home.
Reintgen, Scott. The Last Dragon on Mars. Aladdin, 2024. ★ 🎧
Planetary bodies are occupied by dragons; the Earth is habitable because Gaia sacrificed herself. When humankind tried to colonize Mars, that dragon died cursing the planet. Thirteen-year-old Lunar Jones, a scavenger on Mars, stumbles into a restricted zone with the one hope left for his planet – a new dragon.
Voris, Jenna. Every Time You Hear That Song. Viking, 2024. ★ 🎧
Darren embarks on a road trip scavenger hunt with her coworker in order to find a recently deceased country superstar's hidden album and win $3 million. On her journey, she learns that her hometown has shaped her, whether she likes it or not.
★= top 10 selection
🎧= recommended audiobook
Callen, Rocky. Crashing Into You. Henry Holt & Co., 2024. 🎧
Leti loves street racing and learns how to drive fast from her older brother. She meets Jacob and slowly begins to fall for him. A tragedy strikes after a race, and Leti vows to not race again. However, racing is what might save Jacob.
Costello, Rob (editor). We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels, and Other Creatures. Running Press Teens, 2024.
Fifteen stories by queer and trans authors featuring new twists on classic monster tales in order to both reclaim the monstrous and celebrate myriad queer identities.
Deuker, Carl. Shadowed. Clarion Books, 2024.
Varsity basketball hopeful Nate Dravus navigates school dynamics, family expectations, and loss after befriending Lucas, a social outcast with a gift for the game.
Dwyer, Kristin. The Atlas of Us. HarperTeen, 2024.
Atlas attempts to escape her grief from her father's death by joining a month-long trails conservation program where everyone uses a nickname. Even with grueling work, strained crew relations, and confusing romantic feelings for crew leader King, Atlas finds that pretending to be someone else might just be the hardest part.
Emill, Jumata. Wander in the Dark. Delacorte Press, 2024.
Two estranged Black half-brothers must unravel the secrets behind their friend and classmate Chloe's murder after one of them is caught fleeing the scene and becomes the prime suspect.
Finch, Freya. Rise. Melissa de la Cruz Studio, 2024.
Bryn, daughter of one of Odin's most prominent Valkyries, lives a mostly typical teenage life rebelling against her mother. When her mother goes missing, Bryn is plunged into a race to stop a disaster that may lead to Ragnarök, the Norse apocalypse.
Giles, Lamar. Ruin Road. Scholastic, 2024.
Football star Cade wishes people wouldn't fear him because he's Black. When his wish creates a world where no one is afraid of anything, Cade is thrust into a battle for his soul.
Hand, Cynthia, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. My Salty Mary. HarperTeen, 2024. 🎧
In this hilarious nautical adventure, mermaid princess turned human Mary Read wants to live the pirate life, but not disguised as a boy. She must prove that she's as good as any man, while trying to help her friends and not fall in love with Blackbeard's intriguing son Tobias.
Harbour, Katherine. The Dark Fable. Bloomsbury, 2024.
When Evie Wilder discovers that she has the power of invisibility, she attracts the attention of The Dark Fable – a centuries-old gang of thieves that steal for prestige and power. Becoming part of this magical family has its perks, but everyone is not who they seem.
Hayden, Chaz. Diet Soda Club. Candlewick, 2024.
Since their dad died and mom is usually working, Reed spends his free time caring for his disabled sister, Bea. When their mom takes off, Reed turns to making fake IDs to support them. He soon finds that he can't manage on his own and finds help where he least expects it.
Hill, Kaitlyn. Wild About You. Delacorte Romance, 2024. 🎧
Natalie hopes to fund her next year of college by appearing on Wild Adventures, a reality show tracking contestants hiking the Appalachian Trail. But when she gets paired up with stoic outdoorsy type Finn, friction and misunderstandings ensue.
Horan, Molly. Thanks for Listening. HarperCollins, 2024.
Mia's friends never take her good advice, so she launches an anonymous social media account to offer it out. When she recognizes her friends' submissions, she grapples with how her advice may impact her relationships.
Ixta, Carolina. Shut Up, This Is Serious. HarperCollins, 2024.🎧
After her father abandons the family, seventeen-year-old Belén struggles to find a way to outgrow the shadow that remains in his place.
Johnson, Jackie. Bladestay. Camcat Books, 2023. 🎧
When a vicious gang comes to town looking for her family, Theo Creed disguises herself as a boy in the hopes of leading them away. As the con goes on, she begins to question what she knows about both family and friends, and whether the gang members are actually the bad guys at all.
McKinney, LL. Escaping Mr. Rochester. HarperTeen, 2024.
Jane wants nothing more than to escape the orphanage where she grew up. When she accepts a position as a governess for a wealthy manor nearby, she is delighted. Little does she know that the manor contains secrets – dangerous ones. This reimagining of Jane Eyre will keep readers engaged to the end.
Proudman, Sandra, editor. Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories. Inkyard Press, 2024.
Relit takes those classic stories that we all grew up with and creates something new, adding a Latinx twist to make these tales inclusive for everyone.
Randall, Christen. The No-Girlfriend Rule. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024.
After her boyfriend's roleplaying friends invoke a 'no-girlfriend rule' to keep her from joining them, Hollis joins a group of girls playing a queer-friendly campaign. After an in-game crush develops between her character and another player's, Hollis grapples with figuring out exactly what she wants outside of the game.
Roach, Mary E. Better Left Buried. Buena Vista Books, 2024.
When her famous detective mom returns to her mysterious hometown to solve a murder, Lucy uncovers truths about her family history that could destroy her whole life. She teams up with cool loner Audrey, who is trying to solve family mysteries of her own.
Rosen, LC. Emmett. Little, Brown and Company, 2023.
Emmett Woodhouse is determined to give back by playing matchmaker for his friends, all while refusing to consider his own romantic prospects in this modern queer imagining of Jane Austen's Emma.
Sass, Adam. Your Lonely Nights Are Over. Viking, 2023.
After the hottest new crime documentary sparks a copycat killer in their neighborhood, Cole and Dearie must work together to catch a killer, not only because he is targeting Queer Club members, but also because they are the prime suspects.
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Stepping Off. Scholastic, 2024.
This book follows a year in the life of sixteen-year-old Jesse as he deals with friendships falling apart, falling in love with his best friend, his parents' divorce, and the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Sortino, Anna. On the Bright Side. Putnam, 2024. 🎧
Ellie's Deaf boarding school shuts down and she is mainstreamed at the local high school in her hometown. The school guidance counselor pairs her with Jackson, a star player on the soccer team who is dealing with his own health issues when numbness in his legs causes him to lose a big game.
Sumrow, Melanie. Girls Like Her. Balzer + Bray, 2024.
Faced with a life sentence for the murder of a wealthy businessman, fifteen-year-old Ruby must decide if she can trust her court-appointed social worker, as this is her only hope for staying out of prison. A compelling, psychological thriller told in documentary style that is chilling yet compassionate.
Thiru, Dinesh. Into the Sunken City. HarperTeen, 2024. 🎧
Eighteen-year-old Jin is struggling to support herself and her sister in a water-covered future earth while running the family's inn. When they are deceived by a guest, she is forced by murderous pirates to dive for hidden treasure in the sunken ruins of Las Vegas to save her sister's life.
Treuer, Anton. Where Wolves Don't Die. Levine Querido, 2024. 🎧
After a fight at school, Ezra spends the winter with his First Nations grandfather learning about Ojibwe culture, the value of family and community, and the power of forgiveness.
★= top 10 selection
🎧= recommended audiobook
Brosgol, Vera. Plain Jane and the Mermaid. First Second, 2024.
Jane is often dismissed by people in her medieval village due to her plain appearance. When her fiance is kidnapped by evil mermaids, she must summon all of her determination and wit to save him and save herself from a life of misery.
Gooch, Chris. In Utero. Top Shelf, 2024.
Twelve years after a major disaster, Hailey and her new friend Jen seek to uncover a creeping evil hidden within their holiday camp in an abandoned mall. What will they find in the basement and how will it change their lives forever?
Hicks, Faith Erin. Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy. First Second, 2023.
Alix is a star on her high school hockey team, but loses her cool when dealing with a bully, which could cost her the dream of playing at a U-18 women's hockey camp. In order to not mess up her chance, she asks the popular theater kid, Ezra, for help.
M, Son and Robin Yao. Thief of the Heights. HarperAlley, 2024.
In this provocative graphic novel set in a dystopian world, three friends who live in an oppressive society work to improve their lives but grapple with the best way to improve the lives of others in their community, only to discover they are being deceived on multiple fronts.
Ostertag, Molly Knox. The Deep Dark. Graphix, 2024.
When Magdalena's childhood friend Nessa returns to their hometown after being away, the two teens must confront the secret that ties Mags to her home.
Shusterman, Neal and Andrés Vera Martínez. Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust. Graphix, 2023.
This graphic novel collects Jewish stories of hope, courage, and survival, set during the backdrop of the Holocaust.
Smith, Sherri L and Christine Norrie. Pearl. Graphix, 2024.
While stuck in Japan during WWII, Japanese-American Amy struggles with deciding her loyalties and fearing for her parents left back home in Hawai'i.
Yang, Gene Luen and LeUyen Pham. Lunar New Year Love Story. First Second, 2024.
Valentina Tran thinks that her family is cursed in love, but perhaps the lion dancers she meets at a Lunar New Year celebration can help her break the curse – and understand her fear of the pain love can bring, her complicated relationships with her family, and herself.
★= top 10 selection
🎧= recommended audiobook
Cooper, Candy J. Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town That Looked Away. Calkins Creek, 2024.
Two corrupt Pennsylvanian judges in the 2000s concocted a plan to put kids away for cash in for-profit detention centers. Meticulous details offer a look into the repercussions of staying silent, of being complicit, and a judicial system that was never about rehabilitation but about exploitation and greed.
Greene, Joshua M. The Girl Who Fought Back: Vladka Meed and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Scholastic Focus, 2024.
This book profiles the life and courageous resistance work of Vladka Meed during WWII. Vladka, a Jewish teen who, due to her physical appearance, was able to pose as a Christian, joined the Jewish resistance and completed many missions that aided in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising of 1943.
Gonzalez, Elvira K. Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph. Roaring Brook Press, 2024.
This inspiring true story of grit, tenacity, and hope traces Elvira's path as she overcomes impossible hurdles in her race to freedom.
Semenya, Caster. The Race to Be Myself. Norton Young Readers, 2024.
Olympic track champion Caster Semenya details her childhood and racing career, touching on her path to identity and the many obstacles that were placed in her way.
Siegel, Rebecca. Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time. Astra Young Readers, 2024.
A quick read that provides an engaging yet comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the Loch Ness Monster myth, starting with its origins to why it endures today, that fully illuminates how and why it was faked.
Watson, Renée and Ekua Holmes. Black Girl You Are Atlas. Kokila, 2024. 🎧
Through a series of expressive, semi-autobiographical poems, Watson portrays junctures of her life growing up in Portland, Oregon, that are accompanied by stunning collage artwork by Holmes. A captivating and resonating collection.
Virnig, Christine and Korwin Briggs, illustrator. Waist-Deep in Dung: A Stomach-Churning Look at the Grossest Jobs Throughout History. Godwin Books, 2024.
This collection of the worst (but true) possible jobs in history will either gross you out, blow your mind, and/or make you appreciate what you are doing now. Christine Virnig walks you through the history and science of some of the worst jobs ever.
Coordinator: Emma K. McNamara, PhD, Washington, DC
Team Members: Lindsay Bailey, Belfast Area High School, Belfast, ME; Karen Bilton, Franklin Township Public Library, Somerset, NJ; TuesD Chambers, Ballard High School, Seattle, WA; Leanna Chappell, Swanton Public Library, Swanton, OH; Katie Guzan, Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove, IL; Dakota Hall, Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus, IN; Jenn Hartley, Wake County Public Libraries, Cary, NC; Katrina Henderson, Chatham County Public Libraries, Pittsboro, NC; Josie Snow, Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library, Pagosa Springs, CO; Jessica B. Woods, Baltimore County Public Library, Catonsville, MD
More Information
Charge
To prepare an annual annotated list of recommended books appropriate for reluctant young adult readers.
Purpose
The list is for young adults (ages 12-18) who, for whatever reasons, do not like to read. The purpose of this list is to identify titles for recreational reading, not for curricular or remedial use.
Procedures
Nominations
- Anyone, except the book's author and publisher, may suggest an appropriate title for the Blogging Team to consider for nomination. Each suggestion must be submitted on an official form. Suggestion forms are available the YALSA website. The Blog Team Lead must receive all suggestions by Dec. 1st to be considered.
- Suggestions require a second from a Quick Picks Blogging Team member.
- The Blogging Team Lead informs the group of suggestions, which will remain active until all nominations are closed. If no team member seconds the suggestion, the title is dropped from consideration.
Eligibility
- A book must have a copyright date during the current calendar year or have been published from July to December of the previous calendar year to be considered for the list. A book originally published outside the United States will be considered according to its U.S. publication year.
- Series Fiction: If there are more than two books in year and they are all of equal interest to RR's, the book can be nominated "as a series" which means that team members only have to read one of the books out that year, rather than the entire selection of books in the series published during the copyright year. Books published in the same series in a different copyright year must be re-nominated and read. All books appearing on the Quick Picks list must have been read by one or more members of the Quick Picks Team.
Evaluation
All titles should have appeal as self-selected leisure reading for young adults. Books should be evaluated by subject, cover art, readability, format, style and teen feedback. Teen feedback from reluctant readers, is encouraged. Standard selection criteria consonant with the ALA Library Bill of Rights shall be applied.
Team Members
- The team consists of 10 - 14 YALSA members who are appointed on a staggered basis to maintain a balance of new and continuing members. Team members are expected to participate in the nomination process, to evaluate a large number of books, to read nominated books, to attend all team meetings and to actively participate in book discussions. Team members are appointed by the YALSA's Member Manager and serve a term of one year. Team members may be selected to serve a concurrent, second one-year term based on the member's first year performance and their interest and availability in serving another year, for a total of a two-year maximum concurrent term length on the team.
- Members who have served two consecutive years may not be appointed to the same team for three years from the conclusion of their last term. This guideline will not apply to the Team Lead. In extreme circumstances, and at the President’s discretion, an exception may be made if a team member resigns suddenly. The President, after discussion with the Team Lead, may determine that the best course of action is to fill the vacancy with an experienced member, and appoint a member in good standing who successfully served on the team in question during the previous three years.
Selection Criteria
These criteria are meant as suggestions for evaluating a book. Not all criteria may fit all books.
- Physical Appearance
- Cover - catchy, action-oriented, attractive, appealing, good "blurb"
- Print style - sufficiently large for enjoyable reading
- Format - appropriate and appealing balance of text and white space
- Artwork/illustrations - enticing, realistic, demonstrated diversity
- Style
- Clear writing that easily communicates without long convoluted sentences of sophisticated vocabulary
- Acceptable literary quality and effectiveness of presentation
- Simple vocabulary but not noticeably controlled
- Fiction
- High interest "hook" in first 10 pages
- Well-defined characters
- Sufficient plot to sustain interest
- Plot lines developed through dialog and action
- Familiar themes with emotional appeal for teenagers
- Believable treatment
- Single point of view
- Touches of humor when appropriate
- Chronological order
- Informational Books
- Technical language acceptable if defined in context
- Accuracy
- Objectivity
Team Lead
The primary function of the Team Lead is to facilitate the group's charge, to attend to all business matters, to maintain an accurate database of all nominated titles, and to communicate frequently with members regarding nominated books. The Team Lead enjoys the same charge and privilege of reading, nomination, discussing and voting for books as team members. It is expected, however, that the Team Lead should refrain from discussion of a title until all other members have had the opportunity to speak. The Team Lead is appointed for a one-year term by YALSA's Member Manager.
Voting
Selection of the annual list will be made during the last group meeting of the year. Members can vote only on nominated books they have read. The final list will include books receiving a majority of the team's "yes" votes. The final vote will be counted by the Team Lead.
Availability of Lists for General Distribution
- The list of nominations will be updated on the Hub as nominations are finalized by the group.
- The final list of selected titles will be available on the Hub and in the Teen Book Finder database.
Revised by the YALSA Board June 2008, August 2009 and January 2017.
