40 Highly Anticipated YA Books You’ll Want To Check Out This Summer

    New books make perfect accessories for a beach day, or a picnic day, or a stay-at-home day, or any other day, honestly!

    Rachel Strolle
    by Rachel Strolle

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Batter Royale by Leisl Adams

    Amulet Books

    Release date: June 7

    What it's about: Rose wasn't intending to be on a baking reality show, but she and her best friend, Fred, are now in it to win after she impressed a famous food critic while working as a waitress. Not only do they need to deal with a very intense week and a half of challenges and sabotages, but also their growing feelings for each other.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. 

    2. The Loophole by Naz Kutub

    Bloomsbury YA

    Release date: June 21

    What it's about: After a breakup that ended with Sy working at a coffee shop job while his ex-boyfriend traveled to "try and fix the world," all he wants is another chance. The last thing he expects is that helping a girl who slammed into the front of the coffee shop will lead to her offering him three wishes. The new appearance of a million dollars in his bank account seems to suggest she's legit. But with a boy halfway around the world, and a father who kicked him out after he was outed, Sy can't pass up the chance to change his life for good. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. 

    3. We Weren't Looking to Be Found by Stephanie Kuehn

    Disney-Hyperion

    Release date: June 21

    What it's about: Dani and Camila have little in common besides the room they share at the Peach Tree Hills treatment facility. Dani, who is living with addiction, comes from a famous and wealthy Black family, with a politician mom who has high expectations. Camila, dealing with self-harm, is from a Colombian American family and works her butt off to get what she wants out of life. When the two find a music box filled with letters from a former PTH resident, they decide to investigate and discover who she was, and who she might have become after.  

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    4. Never Coming Home by Kate Williams

    Delacorte Press

    Release date: June 21

    What it's about: This summer's most exclusive destination features white sand beaches and luxurious surroundings that are absolutely free. Unknown Island is only open to those under 21, and the first 10 to get to live the experience are elite influencers such as a beauty blogger, a gamer, an athlete, and more. But it wasn't their fame that got them invited...it was because of their deadly secrets. As the influencers begin dying one by one, in dramatic fashion, it becomes clear that it's a trap. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    5. Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar

    Harperteen

    Release date: June 28

    What it's about: For the last seven years, Tanvi has been part of the dream runners, a group of human children in the subterranean realm of Nagalok who collect mortal dreams for the immortal naga court. But one of her dream harvests goes wrong, and the memories and emotions that were taken from her upon joining the dream runners begin to return, leading her to the only mortal in Nagalok who could help. As Venkat, the dreamsmith, helps her search for answers, they discover the truth might be more dangerous than they could have dreamed. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    6. The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright

    Harperteen

    Release date: June 28

    What it's about: Rora and Claudia are trying to save the universe. This wasn't part of their plan initially, but after meeting Major and Amir, who explained to them the secret cities of the spheres that are ruled by the magic of astrological signs, they learned that chaos has been spreading. On their way to right the disruption, they'll journey, there will be romance, truths, and of course, friendship, as they seek the answer to secrets among the stars. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    7. How Maya Got Fierce by Sona Charaipotra

    Feiwel & Friends

    Release date: July 12

    What it's about: Maya is the heiress to a mini garlic empire who is supposed to head off to agriculture school in the future, so her summer at cow camp is really important to her parents. But an expensive incident that gets her kicked out of the camp leaves her with a huge secret to keep from her parents — and a huge amount of money that she owes the school. To earn the money to pay it off, she interviews for an internship at Fierce, a fashion magazine she's obsessed with. She lands a job as an assistant features editor, and it seems like a dream come true. As long as they don't find out she's not actually 26.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    8. A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy by Jeff Bishop

    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

    Release date: July 12

    What it's about: Cam's summer plans have come to a crashing halt after tearing his ACL in a basketball incident. So instead of partying and winning back Allison Tandy, the girlfriend who dumped him the year prior, he's laying on the couch recovering. But after taking his medication, he begins to see apparitions of Ally (who didn't expect to spend her summer talking to her ex as a vision after a car crash left her in a coma). Speculative John Green vibes live in these pages! 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    9. Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin

    Swoon Reads

    Release date: July 19

    What it's about: Beasts roam in Seri's world, and she's seen the struggle to fight the beasts firsthand as she works as an assistant to a valor commander. An unexpected meeting brings her to a new truth, as Tsana, a stranger from an unknown world, can actually communicate with the beasts. Through their conversations, Seri begins to question the rules she's always held as truth. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    10. Youngblood by Sasha Laurens

    Razorbill

    Release date: July 19

    What it's about: Vampires have had a rough time recently, what with nearly all of humanity infected by a virus that is fatal to vampires, and the synthetic blood substitute Hema costing so much. Kat and her mother are struggling to live in this new reality, but her acceptance to the Harcote School (vampires only!) might just change her fortunes. Except, her new roommate is Taylor, Kat's ex-best friend who is a proud lesbian in a wealthy and backward vampire world. And then, there's also that body Taylor just discovered...

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    11. The Dawn of Yangchen by F. C. Yee

    Amulet Books

    Release date: July 19

    What it's about: Following up F. C. Yee's magnificent duology about Avatar Kyoshi, this new entry into the world of Avatar the Last Airbender follows Avatar Yangchen, who has heard the voices of the previous Avatars her entire life. As she is brought to Bin-Er in the Earth Kingdom, a city ruled by corrupt Shang merchants who are resentful of the Earth King, she'll need the help of Kavik, an informant, to thwart the plan set out by the Shangs. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.

    12. Fractured Path by J. C. Cervantes

    Disney-Hyperion

    Release date: July 19

    What it's about: 1965, San Francisco. Blake is an aspiring artist, but it's been hard for her to land an internship thanks to the combo of her gender, multi-racial heritage, and the family curse that seems to keep them with constant bad luck. After a series of visions that grow stronger as they go, her aunt and uncle tell her about a legendary mirror belonging to her ancestors that might be the key to her powers and her family's fortunes. 

    Get it from Amazon.

    13. Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke

    Poppy Books

    Release date: July 26

    What it's about: Michie is a high school junior working towards a future where she'd be a first-generation student at Brown, a future she needs to nail her scholarship essays to accomplish. But defining who she is has been a struggle, especially with her concept of the family being bound by the fact she's been estranged from her mother since age seven. As she spends more time with new kid Derek and grows closer to him, she must also deal with the reemergence of her mother, who has reached out to make amends. Michie will have to confront her past and look toward her future in order to decide what she's willing to take a chance on.

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    14. Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min

    Flatiron Books

    Release date: July 26

    What it's about: Santi is the new kid at high school, trying to leave a past in which his online friendship fell apart after he accidentally leaked his friend's song. But that's not the end of Santi's musical-related woes, as his new section leader in marching band, Suwa, doesn't think he has what it takes to be in the band. As their relationship shifts and grows, and occasionally crumbles, and as more and more time passes and perspectives shift, both boys will need to discover what exactly it is they want to fight for. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    15. Master of Iron by Tricia Levenseller

    Feiwel & Friends

    Release date: July 26

    In case you haven't yet read book 1, Blade of Secrets: Ziva would much rather spend a day in the forge, crafting unique, magical weapons than be out in society. But her dedication to her craft is tested with her newest commission — a sword that would steal its victim's secrets, ordered by a powerful warlord who Ziva discovers wants to use it to enslave the world. Taking her sister and the sword and fleeing, she determines she must either find a worthy wielder or find a way to destroy the sword altogether. 

    What it's about: Now in search of a healer to save her sister, Ziva has to race to a nearby city, one where she and Kellyn are captured by an ambitious prince. To try to save her sister, she's now put in the position she's tried so hard to run from, creating dangerous weapons to be used for taking over the world. 

    16. Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray

    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

    Release date: July 26

    In case you haven't yet read book 1, Beasts of Prey: Koffi is indentured to the notorious Night Zoo, caring for its magical creatures and working toward her family’s freedom. Ekon is destined to become an elite warrior — until he encounters the Shetani, a vicious monster that has plagued the city for almost a century, and Koffi, who unleashes a power that wards off the beast. Ekon is determined to hunt the Shetani down, but he’ll need Koffi’s help to do it, and the two enter the Greater Jungle together.

    What it's about: Koffi's sacrifice may mean that Ekon and her city were both saved, but she now has to serve the god of death. Meanwhile, Ekon is setting out to make alliances in hopes of rescuing Kofi from the realm of death, but doing so means getting closer to a dark truth. To reunite, their loyalties will be tested, as will their willingness to reach for the danger inside of them. This stellar sequel deepens these beautifully realized main characters and keeps you wanting more stories in this world. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    17. Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onomé

    Feiwel & Friends

    Release date: July 26

    What it's about: Onomé's sophomore novel is a spectacular journey of confronting expectations, even those we have for ourselves. Adanna's got a packed schedule: school, debate team, assisting her cousin Genny with wedding planning. The extra variable she didn't expect to add to that? Her older brother, Sam, who disappeared a few years back after a fight with their parents. Ada is desperate to get answers about why he left, but learning those secrets may lead her to confront an unwelcome truth about her own life. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    18. Bad at Love by Gabriela Martins

    Underlined

    Release date: August 2

    What it's about: Sasha is an intern at a celebrity gossip magazine, and a chance encounter has given her the opportunity for a big scoop. Daniel is the bad boy of the band Mischief & Mayhem, and it's easy to hold out on swooning since Sasha hates bad boys. But despite her determination, Sasha begins to fall for him, which becomes a big problem for the juicy secret she's just learned about him. 

    Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    19. I Rise by Marie Arnold

    Versify

    Release date: August 2

    What it's about: This novel follows 14-year-old Ayo, who has spent her entire life as an activist. Her mother founded See Us, a civil rights movement that tackles police brutality and racial profiling in Harlem. Despite Ayo's desire for a normal teen life, she's the presumed new face of the movement after her mother ends up in a coma after a riot between protestors and police. But she doesn't yet know if she is able to take over for her mother while also dealing with her grief and anger. 

    Get it from Bookshop. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

    20. What's Coming to Me by Francesca Padilla