9 Comments

My favorite YA books have been the 3 books by Elizabeth Acevedo-Poet X, With the Fire on High, and Clap When You Land. I listened to all three on audio and purchased the books for my library.

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Love Elizabeth Acevedo. She lives in D.C. so I've been lucky enough to see her read a few times!

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That would be my dream to see her in person.

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Top YA books:

We Are Okay, Nina LaCour

Once and For All, Sarah Dessen (CW: school shooting)

Golden, Jessi Kirby

Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson

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Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby is one of the books I've re-read most in my life.

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So glad to see the recommendation for Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly by Jim DeRogatis. That was such an eye-opening, enraging read. There is a new biography of Aliayah coming out tomorrow (Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah by Kathy Iandoli) which I am looking forward to reading. I'm curious how the book will address the R. Kelly of it all, but I feel sort of conflicted about it too as so much of Aaliyah's legacy/public persona is tied to him and I want more for her than that. And yipee for a SDB interview!

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I had the exact same thoughts about the Aaliyah book.

There's so much good stuff in the SDB interview — I'm having trouble cutting it to a reasonable length.

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I really liked Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson!

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I'm so glad you asked about YA books so I can find some here in the comments. I have only read a few and you have probably read them: The Fault in Our Stars, The Upside of Unrequited Love, T.H.U.G (The Hate You Give), The Education of Margot Sanches by Lilliam Rivera. P.S. I've happily shared your newsletter with friends and once again this week highlighted it and the Bingo game in my newsletter. Love love love this work you are doing.

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