Lots to pick up at publishers’ booths this year: favorite authors like Rachel Cohn, David Levithan, and Libba Bray are exploring new genres; some popular series are drawing to a close; and stars of other media (including Hunger Games director Gary Ross) are trying their hands at fiction.
Thrills, Chills, and Fantasy
All the Wrong Questions: “Who Could That Be at This Hour?” (attaché case with chapter sampler) by Lemony Snicket, illus. by Seth (Little, Brown) is the first in a new series from the Unfortunate Events author and the award-winning adult cartoonist.
Beta by Rachel Cohn (Disney-Hyperion). The Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist coauthor delves into science fiction with the start of a new series.
Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman (Walker). A teenager suffers serious physical traumas and realizes they are actually happening to her missing twin sister.
The Blessed by Tonya Hurley (Simon & Schuster) launches a supernatural romance series that reimagines the martyrdoms of three saints, by the author of ghostgirl.
Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr (HarperCollins). The author of the Wicked Lovely series creates a dangerous, decadent new world in which citizens must fight to the death to join the ruling elite.
The City’s Son by Tom Pollock (Flux) marks the U.S. debut of the Skyscraper Throne urban fantasy series, set in London.
Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Little, Brown). The initial entry in Patterson’s first mystery series for teens finds a wealthy girl accused of killing her parents.
Crewel by Gennifer Albin (Macmillan/FSG) marks the first in a dystopian trilogy about a girl fighting her powerful destiny.
The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff (Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab). Three authors of paranormal YA fiction share the inner workings of their online critique group, along with never-before-seen work.
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (Disney-Hyperion). Ruby must escape from a government-run “rehabilitation camp” for teens with paranormal powers.
Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan (Candlewick). While unenthusiastically vacationing with his father, Daniel meets a mysterious girl whose watch ticks backwards.
Deviants by Maureen McGowan (Amazon Children’s Publishing). Book one of the Dust Chronicles is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a 16-year-old orphan with mutated DNA must protect her younger brother.
The Diviners by Libba Bray (Little, Brown) pairs Roaring ’20s New York City with a rash of occult murders.
Eve and Adam by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant (Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends). In their first credited collaboration, the bestselling authors – and husband and wife – craft a genetic thriller for young adults.
Every Day by David Levithan (Knopf). A genderless entity named “A” wakes up in a new body each day in this fantastical tale from the coauthor of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes (Penguin/Razorbill). The paranormal romance and urban fantasy author Michelle Rowen takes a pseudonym for the launch of a high fantasy series.
False Memory by Dan Krokos (Disney-Hyperion). Miranda wakes up on a park bench with no memories, but discovering that she possesses terrifying powers.
Fathomless by Jackson Pearce (Little, Brown) is a darker, modern reimaging of The Little Mermaid.
Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver (Dial) is the first in an adventure series set in the Bronze Age, from the author of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Harlequin Teen). Kagawa (the Iron Fey books) begins her new series in a future world in which vampires reign and humans are blood cattle.
The Infects by Sean Beaudoin (Candlewick) follows a group of juvenile delinquents into the wilderness, where their counselors turn into flesh-eating zombies.
Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill, illus. by Iacopo Bruno (Little, Brown) tells of an unusual princess and the last dragon in existence.
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (HMH/Harcourt). The author of the Thursday Next mystery series starts a fantasy trilogy with a modern twist.
The Last Free Cat by Jon Blake (Albert Whitman Teen). In a near-future nanny state in which only the very rich are allowed to keep cats, a girl risks everything by taking in a stray.
Magisterium by Jeff Hirsh (Scholastic Press) explores a world that’s part technological paradise, part magical mystery.
The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost (Random House). In book one of a new adventure series by the co-creator of Twin Peaks, a previously average boy begins to learn of his true power and destiny.
The Paranormalists by Megan Atwood (Lerner/Darby Creek) is a four-book series featuring Jinx, punk rocker and paranormal investigator for hire.
Pip and the Wood Witch Curse: A Spindlewood Tale by Chris Mould (Albert Whitman) marks the beginning of a dark, illustrated fantasy series.
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (Simon & Schuster). The first YA novel from the author of the Immortals After Dark series (and the first in the Arcana Chronicles) concerns a wealthy Louisiana girl whose life is upended by an apocalyptic event.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic Press). Mystery, romance, and the supernatural suffuse the first in a new four-book series from the author of the Shiver trilogy.
Robyn Hunter Mysteries by Norah McClintock (Lerner/Darby Creek) introduces a Canadian teen with a talent for detective work – and for getting into trouble.
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick). The Newbery Medalist delivers a comic, Victorian gothic thriller.
Wake by Amanda Hocking (St. Martin’s Griffin) focuses on three modern-day sirens who cast a spell over the seaside town of Capri.
The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson (HMH/Houghton Mifflin). When 16-year-old Gabriela receives supernatural notice that her days are numbered, she sets out to accomplish her goals – including kissing her crush – before time is up.
Zom-B by Darren Shan (Little, Brown) begins a series confronting issues of racism, religion, politics, and more – against the backdrop of a zombie invasion.
Sequels, Companions, and Finales
After the Dust Settled by various authors (Lerner/Darby Creek). In this ongoing series, six teens have survived the apocalyptic destruction of American society, but their struggles are far from over.
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver (Harlequin Teen) is the second mystical romance in the Legacy trilogy.
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer (Disney-Hyperion) is the eighth and final entry in the bestselling fantasy series.
Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin (Macmillan/FSG) continues the near-future tale of a reluctant young mobster that began with All These Things I’ve Done.
Betrayal by Gregg Olsen (Sterling). In the sequel to the Empty Coffin series launcher, Envy, twins Hayley and Taylor investigate the murder of a foreign exchange student.
A Boxcar Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm by Patricia MacLachlan (Albert Whitman). Newbery Medalist MacLachlan has written a prequel to Gertrude Chandler Warner’s classic series.
The Broken Lands by Kate Milford (HMH/Clarion). A prequel to The Boneshaker, the historical fantasy centers around the seedy underworld of Coney Island and the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Extra Credit by Tommy Greenwald, illus. by J.P. Coovert (Roaring Brook). In the second Charlie Joe Jackson outing, the most reluctant reader ever tries to avoid academic camp.
The Cupcake Club: Recipe for Trouble by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky). The coauthor of Soul Surfer and her preteen daughter go back to the kitchen with their second Cupcake Club book.
Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler (Lerner/Carolrhoda). The prehistoric athletes from Dino-Baseball and Dino-Basketball tackle a new sport.
The Drowned Vault by N.D. Wilson (Random House). The second book in the Ashtown Burials series finds siblings Cyrus and Antigone on the run and in search of the notorious Dr. Phoenix.
Entice by Jessica Shirvington (Sourcebooks Fire). The sequel to Embrace continues the epic struggles between angels and humanity.
Flock by Wendy Delsol (Candlewick) concludes the Stork trilogy, a supernatural romance in which the heroine taps into ancient Norse secrets.
Floors #2: 3 Below by Patrick Carman (Scholastic Press) continues the story of Leo and the very strange Whippet Hotel.
Ghost Buddy #2: Mind If I Read Your Mind? by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver (Scholastic Paperbacks). More exploits from Billy Broccoli and his personal specter, Hoover Porterhouse.
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross (Harlequin Teen) continues the sartorially minded steampunk story begun in The Girl in the Steel Corset.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente, illus. by Ana Juan (Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends). September’s fantastical adventures continue in this follow-up to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter (Harlequin Teen) returns to the Underworld with Kate, who is about to be crowned Queen – unless Persephone has her way.
Goosebumps: Most Wanted #1: Planet of the Lawn Gnomes by R.L. Stine (Scholastic). A mischievous kid moves to a new town in which every home has a lawn gnome out front – which may or may not come to life at night.
Horten’s Incredible Illusions: Magic, Mystery & Another Very Strange Adventure by Lissa Evans (Sterling). The exploits of the diminutive Stuart Horten continue, with a quest to find the will of his great-uncle, a famous magician.
Immortal Beloved: Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan (Little, Brown/Poppy). Former party girl and ancient immortal Nastasya rounds out this series by ending a 450-year-old feud.
In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz (Dutton) explores a new set of stories from the Brothers Grimm and others, in a companion volume to A Tale Dark and Grimm.
Perry’s Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber (HMH/Houghton Mifflin) continues the bullet-dodging, car-chasing secret-agent story of Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick.
Potterwookiee by Obert Skye (Holt). In the new book by the author of Wonkenstein, another creature emerges from the 12-year-old protagonist’s closet: a mashup of Chewbacca and Harry Potter.
Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury) picks up where the Newbery Honor–winning Princess Academy left off, with plans for a royal wedding.
Prodigy by Marie Lu (Putnam). The sequel to Lu’s dystopian thriller, Legend, follows June and Day on their escape from Los Angeles.
Promised by Caragh M. O’Brien (Roaring Brook) concludes the dystopian Birthmarked trilogy, in which 16-year-olds serve as midwives and genes determine destiny.
Son by Lois Lowry (HMH/Houghton Mifflin) combines elements from the first three Giver books for a final clash between good and evil.
Scorch by Gina Damico (HMH/Graphia) is the follow-up to Croak, the comedic tale of a teenage grim reaper.
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Schultz (Harlequin Teen). The sequel to Spellbound continues the tale of Emma, a prep-school student and newbie witch.
The Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin (Little, Brown) revisits the world of Lin’s Newbery Honor–winning fantasy, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
The Theory of Everything by JJ Johnson (Peachtree) revisits the high school setting of This Girl Is Different, this time focusing on Sarah, who’s struggling to recover from a traumatic event.
Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli (Scholastic/Levine). The prequel to Fourth Grade Rats sees George, a.k.a. Suds, trying to be a good boy in the third grade.
Tiger’s Destiny by Colleen Houck (Sterling) concludes the four-volume Tiger’s Curse fantasy adventure series.
Middle-Grade, Chapter Stories, and Early Readers
Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic) brings the accidental superhero back for his ninth escapade.
Dark Lord: The Early Years by Jamie Thomson (Walker) is a comedic account of an evil ruler from another planet who finds himself in the persona of a hapless boy named Dirk Lord.
Dinos Are Forever by Greg Trine, illus. by Frank W. Dormer (HMH/Harcourt). A fourth-grade superhero and her dog, Raymond, keep San Francisco safe.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic/Graphix). The Eisner Award–winning graphic novelist (Smile) relates the story of a middle schooler whose passion for theater far outweighs her vocal talent.
The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech (HarperCollins/Cotler). The Newbery Medalist sets her latest in two alternating settings: smalltown America and Ireland.
The High-Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate by Scott Nash (Candlewick) relates the exploits of a swashbuckling crew who ply the clouds, not the seas.
Hocus Pocus Hotel by Michael Dahl, illus. by Lisa K. Weber (Capstone/Stone Arch). School bully Tyler Yu solicits help from smart kid Charlie Hitchcock in order to solve mysteries at the hotel he lives in.
Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner (Scholastic) launches a seven-book, multiauthor, time-travel adventure series in a multiplatform vein similar to that of 39 Clues.
Jinxed and Steal That Base by Kurtis Scaletta, illus. by Eric Wright (Abrams/Amulet). A pair of baseball-themed early chapter books launch the Topps League Story series.
Katie Woo Rules the School by Fran Manushkin (Capstone/Picture Window). Four early-reader chapter stories continue the adventures of a sassy schoolgirl.
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead (Random House/Lamb). Two amateur detectives spy on their mysterious neighbor and test the boundaries of friendship in the latest tale from the Newbery-winning author of When You Reach Me.
Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay (Albert Whitman). The author of the Classon Family and Exiles books debuts a series for animal lovers.
The Last Dogs by Christopher Holt (Little, Brown). When all the humans in his world disappear, Max, a yellow Labrador retriever, searches for his family.
Make Magic! Do Good! by Dallas Clayton (Candlewick). The author of the self-publishing success An Awesome Book is back with a new book of poetry.
Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck, illus. by Brian Lies (HMH/Houghton Mifflin) centers on a rat, an iguana, and a mystery, with illustrations by the Bats at the Beach artist.
Mira’s Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky). The creator of Amelia’s Notebook launches a new series with an illustrated story combining time travel, art history, and a mysteriously missing mother.
The No-Dogs-Allowed Rule by Kashmira Sheth, illus. by Carl Pearce (Albert Whitman). In this early reader, a boy tries – with disastrous results – to persuade his mother to let him have a pet.
The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano (Scholastic Press). The first middle-grade novel by the picture-book author known as Maria from Sesame Street is based on her 1960s childhood in Spanish Harlem.
The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver (Harper) follows 12-year-old Liza into a fantastical underworld to rescue her younger brother.
Survivors #1 by Erin Hunter (Harper-Collins). The author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers books launches an animal fantasy series.
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner, illus. by Jeremy Holmes (Chronicle). Abigail and John, the titular 12-year-olds, scheme to save their inventor father in this middle-grade novel.
Treasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello (Capstone/Stone Arch) continues the Echo and the Bat Pack series with a lighthearted mystery set in the Fogville cemetery.
Troll Hunters by Michael Dahl, illus. by Ben Kovar (Capstone/Stone Arch).Four friends battle monsters from beneath the Earth, gaining unlikely allies along the way.
The Universe of Fair by Leslie Bulion, illus. by Frank W. Dormer (Peachtree). An eagerly awaited day at the fair turns into an adventure for a young science whiz.
What Came from the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt (HMH/Clarion) is the first fantasy novel from the Newbery Honor recipient.
First Timers
Altered by Jennifer Rush (Little, Brown) finds a teen girl and four genetically altered boys on the run from a shadowy and dangerous organization.
Angelfall by Susan Ee (Amazon Children’s Publishing) begins the apocalyptic fantasy series Penryn & the End of Days.
Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind by Gary Ross (Candlewick). In this fantastical adventure by the director of The Hunger Games, a boy uses his bed sheet to fly far from home.
Black City by Elizabeth Richards (Putnam) launches a postapocalyptic series with a romantic twist.
The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron (Scholastic Press) is a steampunk spy story – with a hefty helping of romance – set on a traditional English estate.
Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi (Charlesbridge) is a contemporary Japanese-American story centering on the annual cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C.
Freakling by Lana Krumwiede (Candlewick). A boy is exiled to a powerless colony after losing the psychic ability everyone in his city possesses.
Henry Franks by Peter Adam Salomon (Flux). A scarred and motherless teenager discovers his mysterious, horrific past.
The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (Penguin/Razorbill). In the initial outing for a new series, a blend of romance and gothic mystery, two sisters fight to belong in a town built on secrets and lies.
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (S&S/Aladdin). A 12-year-old telepath begins to uncover her true – and very dangerous – identity.
Kiss & Make Up by Katie D. Anderson (Amazon Children’s Publishing). Lip-gloss addict Emerson can read the mind of anyone who kisses her.
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer (Little, Brown). The breakout Glee actor pens a fantasy story about contemporary twins who find themselves in a land populated by familiar fairy tale characters.
Origin by Jessica Khoury (Penguin/Razorbill). In this YA action-romance, a girl engineered to be the start of an immortal race escapes the lab she was raised in.
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachman (Greenwillow). A changeling is stalked by a sinister faery in this debut.
Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie (Candlewick). After his older brother dies in Iraq, Matt makes a shocking discovery.
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Harlequin Teen) introduces Echo Emerson, who mysteriously goes overnight from popular girl to gossiped-about outsider.
Skinny by Donna Cooner (Scholastic Point) tackles the emotionally fraught topic of gastric bypass surgery for teens, by an author who also underwent the procedure.
Skylark by Megan Spooner (Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab). When Lark Ainsley turns 15, she must flee to the wilderness surrounding her postapocalyptic city or be harvested for the power source within her.
Splintered by A.G. Howard (Abrams/Amulet) follows a young descendant of Alice Liddell to an ultra-creepy Wonderland.
Starting from Here by Lisa Jenn Bigelow (Amazon Children’s Publishing). An injured stray dog helps a broken-hearted teen come to terms with her mother’s death.
STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #1: Home Court by Amar’e Stoudemire, illus. by Tim Jessell (Scholastic Press). The New York Knicks captain and literacy advocate launches a sports-themed middle-grade series.
Summer & Bird by Katherine Catmull (Dutton). Two sisters enter a magical avian world in order to find their missing parents.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury) is a YA fantasy with a somewhat subversive protagonist: an 18-year-old girl who’s also a much-feared assassin.
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (Disney-Hyperion). Call it The Time-Traveler’s Girlfriend: a girl in the 1990s meets a boy who has journeyed back from the present day.
Undead by Kristy McKay (Scholastic/Chicken House). A class ski trip turns into a zombie splatter-fest.
Venom by Fiona Paul (Philomel). A romantic thriller set in Renaissance Venice kicks off the Secrets of the Eternal Rose series.
What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang (Harper). The first book of the Hybrid Chronicles presents an alternate reality in which two souls share the same body.
Contemporary Stories
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Scholastic Press). A girl must save a group of bonobos – and herself – from a violent coup.
Fish in the Sky by Fridrik Erlings (Candlewick) is a coming-of-age tale by the Icelandic novelist and cofounder of the Sugarcubes.
Go for the Goal by Fred Bowen (Peachtree). The author’s latest sports story suits up for soccer.
Pinned by Sharon G. Flake (Scholastic Press) stars Autumn and Adonis – she, a champion wrestler with a learning disability, and he, a book-loving boy who uses a wheelchair.
Return to Me by Justina Chen (Little, Brown). Three months before Rebecca Muir is set to begin college, her father reveals that he’s leaving.
Speechless by Hannah Harrington (Harlequin Teen). A high school gossip loses her queen-bee throne and takes a vow of silence.
Stealing Air by Trent Reedy (Scholastic/Levine). Three boys in Iowa struggle to overcome personal difficulties, and work on building a plane in secret.
Surviving High School by M. Doty (Little, Brown/Poppy). Based on the mobile game of the same name, the story follows a freshman swimmer named Emily through typical teen travails.
Nonfiction and History
A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master (Albert Whitman Teen) relates the story of India’s 1947 Partition through the eyes of a boy trying to protect his dying father from the dire political news.
Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport (Candlewick) chronicles 21 acts of heroism during WWII, some appearing for the first time in book form.
Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by Marc Tyler Nobleman, illus. by Ty Templeton (Charlesbridge) unmasks Bill Finger, the unsung writer who helped dream up the caped crusader.
Come August, Come Freedom: The Bellows, the Gallows, and the Black General Gabriel by Gigi Amateau (Candlewick) fictionalizes the 1800 insurrection planned by a literate slave known as Prossier’s Gabriel.
The Greatest Moments in Sports: Upsets and Underdogs by Len Berman (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky). Veteran sportscaster Berman shares some of his favorite highlights.
Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh (Disney-Hyperion). A story of against-the-odds triumph takes inspiration from Diego Velazquez’s 17th-century portraits of court dwarfs.
Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts (Candlewick). In this middle-grade novel set in 1963, an African-American girl enters her first integrated school.
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Lesléa Newman (Candlewick). The author of Heather Has Two Mommies pens a cycle of poems exploring the impact of the college student’s brutal murder.
Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss (Amazon Children’s Publishing). During the Renaissance, the orphaned daughter of a Milanese nobleman is tantalized by the thought of life beyond the convent walls.
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus (Abrams/Amulet) draws on the real-life experiences of a boy during the Nazi occupation of Norway.
The Warrior’s Heart by Eric Greitens (HMH/Houghton Mifflin). The Navy SEAL adapts his bestselling memoir, The Heart and the Fist, for teens.
Will Sparrow’s Road by Karen Cushman (HMH/Clarion). In the Newbery Medalist’s latest historical novel, a runaway boy encounters con artists and a traveling troupe of human “oddities” in Elizabethan England
