Best YA Books of 2024!

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With much fanfare (yay!), here it is — CA Library’s Best YA Books of 2024! With so many outstanding books out there, it can be a daunting task to pick out the best of the best. After spending a few weeks compiling titles from various sources, I came up with the books that appear on the most lists (check out the spreadsheet here).

This year, I again tried to include as many reputable best books lists as I could find. I go to my usual sources of book reviews (School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, etc.), then check out other media outlets that have year-end reviews as well. Here are my Top 33 Best Books List sources of 2024:

(Lists published as of 1/1/2025 and are subject to change)

Each list is a little different — some include just fiction or nonfiction, some include both, and some include books for all ages, from which I pick the ones written for teens and young adults (again, it’s a daunting task!)

Twenty-four seconds from now-- : a love story This year, of the 33 lists I drew from, one title shows up on 17 of them: the stream of consciousness love story Twenty-Four Seconds From Now… A Love Story by Jason Reynolds, making it the CA Library Best YA Book of the Year!

Holly Jackson’s gripping mystery thriller The Reappearance of Rachel Price and Randy Ribay’s Everything We Never Had, an emotionally charged novel about four generations of Filipino Americans, are both on 11 best YA lists for 2024.

K. Ancrum’s suspenseful romance Icarus, based on a classic Greek myth, and Lunar New Year Love Story, Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham’s heartwarming graphic rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love, are on 10 best books list.

Five books are on 9 year-end lists:

  • Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole
  • Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson
  • Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
  • Heir by Sabaa Tahir
  • Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

Four books appear on 8 lists:

  • The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag
  • Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
  • Snowglobe by Soyoung Park
  • When The World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson

Kindling by Traci Chee shows up on 7 lists this year.

Seven books are on 6 best-of lists:

  • 49 Days by Agnes Lee
  • The Judgment of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum
  • Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell
  • Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter
  • Reckless by Lauren Roberts
  • Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992 by Paula Yoo
  • Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

…rounding out the 22 books that make up the CA Library Best YA Books of 2024 Superlist!

Check out the full list below. Click on the title to see a description in the CA Library catalog. Plus, if there’s an eBook and/or audiobook available in the Sora Digital Reading App, there’s a link to that, too — sign in using ClassLink!

The Best of the Best…

Twenty-four seconds from now-- : a love story Twenty-Four Seconds From Now… A Love Story by Jason Reynolds — In a series of moments spanning two years, seventeen-year-old Neon navigates the progression of his relationship with Aria, culminating in a case of the jitters as the two intend to take the next big step in their relationship. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Reynolds’ foray into romance is as spectacular as expected . . . Readers of his previous works will easily lose themselves in the writing and complicated characters” (Booklist). 

The reappearance of Rachel Price The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson — From the author of the bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a gripping mystery thriller following one teen’s search for the truth about her mother’s shocking disappearance. Eighteen-year-old Bel reluctantly participates in a true crime documentary about her mother Rachel’s disappearance sixteen years ago, but when Rachel returns seemingly from the dead, skeptical Bel intends to uncover why. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Jackson keeps the intricate plot-punctuated with twist after shocking twist-firmly in hand, doling out clues that will have readers guessing right along with the characters” (Publishers Weekly). 

Everything we never had Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay — From the author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing comes an emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A must for all collections, this four-generation saga of Filipino fathers and sons will resonate with readers of all cultures” (School Library Journal).

Icarus Icarus by K. Ancrum — Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, this suspenseful YA romance reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from. Icarus Gallagher steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s forgeries. For years, one man — the wealthy Mr. Black — has been their target. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules — Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A narrative filled with suspense, romance, and heartbreak with secrets unraveling at a breakneck speed” (Kirkus Reviews). 

Lunar New Year love story Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham — Val is ready to give up on love. It’s led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she’s pretty sure she’s cursed — no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in her. Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Get the eBook

“Yang takes readers to Lunar New Year celebrations, [and] the attention to detail and color work by Pham . . . create a visual feast for readers. A positive and beautiful work of art that will make an impression on readers” (School Library Journal). 

…and The Rest of the Best!

49 days 49 Days by Agnes Lee — In Buddhist tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can fully cross over. In this debut graphic novel, readers travel with one Korean American girl, Kit, on her journey, while also spending time with her family and friends left behind. Get the eBook

“With spare text and effective use of negative space, Lee crafts a deeply moving exploration of life after death, making peace with regret and life’s inevitabilities, and learning how to move on” (Publishers Weekly).

cover_imageAriel Crashes A Train by Olivia A. Cole — Ariel grapples with her fear of her own mind and violent fantasies, driven by her desire to meet her parents’ expectations and societal norms, until a summer job at a carnival leads her to new friends who help her discover her struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and find acceptance and support for her true self. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A revelatory, razor-sharp, and powerfully honest depiction of the reality of living with OCD” (Kirkus Reviews).

Black girl you are Atlas Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes — In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renee Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Watson’s reconstructions of childhood delights and teenage wounds examine the collision of race, gender, and class, while Holmes’ tender, vibrant art enhances the poems” (Kirkus Reviews). 

Compound fracture Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White — On the night Miles Abernathy — sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian — comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: photos that prove the county’s Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Possibly White’s best novel so far, delivering evocative, haunting prose and eloquently exploring economic injustice, poverty, generational trauma, and how easy it is to sink one’s teeth into violence and revenge as a result” (Booklist). 

The deep dark The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag — High school senior Magdalena Herrera already has adult responsibilities and a deadly secret hidden in the dark of the basement, one that drains her of energy and leaves her bleeding–until the return of her childhood friend, Nessa, forces her to face her secrets. Get the eBook

“Supported by an eclectic cast of queer characters and touches of folkloric magic, Ostertag’s latest demonstrates once again her ability to build immersive and moving stories of self-acceptance” (Booklist).

Dragonfruit Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier — In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person’s greatest sorrow. But as with all things that offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning; every wish demands a price. Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A mesmerizing, captivating Pacific Islands–inspired fantasy” (Kirkus Reviews).

Heir by Sabaa Tahir — A ruthless and romantic new fantasy from bestselling author Sabaa Tahir that introduces a new generation of characters set in the same world as the unforgettable An Ember in the Ashes series. Told in alternating voices, three teens, whose fates intertwine to stop the murder of innocent children, journey across two warring nations to ensure a better future for their people. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“The stakes are higher than ever in this enrapturing spin-off series, which builds on established lore and adds layers of complexity” (Publishers Weekly).

cover_imageCOMING SOON! The Judgment of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum — A smart and powerful story set in the Orthodox Jewish community about what it means to fit in, break out, and find your own way, by the award-winning author of The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Well-written short chapters and fast-paced, first-person narrative will keep readers glued to the pages” (Kirkus Reviews). 

Kindling Kindling by Traci Chee — From bestselling author Traci Chee comes a standalone fantasy set against a war-ravaged world where kindling warfare — the use of elite, magic-wielding teenage soldiers — has been outlawed. In this rich and evocative novel, seven kindlings search for purpose and identity as they prepare for one final battle. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A heartrending, must-read fantasy about youth searching for home and learning to survive a world not designed for them” (School Library Journal).

Looking for smoke Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell — When local girl Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren’s missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation. Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A story that is gritty and tense but also showcases the deep-rooted strength Native American communities have to summon hope in challenging times” (Booklist). 

Nothing like the movies Nothing Like The Movies (Better Than The Movies, Book 2) by Lynn Painter — In this highly anticipated sequel to Better Than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student. Grieving from his father’s death, Wes breaks up with Liz, but is now determined to win her back with grand romantic gestures despite her resistance and the presence of a new guy friend, leading him to question if their relationship is truly over. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Reading the first novel isn’t necessary for appreciating this one, although knowing the full history between Wes and Liz will only add to the ache and longing readers feel from and for them” (Kirkus Reviews). 

Reckless Reckless (Powerless, Book 2) by Lauren Roberts — After she conspires with the Resistance and kills the king, Paedyn Gray faces a perilous game of cat-and-mouse with Prince Kai, whom she once loved, as she uncovers revelations about her past that make every question everything she thought was true. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“An intense and thrilling sequel that will leave you eagerly awaiting the final installment. Lauren Roberts has crafted a captivating series that continues to deliver with each book” (Amazon customer review). 

Rising from the ashes : Los Angeles, 1992 : Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a city on fire Rising From The Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992 by Paula Yoo — Based on 100+ personal interviews as seen through the eyes and experiences of those who were there, this compelling, nuanced account of Los Angeles’ 1992 uprising, which erupted in violence, discusses its impact on Korean and Black American communities. Get the Audiobook

“Yoo’s message of empathy, progress, and resilience following tragedy prove resonant in this moving account that remains relevant to contemporary society” (Publishers Weekly).

Snowglobe Snowglobe by Soyoung Park — Enclosed under a vast dome, Snowglobe is the last place on Earth that’s warm. Outside is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs. The residents of Snowglobe have everything: fame, fortune, and above all, safety from the desolation outside their walls. In exchange, their lives are broadcast to the less fortunate outside, who watch eagerly, hoping for the chance to one day become actors themselves. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“This debut, a dystopian thriller with a reality-TV twist, is perfect for fans of Squid Game or Snowpiercer” (Booklist). 

Thirsty Thirsty by Jas Hammonds — In the summer before college, eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner works to join the exclusive Serena Society with her girlfriend, and turns to alcohol to cope with the pressure of pledging, as her pursuit of success begins to strain her relationships.

“Hammonds expertly weaves explorations of class, family, queer identity, race, and substance reliance into a glittering, harrowing narrative that is compulsively readable, gorgeously written, and intricately crafted” (Publishers Weekly). 

When the world tips over When The World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson — Years ago, the Fall kids’ father mysteriously disappeared, cracking the family into pieces. Now Dizzy Fall, age twelve, bakes cakes, sees spirits, and wishes she were a heroine of a romance novel. Miles Fall, seventeen, brainiac, athlete, and dog-whisperer, is a raving beauty, but also lost, and desperate to meet the kind of guy he dreams of. And Wynton Fall, nineteen, who raises the temperature of a room just by entering it, is a virtuoso violinist set on a crash course for fame . . . or self-destruction. Then an enigmatic rainbow-haired girl shows up, tipping the Falls’ world over. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Nelson expertly weaves a splendid and complex tale. Her writing is magnetic, and readers will fall in love with her characters . . . and be rewarded with a satisfying and soul-thrilling ending” (School Library Journal). 

Where sleeping girls lie Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé — Starting her junior year of high school at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy, Sade Hussein decides to investigate when her roommate Elizabeth goes missing and is plunged into a world of dark secrets — ones that rival even her own. Get the Audiobook

“Àbíké-Íyímídé employs exceptionally perceptive character dynamics rendered via beautifully twisty prose to deliver a searing indictment of sexual violence and the lengths to which corrupt institutions will go to discredit and silence survivors” (Kirkus Reviews).

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