The 50 best YA books of 2024, and all time

After his mother is poisoned by a serpent, Prince Xian embarks on a quest to find the antidote, which can only be extracted from a rare white snake. Along his journey, he meets a young stable boy named Zhen, and the two are immediately drawn to each other in a way they can't explain. Will Zhen’s secret identity threaten their blossoming romance, or will love conquer all? Legend of the White Snake is an epic YA queer romantasy inspired by an ancient Chinese folktale.

If you love the cosy small-town charm of Gilmore Girls and need a story to fill the Heartstopper-shaped hole in your life, Some Like It Cold is the book for you. This heartwarming romance is set in picturesque Lake Pristine at the start of the holiday season. Jasper Montgomery returns to her hometown for a final goodbye, only to find a film crew preparing to bring Lake Pristine to the big screen. Among them is Arthur, a budding filmmaker who’s never been able to get Jasper out of his mind. Will sparks fly between them, or will small-town tensions stand in the way of their growing romance?

Stuck in prison after being betrayed by her ex-lover and accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Dania is at the end of her tether. When an ex-prisoner offers her a chance to escape using dangerous Jinn magic, she seizes the opportunity and goes on the run, determined to seek revenge. But can she confront the man she once loved and get the vengeance she craves? For She is Wrath, the debut romantasy novel from Emily Varga, is perfect for fans of epic tales of vengeance and romance.

A race for the throne of Enderlain threatens to tear Veradell apart and alter the fates of Mikira, Ari, Damien, and Reid forever in Our Deadly Designs, the follow-up to Kayln Josephson’s brilliant fantasy romance, This Dark Descent. As the foursome grapples with their own secrets and wrestles with the magic and dark power surrounding them, will they stay loyal to one another, or will their desires to claim the throne drive them apart?

Trying to find her place at her new high school, Hadley joins the school newspaper and is soon tasked with covering the football team’s highs and lows. But when one of the players is poisoned and Hadley starts receiving sinister anonymous emails, she quickly realises she's stumbled upon a mystery that threatens to tear both the school and the town apart. Return to Sunnybrook in The Champions, the unputdownable new YA thriller from Kara Thomas, author of The Cheerleaders.

Reeling from the death of his best friend, Eric Ly spends his days dreaming, creating imaginary scenarios to help him process his loss. Sitting alone in a coffee shop, Eric does a double-take when Haru, a boy who has been occupying his imaginary worlds, walks in and sits down. Visible only to him, Eric’s friendship with Haru helps him deal with his grief but takes him further and further away from reality. Can he face saying goodbye all over again? From TikTok sensation Dustin Thao comes When Haru Was Here, a magical story of friendship, loneliness, and love.

Arthie Casimir is a notorious criminal and keeper of secrets in White Roaring. By night, her esteemed tearoom becomes an illicit bloodhouse serving the feared vampires. When her venture is at risk, Arthie must negotiate an unexpected pact with a captivating foe, leading her to assemble an unlikely team of talented misfits. Their mission: penetrate the enigmatic vampire society, the Athereum. But with trust issues within her crew and a larger conspiracy unveiling, Arthie's world is on the brink of upheaval. This suspenseful, romantic novel showcases Hafsah Faizal at her finest.

Seventeen-year-old Femi is set for a summer he will never forget, but not for the reasons he was hoping for. Joining his dad and brother on a journey to a mysterious island for a secret business trip, Femi falls in love with its marvellous creatures, is wowed by its next-level technology, and hangs onto every word of its charismatic curator. But as he starts to get beneath the island’s surface and finds himself caught in the middle of a sudden lockdown, Femi discovers secrets deadlier than he could have ever imagined. Will he and his family make it out alive?

The world has plunged into perpetual darkness, and the Obsidian gods are destroying everything in their path, all because Teo would not sacrifice one of his fellow semidioses during the Sunbearer Trials. Forced to take matters into his own hands, Teo, his best friend Niya, and his crush Aurelio must race to find the Sol Stone to restore sunlight to the world. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Sunbearer Trials comes Celestial Monsters, the thrilling finale to this queer, Mexican-inspired YA fantasy duology.

Locked in a cage and trapped on a foreign ship by warriors, thousands of miles from her people and her homeland, Zélie is forced to confront her enemies once more. Facing King Baldur, the man who has destroyed everything in his path in search of her, Zélie, Amari, and Tzain set off in search of new allies to their cause to help the maji rise once and for all. With Baldur and the Skulls closing in, will Zélie save her people? Children of Anguish and Anarchy is the hotly anticipated conclusion to Tomi Adeyemi's Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

Viola and Jack do not get along. Popular Jack Orsino is the worst Student Body President Viola Reyes has ever seen. Her only escape? The online role-playing game Twelfth Knight – where she creates a masculine alter-ego in order to be taken seriously in the gaming world. When a football injury leads Jack to start playing Twelfth Knight too, their two worlds are set to collide. And as it becomes increasingly difficult for Vi to hide her true identity. From the creator of The Atlas Six series, comes a grumpy/sunshine YA romantic comedy and coming of age story. 

The book that inspired the hit Disney+ show, Gene Yang’s graphic novel interweaves Chinese mythology and the realities of race, friendship and the American Dream through the story of teenager Jin Wang. As he walks through the bustling hallways of his new school, Jin soon realises that he’s the only American born Chinese kid on campus and that blending in is going to be harder than he hoped. With a twist that you’ll never see coming, and characters you’ll fall in love with, American Born Chinese is a must-read.

After years of being the “Good Kid” in high school, Riley is desperate for a change. So, after graduation she packs her bags for an epic summer in New York with her best friend Tom and a mission to do everything on her Getaway List. As the pair explore the city with their newfound friends, Riley starts to see Tom in a new light. Will her summer of adventure turn into a summer of love? 

From the stories of Arthur and Guinevere to Mulan, Joan of Arc, and more, folklore and legend have been woven into our culture for centuries. In Heroes and Villains, classic and contemporary fantasy poems featuring legendary characters, phoenixes, yetis, dragons and more magnificent creatures have been brought together by anthologist Ana Sampson. With a beautiful hardback cover and illustrated throughout by former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell, this stunning anthology would make a brilliant gift for fantasy fans of all ages.

Val has had such little luck in love that she’s convinced she’s cursed and is ready to give up on finding someone special. But, when she runs into two handsome lion dancers at a New Year parade, something changes and Val wonders if she’s destined to find her person after all. A new graphic novel with family and love at its heart, Lunar New Year Love Story is published just in time for the start of the Year of the Dragon. 

Even when you grow up in a loving household with relaxed gender roles, the pressures from the outside world to fit in can be. . . a lot! Theo is trans and non-binary and knows that there is no one way to be, but inspired by superheroes, role-playing games and comic con, they find confidence to rebuild their image in a way that feels truly themselves. This YA graphic novel is a must-read for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong, as author-illustrator Theo Parish takes readers through a beautifully heart-lifting story of discovering what it means to live life on your own terms.

Scattered Showers promises tales of love and life in nine poignant and relatable short stories, including a boy-meets-girl classic, an imaginary romance and a holiday adventure. Complete with irresistible characters and hilarious dialogue, Rainbow Rowell's new collection is YA storytelling at its finest. 

A feel-good graphic novel from Faith Erin Hicks, One Year at Ellsmere is a story about friendship, fitting in and standing up for what you believe in. When Juniper wins a scholarship to the ultra prestigious Ellsmere Academy she thinks she will be the perfect fit. But as soon as she sets foot on the hallowed grounds, she realises fitting in won’t be as easy as she thought. As she navigates Ellsmere’s cliques and tries to avoid the magical beast rumoured to roam the school grounds, Juniper finds her feet, and sets out to prove her haters wrong. 

With its hallowed halls, snarky students, and traditions steeped in history, Ife feels out of place the minute she steps through the doors of her prestigious new boarding school. And, as she settles into school life, she can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. When students start to go missing, her suspicions are confirmed. Determined to find the truth behind the differences and the mysterious legend of the Changing Man, Ife and her friend Ben find themselves in even more danger than they ever imagined. 

Life has not been easy for Mikira Rusel, the heroine of this brand-new YA fantasy series set in the magical and corrupt world of Veradell. When forced to confront a penniless future without her beloved father, she sets out to change her destiny the only way she knows: by winning a high-stakes equestrian competition with as many dangers as it has rewards. Will Mikira make it to the finish line, or will she fail in her quest? A magical YA fantasy based on Jewish folklore from an exciting new voice, This Dark Descent is a must-read. 

Called her ‘best yet’ by the Guardian, Hardinge expertly weaves together mythology and mystery in her brilliant YA fantasy novel, Unraveller. In a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift, but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle who was trapped in the body of a bird for years. She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself and, unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything – and everyone – around him. 

Remy is hopelessly in love with her best friend and has decided that their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan is the perfect time to finally tell him. But her plans are ruined after visiting an ancient apothecary shop, where Cam’s memories are wiped after he drinks a magical elixir. Racing against the clock, only Remy can help Cam remember her, and keep her dream of love alive. A magical holiday romance with a twist, Our Cursed Love will have you hanging onto every page. 

If you’re a Heartstopper fan looking for a new obsession, this hilarious YA graphic novel is for you. When Charlie (dreamy basketball-team captain) and Nate (nerdy robotics club president) find themselves at war thanks to a cheerleader driven feud, there’s more than their friendship at stake. With robots, rivalry, friendship and high-school tropes at it’s heart, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a heartwarming and feel-good read you can’t miss. 

When orphan Catrin witnesses a murder she should never have seen, the course of her life changes forever. Plunged into a world ruled by darkness, she finds herself torn between the killer and Simon, a detective with a brilliant mind who is determined to find the perpetrator. As Catrin becomes embroiled in solving the case, her own secret threatens to spill out, and risk everyone she loves in the process. Blood and Moonlight is followed by the second novel in this addictive fantasy mystery series, Silence and Shadow. 

When hot-headed hockey star Alix finds herself in trouble after punching her teammate, her biggest fear is being kicked off the team she loves. Enter calm, cool theatre kid Ezra, who offers to help her control her temper. As the pair start to spend time together, Alix finds herself wondering if maybe what she wants is more than just friendship, and whether her unlikely new friend feels the same? Funny, feelgood and packed with high-school drama, Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is the perfect graphic novel for fans of Heartstopper. 

Calling all Bridgerton fans! An Improbable Season is your next read. This historical romance about three young women following their dreams will transport you straight into the world of Regency London. As Thalia, Kalliope, and Charis embark on their first season, they’re all more focused on the bright lights of London than the eligible bachelors they’re set to meet. Sadly, the trio soon realise that success won’t be quite as simple to find as they had hoped. As they set out to rescue their season, will the young women be swept up in romance? Find out in this charming, feel-good full-hearted novel. 

It was never Tilly's intention to fall in love, but Cupid will get you when you least expect it . . . Tilly isn't looking for a girlfriend, but her best friend Teddy is. Enter Katherine Cooper-Bunting: beautiful, charming, and perfect for Teddy. So why does Tilly find herself using any excuse to join the theatre production they're starring in? And why can't she stop thinking about Katherine? Cupid's Revenge is a hilariously honest novel full of heart, from Wibke Brueggemann, author of Love is for Losers. 

Meet Dylan Tang: he juggles school and delivery runs for his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn. Winning a mooncake competition could bring the publicity they need to stay afloat. Enter Theo Somers: a charming, wealthy customer who convinces Dylan to be his fake date to a family wedding full of crazy rich drama. Their romance is supposed to be just for show, but soon Dylan’s falling for Theo — for real. With the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being distracted by rich-people problems. Can he save his family’s business and follow his heart? 

This tender story about a non-binary teen is a celebration of life and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity. When Ben De Backer comes out as nonbinary, it doesn’t go down as planned: they are thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister. Ben tries to keep a low profile in school until Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As their friendship grows, their feelings begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier, new life.

Nick Brooks's Promise Boys is a trailblazing, blockbuster YA mystery about three teen boys of colour who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names. When Principal Moore, headteacher at the Urban Promise Prep School is murdered, J.B., Ramón and Trey emerge as the case's prime suspects. With all three maintaining their innocence, they must track down the real killer before they are arrested. This YA thriller shines a glaring light on how the system, condemns Black and Latinx teen boys to failure before they've even had a chance at success. 

From the bestselling author of Tweet Cute and You Have a Match comes Begin Again — an unforgettable story of love and starting again. Andie Rose has a plan: transfer to the competitive Blue Ridge State and chase her goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure. But once she arrives and meets Milo, her plans quickly disintegrate. He redefines all her ideas about love and relationships, pushing Andie's relationship with boyfriend Connor to breaking point. Sometimes, when all your plans are rubble at your feet, you find out what you're made of.

Chloe Green wants to be a winner. Her moms have moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, and she has had to spend four years navigating gossips and the puritans who run Willowgrove Christian Academy. She is determined to win valedictorian, and only prom queen Shara Wheeler stands in her way. But, a month before they graduate, Shara kisses Chloe and disappears. Chloe launches an investigation with some fellow students –  quarterback Smith and bad boy Rory. Could it be there's more to Shara than meets the eye? 

With the release of a major film adaptation starring Rachel McAdams, there is no better time to discover the new edition of this hilarious coming-of-age classic by Judy Blume. Meet Margaret. She's going through all the same things most teenage girls have to face, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't shake the feeling that she's simply not normal. Meanwhile, everyone else seems really sure of who they are. And, worst of all, she's a 'late developer'. It's too embarrassing to talk to her parents about these things. So she talks to God instead – and waits for an answer. 

Another TikTok sensation, We Hunt the Flame is a brilliant debut about exploration and claiming your own identity. Zafira is a Hunter, who disguises herself as a man to try to provide for her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, a notorious assassin in thrall to his sultan father. Both are reluctant legends, and both are on dangerous missions. As they embark on these perilous tasks, a long buried evil begins to stir.

Orphan Maia is on a mission to meet her long-lost relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. But instead of the warm family she has waited for, she is met by two mean cousins who can't stand the outdoors. The wonders of the rainforest lure Maia outside, where she meets a lone boy on the wild river shore. And a whole new adventure begins. This beautiful 20th anniversary edition of Eva Ibbotson's classic and award winning Amazon adventure story comes with an introduction by prize-winning author of Letters from the Lighthouse Emma Carroll. 

This YA novel tells the story of teenage boys Mateo and Rufus, who discover they have just one day to live. These total strangers meet courtesy of the Last Friend app and decide to share End Day, with Last Friend enabling them to experience a lifetime of rich and edgy experiences in just one day. Thanks to the #booktok hashtag, the novel became an international bestselling smash three years after it was first published.

This is Wonderland remixed, telling the story of the girl who would go on to become the infamous Queen of Hearts. The girl, Catherine Pinkerton, is looking for love, but despite being favoured by the King of Hearts, her own heart lies elsewhere. Her great ambition is to open a bakery with her best friend, a goal considered inappropriate for a future queen. Then Catherine falls for Jest, the good looking and enigmatic court jester. She his determined to find her own path in life and in love, but in a land of magic and madness, fate steps in . . .

Gossip Girl meets You’ve Got Mail in this intensely likeable romance. Pepper is a chronic overachiever and the secret voice of Big League Burger's massive Twitter account. Jack is the class clown working part-time at his family’s deli, unknowingly engaged in a viral Twitter war with Pepper about grilled cheese. And then they meet on an anonymous chat app. . .

When Bel accidentally reveals a talent for engineering at school, she’s forced into joining the robotics club. Enter Mateo Luna, perfect on paper – captain of the football team and the robotics club – who recognizes Bel as a potential asset, even if they couldn’t be more different. And as the nights of after–school work grow longer, Bel and Teo realize they've made more than just a combat–ready robot for the championship: they’ve made a connection themselves. But with graduation approaching, their differences and what they want for their futures, threatens what they’ve built together. 

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him. Attempting to prove his abilities to his family by contacting his cousin, he accidentally brings back the high school’s resident bad boy, Julian Diaz, and Julian won’t go into death quietly. The two must work together if Yadriel is to carry out his plan and show himself to be a true brujo (sorcerer) but the more time the two spend together, the less Yadrial wants Julian to leave. An LGBTQIA+ story about magic and acceptance.

Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka became a princess overnight, when she realised that her dad was the Crown Prince of Japan. Life as a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be, with plotting cousins, nosy journalists and an imperial scandal. But with her bodyguard turned boyfriend and dog Tamagotchi things seem to be on the up for Izumi, especially when her parents rekindle their college affair and get engaged. Then the Imperial Household Council steps in and tries to stop the marriage, leaving Izumi struggling to keep her newly acquired happiness on track . . .

Dua Iqbal has always been open to new stories: she is persuasive and curious, and a job as a journalist seems like a good move for the fifteen year old. When her school merges with another one, Dua seizes the moment and establishes a rival newspaper, packed with stories that some teachers and kids would rather not be told. Dua is digging deep, and as exams draw closer, she has to decide when to just let things lie. But when she discovers that some of the pupils are being falsely accused of selling drugs, it's time to speak up and speak out.

When Ropa Moyo takes on a second job to fund her internship (at an occult underground library) she finds herself turning detective. Her new role is at Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, a very specialized hospital, where a new illness is resisting all treatments – medical and magical. Investigating, Ropa uncovers an avenging spirit, a lost fortune and a secret deep in Scotland’s past. But how are they connected, and can they help the patients of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments?

In the award-winning Noughts and Crosses sequence, Malorie Blackman creates a dystopian world in which the white Noughts are treated as an inferior race, while the black Crosses are born into privilege and perceived as superior in every sense. It follows Sephy and Callum, who, despite the friendship they have shared since they were children, are fated to be bitter enemies. Sephy is a Cross, dark-skinned, beautiful and the daughter of a powerful politician, while Callum is a Nought, white and poor, existing to serve Crosses and nothing more. But against all odds, star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum choose each other. 

Rainbow Rowell shares Judy Blume’s deep understanding of how teenagers think and this funny and sweet coming-of-age story reads like Forever for the Internet age. Cath and Wren are identical twins who, until recently, did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes. Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. Now Cath must decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences.

In the remains of what was North America lies the nation of Panem, with its twelve outlying districts. Each district must send one boy and one girl each year to compete in the Hunger Games, a live televised fight to the death. For sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen the call up seems like a death sentence. But she has faced death and won before. As battle commences, Katniss must choose between survival and her own humanity.

Children on Bood and Bone is the first in an unmissable fantasy series that draws on African culture and mythology to create a mesmerizing, fantastical world. Protagonist Zélie once lived in a world of magic, but now those who call themselves maji are hunted down by a ruthless king. Zélie is determined to restore magic, but it may be her own powers that prove the most difficult to master. It’s a coming-of-age story about self-discovery with a tumultuous background; there’s a reason this one couldn’t be pushed from the bestsellers list for so long. 

Deeplight is a mystical fantasy book from the author Sarah Perry described as ‘one of our finest storytellers’: Frances Hardinge. For centuries, the gods of the Undersea have ruled the islands of the Myriad through awe and terror. Sacrifices were hurled into the waters to appease them, and every boat was painted with pleading eyes to entreat their mercy. They were served, feared and adored. Then, thirty years ago, the gods rose up in madness and tore each other apart. Now, the gods are nothing but a collection of valuable scraps to be scavenged from the ocean and sold. But something is pulsing beneath the waves, calling to someone brave enough to retrieve it.

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, Jack knows he’s found someone he could share the rest of his life with. Just months later, Kate dies – but their story doesn’t end there. Kate’s death sends Jack back in time to the moment they first met, giving him multiple chances to change their destiny, and save Kate’s life.

Fifteen-year-old Ilyas is under pressure from everyone in his life: his dad wants him to join the family business, GCSEs are looming, and nobody seems to care that Ilyas just wants to draw comic books. Nobody, that is, except his new best friend Kelly, the school good girl who’s the first person to actually understand him. But when local bad boy Imran decides to seduce Kelly for a bet, Ilyas has to choose between a confrontation that could endanger his family and losing the person who’s most important to him.

Hugo and his girlfriend have the perfect romantic trip planned together – travelling across America by train. But then she dumps him. She leaves him the tickets as a parting gift, the only problem is that they’re in her name, and they’re non-transferable. Desperate to get away, Hugo advertises for a replacement Margaret Campbell, which is where Mae comes in. After getting rejected from film school, she’s looking for a new adventure and a cross-country trip with a stranger will prove to be just that.

World-weary New York teen Magda is on her last chance. After setting off a scandal in the elite New York City private school scene, she’s been shipped off to her grandparents’ sleepy Pacific Northwest town. Over-medicated and uninspired, she finds her only solace in the beautiful hiking trails behind her grandparents’ cottage. Then she meets Bo who gives her hope that there might be a second chapter to her life story. That is until a series of crimes start breaking out across the region, and a body is found in the woods near Bo’s encampment. Soon it’s clear that Magda’s nightmare is just beginning. 

This is the debut novel from body positive influencer, Bethany Rutter, and it follows Emily Daly, a stylish, cute, intelligent and hilarious seventeen-year-old about to start her last year at school. Emily is also fat. She likes herself and her body. When she meets Joe at a house party, he instantly becomes The Crush of Her Life. But, as they spend more time together, doubts start to creep in. With her mum trying new fad diets every week and increasing pressure to change, Emily faces a constant battle to stay strong, be her true self and not change for anyone.