The authors of this year’s YA buzz titles share the stories behind their books.

David Yoon, Frankly in Love

(Putnam, Sept.)

At first, my novel is about a boy and a girl who fake-date each other to hide their real love interests from their conservative Korean parents, who want them to date only other Koreans. But the story quickly twists and turns to send our hero, Frank, onto a journey exploring race, identity, heartbreak—and, ultimately, how to love your parents even when they drive you crazy.

Like Frank, I grew up as a hyphenated Korean-American kid struggling to define myself in between worlds—a struggle that has continued into adulthood. When my father became terminally ill, I couldn’t help wondering what he must be feeling and thinking. Was he proud of his son? Did he have regrets? Did he achieve all the things he once dreamt of? All these questions led, in one way or another, to a single answer in my mind: love, in all its various forms. And I knew that Frankly in Love had to be a love story, not just between a boy and a girl but between a son and his parents.

Kim Liggett, The Grace Year

(Wednesday Books, Sept.)

In an isolated village, 16-year-old girls, in order to rid themselves of their feminine magic to become purified and ready for marriage, are sent into the wilderness to endure their grace year. It felt like this novel’s premise came to me all at once, hitting me like a runaway colt, but I’d been quietly seething over this topic for years: the things we do to young women. I wanted to explore misogyny on every level, not only the destructive force of a society that denies women power, but the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in between.

When I first started writing, a friend asked what my pie-in-the-sky dream accomplishment would be. Without hesitation, I replied, “Buzz Book!” It’s been a long, winding path to get here, but I think that makes it all the sweeter. There’s no better opportunity to get in front of the movers and shakers of our industry, and I will savor every moment talking about this story and how much it means to me.

Julia Drake, The Last True Poets of the Sea

(Disney-Hyperion, Oct.)

This is a book about many things: the hunt for a long-lost shipwreck, a fractured family, falling in love, finding new friends, and surviving life’s challenges. The original inspiration for the novel was Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a melancholy comedy full of memorable, lovable characters. I first read the play when I performed as Viola in a high school production, and her warmth and wit stayed with me for years.

I’m so grateful that the novel will be featured on the YA Editors’ Buzz Panel, and my hope is that the book reaches more readers and makes them feel less alone, especially when it comes to any difficulties and questions surrounding their mental health.

Brandy Colbert, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph

(Little, Brown, Aug.)

My novel explores a summer in the life of a 16-year-old who feels constrained by her parents’ endless rules. When her mom’s sister shows up unexpectedly, fresh out of rehab for addiction, Birdie is drawn to her warmth and free spirit. As she begins to break away from the rules, falling for a young man with a troubled past, Birdie slowly realizes how long-held secrets can shape the future.

I was inspired to write this novel because of the role I’ve seen addiction play in the lives of people I know. I’m always struck by the secrecy around the issue, as well as the rifts it causes in relationships. I was also interested in exploring how addiction affects the black community, and particularly how it impacts families. This panel helps highlight a story from an underrepresented group, and I believe there’s no better way to foster empathy than stepping into the shoes of someone with a different background. It’s important to me that teens know they’re not alone, no matter what difficult situation they’re facing, and I believe readers will relate to Birdie’s journey.

Erin Stewart, Scars Like Wings

(Delacorte, Oct.)

In my novel, Ava Lee loses everything—her parents, her best friend, and even her face—in a fire. Ten years ago, I met a boy named Marius who had been orphaned and badly burned after a fire. But he had something the fire could never steal: an unwavering belief that he was so much more than his scars and this tragedy. Scars Like Wings would not have been possible without Marius and other burn survivors who shared their stories with me. Like these real-life heroes, Ava goes through moments of deep darkness and pain. But [the book] is also a story of hope for anyone who has ever searched for light in the darkness. It is a story of choosing life—and love—despite the scars.

I can’t wait for booksellers and teens to meet Ava, and I’m excited for readers to watch as she discovers that the amount of love and light she lets into her life—and gives out in return—will determine the trajectory of her life more than tragedy ever could.

Today, 9:30–10 a.m. The “Meet Young Adult Buzz Authors” panel will take place on the Downtown Stage.