Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Pick the Lock by A.S. King

  • Pick the Lock
  • by A.S. King
  • Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
  • Release date: September 24th, 2024
  • ISBN: 9780593353974

Jane has finally figured out that her father lies – to her, to her brother, to God. After years of standing by while her father dictates her punk-rock legend mother’s movements throughout their house via a system of pneumatic tubes, Jane discovers the tapes from their house security system. As she secretly watches the footage that reveals the extraordinary degree of manipulation of which her father is capable, her frustration and fury drive her to begin picking apart the lies that have locked her family up and write a punk opera to channel her rage.

In signature A.S. King style, this ambitious novel explores a number of challenging themes in unique ways. The narrative is primarily Jane’s but other voices, like that of her equally manipulative aunt and her pet rat Brutus, also share their perspectives. Readers will be spellbound as they piece together the machinations along with Jane and the libretto for Jane’s punk opera will feel cathartic. For as unusual as the narrative, characters and setting may be, universal themes of agency, truth, feminism and identity will resonate with readers. This thought-provoking novel will stick with readers long after they finish turning the pages. 

Teens who appreciate challenging and sophisticated novels will embrace this book.Fans of A.S. King’s earlier works, particularly works like Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future and Dig, will not be disappointed in her latest YA outing.

– Courtney Waters

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2026) Featured Review: You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne

Two former friends, Chris and Alicia, are trapped in a time loop on their high school graduation day. Chris thinks he needs the “perfect first kiss” with his crush to break the cycle, but Alicia has other plans. They must work together to remember the past, relive the hurt, and come together to break free and move forward together.

Mary Shyne gives us a swoony, witty rom-com that strikes a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth. The fears of growing up, life after high school, and losing friends will be relatable to teens. The dialogue is fast paced but still allows time for the deep moments to hit the feels. The monochromatic palettes that signify each time loop support the story by bringing out the mood in each scene.

Teens who enjoy the romance found in the time loop like See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon would find this read swoon-worthy. Teens who are interested in queer identity like Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell’s Laura Deen Keeps Breaking Up with Me would enjoy this graphic novel.

–Jessica Duong


Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe by Mahogany L. Browne

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  • A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
  • by Mahogany L. Brown
  • Narrated by Emana Rachelle, Ozzie Jacobs, Elena Rey, Mahogany L. Browne, Amir Royale, Nile Bullock, Andrea Emmes, Brandon Miles, Kiebpoli Calnek, Ali Nasser, Tyla Collier, Marie-Francoise Theodore, Ron Butler and Chantelle Ramdeen
  • Penguin Random House
  • Publication Date: Mar 11, 2025ISBN: 9798217015085

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe is a collection of interconnected stories, poems, and letters, painting a picture of a community affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The book starts with Malachi Craig writing a post-apocalyptic story of a virus taking many lives and remaking the world. The story has his teachers at the Stellar Williamson Academy concerned about his inability to move on from the pandemic and continue life as usual. In the same city, other people are facing real challenges not too different from Malachi’s story. Tariq is taking care of his grandmother, chronicling the stages of quarantine, and trying to stay sharp-minded for his grandmother. His best friend, Zamira, lost both parents and sister to the pandemic. At Rikers Island, a young artist named Yusef has been stuck behind bars for three years for stealing underwear and a toothbrush that his foster parents wouldn’t get for him. A chapter of Social Workers’ Haikus take the form of questions and answers with clients reveals the struggle of both.

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe is a unique, lyrical tapestry of stories in various formats, and the talented cast of the audiobook does the book justice with a nuanced narration. The chapters are all different in format, voice, and character, the narration showcases this with a richly diverse cast, who infuse each story with an emotional depth that makes us feel close to each character in the book.
Although this book felt pretty unique, it did have echoes of Black Girl, You Are Atlas in its voice, if not for the variety of characters. For a more heartwarming take on interconnected stories,readers might enjoy Whiteout and Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

-Anush Balayan

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

  • The Rose Bargain
  • by Sasha Peyton Smith
  • HarperCollins
  • Publication Date: February 4, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780063372528

For the last four hundred years, England has been ruled by a mercurial and immortal fae queen. In honor of the bargain that bought her the throne, Queen Mor offers every citizen the chance to make a bargain of their own when they come of age.  Ivy Benton is set to make her entrance into society, but ever since her sister’s bargain ended in disaster, her family’s prospects—both social and financial—have withered and died. When the queen declares that her son, Prince Bram, has decided to marry this season, Ivy seizes the opportunity to regain her family’s fallen standing. All faerie bargains, however, come with a price, and as the queen’s trials grow more and more vicious, Ivy will need to decide just how much hers is worth.

The Rose Bargain is filled with romance, political intrigue, and high stakes trials. The writing is accessible, and the events flow well without too much lag. There are occasional inserts of different perspectives, but they are brief and serve to shed light on the other contestants for the crown. The cover is eye-catching and fits the theme perfectly.


This book is perfect for enjoyers of tales of the fae, courtly drama, political intrigue, love triangles, and novels about high society England. It would be perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton (without the explicit scenes), the Selection series by Kiera Cass, and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

–Jessica Lussier

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis

There is nothing about football Aiden doesn’t love, and he knows he could be a fantastic player. Though his summer tryout results in a sensory overload meltdown, his star brother gets him a second chance and spot on the team. But when other teammates are less welcoming to Aiden, who is autistic, tensions between players rise to the point of a physical fight – during which Aiden’s brother, Brandon, is arrested and falsely accused of assaulting a police officer. The accusation and resulting court case means Brandon’s football future may be in question. Full of guilt over his brother’s arrest, Aiden is determined to discover what really happened and clear Brandon’s name.

All the Noise at Once is a beautiful, engrossing look at how one teen navigates the world as a neurodiverse, Black male. This powerful story explores social justice, race, class, and ability in an appealing, relatable, and engaging manner that does not shy away from laying bare the reality of systemic racism and bias. Aiden’s relationships with his family, friends, and self are rendered with sensitivity and nuance, and even secondary characters feel real for the reader. Aiden’s emotional journey will resonate with readers.

Teens who have an interest in social justice will appreciate All the Noise at Once, as will readers who enjoy contemporary realistic stories. All the Noise at Once is an excellent readalike for any fan of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed or Kneel by Candace Buford.

– Erica Schimmel

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2026) Featured Review: RuriDragon by Masaoki Shindo

  • RuriDragon, Vol. 1
  • by Masaoki Shindo 
  • VIX Media LLC
  • Publication Date: January 7, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781974738311

RuriDragon is about a high school girl, Ruri, who wakes to find that she has horns! Ruri is informed by her mom that she had inherited some draconic traits from her dad, who is a dragon, and she is half dragon. Throughout the school day Ruri discovers new dragon traits, like she can breathe fire. Ruri now must figure out how to control her dragon abilities, and balance school with the help of her friends and family.

The story is a slice of life manga with a mix of fantasy elements with Ruri going through school and friendships, but dealing with her new dragon powers. Readers will be laughing, as the main characters discovers her dragon traits, but also being going “aww” with some of the touching moments in the story. Shindo illustrations also help bring the story to life! When Ruri breathes fire you can feel the flames leap off the page. Overall, Masaoki created a great manga that draws readers in with a unique and fun story that is well illustrated.

Readers who enjoy Frieren will enjoy Ruridragon for its detailed illustrations and leisurely paced style.  This is also the perfect book for fans of Hirayasumi because of the large slice of life elements present.   Fans of Generation Witch will also enjoy this manga because of the fantasy elements in a school setting. 

 -Kyler Wesner


Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

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On her 13th birthday, Sage’s best friend was struck by a drunk driver and killed while on her way to Sage’s house. Sage feels guilty – for the small part that she played in her friend’s death; for not having a chance to say good-bye; for still being alive with all the future potential that means. In the grief group at school, Sage learns that there are many ways to grieve, everyone’s experience with death is different, and that healing doesn’t always go in one direction. 

Bahni Turpin’s sympathetic reading of Sage’s thoughts and reactions both adds to the depth of feeling in the story and makes it more accessible to readers. The rawness of Sage’s anger, confusion, and sorrow is well conveyed through Turpan’s performance. While this would be a valuable asset to anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one, it’s also a powerful window to anyone.

Like Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li, this book shows that there is a path out from grief. While not as funny as Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow, this book brings the same uplift and also shows the value of new connections after tragedy.

–-Lynda Salem Poling

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Banned Together: Our Fight for Reader’s Rights Edited by Ashley Hope Pérez

Banned Together is an anthology of fiction, essays, comics, verse, brief interviews, and lists by 16 diverse authors who share their experiences and perspectives on censorship and its impact. The authors focus on how book bans have impacted them personally and how bans affect readers.

The pieces vary in style and genre, but are moving and personal. Readers feel connected to each contributor. Each piece opens with a portrait of the contributor, which is followed by a short bio. Purple pages contain helpful lists of books, ideas for taking action, and more. Readers can read the book straight through or pick and choose which piece to read first. The sentences are direct but never boring.

Because it is a multi-genre anthology, everyone can appreciate this book. There is something for everyone. Books with similar themes and appeal include Into the Streets: A Young Person’s Visual History of Protest in the United States by Marke Bieschke and Suggested Reading by Dave Connis. 

-Gail Zachariah

Curious for more? Dive Deeper with Ashley Hope Pérez Click Below!


Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Nominees Quarterly Round-Up: Summer Edition

Each quarter, the Selected Lists teams compile the officially nominated titles to date. These titles have been suggested by the team or through the title suggestion form, read by multiple team members, and received approval to be designated an official nomination. At the end of the year, each team will choose the final list of nominations and determine the Selected List’s Top Ten from these titles.

–Molly Dettmann, BFYA Coordinator

All the Noise at Once. By DeAndra Davis. 2025. 384 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9781665952651) Gr. 8 – 12.

Aiden’s brother gets him a second chance to be on the football team, but not all of Aiden’s new teammates welcome the autistic teen with open arms. When a physical fight leads to police intervention, Aiden’s brother is unjustly arrested – leaving Aiden to fight to clear his name.

Pick the Lock. By A.S. King. 2024. 383 p. Dutton Children’s Books, $19.99 (9780593353974). Gr. 9 – 12.

16-year-old Jane’s mother, a feminist punk-rock legend, is trapped in her husband’s system. To free her, Jane must pick apart the lies and manipulation to root out the truth and process by writing a punk opera.

The Otherwhere Post. By Emily J. Taylor. 2025. 416 p. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, $20.99 (9780593404546). Gr. 9 – 12.

Years ago, Maeve lost everything when her father destroyed an entire world. Present day, Maeve receives a mysterious letter claiming her father’s innocence. To learn the truth, Maeve infiltrates The Otherwhere Post as an apprentice to learn Scriptomancy, which allows carriers to enchant letters and travel between worlds.

This is the Year. By Gloria Munoz. 2025. 368 p.Holiday House, $18.99 (9780823458363).

After the death of her twin sister, Juli must now decide to join the five year space excursion to colonize the moon, or stay with her mother and friends who also lost a friend with the death of her sister.

They Bloom at Night. By Trang Thanh Tran. 2025. 272 p. Bloomsbury, $19.99 (9781547611119). 

Noon and her mother have been searching the algae bloom-infested waters near their home in coastal Louisiana for Noon’s missing father and brother ever since a catastrophic hurricane tore through the area, but something else lurks in the water, calling out to Noon.

Under the Same Stars. By Libba Bray. 2025. 471 p. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $24.99 (9780374388942). Gr. 9 – 12. 

In three tumultuous and interconnected settings- late 1930’s/early 1940’s Germany, West Berlin in 1980, and New York City in 2020 – three teens find their paths to resisting oppression in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

The Unfinished. By Cheryl Isaacs. 2024. 336 p. Heartdrum, $19.99 (9780063287389). Gr. 7 – 12.

After unwittingly unleashing a malevolent force on her town, Avery must use the wisdom of her Kanyen’kehá:ka ancestors to save her town and her friends.

When We Ride. By Rex Ogle. 2025. 336 p. Norton Young Readers, $24.99 (9798886051780). Gr. 9 – 12.

Benny and Lawson are more than best friends, they’re brothers. Benny gives Lawson rides as long as Lawson is not carrying, but their brotherly bond is tested when Lawson digs himself even deeper into dealing while Benny just wants a better life and future after graduation.

A Chat with YA and Adult Transgender Author Edward Underhill

“I certainly did not think there would be room on the shelves for people like me. When I first started writing I was writing straight characters because it just didn’t occur to me to write something different.”

– Edward Underhill

Enjoy at Chat with Edward Underhill

Boyden Library’s Teen Librarian, and Hub Advisory Board Member, Jennifir Huston in collaboration with Ashland Public Library and libraries across MA and NH as well as one in California, recently virtually sat down with YA and Adult Transgender Author Edward Underhill as part of Foxborough, Massachusetts’ “Together with Pride” Initiative among town organizations, businesses, and churches. Edward and Jennifir discussed his debut romance adult novel, The In-Between Bookstore and his latest YA romance novel, In Case You Read This.

“I wanted to illustrate “In Case You Read This” to not just be about trans teens, but two particular trans teens. And Gabe, the one who moves to California, moves hoping when he gets there, he’s going to magically become someone else.”

-Edward Underhill

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