Young Adult Books: A Roundup of Reviews

Playwright and screenwriter Moira Buffini makes her young adult debut with Songlight (Faber). In a post-apocalyptic future, an advanced form of telepathy has emerged, but anyone found with this sixth sense is hunted and persecuted as an “unhuman.” Kaira and Elsa have lived their lives in constant danger, concealing their abilities to survive. When they connect telepathically, an extraordinary bond forms between them. Echoing dystopian classics from John Wyndham to Margaret Atwood, this is rich and immersive storytelling set against a backdrop of war and power.

The post-Heartstopper boom in young adult graphic novels continues. American creator Molly Knox Ostertag captured some of those feel-good vibes in her bestselling The Girl from the Sea but delves into a more complex story of self-acceptance in The Deep Dark (Scholastic). Magdalena Herrera is tied to her hometown, not only by caring responsibilities but also by a terrible family secret in her basement. When an old friend returns, she begins to imagine a different future, and a queer love story slowly evolves. The intense emotions of teenage life are skilfully reflected in Ostertag’s shifting color palette. Utterly compelling.

In The Thread That Connects Us by Ayaan Mohamud (Usborne), Safiya has been coping with her mum’s depression since her dad left and moved to Somalia. When her father returns to the UK with his new family, Safiya is thrown together with her stepsister, Halima, who is struggling with the upheaval of the move. Deeply held resentment slowly gives way to a powerful bond as the girls uncover secrets and betrayals from their parents’ past. An empowering paean to sisterhood.

A 16-year-old starlet encounters Hollywood glamour with a side of murderous intrigue in Last Seen Online by Lauren James (Walker). Stumbling across the story of the mysterious death of a famous actor a decade earlier, Delilah is determined to uncover the truth. Fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will love this twisty take on fame and fandom, told in true-crime style through blog posts, messages, and a fast-paced narrative.

For slightly younger readers comes Sisters of the Moon by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Faber), an ethereal slice of teenage life set in a small Irish town. After a midnight wish under the full moon, new girl Rhiannon claims Suzy as her best friend, sweeping her into the whirl of friends, beach parties, and adventures that Suzy has always longed for. But who is the beguiling and fearless Rhiannon? A dreamy, highly atmospheric look at the power of female friendships.

Finally, Carnegie Medal winner Meg Rosoff returns with Almost Nothing Happened (Bloomsbury), a summer romp told in Rosoff’s inimitable style. After a disappointing French exchange visit, teenage Callum’s chance encounter with Arnaud and his enigmatic stepsister Lilou sweeps him into a chaotic 48-hour chase through Paris in search of a Matisse painting and a stolen oboe. Slapstick comedy meets coming-of-age pathos in a gloriously witty adventure, encapsulating all the awkwardness and yearning of being 17.

Source: Guardian