Five Young Adult Novels You Won’t Want to Put Down
by Ruth Ennis
The key to a great young adult novel is an excellent cast of characters. They allow teenage readers to not only learn of other experiences, but to also see themselves reflected in the way they think, behave, look, the influences of their culture and relationships, and more. Today I’m delighted to share five young adult novels suitable for ages 15+ years with characters and lives that will stay with you.
Little Bang is the much-anticipated sophomore novel by Kelly McCaughrain (Walker Books). Set against the backdrop of 2018 Belfast while abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland and at the height of the Repeal the Eighth campaign in the Republic of Ireland, this book follows two teens faced with an impossible choice.
Little Bang is one of those books that feels endlessly relevant and simultaneously a classic in the making
Mel is a science nerd and comes from a religious family. Sid is a lax student with a passion for music. Things move quickly on their first date and when they learn that Mel is pregnant, they have to decide what their future looks like. McCaughrain is an incredibly talented storyteller, wielding skill in creating endearing characters, expertly navigating social and political contexts, and nailing the turbulent emotionality of the choice girls like Mel have to make.
Little Bang is one of those books that feels endlessly relevant and simultaneously a classic in the making. The topic of abortion is handled with such care and sensitivity, all while incapsulated in beautiful writing, it’s hard not to love this book completely.
Trigger by C.G. Moore (Little Island) is a verse novel tackling the difficult topic of sexual assault of a teenage boy. Jay wakes up in a park, hurt and unable to recall the events of the night before. He is forced to face the reality of his rape, and is further devastated when he suspects his ex-boyfriend was involved. With the support from his family and a new friend in a group counselling session, Jay comes to terms with who he is after a life-changing incident.
An impressive book of an under-represented experience, this is an important story worth reading
The book handles a tough subject well, with sensitivity and space to explore the rage, despair, and grief Jay experiences. The decision to focus solely on the aftermath of the assault is a welcome one, focusing on Jay as a person rather than what happened to him. The verse is sparse and evocative, unafraid to reach the dark effects of sexual assault. An impressive book of an under-represented experience, this is an important story worth reading.
Next we have a collaborative work with Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar (Usborne). This friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story follows Said and Tiwa, sworn enemies and (after a local librarian left her pet to them both in her will) unwilling co-parents to a new cat. After the local Islamic Centre burns down, the two join forces to help save the grounds and rebuild the centre. Tiwa is a master-organiser, wielding her passion and determination into a campaign to save this staple of her faith and connection to others. Said is a talented artist who takes on the task to paint a mural on the remaining walls of the centre in the hopes to bring people together.
It is well paced, making it a true page-turner.
This is a gripping dual narrative story with well-rounded and engaging protagonists. It is well paced, making it a true page-turner. The dynamic between Tiwa and Said is consistently entertaining, as we witness a battle of wits with a healthy dose of insults. The love story is a slow burn, and feels very natural throughout. The heart of the book can be found in the love and appreciation for community, highlighting the importance of others and collaboration to bring to fruition the things we care about most. A great book, I look forward to reading more from this duo in the future.
Debut novel Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale (The O’Brien Press) is all about friendships, loves, new freedoms, and discovering who you are. Abidemi is in her final year of secondary school, and she has the whole summer to look forward to. She is on her own at home for the first time, while her dad travels for work. She spends her time with friends, perfecting her braiding technique, and flirting with her crush. When she meets an older Nigerian woman, Abidemi is drawn to her and is eager to connect with her, bonding over hair. But soon family secrets begin to unveil themselves and her summer plans go in a new direction.
The book is a lovely ode to Irish-Nigerian culture
This book does a superb job of capturing the magic of the post-Leaving-Certificate summer. We get to read about all the exciting firsts Abidemi has with real honestly, particularly through the lens of a more sheltered teenage girl. The book is a lovely ode to Irish-Nigerian culture, primarily through a celebration of Black hair and highlighting the significance of braids. A much-needed book, this is a must-have on every school library shelf.
Last but by no means least is The Boy Next Door by Jenny Ireland (Penguin Books). Finbar and Molly were best friends as children, but have grown apart as they’ve gotten older. Molly is pretty, popular, and dating her handsome boyfriend. Finbar keeps one close friend and has a complicated relationship with his dad and younger sister. But when Molly falls seriously ill and has brain surgery, her world begins to fall apart. In an attempt to improve her memory, Finbar spends time with Molly recounting their friendly childhood. Over the course of her recovery, Molly and Finbar grow closer together.
It articulates incredibly nuanced feelings around health and grief, with some intense emotional scenes that will stop you in your tracks
This is a stunning novel that will stay with me for a long time. The story flawlessly explores the complicated challenges of these two lovable characters: Molly’s physical and mental health and body image issues augmented by her mother, and Finbar’s bitterness towards his absent father and little sister. The writing flows effortlessly and makes it incredibly easy to become invested in the wellbeing of these two teenagers. It articulates incredibly nuanced feelings around health and grief, with some intense emotional scenes that will stop you in your tracks. A brilliant read, Ireland has firmly cemented herself as an author I will eagerly read again and again.
