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    Here Are 31 YA Books You Should Absolutely Read This Spring

    Get ready to run to your library.

    Farrah Penn
    by Farrah Penn

    BuzzFeed Staff Writer

    Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

    1. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

    HarperTeen, taherehbooks.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: Mafi brings us a fourth book in her widely popular Shatter Me series. Our fearless heroine, Juliette Ferrars, has been named as the new Supreme Commander with Warner at her side. But will a girl who holds the ability to kill with a single touch be able to use her power for good when tragedy strikes? With luscious storytelling, incredible tension, and heart-pounding romance, Mafi expertly dives back into Juliette's world in a way that will not leave readers disappointed.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.14, Barnes & Noble for $16.35, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    2. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

    Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Elena Seibert / Via tomiadeyemi.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: Adeyemi creates a rich, compelling Nigerian fantasy bursting with action, adventure, and magic. At one point in time, Orïsha was brimming with maji (those who possess magic) but under the king's orders, maji were slain and rid of in order to bring about peace. Zélie knows magic isn't meant to be buried, nor is it as bad as the king makes it out to be. Thrown into an unexpected adventure, Zélie, her brother, and Princess Amari must travel and escape impending danger to outwit the crown prince Inan in order to save magic — and themselves. Told from three perspectives, Adeyemi expertly crafts a story about accepting and loving the magic that makes you YOU even when outsiders try to challenge that.

    Get it from Amazon for $11.39, Barnes & Noble for $11.96, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    3. The Midnights by Sarah Nicole Smetana

    HarperTeen, goodreads.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: This contemporary novel follows Susannah, a seventeen-year-old who has music thriving in her bones. Susannah doesn't expect to be uprooted from her Los Angeles home and moved to Orange County with her mother after experiencing a monumental loss, but there she finds a group of friends who might help her pull through. With a plot that is effortlessly captivating, this is the kind of coming-of-age story that settles in your heart and doesn't let go.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    4. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

    HarperTeen, downtownnaperville.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: 15-year-old Xiomara Batista has been struggling with the way boys see her and her curves, questioning her religion under her incredibly strict (and incredibly religious) mother, and feeling guilty about being attracted to a boy in her class. The only people who do seem to understand her are her twin brother and best friend. Xio slowly begins to find her voice when her teacher invites her to the school's poetry slam club, but she has to lie to her mother to attend. With so many secrets and lies building up, Xio isn't sure she'll ever be able to connect with her mother. While this book reads quick, each word pounds straight into your heart. It's a story about family, friendship, and love that's gorgeously told and impossible to put down.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.19, Barnes & Noble for $16.38, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    5. After The Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, goodreads.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: BFFs Bunny and Nasir are inseparable, until Bunny receives a basketball scholarship with a school on the outskirts of town and attempts to assimilate with his privileged peers. Nasir spends more time with his cousin Wallace, who is being evicted, but when he makes a bet against Bunny — Nasir is stuck in the middle with an impossible decision to make. Equally complex and moving, Ribay brilliantly pens a deeply empathetic story.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $12.55, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    6. Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough

    John Ulman / Via penguinrandomhouse.com, Dutton Books for Young Readers

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: McCullough's powerful verse novel tells the true story of Artemisia Gentileschi, who was an Italian painter in the 1600s during a time when it was hard for a woman with such a skill to be accepted by society. McCullough's stunning, immersive debut tells a timely story that's sure to stay with you long after you finish.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $12.55, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    7. The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk

    Delacorte Press, ashleywoodfolk.com

    Release date: March 6

    What it's about: Shay has lost her sister, Logan has lost his ex-boyfriend, and Autumn has lost her best friend, and the three are struggling with how to move on with their lives without the people they loved so much. Shay, Logan, and Autumn's narratives align through the shared love of music all while wondering if they'll ever feel okay again. Woodfolk's novel contains incredibly moving passages about how it feels to lose someone important to you and pens such real, broken characters with so much heart.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.19 Barnes & Noble for $16.38, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    8. The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco

    Sourcebooks Fire, longandshortreviews.com

    Release date: March 20

    What it's about: In the sequel to The Bone Witch, Tea vows to set revenge on the royals who wronged her by taking the life of her true love. Now that she possesses what she needs to control the daeva, she plans to use her dark powers to avenge her love's lost life. But with war on the horizon and enemies on her trail, will she succeed? Chepeco's sequel is an engrossing tale you'll find hard to put down.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.50, Barnes & Noble for $14.38, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    9. Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

    Little, Brown, goodreads.com

    Release date: March 20

    What it's about: After Marvin and his twin brother, Tyler, attend a warehouse party turned violent by police raid, Tyler disappears. But evidence of the aftermath arises by way of cell phone footage, revealing Tyler was a victim of an unjust police shooting. While both Marvin and his mother grieve his loss, Marvin believes Tyler needs to be more than a hashtag and starts seeking justice. Equal parts moving and eloquent, this powerful, raw, and brilliant story will sit with you long after you finish.

    Get it from Amazon for $14.39, Barnes & Noble for $14.60, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    10. The Astonishing Color Of After by Emily X.R. Pan

    Little, Brown, goodreads.com

    Release date: March 20

    What it's about: Leigh, half white and half Taiwanese, recently lost her mother to suicide, but she is certain of one thing: her mother has turned into a bird. In search of answers, Leigh travels to Taiwan to visit her maternal grandparents for the first time and, while there, searches for her mother the bird while uncovering family secrets. Sprinkled with magical realism and achingly beautiful passages, Pan crafts a brilliant, lyrical, heartfelt, and astounding debut about grief, love, and the complexity of family relationships.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes & Noble for $13.16, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    11. Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

    Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers, choitotheworld.com

    Release date: March 27

    What it's about: German-Polish Sam and Korean-American Penny are both struggling with different things in their life. But when the two cross paths in an awkward collision, they swap numbers to keep in touch. Not too long after, both Penny and Sam find they can confide in each other — from anxieties to secrets to dreams — without even having to see each other. This authentic story explores both characters' emotions in a raw, realistic way and has a way of capturing you until the very end.

    Get it from Amazon for $14.39, Barnes & Noble for $14.60, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    12. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

    Balzer + Bray, goodreads.com

    Release date: April 3

    What it's about: This speculative, historical fiction YA novel is set around the time of the American Civil War, except the nation is under attack by zombies (also known as shamblers). Jane, our black heroine, has been trained to fight these zombies and protect whites against them at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore. Certain laws, such as the Native and Negro Reeducation Act, have been enacted to train children like Jane so they can learn to kill the walking dead. Jane is one of the best shambler slayers out there, but when she finds herself caught up in a life or death conspiracy, she must not only fight the dead, but also fight for her life. Not only does Ireland's savvy, enlightening, and harrowing novel put a unique spin on an alternate history filled with the undead, but it also provides insightful commentary on racism and privilege within the system we live in today.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.32 Barnes & Noble for $12.92, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    13. The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding

    Sky Pony Press, goodreads.com

    Release date: April 3

    What it's about: Plus-size blogger Abby has never pictured herself in the limelight of her own love life. That's reserved for her other friends. But when she falls for Jordi Perez at Lemonberry — the boutique both girls are working at over the summer — she starts to realize that maybe she can shine in her own story. Abby has her own insecurities but is ultimately happy in her own skin, often noting that fat isn't a bad word unless you give it power to be one. Spalding's funny and charming writing will have readers flying through the pages. Readers will absolutely connect with these lovable characters.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99, Barnes & Noble for $16.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    14. Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier

    Jenny Bowles

    Release date: April 10

    What it's about: 18 years ago, two boy princes were captured and presumed to be dead. Now, Elias, a royal explorer and skilled mapmaker, is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime — until a past tragedy arises once again. With two mysterious maps and the cousin to the king by his side, Elias races to solve the mystery of what happened to the princes. Intriguing, compelling, and boldly enriching, Lucier crafts an vivid fantasy that will appeal to readers who love getting lost in new worlds.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    15. White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig

    nicolasbooks.com

    Release date: April 24

    What it's about: When Rufus and his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian, flee to answer a call for help from Rufus's younger sister, April, they're both shocked to discover April and her dead boyfriend, Fox, covered in blood — April holding the knife. While April swears she's innocent, Rufus isn't certain. But because April possesses something he needs, he'll do whatever it takes to try and protect her innocence. This compelling YA thriller is full of twists and turns you won't see coming.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    16. Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

    Delacorte Books for Young Readers, goodreads.com

    Release date: April 24

    What it's about: After her people were overthrown and her mother murdered, Theodosia is forced to assimilate with the Kalovaxians under the vengeful eye of the Kaiser. Stripped from her name, Thora/the "Ash Princess" must drop her Asterian ways to merely survive. Ten years behind castle walls, Thora finds friendship with Cress, who is basically destined to marry the Prinz. But when rebel alliances swear to break Thora free in the name of Asteria and plot their revenge, Thora must get close to the Prinz for information. But when the Prinz reveals to be more empathetic than Thora expects, she must figure out how far she's willing to go for her people — and soon.

    Get it from Amazon for $15.19, Barnes & Noble for $15.55, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    17. Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young

    Wednesday Books, goodreads.com

    Release date: April 24

    What it's about: Set in an atmospheric, fantastical world, Eelyn is a loyal part of her Aska Viking clan and is involved in an ancient rivalry with the Riki clan. Each battle season, the two clans fight to the death. But everything changes during one battle when Eelyn sees her brother fighting on the side of the enemy — a brother she watched die five years before. And when Eelyn's world is shaken, she slowly begins to see things aren't quite as black and white as she once believed. Brimming with gorgeous storytelling, readers will find a brutal, fierce, and strong character in Eelyn on top of a relevant story about unity and togetherness.

    Get it from Amazon for $11.59, Barnes & Noble for $12.18, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    18. Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now by Dana L. Davis

    Harlequin TEEN / danaldavis.com

    Release date: May 1

    What it's about: After losing her mom to cancer, 16-year-old Tiffany is uprooted from Chicago to live with her biological dad she's never known. Anthony Stone is a rich, protective, and rule-setting man with four other daughters, and Tiffany isn't sure how she fits into this luxurious yet strict new life. The only thing that gives Tiffany hope is the friendship that unfolds with Marcus McKinney, who has had his own experiences with death. But things suddenly change when another man claims he’s Tiffany’s real dad, giving Tiffany only seven days before he arrives to demand a paternity test. This family-focused YA contemporary is full of both strength and heart.

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99 Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    19. Ship It by Britta Lundin

    Freeform, goodreads.com

    Release date: May 1

    What it's about: Told from two different points of view, we're introduced to sixteen-year-old Claire, who is a popular fan-fic writer obsessed with the show Demon Heart, and Forest, who is an actor on the show. Both of their worlds collide when Claire attends her local Comic-Con in Indiana and asks Forest if he suspects his character is gay. Forest is offended, and when the disastrous panel goes viral, the Demon Heart PR team invites Claire and her mother on the rest of the convention tour to try and boost the show's image. That's when Claire gets an idea: She'll try and convince the showrunner to make her ship canon. Not only do we get a story about the passion of writing fan-fic, but we also get a story about a girl questioning and discovering her sexual identity.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    20. Royals by Rachel Hawkins

    Penguin Random House, simonandschuster.co.uk

    Release date: May 1

    What it's about: Daisy's older sister is getting married to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Despite her attempts to stay out of gossip site headlines, Daisy finds herself thrown right into it when she's forced to spend part of her summer in Scotland. The prince's troublesome younger brother, Seb, seems to cause a ruckus wherever he goes, dragging Daisy into it. But his best friend, Miles, just might be the solution for keeping both him and Daisy out of the spotlight. Sweet, romantic, and adorable, fans of Meg Cabot will thoroughly enjoy Hawkins' latest!

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    21. Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne

    HMH Books for Young Readers, alexadonne.com

    Release date: May 1

    What it's about: In this spectacularly fun sci-fi YA pitched as "Jane Eyre in space," seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley dreams of leaving her floundering spaceship in hopes of something bigger and better for herself. When a private ship named The Rochester offers her a position as governess, Stella finds herself onboard a high-tech ship. Her days are spent teaching young, eleven-year-old Jessa, the sister to the nineteen-year-old captain, Hugo Fairfax. Even though Stella feels romantic tension toward Hugo, she keenly becomes aware that not all is as it seems aboard this ship. In fact, Stella swears she hears unsettling laughter in the darkest parts of the ship's corners. The more Stella attempts to uncover the ship's secrets, the more she's thrown into a fast-paced, whirlwind adventure.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.36, Barnes & Noble for $12.59, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    22. The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo

    Farrar, Straus and Giroux, goodreads.com

    Release date: May 8

    What it's about: When Clara Shin takes a school prank way too far, she's sentenced to working in her father's food truck for the entire summer with her uptight enemy, Rose Carver. But the summer takes Clara by surprise when she slowly begins to care for her father's business, a swoony boy named Hamlet, and even Rose. Set in the rich, realistically painted Los Angeles, Clara's bold, hilarious personality shines on every single page and her relationship with her young father is brilliantly written. It's a YA rom-com that is sure to capture your heart.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    23. Puddin' by Julie Murphy

    Balzer + Bray, Picasa / Via goodreads.com

    Release date: May 8

    What it's about: This YA contemporary follows two teens in the companion novel to NYT Bestselling novel, Dumplin': Millie Michalchuk and Callie Reyes. Set in Clover City, Texas, Millie — who has gone to fat camp every summer — has set bigger goals for herself. She wants to get into her dream broadcast journalism camp. Then there is Callie, who seemingly has it all with dance team and a popular boyfriend. But when an unfortunate mishap brings both girls together, Millie and Callie form an unlikely friendship. At its core, Murphy pens a true friendship book filled with finding your strengths, loving yourself, and standing up for your dreams — and what you believe in.

    Get it from Amazon for $15.28, Barnes & Noble for $15.94, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    24. My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma

    Crown BFYR, Jon Macapodi / Via goodreads.com

    Release date: May 15

    What it's about: Winnie Mehta's pandit predicted she'd find true love whose name began with an "R" before her 18th birthday, and Winnie is convinced that Raj is her true love. That is, until she discovers he's been hooking up with Jenny Dickens. To make things worse, Raj takes over spearheading the student film festival, compromising Winnie's college applications. As a self-proclaimed Bollywood expert, Winnie doesn't think this is how her "happy ending" should go. But when she gets to know fellow film geek, Dev, Winnie must truly ask herself if her fate is actually written in the stars. Charming, romantic, and super sweet, contemporary fans will fall hard for Sharma's debut novel.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.27, Barnes & Noble for $16.46, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    25. Furyborn by Claire Legrand

    Sourcebooks Fire, goodreads.com

    Release date: May 22

    What it's about: This is the first in an epic fantasy series by Legrand. Told in two points of view, Rielle Dardenne must risk her life proving she is the Sun Queen in order to justify the magic she possesses and save her kingdom. A thousand years into the future, Eliana Ferracora, a trained assassin, has heard the tales of Queen Rielle. But when many women, including her own mother, go missing, Eliana and Rielle's world's collide in a cosmic war that spans millennia. An empowering, intricately told fantasy that'll have you hooked from chapter one.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.14, Barnes & Noble for $16.84, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    26. From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

    Simon Pulse, Dana Foster / Via goodreads.com

    Release date: May 22

    What it's about: In this both funny and sweet rom-com, Twinkle Mehra is an aspiring filmmaker who's currently feeling a little bit invisible after her BFF begins hanging with a cooler crowd. So she begins writing letters to famous filmmakers in her journal, chronicling the ups and downs of her life. When Sahil Roy approaches her about directing a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. It's her chance to shine as a filmmaker and, quite possibly, get closer to Neil Roy (Sahil's twin brother) who's also part of the cool crowd. When an anonymous emailer by the name of "N" begins corresponding with Twinkle, she's convinced it's Neil. But what if she's already beginning to fall for Sahil? Menon's fun and authentic voice shines in every word of her second novel.

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    27. Anger Is A Gift by Mark Oshiro

    Tor Teen, goodreads.com

    Release date: May 22

    What it's about: Moss Jefferies' father was murdered by an Oakland police officer six years ago. Because the media's twisted portrayal of what happened, Moss suffers from crippling panic attacks. Now in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his friends find themselves treated like criminals with constant locker searches, new rules, and intimidation tactics from Oakland police. But when Moss and his friends decide to push back, they're not prepared for the tension and tragedy that follows. This stunning yet devastating contemporary realistically portrays the injustice and systematic oppression in society. It's a beautifully told story that will break your heart and put it back together.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    28. Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

    Speak, emilyandaustinwrite.com

    Release date: May 22

    What it's about: Confident, flirtatious Megan is well-aware that every guy she dates finds his "true love" after breaking up with her, but that doesn't get her down in the dumps. She's too preoccupied directing theater shows and auditioning for the smallest role in the upcoming Romeo and Juliet to fulfill her dream school's theater requirement. But her theater teacher is bound and determined for her to play Juliet, despite her arguing against it. With the help of Owen Okita, she attempts to capture the attention of a sexy stagehand when Megan realizes: will she ever play the lead in her OWN love story? This contemporary romance is equal parts swoony, delightful, and heartfelt with a refreshingly empowered main character that's sure to charm you all the way to the end.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    29. Legendary by Stephanie Garber

    Flatiron Books, goodreads.com

    Release date: May 29

    What it's about: Told from Scarlett's younger sister's perspective, Tella must enter another game of Caraval to pay a debt and deliver master Legend's true identity. However, in order to obtain this, she must win the game. But Tella is in search for more than just a name, and she hopes that Caraval will help her find her missing mother — who disappeared when Tella was very young. But the stakes get higher before Caraval even begins, and Tella learns that it may not be just a game this time: it may cost her life. Legendary is a whirlwind adventure that contains vivid, complex, and enchanting characters you'll want to follow to the last page.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.19, Barnes & Noble for $12.75, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    30. Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh

    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Crystal Stokes / Via crystalstokesphotography.com

    Release date: June 5

    What it's about: In the stunning sequel to Flame in the Mist, Mariko will stop at nothing to rescue the captured Okami. She returns to Inako, pretending she was made prisoner of the Black Clan against her will, and creates a diversion by feigning interest in her betrothed in order to infiltrate the emperor's ranks and using her standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception — but will she succeed?

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

    31. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

    Razorbill, goodreads.com

    Release date: June 12

    What it's about: This is Tahir's third book in her An Ember in the Ashes series. Laia must find a way to bring down the Nightbringer, Elias Veturius battles with the heavy decision and consequences made after giving up becoming a Soul Catcher, and the Helene Aquilla continues to protect the Empire at all costs. Both thrilling and hard to put down, readers will absolutely devour Tahir's latest.

    Get it from Amazon for $13.65, Barnes & Noble for $14.32, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.