Readers of all ages will find some of the most exciting and diverse stories being published in the world of YA. Here are our 10 most anticipated titles for 2019, so go ahead and start making your TBR list for the new year!
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
February 5 | Balzer + Bray
With the runaway success of the Thomas’ debut novel The Hate U Give (not to mention all the awards and critical acclaim), it wouldn’t be a most anticipated list without this follow-up. Although this is a standalone story, it’s set in Starr’s neighborhood and follows a 16-year-old girl named Bri who dreams of rap superstardom.
We Set the Dark On Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
February 26 | Katherine Tegen
This intense Latinx feminist fantasy is already getting some comparisons to The Handmaid's Tale, but don't worry, it's definitely not as grisly. At the Medio School for Girls, teens are trained to become either primary wives (Primeras) or secondary partners (Segundas) for men. But can one girl succeed in her mission to spy for the growing opposition and smash the patriarchy?
Lovely War by Julie Berry 
March 5 | Viking
Berry’s lush and evocative novel set during World War I explores the love of four teens who are mired in the grisly conflict, and their poignant stories unfold through the narration of Aphrodite and a group of other Greek gods and goddesses. Trust me, you do not want to miss this one.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
March 5 | Holt
Adeyemi’s debut West African-inspired fantasy, Children of Blood and Bone was one of the biggest YA debuts of 2018. In the next installment in this thrilling series, Zélie and Amari must find out what the return of magic means for their kingdom.
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
March 12 | Viking
The groundbreaking and award-winning author of Speak will publish her first memoir this spring. An unflinching account of her early life and her experience with sexual assault, this is difficult but life-changing reading.
Internment by Samira Ahmed
March 19 | Little, Brown
Ahmed is following up her acclaimed debut Love, Lies and Other Filters with this fierce and chilling look at an imagined near-future that hits a little too close to home: What would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court reversed their decision on Korematsu vs. the United States and forced Muslim-Americans to live in internments camps?
The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie
March 26 | Dutton
A near-future, post-apocalyptic steampunk story might not sound like your jam, but Condie’s writing will suck you in immediately, and you won’t want to put down this story of a stubborn and ferocious young engineer who is determined to avenge her murdered boyfriend. I’m getting some Mad Max: Fury Road vibes, but this story is set on a giant ship.
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
April 2 | Albert Whitman
In this Chinese-inspired fantasy, Princess Hesina must take on the throne when her father is suddenly murdered. Determined to find his killer, she turns to magic, which has been illegal in her land for centuries. With Game of Thrones-style political scheming, plenty of twists, beautifully drawn characters and a lush setting, this will be the romantic fantasy debut readers will be talking about.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
May 7 | HarperTeen
The author of the National Book Award-winning novel-in-verse The Poet X returns with this novel about a teen mother who finds joy and healing in the kitchen and dreams of becoming a chef. I’m hungry just looking at that cover!
There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon
May 14 | Simon Pulse
Menon is now an accepted master of charming and smart YA romance, and this companion novel to When Dimple Met Rishi is sure to be a pitch-perfect beach read. Rishi’s brother gets set up with Sweetie, a badass fat Indian-American girl on a mission to stand up to her judgmental parents. I’m sure you can guess that sparks will fly between these two.
No release date yet . . .
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
Simon and Baz return in Rowell’s sequel to her beloved 2015 bestseller, Carry On. There aren’t any details yet, but expect more quips! More smooching! More magicks! And get a load of this promo poster from Kevin Wanda.
