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    30 New YA Books You'll Want To Read This Spring

    Get hyped for these latest spring books!

    Farrah Penn
    by Farrah Penn

    BuzzFeed Staff Writer

    1. Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera

    Quill Tree, Elliot Knight / Via adamsilvera.com

    Release date: March 2

    What it's about: This is the sequel to the incredible YA fantasy Infinity Son, and you won't want to miss out on the adventure. After Emil and Brighton Rey defeated the Blood Casters and escaped, they're presented with a new slew of problems. Brighton is learning that the Reaper’s Blood might be poisoning him, and Emil is determined to find an antidote that can save him.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    2. Tell Me My Name by Amy Reed

    Penguin Random House, amyreedfiction.com

    Release date: March 9

    What it's about: Reed pens a gripping, gender-flipped YA Great Gatsby in this slow-burn thriller. Set on the rich Commodore Island, Fern feels like she's waiting for her life to begin when Ivy Avila arrives. Just like that, Fern is drawn to Ivy's fortune, her lifestyle, the lavish parties — and the pain Ivy's been through. As the two grow closer, Fern's quiet life on Commodore Island begins to slowly spin out of control.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    3. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

    Henry Holt, Amber Boulley / Via authorsunbound.com

    Release date: March 16

    What it's about: Daunis Fontaine is a biracial Native American teen who doesn't feel like she fits in within her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe Reservation. Everything changes when she witnesses a terrible murder, placing her in the center of an FBI investigation. A lethal new drug has been uncovered, and Daunis must put her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to find the source. As she works alongside a boy named Jamie, past secrets are exposed, and Danius must decide how far she's willing to go for her community, even if it tears it apart. Recently chosen as Reese's Book Club YA pick, Firekeeper's Daughter thoroughly and authentically explores the Native American community, captivating readers with its layered mystery.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    4. The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore

    Feiwel & Friends, Christina Grout / Via author.annamariemclemore.com

    Release date: March 16

    What it's about: McLemore's magical realism novel is inspired by the fairy tale “The Snow Queen." Graciela and Lock were both sexually assaulted at the same party, but Lock has no memory of that night. As neighborhood trees begin to vanish overnight while mirrored glass appears, a reckless magic arrives with it — and yet Graciela's own magic seems to leave her. When a cautious friendship develops between Graciela and Lock, she decides to help him. McLemore's latest is a tender, lyrical, and heartbreaking story.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    5. Lost In The Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

    Swoon Reads, aiden-thomas.com

    Release date: March 23

    What it's about: Thomas pens a unique Peter Pan retelling that touches on grief and loss while exploring the layers of trauma. Wendy's younger brothers Michael and John disappeared in the woods five years ago and since then, Wendy, her mother, and her father have been struggling. But then Peter, a boy she vaguely remembers, returns to Wendy's life, revealing that other missing children in town could meet the same fate as her brothers.

    You can read more about Lost in the Never Woods in this BuzzFeed Books interview with Aiden.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    6. Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

    Imprint, ©jen Castle Photography / jencastlephotography.com

    Release date: March 30

    What it's about: This is the highly anticipated finale to Bardugo's King of Scars duology — and one you won't want to miss. Nikolai has journeyed to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives, hoping to relieve the terrible legacy inside him. Now, as Fjerda's army prepares to invade, Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina must uncover a way to forge a future in the darkness — or watch a nation fall.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    7. The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman

    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Peter Jolly / Via akemidawnbowman.com

    Release date: April 6

    What it's about: In this compelling and heart-pounding Westworld-meets-Warcross YA novel, we follow 18-year-old Nami Miyamoto, whose life is cut short and who is sent to the afterlife called "Infinity." Ophelia, a virtual assistant widely used by humans on Earth, has taken over the afterlife, imprisoning humans into servitude. Now, Nami must work with a team of rebels to overthrow this AI in order to survive.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    8. Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan

    Scholastic Press, Tanya Kuriyedath / Via sabina-khan.com

    Release date: April 6

    What it's about: Zara Hossain is a 17-year-old Pakistani immigrant living in Corpus Christi, Texas, who is waiting on her family's green card approval. Despite facing Islamophobia at school, Zara knows she should lie low. But when football player Tyler Benson takes things too far and gets suspended, Tyler and his friends vandalize Zara's house with racist graffiti as an act of retaliation, putting Zara's future at risk. Khan delicately and emotionally takes a layered look at being an immigrant in America in this tender story.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    9. The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur

    Feiwel & Friends, Julie Anna Tang / Via junehur.wordpress.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: This intriguing YA historical mystery follows Hwani, whose father vanishes after investigating the disappearance of 13 young women. When she returns home to try to figure out what happened, she begins uncovering secrets of her small village. Once you find yourself immersed in this bewitching story, you'll find it's hard to put down.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    10. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

    Balzer + Bray, beckyalbertalli.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: Another warm, heartfelt, and hilarious Becky Albertalli book is here just in time for spring, and it is *absolutely* a mood-lifter. Kate is a junior in high school, a theater nerd, and someone who's constantly landed background rolls in school musicals and plays. That changes when she's cast with not only a speaking role but a singing role in her school's fall musical. Not only that, but she gets to play a romantic lead with her crush. But problems begin to arise when Kate's fear of past embarrassment seeps into her now. Plus, her best friend also shares the same crush as her. Surely nothing can go wrong, right?

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    11. What's Not to Love by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

    Penguin, Sue Grubman / Via emilyandaustinwrite.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: Please don't miss this next #Wibbroka enemies-to-lovers YA novel that follows two extreme overachievers, Alison Sanger and Ethan Molloy. The pair are high school rivals, competing for everything — especially for valedictorian. Alison wouldn't mind Ethan so much if they weren't involved in all the same classes and extracurriculars. So when their school principal makes them co-plan a previous class’s 10-year reunion, they say yes, only because there's a promise of a recommendation for Harvard if they do. But as their connection begins to grow, Alison starts to realize that she might actually care for Ethan in a way she hasn't before. Full of witty banter and romance, this pick will brighten up your spring.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    12. Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

    Harperteen, ciannonsmart.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: Smart's Jamaican-inspired YA fantasy debut novel is a fascinating read full of rich worldbuilding, complex magical systems, and high-stakes drama. Jazmyne, the queen's daughter, refuses to die to strengthen her mother's power. Meanwhile, Iraya has spent her life imprisoned. When these two witches enter an alliance to take down a mutual threat, they don't expect the dangerous and deadly lengths they'll have to go to in order to succeed.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    13. Anna K Away by Jenny Lee

    Macmillan, us.macmillan.com

    Release date: April 27

    What it's about: This is the sequel to Anna K, Lee's modern-day retelling of Anna Karenina. After being thrust into the aftermath of a sex tape leak and a tragic death, Anna is taken to South Korea by her father to connect with his family. There, Anna hopes to figure out who she truly is. Then, of course, there's the return of Lolly and Steven, Dustin and Kimmie, and new problems arising in their relationships. Told throughout the course of a summer, Lee guides us through a period of healing and growth for these characters.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    14. Meet Cute Diary ​ by Emery Lee

    Harperteen, emeryleebooks.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: Noah runs a popular blog called the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. The problem? Not all of the stories are real. Noah started the blog to inspire other members of the trans community in an effort to bring hope. But when someone online begins to expose the diary, a boy Noah meets is willing to fake-date Noah to save it. But Noah begins to think he's in over his head when another friend enters the picture, a friend who might just show Noah what real love is all about. Lee crafts an adorable trans love story, one where gender expression and pronouns are deeply and authentically explored.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    15. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry ​by Joya Goffney

    Harperteen, joyagoffney.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: Quinn might be rich and privileged in some ways, but she also struggles with feeling Black enough. Making lists helps her stay grounded and helps her figure out who she really is. So when Quinn's notebook goes missing and a blackmailer posts her list of fears on Instagram for the world to see, Quinn must face these fears or risk the rest of her journal going public. She teams up with Carter — the last person she knew to have her notebook — in order to track down the blackmailer, taking a journey through everything Quinn’s been too afraid to face. Goffney writes an honest character in Quinn, one who has made mistakes and learns how to face them, in this genuine and touching story.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    16. Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan

    Inkyard, tashiebhuiyan.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: If you can't get enough rom-coms this year, don't miss Bhuiyan's debut. Karina Ahmed is Bangladeshi American teenager who's agreed to fake-date (we love fake-dating!) her school's resident bad boy Ace Clyde. Her parents have left for Bangladesh for four weeks, which is how long Karina has agreed to this deal. With sarcastic, witty humor and a heartfelt exploration of familial relationships, Bhuiyan masterfully sucks you into Karina's world.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    17. Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

    Simon & Schuster, morganmatson.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: If you've already read Kate in Waiting and are looking for another theater kid/friendship book, pick up Matson's latest! Two BFFs, Kat and Stevie, sneak away to have the greatest night of their lives in New York City, but things quickly go awry in the form of destroyed phones, old flames, and family drama — a truly wild night that begins to put their friendship and future in check. Matson writes with both humor and heart, something found in all her books, and Take Me Home Tonight doesn't disappoint.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    18. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

    Harperteen, victoriaaveyard.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: Aveyard, the best-selling author of the Red Queen series, returns with a gripping epic fantasy fitting for those who can't get enough of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Told in multiple points of view in the fantastical world of Allward, young Corayne an-Amarat discovers she's the last of an ancient lineage — and also the last hope to save the world. She can't take on the journey alone. Enter: an assassin, a squire, an immortal, a witch, a bounty hunter, and a forger, who all must stop a villain named Taristan from opening portals (known as Spindles) to other realms, which help him grow more invincible.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    19. Illusionary by by Zoraida Córdova

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, zoraidacordova.com

    Release date: May 11

    What it's about: This is the thrilling sequel to Incendiary, a compelling YA fantasy that's impossible to put down. Return to Córdova's world as Renata Convida teams up with her enemy Prince Castian to find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    20. The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk

    Little, Brown, marikoturk.com

    Release date: May 11

    What it's about: After Alina shatters her leg, her dreams of a professional ballet career diminish. Instead, she's enrolled in a normal high school where she reluctantly joins the school musical after her friend Margot encourages her. In order to move on, Alina struggles to face past racism within the dance industry and what it means to love something that's not perfect. And then there's Jude — a fellow classmate who, though aggravating, might be someone Alina is falling for. The Other Side of Perfect is a moving story. Turk's voice shines.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    21. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

    Wednesday Books, Maggie Hall / Via dahliaadler.com

    Release date: May 11

    What it's about: At the start of her senior year, Lara arguably has everything she's wanted: a group of best friends and a hot football star who is finally flirting with her. But when Jasmine transfers to Lara's school, Lara's world is thrown askew. She's just spent a magical summer in the Outer Banks with Jasmine, and Lara had no idea that she'd would reenter her life. But if Lara has everything she's always wanted...why is she so stuck on Jasmine? Adler's heartfelt contemporary romance is as bright and sweet as its cover and poignantly explores queer identity and self-discovery.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    22. Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey

    Harperteen, kelseyrodkey.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: This YA contemporary — the You've Got Mail of 2021 — is the cheerful read you need right now. Madeline Moore plans to take over her family's indie bookstore after college but a chain bookstore opens across the street, threatening their business. Jasper might be cute, but he's intent on taking her customers. Therefore, he must be taken down. Cute and uplifting, this YA romance is an absolute delight.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    23. Made In Korea by Sarah Suk

    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Farisia Thang / Via sarahsuk.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: Pitched as Frankly in Love meets Shark Tank, this competitively sweet YA contemporary follows Valerie Kwon and Wes Jung, who are running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school for different reasons. Valerie is saving up for her dream trip, while Wes plans to finance his music school tuition that he knows his parents won't front. But as they try to outsell each other, they soon discover that there might be a hint of a spark.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    24. Off the Record by Camryn Garrett

    Penguin, LOUISA WELLS / Via camryngarrett.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: Garrett's newest YA contemporary contains big Almost Famous vibes with a timely nod to the #MeToo movement. Teen journalist Josie Wright gets the opportunity to write a celebrity profile for Deep Focus magazine but quickly becomes overwhelmed when a young female actor lets her in on a terrible secret. Does she expose the man responsible or protect her career?

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    25. May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor

    Roaring Brook Press, zrellorbooks.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: When Jeremy Harkiss comes out as a transgender boy his senior year, he refuses to let the bigots tear him down. Instead, he adds to his attention by challenging his all-star ex-boyfriend Lukas for the title of homecoming king. Lukas is dealing with his own loss but refuses to let Jeremy take his title. But both boys take their rivalry too far and must face the consequences — and their past hurt. Ellor balances emotionally heavy topics with the lightness of humorous dialogue in this stunning debut.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    26. Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi

    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Torch / Via oliviaabtahi.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: This is on the younger side of young adult featuring a 14-year-old protagonist named Parvin Mohammadi who decides to transform into a rom-com dream girl after she's dumped by her boyfriend. But Parvin has her sights on heartthrob Matty Fumero; and if she can get Matty to ask her to homecoming, it'll prove to her ex that she's GF material after all. Being a rom-com girl isn't as easy as it looks, especially when Parvin and her family feel the ramifications of the Muslim ban. Abtahi writes a touching contemporary that's hilariously heartfelt about one girl's journey to self-discovery.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    27. Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali

    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Andrea Stenson / Via skalibooks.com

    Release date: May 25

    What it's about: Contemporary lovers will certainly be enticed by the sequel to Saints and Misfits, which follows Janna Yusuf, a teenager whose heart is torn in two directions over the course of one summer when the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth upend her entire life. Not only that, but her brother Muhammad's getting married, her dad is acting strange, and her mom is acting distant. And Nuah is back. Yeah, the Nuah whose feelings she wasn't ready to reciprocate. But has that changed?

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    28. The Ivies by Alexa Donne

    Penguin, alexadonne.com

    Release date: May 25

    What it's about: This high-stakes YA thriller highlights the competitiveness of getting into an Ivy League school and is full of mystery and murder. The Ivies at Claflin Academy are a group of five prep school elites who will do anything to get into their dream school. Anything, including wronging classmates who get in their way. So when one of the Ivies is found dead, Olivia finds herself in the middle of an intense murder investigation, one that proves she can't trust anyone but herself. Filled with compelling twists and turns, this thriller is an absolute page-turner.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    29. Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

    Flatiron Books, emikojean.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: For readers craving a hilarious and sweet story with The Princess Diaries (meets Crazy Rich Asians) vibes, may we suggest putting Tokyo Ever After on your to-read list? Izumi Tanaka feels as if she doesn't fit in. As a Japanese American in a Northern California (and mostly white) town, it isn't easy. But when she learns her father is the Crown Prince of Japan, making Izumi a princess, she decides to meet the father she never knew. But upon discovering the country she always dreamed of, she learns things aren't exactly happily ever after when you're a princess.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

    30. Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

    Balzer & Bray, Christy Archibald / Christy Archibald Photography (www.christyarchibald.com)

    Release date: May 25

    What it's about: Murphy's third Dumplin'-universe novel is like entering a party with all your best friends (and some cool news ones). It's fun and heartwarming and features a hilarious and vibrant main character. Waylon Russell Brewer is fat, openly gay, and stuck in the small West Texas town of Clover City. But he has a plan: escape to Austin with his twin sister and live his dream life after graduation. When those plans derail, Waylon decides to send an audition tape to his favorite TV drag show Fiercest of Them All. But when Waylon's tape is leaked, he's nominated for prom king as a joke alongside Clem’s girlfriend, Hannah Perez. Instead of giving his bullies power, Waylon decides to lean into the nomination, preparing to leave high school with a bang.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.