Skip to Main Content
Research Guides

Young Adult Fiction A - G

Recommended by: Cherise Fuselier, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

"This YA series features an albino Nigerian-American teenage girl named Sunny. It takes place in Nigeria, and Sunny and her friends have magical powers and must fight evil. It's kind of like a more diverse Harry Potter, Nigerian-style. The author is a Nigerian-American woman."

Recommended by: Cherise Fuselier, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

"This YA series features an albino Nigerian-American teenage girl named Sunny. It takes place in Nigeria, and Sunny and her friends have magical powers and must fight evil. It's kind of like a more diverse Harry Potter, Nigerian-style. The author is a Nigerian-American woman."

Recommended by: Jose D Sanchez Frugone, Student UW Seattle, Bioengineering

"This book is a very personal, honest coming to age novel about teenage love. At moments poetic and romantic, at moments messy and starkly real. With a backdrop of lgbt and minority themes which add context but do not overpower the beautifully written experiences of a character in conflict with himself; this book explores identity, family relations, friendship, and love in a way that is relevant to all."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, College of Engineering

" I would recommend this book to others because it possesses a predominant theme which is “love is becoming closer with your best friend.” Two individuals explore their sexuality to find out that regardless of their gender, love can still be attained. If not that, I recommend this book because it is relatable in a sense that regardless of who we are, we face a common struggle of confusion in our life; whether it be sexuality, finding a sense of self, or not knowing what our future hold - enduring these periods of uncertainty and facing adversity can bring us closer to embracing who we are."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

" I have previously helped teach this book to high schoolers. It had a profound effect on me. It shows a side of WWII that is often overlooked, and truly highlights the shades of gray of which humanity is capable through a Lithuanian teenage girl's experience."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

Recommended by: Nicole Gustavsen, Staff UW Bothell, UWB / Cascadia College Library

"West African fantasy by a Nigerian American author! The more non-"swords and sorcery"/White European fantasy (and science fiction) literature we can support and provide access to, the better."

Michelle H. Martin, Faculty UW Seattle, iSchool

"Every day A, the protagonist wakes up, A is in a different person's body. An interesting study in diversity. A says that whether or not A likes the body A is inhabiting, they must respect it, regardless. Written by a while male but offers lots of great food for thought. Also a movie now."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, Library and Information Science

"This coming-of-age YA novel stars a teen named Felix, a Black, queer, and trans boy who loves himself but worries he’s “too many minoritizations” to be loved back. This fear makes Felix’s story even more relatable, and I really appreciate his representation. I think many people don’t understand how common it is for people to be multiply minoritized, but in this story, the author reveals what it’s like to be a young adult who must face the constant struggles one faces at the intersection of multiple oppressions. I’m especially glad the author calls attention to the very real issue of transphobia in the queer community from cis queers, or more specifically, from cis gays and lesbians. I also love how this story takes place in a working class, urban setting, in contrast from the many stories about white, middle class teens in the suburbs."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

" It is an LGBTQIA+ romance that centers around Henry Montague, or Monty, a dissolute 18th century young gentleman who goes on a grand tour of Europe with his best friend Percy, and his younger sister, Felicity.The book is filled with adventure, wit, and hedonistic hijinks, but what makes it truly special is how amidst those moments, Monty’s self-absorption is challenged and his own feelings of inadequacy are upended. This book has really incredible representation."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

Young Adult Fiction H - Z

Recommended by: K Wheeler, Student UW Seattle

"This is an amazing book about racial diversity, equity, and police brutality."

 
"This is a heartfelt, well-written YA novel about a young, queer Chinese American girl coming of age in San Francisco during the Red Scare. The author deftly navigates what it’s like to be a multiple minority (in this case, queer and Asian American), how you can be at the intersection of identities and oppressions yet still somehow left out of both communities. I believe it’s very important how the author reveals the racism in the queer community, as well as the queerphobia in the Chinese American community. I think this stands in stark contrast to the majority of representation of queer people in the U.S., which heavily concentrates on cis, white, able-bodied, and neurotypical men and women. However, this novel isn’t all about hardship though; it centers a beautiful interracial relationship between two sapphic girls, and their friendship and romance are both recognized as valuable and important."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, Foster School of Business

Recommended by: Teddy Davenport, Student UW Seattle, Geography

Recommended by: Carla Saulter, Student UW Seattle, Philosophy

"2022 Washington State Book Award winner Might Inside is middle-grade/YA historical fiction about a Black family that integrates a neighborhood in Spokane. The author, Sundee Frazier lives in Renton, and the story is based on the experience of her own grandparents, father, aunt, and uncles. The story is aimed at young people, but it's great for all ages."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, Library and Information Science

"While this is a middle grade novel, the author discusses important topics that are relevant and educational to all ages. This story is about a young Chinese American girl who goes to spend the summer with her grandparents in rural Minnesota. At their family restaurant, she learns about her family history and how it connects to the larger history of Chinese Americans across the whole country. I think the author does a great job showing how different generations in an immigrant family (Maizy is a 5th generation American) can experience life very differently. I especially love how the author completely breaks stereotypes about Asians, from Asian grandparents to Asian mothers to Asian girls; this kind of representation is very valuable and should be more common. I also like how the author shows that children are not too young to understand, discuss, and deal with complex topics such as immigration, racism, and hate crimes. Even as a young person, Maizy shows how individuals can stand up against racism, support their communities, and make a difference."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle

"Mockingbird is a middle grade children's novel told in a first person prose perceptive from a young girl with Asperger's. I remember reading this book as a child and feeling connected to the protagonist, despite our many differences. Caitlin, the main character, struggles with middle school and family issues, yet always remains a strong and true individual that I believe many children and even adults could learn from."

Recommended by: Anonymous

"This Holocaust-era novelized memoir is an important companion piece to works like The Diary of Anne Frank or Number the Stars, with their pleasant and relatable main characters. The difficult, often angry protagonist of this book helps the reader to understand the toll that refugee life takes - as she is shuttled from one living situation to another - and illuminates the unrealistic expectations that societies often place on their most vulnerable residents."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, Library and Information Science

"This YA novel discusses the important issue of racism and anti-blackness in elite universities. The author doesn’t shy away from heavy topics, all of which are reality for the young Black female protagonist and Black women in society at large. I believe this story is important for everyone in college to read, especially at a white-dominant institution like the UW."

Recommended by: K Wheeler, Student UW Seattle

"This book helps the reader tackle the misconception that a person who can't communicate in a 'normal' way is unintelligent, as well as showing the importance of assistive technology, and of respecting your peers."

Recommended by: Veronica Talley, Student UW Seattle, Libraries

" I am recommending this book because this book helped me to understand trauma and women's rights so much better when I read it in high school. I believe that this book is a great book that can help people understand the trauma of sexual assault and rape better. I know that it made me want to support others who had experiences like those in the book more."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

" I'm recommending this list of books because they are all written from #ownvoices."

 

Think something is missing? Recommend a Book!