40 Highly Anticipated YA Books Releasing In The First Half Of 2022

    Rash decisions, new crushes, Scrabble, at least one Leo, and an ahead-of-schedule apocalypse await you in these new releases.

    Rachel Strolle
    by Rachel Strolle

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. One True Loves by Elise Bryant

    HarperTeen, Joseph Sebastia Photograph

    Release date: January 4

    What it's about: This is the companion novel to Happily Ever Afters, but you can read them independently of each other. In this delightful contemporary, we follow Lenore, whose future at NYU is set in stone, at least according to her parents. But she's not entirely sure what she wants for herself. As their family heads off for a Mediterranean cruise post-graduation, the last thing she expects is for her parents to immediately bond with another family...who have a son her age. Alex is a hopeless romantic golden boy with the next decade planned out and is everything Lenore is not looking for. But with her best friend Tessa's voice in her ear, she might just be able to open herself up to love.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    2. The Kindred by Alechia Dow

    Inkyard Press, Nadine Rodler

    Release date: January 4

    What it's about: Alechia Dow returns with another delectable sci-fi adventure! Joy is a commoner from the planet Hali who lives a simple life. I mean, she's also Kindred (mind-paired) to Duke Felix, the nobility's notorious playboy. And technically, he's now next in line for the throne after the assassination of the royal family. Also he's being accused of the murder. Oh, and the first time Joy and Felix meet in person occurs as they are stealing a spacecraft that's crash landing onto Earth. You know, the simple life.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    3. Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

    Wednesday Books, Via meglongbooks.com

    Release date: January 11

    What it's about: The perfect winter read might just be this inventive and atmospheric debut. Sena has been trying to find a way off her frozen planet of Tundar, her desperation leading to a mistake that puts her in danger with a local gangster. An escape is presented by a team of scientists. Their bargain: She competes for them in Tundar's yearly dogsled race, and they pay for her way out. With no other choice, she and her prize-fighting wolf, Iska, must compete in the treacherous race...knowing that it claimed both her mothers' lives.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    4. Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor

    Viking Books for Young Readers, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: January 18

    In case you haven't read book one: If you haven't started this magnificent series yet, I think it's time you met Sunny. Sunny was born in New York but lives in Aba, Nigeria. As she tries to get through her school days without being bullied for being albino, she makes friends and discovers the power within her, which pulls her into the magical world of the Leopard People. Sunny and her Oha Coven — made up of Orlu, Chichi, Sasha, and Sunny — are given the mission of tracking down a serial killer called Black Hat Otokoto.

    What it's about: Akata Woman is the third book in the Akata Witch series, following Akata Witch and Akata Warrior. Sunny has been trying to balance everything in her life since the moment her powers were discovered. Her adventures have provided her with skills that are about to be put to the test: finding a precious object guarded and hidden deep in a magical realm. With her friends by her side, Sunny will need to defeat those protecting the object, without losing herself along the way.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    5. Magical Boy: Volume 1 by The Kao

    Graphix, Via Cain Stone

    Release date: February 1

    What it's about: This graphic novel, originally a webcomic, follows Max, who is a trans man just trying to get through high school. But when his mom reveals that he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls, who save the world from evil, his life turns upside down. Now he'll need to save the world and become the next Magical Boy.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    6. No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado

    Holiday House, crystalwrote.com

    Release date: February 1

    What it's about: As a lover of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, I cannot wait for this new book by Crystal Maldonado. Kat Sanchez is a quiet 16-year-old dealing with house parties, the unrequited love of a best friend, and an altogether mediocre school year. So she couldn't have less in common with 21-year-old Max Monroe, an Instagram influencer who offers advice and lives a life of adventure. The thing is, Max was created by Kat and doesn't really exist, meaning that when a post goes mega-viral and ends up in the view of the person she's been stealing pictures from, Kat's web of lies begins to buckle under the pressure.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    7. These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

    Wednesday Books, Diana Urban

    Release date: February 1

    What it's about: Are you a thriller fan who loves your books to stress you out a little as you search for answers alongside the characters? Then allow me to introduce you to These Deadly Games. After Crystal receives a video message of her little sister, bound and gagged, along with a note telling her to play along if she wants her sister to stay alive, she goes along with the kidnapper's game. Though the tasks seem bizarre at first — baking brownies, making a prank call, stealing a test — she realizes that the tasks are targeted at her friends. Whoever the kidnapper is, it seems they know about something in the group's past, and wants to use Crystal to take them out one by one.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    8. Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon

    Dial Books, Sona Charaipotra

    Release date: February 8

    What it's about: Sunny is filling up a notebook, the one his brother left him when he died, with rash decisions. The first? He stopped wearing his turban, cut off his hair, and shaved his beard, a look he plans on debuting at prom instead of heading to the big fandom party he'd normally attend. But when Mindii Vang enters his life and steals his notebook as one of her own rash decisions, prom turns into an all-night adventure. If you're looking to make your own rash decision, you can preorder this book right this second. I'll wait!

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    9. Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

    Feiwel & Friends, Racquel Marie

    Release date: February 8

    What it's about: Ophelia Rojas — lover of Cuban food, rose gardening, her best friends, and boys — is a hopeless romantic, despite the gentle ribbing from her friends and parents about her endless stream of crushes. But with prom coming up right after a breakup, she's surprised to find herself crushing on quiet Talia Sanchez. With her friend group cracking under the impending arrival of graduation and separation, and the unraveling of the identity Ophelia thought she knew, it's time for her to discover who she truly is. This contemplative coming-of-age is a perfect addition to YA shelves.

    Preorder from Bookshop or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    10. Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Black Forest Photography

    Release date: February 8

    What it's about: Charlie and Magnolia are twins, but have grown up in different worlds. Separated after the lynching of their parents, killed for loving across the color line, Charlie lives in Harlem and is a young Black organizer, while white-passing Magnolia is heiress to a Georgia cotton plantation. When Magnolia learns the truth of her heritage, her reflection vanishes from mirrors. And when Charlie's grandmother falls ill and wishes to be buried in Georgia, Charlie reunites with the sister she never knew she had in their ghostly town. This haunting story will stick with you for a very long time.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    11. Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

    Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: February 15

    What it's about: Bitter is a prequel to Pet, but you can read them independently of each other. The town of Lucille, first seen in the pages of the incredible National Book Award Finalist Pet, holds many things. Among them is Eucalyptus, a school filled with creative teens, including painter Bitter. While Bitter is thrilled to find a safe haven within Eucalyptus's walls, her friends are fighting back against the deep injustices in their town, and she'll try to find her place among them in the revolution and learn to stay true to herself along the way.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    12. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

    Feiwel & Friends, Via axieoh.com

    Release date: February 22

    What it's about: If you're looking to be swept into a magical world, dive into the pages of this majestic magical marvel of a book. Every year, a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the bride of the Sea God in hopes that when the true bride is chosen, the deadly storms that sweep away entire villages will end. Many believe the true bride is Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village and the beloved of Joon. But when Joon's sister Mina sees Joon following Cheong to the sea, despite the death sentence that goes hand in hand with interference, Mina throws herself in the water to save him. But the Spirit Realm is not what the village believed, as the Sea God is asleep, and Mina must work with a mysterious young man named Shin to wake him.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    13. Ready When You Are by Gary Lonesborough

    Scholastic Inc., garylonesborough.com

    Release date: March 1

    What it's about: Jackson is an aboriginal teen, enjoying the hot summer with his family on the Mish. When his aunty and cousins come to visit for Christmas, they bring Tomas, a mysterious boy with a troubled past, with them. As their friendship evolves, Jackson's own secret begins to bubble to the surface, and it becomes clear that this summer will change everything.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    14. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

    Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr), Via lizzhuerta.com

    Release date: March 1

    What it's about: In Indir and Saya's world, there are Dreamers, seers able to perceive things beyond reality. Indir is a Dreamer, descended from a long line of seers, and struggling to keep a secret that could devastate her position. Saya is a seer, though with no formal training she's carted from place to place with her mother, and discovering that much of her life is made up of carefully constructed lies. And after the death of the beloved king, and the ascension of Alcan to the throne, the crown begins searching for an opportunity to bring the Dreamers to an end. Glorious worldbuilding and powerful leads make this a can't-miss read!

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    15. The One True Me and You by Remi K. England

    Wednesday Books, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: March 1

    What it's about: Kay, an up-and-coming fanfic author, and Teagan, pageant queen, are at the same Florida hotel. Kay is heading to GreatCon, hoping to try out they/them pronouns, enter the con-sponsored publishing contest, and kiss a girl for the first time. Teagan is competing for the Miss Cosmic teen USA pageant title and a $25,000 scholarship while keeping the fact she likes girls under wraps. Both are nerds, and both are trying to avoid Miss North Carolina, Teagan's rival and Kay's hometown bully. When the two bump into each other, sparks fly, and everything is about to change for both of them. This geeky rom-com is fan-tastic and i-con-ic.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    16. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

    Razorbill, Via sabaatahir.com

    Release date: March 1

    What it's about: Sabaa Tahir jumps into realistic fiction with this searing multigenerational story that will most likely leave you sobbing. Salahudin and Noor grew up together in Juniper, California — a pair of outcasts who, prior to The Fight that changed everything, were practically family. Now, Sal is attempting to save his family motel as his parents fall under illness and alcoholism, while Noor is applying to college to escape her wrathful uncle while hiding that fact from him. Both of their paths have the potential to spiral out of control, and it may take a look to the past — to a young couple named Misbah and Toufiq, journeying from Pakistan to the US and opening a motel — to deal with their present.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    17. One for All by Lillie Lainoff

    Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr), Astrid Photography

    Release date: March 8

    What it's about: After the murder of her father, Tania de Batz, who has a chronic illness that leaves her almost constantly dizzy (POTS), heads to finishing school. But L’Académie des Mariées is actually a cover: They train women to be a new kind of Musketeer — swordfighters with a socialite surface (try saying that three times fast). She makes friends during training, and soon enough winds up with her very first target, Étienne...who may just have information about the mysterious death of her father. This historical adventure is a delight.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    18. Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

    Quill Tree Books, Via sara-alfa.com nadiashammas.com

    Release date: March 8

    What it's about: Dynamite art, dynamic storytelling, and a driven heroine await you in this graphic novel. Bayt-Sajji is on the brink of war. Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a knight, and now she's finally able to enlist in the training program to become a Squire. But to do so, she'll have to hide the fact that she is a member of the Ornu people, who are considered second-class citizens. As she makes her way through training, she realizes that there is a difference between the reasons they are told they fight and the actual motives of the people at the top, and the greater good might not be as good as they claim.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    19. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

    Harperteen, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: March 8

    What it's about: When 15-year-old Sloane is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army, she sees an opportunity. The rule of the Lucis is brutal, and if she can overcome the challenges presented in training, she has the chance to destroy them from within. But to do so, she'll not only need to keep her powers — those of a Scion, a descendant of the Orisha gods — under wraps, but also keep herself from becoming the very monster she loathes. This is sure to be a release that everyone is talking about next March, so get ready!

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    20. Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

    Feiwel & Friends, Via author.annamariemclemore.com

    Release date: March 8

    What it's about: Anna-Marie McLemore writes some of the most gorgeous worlds in literature, and Lakelore, which dives into identity and neurodivergency, is no exception. There is a world beneath the lake. Though the stories are known to all those who live near, Bastián and Lore are the only ones who have been. While Bastián grew up in both worlds, Lore's lone visit changed everything for them. But as the world under the lake begins to drift, the pair, who haven't spoken in seven years, will need to put their trust into each other.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    21. The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson

    Versify, Rosanne Samson

    Release date: March 29

    What it's about: Kip Wilson delivers another remarkable historical novel in verse with The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin. Newly 18-year-old Hilde is on the hunt for a job when she stumbles into Café Lila. What the cabaret really holds is expressive customers, supportive workers, and the most dazzling of all — Rosa, the club's waitress and performer. Feelings begin to grow between them, but even the energy in the club is restless, as early 1930s Berlin holds turmoil close to its chest.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    22. Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk

    Versify, Via ashleywoodfolk.com

    Release date: April 5

    What it's about: Mark my words, this is one of the best books of 2022. It begins with a fire. In the hours that follow, the history of the friendship of two girls and the precariousness of feelings and reciprocation between them unspool in stunning verse that will leave you breathless.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    23. Alone Out Here by Riley Redgate

    Disney-Hyperion, Courtesy of the Publisher

    Release date: April 5

    What it's about: Make space on your shelves for this new sci-fi! Leigh Chen was already notable for being the First Daughter, but now she's one of 53 survivors of an ahead-of-schedule apocalypse. See, she and other children of world leaders, scientists, and engineers were taken on a tour of a high-tech prototype spaceship called the Lazarus, but the volcanic eruption (and ensuing catastrophic destruction) arrived before the competition of the space fleet meant to save the human race. In the midst of panic, Eli, the pilot's daughter, helms the search for a habitable planet, leaving Leigh to make difficult choices in a battle for control she never asked to be part of.

    Preorder from Bookshop or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    24. She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Judy Derrick

    Release date: April 5

    What it's about: Alex and Molly have very little in common besides the college they both attend. But a chance run in the night before classes start leads the two girls to form a plan. Because, you see, Molly wants to win over a girl, and Alex wants to win one back. And while Molly doesn't really know what she's doing, Alex does, and perhaps helping Molly will prove Alex isn't selfish. The one thing they don't plan on is starting to fall for each other. Not only is this romance super cute, but it's also written by a real-life couple!

    Preorder from Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    25. This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke

    Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Dylan In The Details

    Release date: April 5

    What it's about: Csilla lives in post-Wold War II Budapest, which is under Communist control. In the middle of the city, there is a river that is magic, a river that kept her family safe from the Holocaust. But now, in the midst of her plan to escape, her parents, who had been murdered by Soviet police, are publicly exonerated. And as Hungary begins to talk of a larger revolution, Csilla has to decide if she believes in what her country could be, and the magic within it, enough to try to help. Katherine Locke writes incredible historical stories, and this one is sure to be magnificent.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    26. Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Emily X.R. Pan

    Release date: April 12

    What it's about: Hunter is haunted by the past; Luna dreads the future. The only things keeping Hunter where he is are his brother, a supernatural wind, and Luna, a girl at his new school. Luna's adventures in rule-breaking bring with them unearthly fireflies, an ominous crack spreading through town, and Hunter, the new boy in school. As the two begin to learn their family secrets, their time starts running out. As anyone who read The Astonishing Color of After can tell you, Emily X. R. Pan's writing is, well, astonishing, and this story, pitched as Romeo and Juliet meets Houyi and Chang'e, solidifies that fact.

    Preorder from Bookshop or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    27. Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Lim Eng Lee

    Release date: April 19

    What it's about: Hanna Alkaf's work is S-E-N-S-A-T-I-O-N-A-L, so make sure to grab this Scrabble-tinged mystery. After the death of her best friend, Trina, Najwa didn't participate in Scrabble competitions for a year. Now, Najwa makes her return at the very competition where Trina died, and with Trina gone, every competitor is ready to take her place as champion. But as posts begin to pop up on Trina's formerly inactive Instagram post, Najwa starts wondering if her death was really as straightforward as it seemed, or if someone just wanted her out of the way.

    Preorder from Target or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    28. Flirting with Fate by J. C. Cervantes

    Razorbill, Via jccervantes.com

    Release date: April 19

    What it's about: For generations, blessings have been passed to the women in Ava's family upon death. But Ava's path is not so simple — a flash flood and a fender bender involving a mysterious boy meant that she missed her Nana's blessing by seconds. When a ghostly Nana tells Ava that her blessing was given, and Nana can't rest until things are set right, Ava sets out on a mission. Because Nana's gift missed Ava, and landed with the boy from the storm...and now Ava has to get it back. If you love contemporary romance and magic, you need to preorder this one.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    29. Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older

    Rick Riordan Presents, John Midgley

    Release date: May 3

    What it's about: The island of San Madrigal sank into the sea almost 16 years ago, the survivors escaping to New York and forming a close community in Brooklyn, dreaming of a way back. Piano prodigy Mateo is less focused on finding a way home, working hard to get the attention of Gerval, a local musical legend, and his chance seems imminent. But the night of the Grand Fete (the party that celebrates the blended culture of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews who created San Madrigal), instead of wowing Gerval, Mateo instead witnesses a brutal murder, by someone he thought he knew. The evil that sank their island has caught up to those who escaped, and has thrown Mateo right in the middle of an ancient battle. This is the first YA of the Rick Riordan presents line, and who better to bring epic mythology and magic to YA than Daniel José Older?

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    30. All Signs Point to Yes edited by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White

    Inkyard Press, g. haron davis, Kay Barth Photography, Adrianne White

    Release date: May 31

    What it's about: Thirteen tales of love await you in this star-studded, Zodiac-inspired anthology that features authors such as Mark Oshiro, Emery Lee, Lily Anderson, Eric Smith, Tehlor Kay Mejia, and more! These stories, one for each star sign, feature a commute meet-cute, a cranky Scorpio, a demigod, good eats, archery rivals, spotlights, love beyond the veil, and lots of secrets.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    31. The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon

    Inkyard Press, Anna Willenbrock

    Release date: May 3

    In case you haven't read book one: Wyatt is a witch in a world named Asalin where fae rule, and the fae prince, Emyr, is not only Wyatt's best friend but also his betrothed. But Wyatt fled to the human world after losing control of his magic...and Emyr has now hunted him to this world. Though the now-cold Emyr states that the throne is lost if they don't marry now, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy in hopes of leaving Asalin behind forever.

    What it's about: This highly anticipated sequel to The Witch King picks up with the door to Faery closed and everything in chaos. After abolishing the corrupt Guard, Emyr and Wyatt are simultaneously hunting Derek and Clarke and trying to get other kingdoms to follow their lead. And in the midst of it all, they discover a truth about witches' real place in fae society and realize Asalin's problems might be more than the two of them can fix.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    32. Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

    Little, Brown Books for Young Reader, Via samiraahmed.com

    Release date: May 10

    What it's about: When aspiring journalist Safiya finds the body of a murdered boy, she sets out to find the truth behind his death. 14-year-old Jawad was arrested, labeled a terrorist, and killed because a teacher mistook his cosplay jetpack for a bomb. With Jawad's voice guiding her, Safiya tries to put together the pieces and make sure that people remember him. Samira Ahmed adds to her extraordinary body of work with this masterful new release.

    Preorder from Bookshop or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    33. Breathe and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester

    Clarion Books, Eric Sylvester

    Release date: May 10

    What it's about: Swim into the world of theme park mermaids with this new delightful read from Natalia Sylvester! Verónica spends hours in the pool, both as a form of rehabilitation for the many surgeries she's had due to her hip dysplasia, but also because she longs to audition to be a mermaid. Her town is home to an underwater attraction called Mermaid Cove, where professional mermaids perform in large tanks, which is definitely not something her conservative Peruvian parents want her doing. As Verónica navigates dreams, first loves, and questions about her body, she'll try to seize control of her own life.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    34. Dead End Girls by Wendy Heard

    Via wendyheard.com, Christy Ottaviano Books-LBYR

    Release date: May 10

    What it's about: Maude knows every detail about her own death. That's mostly because she's spent years researching how to successfully fake it, but the point still stands. Not only will it be great revenge on her terrible parents, but she'll also get a fresh start with nothing and no one tying her down. Except Frankie. Because Frankie, despite being a stepcousin that Maude barely knows, has discovered her plan. And Frankie wants in.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    35. You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa See

    Scholastic Press, Jessica Henderson

    Release date: May 31

    What it's about: Violinist Daisy and cellist Noah have been chosen to play a duet for the holiday concert they both planned to use as their ticket to a Julliard audition. Despite initial hesitations, the pair work beautifully together, and their performance goes viral. But rather than talking about their music, people keep twisting their story — namely into one of Daisy as an "inspiration for overcoming her cerebral palsy" — and the attention sets off Noah's anxiety disorder more than ever. With their dreams, and their new romance, on the line, can they overcome the high cost of virality?

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    36. Kings of B'More by R. Eric Thomas

    Alexis Franklin / Via Kokila, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: May 31

    What it's about: Infused with all the joy of the best teen movies, Kings of B'More is sure to be a big hit. On the precipice of junior year, Harrison gets the news from his best friend Linus that he's moving out of state at the end of the week. With inspiration from a movie-night pick from his dad, Harrison plans a Ferris Bueller-esque send-off, where they will squeeze all the adventures they were planning in just one day. Mini road trips, first Prides, a rooftop dance party, and more will lead up to the hardest goodbye of their lives.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    37. Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid

    Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Peter Ross

    Release date: June 7

    What it's about: What do you get when you put two teens together in an airport with a mysterious green button? Chaos. James and Michelle are drawn together during their layovers at the Atlanta airport, and when Michelle discovers a mysterious green light that turns out to be a button, she does what any reasonable person would do and presses it. In come snowstorms to the B terminal, jungles to C, earthquakes in between, and James and Michelle will need to team up to escape before it's too late.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    38. Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey

    Feiwel & Friends, Via melissa-grey.com

    Release date: June 14

    What it's about: Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza are absolutely 100% proper young ladies in the 17th century. At least, by day. By night, they pass their time fighting with swords and muskets in the streets of Potosí, in the Spanish Empire's Viceroyalty of Peru, and, naturally, falling in love with each other. When Kiki's engagement to the Viceroy's son is announced, it's quickly overshadowed by her brother's murder, which she and Ana immediately set out to investigate. Grey is a master of character, and Kiki and Ana are two immediate favorites.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    39. M Is for Monster by Talia Dutton

    Abrams ComicArts, Via taliadutton.com

    Release date: June 21

    What it's about: Half a year after the death of Frances' younger sister Maura, a creature called M rises from a slab. Though Frances had sworn to bring her sister back, M has none of Maura's memories and is trying to instead navigate her own future...if Frances can let go of Maura's past. This Frankenstein-y graphic novel investigates grief and self-determination through beautiful imagery.

    Preorder from Bookshop or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.

    40. Godslayers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

    Feiwel & Friends, Via zoehanamikuta.com

    Release date: June 28

    In case you haven't read book one: One of my favorites of 2020, Gearbreakers follows a Gearbreaker named Eris Shindanai, a rebel who specializes in taking down Windups (giant mechanized weapons used in Godolia's tyrannical rule) from the inside. Finding herself in a Godolia prison after a mission gone wrong, Eris meets a mortal enemy — a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot named Sona. But as the pair get to know each other, Eris learns that Sona is attempting to destroy Godolia from within.

    What it's about: It has been months since Heavensday, when the Gearbreakers landed a blow against Godolia, and the rebels who have escaped retribution are being hunted by the last Zenith, the only surviving Godolia leader. While Eris is being held prisoner, Sona now believes herself a loyal soldier for Godolia, after a cybernetic brainwashing courtesy of the Zenith. The rebels last hope may depend on Eris and Sona finding their way back to each other.

    Preorder from Bookshop, Target, or through your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.