The List2019

Great Reads for Youth

T O R O N T O P U B L I C L I B R A R Y

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NAILBITERSSuspense and nonstop action keep you turning pages in these edge-of-your-seat reads.

SUGGESTED READS

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Looking for your next great read? Whether you’re into action, romance, poetry, life experiences, or books about the world around you, you’ll find something here.

Our team of librarians buys the young adult books for the Library. We chose 50 fantastic books to make you laugh, cry, reflect, debate, and grow. We hope you find some that entertain or inspire you!

Visit tpl.ca/thelist for the full 100 books on The List, or drop by your local library for help finding the perfect book for you.

Happy reading!

“astounding”I love reading cop and crime books. This was a whole new aspect of it, told from the point of view of the people who are affected. I’d recommend it to people who have siblings, because that’s what got me. I have a little sister who I’m so close with, I would do anything for her. Imagine what you would do, and how you would feel, if something like this were to happen to you.

Sara, on Sadie

Sara

Sadie’s been raising her sister Mattie, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water. When Mattie is found dead, and the investigation is botched, Sadie is determined to bring the killer to justice.

Undead Girl GangLILY ANDERSON

Truly DeviousMAUREEN JOHNSON

Don’t Tell the EnemyMARSHA FORCHUK SKRYPUCH

Agony HouseCHERIE PRIEST and TARA O’CONNOR

SadieCOURTNEY SUMMERS

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SUGGESTED READS

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HEADSPACE What happens in your head can colour everything around you.

SUGGESTED READS

FANTASYMyth, adventure, strange lands and mortal danger come together in tales that take you places you can only imagine.

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Serena

“trying to find a new way”I think recently mental health has been coming to the forefront of people’s minds. People now, they can actually talk about what’s bothering them, if they have anxiety or depression or something, and they can find a book that relates to them. If you know someone who is going through a hard time or someone who is having some sort of mental health problem, you can see how it is and try to help them.

Serena, on All That I Can Fix

Dear Evan HansenVAL EMMICH

(Don’t) Call Me Crazyed. KELLY JENSEN

We Are All That’s LeftCARRIE ARCOS

Past TenseSTAR SPIDER

People know all about Ronney – he’s from that mixed-race family with the dad who tried to kill himself, the pill-popping mom, and the genius kid sister. Can Ronney figure out a way to hold his family together?

All That I Can FixCRYSTAL CHAN

Zélie, Tzain and Amari fight to restore magic to the land, but are ruthlessly pursued by the crown prince, who believes the return of magic will mean the end of the monarchy.

SeafireNATALIE C. PARKER

A Thousand Beginnings and Endingseds. ELLEN OH and ELSIE CHAPMAN

Adventure Zone: Here There Be GerblinsCLINT MCELROY

Dread NationJUSTINA IRELAND

Children of Blood and BoneTOMI ADEYEMI

Claire

“unexpected turns”I’ve always loved fantasy. There is a lot of political intrigue within this book, because there’s two characters on different sides. You see things from both perspectives and there are wrongs and rights on each side. There’s a lot of hate between them. The characters are pretty unique so they feel more real, they’re not perfect. Once you start reading, it’s hard to put down. It’s really complex.

Claire, on Children of Blood and Bone

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#OWNVOICESAuthors writing stories that reflect their own experiences and identities.

SUGGESTED READSSUGGESTED READS

TRUE STORYFrom little moments to living history, these life-changing experiences make for compelling reading.

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“defying norms”I could relate to this book because it has a lot of descriptions of problems that young brown girls face. I think this book is great for anyone. Because the author lived in Saudi Arabia, she knew a lot about what actually goes down there. It’s just really interesting to see a totally different lifestyle from what we live over here, and for people to read it and reflect on that and just go, “wow.”

Naomi, on A Girl Like That

Naomi

“they made their own future”You don’t need to be a hip hop enthusiast to read this book or know anything about hip hop. The people in this book are talking about their lives and how hip hop gave them a platform to perform and achieve and be successful. It will enlighten you on how rappers and hip hop artists aren’t just people who post pictures on Instagram and have a lot of money. They’re also people who have families and businesses. Smart people who make smart decisions.

Yunus, on Three Kings: Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z

Yunus

Tracing the careers of three of hip-hop’s groundbreaking stars, this deeply reported history examines the entrepreneurial genius of Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z.

As a non-Muslim Indian living in Saudi Arabia, sixteen-year-old Zarin feels out of place. Branded as trouble and the subject of harmful rumours, she desperately tries to escape – until the car crash.

Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a LegendKAREN BLUMENTHAL

Learning to BreatheJANICE LYNN MATHER

How We’re F***ing Up Our PlanetTONY JUNIPER

PrideIBI ZOBOI

Dear Heartbreaked. HEATHER DEMETRIOS

Fire SongADAM GARNET JONES

Hey, KiddoJARRETT J. KROSOCZKA

Unbrokened. MARIEKE NIJKAMP

Three Kings: Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay-ZZACK O’MALLEY GREENBURG

A Girl Like ThatTANAZ BHATHENA

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RESISTLet these change-makers inspire your inner activist.

SUGGESTED READS

SCIENCE FICTIONTravel into uncharted territory and imagine strange and jarring new worlds.

SUGGESTED READS

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“you can make a difference”The main character faces many challenges and really, the big issue in the book is that he’s fighting against the system, a system that was not built for him and is said to protect him, but doesn’t, it does the exact opposite. His mother tells him that anger is a gift and I think it really sticks with him. Towards the end of the book he finds his own voice and learns how to use it for impact and finds his footing again.

Gevonna, on Anger is a Gift

Gevonna

“spaceships and adventure”I would recommend this book because it’s really inclusive. All of the characters are female or nonbinary. It has romance in space, spaceships and adventure. I liked the main character Mia because she breaks a few rules and she didn’t really care if she got in trouble because it was for a good cause.

Anna, on On a SunbeamAnna

In two interwoven timelines, a ragtag crew travels to the deepest reaches of space; and two girls meet in boarding school and fall deeply in love, only to learn the pain of loss.

Moss’ father was murdered by police, and no one was punished despite the protests. Now Moss and his classmates find themselves treated like criminals in their own school, and Moss may need to push past his trauma to protest once more.

Stronger, Faster, and More BeautifulARWEN ELYS DAYTON

#NeverAgainDAVID and LAUREN HOGG

UnearthedAMIE KAUFMAN and MEGAN SPOONER

Heretics Anony-mousKATIE HENRY

SanctuaryCARYN LIX

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the WorldPÉNÉLOPE BAGIEU

Trail of LightningREBECCA ROANHORSE

A Girl’s Guide to Joining the ResistanceEMMA GRAY

On a SunbeamTILLIE WALDEN

Anger is a GiftMARK OSHIRO

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TURNING POINTSTragedy. Frustration. Anger. First loves. All part of life – and they will all leave their mark on you.

SUGGESTED READS

COMICS & MANGAEpic or everyday. Adventure or comedy. Or all of it! Come for the story. Stay for the amazing art.

SUGGESTED READS

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“there are consequences to everything”I always think about privacy because it’s something we should take seriously. Kids our age, they don’t really think about the consequences. My friends have sent texts that could harm others or themselves. The boys in this book didn’t see the harm they could do. All they thought about was competing and how many pictures they could get. I did not see the ending coming, but I did get satisfaction out of it.

Tasmia, on Easy Prey

Tasmia

“really funny”I chose this book because I thought it would be really interesting to read about a world where there aren’t any men and what that would be like. Would it be the same or would it be completely different? This book is hilarious and it kind of makes fun of our society, but in a way that you don’t really notice until you’ve read it.

Nora, on Woman WorldNora

When a birth defect wipes out the planet’s entire population of men, Woman World rises out of society’s ashes. Originally a webcomic.

After having her privacy violated the year before, Jenna and her classmates Mouse and Drew access nude photos on their law teacher’s dating site using false identities. When the photos go viral, they all deny being the leak.

Baccano! vol. 1RYŌGO NARITA

The Pros of ConsALLISON CHERRY, LINDSAY RIBAR and MICHELLE SCHUSTERMAN

Fence vol. 1C. S. PACAT

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the UniversePRESTON NORTON

Heavy VinylCARLY USDIN

Tyler Johnson Was HereJAY COLES

All Summer LongHOPE LARSON

This is Kind of an Epic Love StoryKHERYN CALLENDER

Woman WorldAMINDER DHALIWAL

Easy PreyCATHERINE LO

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SUGGESTED READS

POETRYThese books explore poetry as a unique and powerful form of self-expression.

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“vivid and realistic”I really enjoyed this book. The writing really shows the main character’s perspective. The imagery is beautiful and the author has a way with words that is wonderful. I really like the part when the main character and her twin brother are in her room and he tells her to write a love poem… It turns out that he wants her to write to herself because, at the time, her self-love isn’t exactly the best.

Maya, on The Poet X

Maya

Grab a copy from your local library. Submissions are accepted year-round.

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Xiomara feels un-heard and unable to hide. She has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But she has plenty to say, and she pours it all onto the pages of her notebook.

The Poet XELIZABETH ACEVEDO

Half-HazardKRISTEN TRACY

Shame is an Ocean I Swim AcrossMARY LAMBERT

SwingKWAME ALEXANDER

Light Filters InCAROLINE KAUFMAN

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The Young Voices program, including the publication of Young Voices magazine, is supported through the generosity of the Daniels

brothers in honour of their mother, Norine Rose, through the Toronto Public Library Foundation.

Released annually, Young Voices magazine is full of writing and art by Toronto youth age 12-19.

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