It’s no secret that youth novels are often enjoyed by adults. There are so many talented authors in the field, and their plots generally unfold at a quicker pace than in adult fiction. Always take a minute to learn what sort of book (nonfiction, fantasy, etc.) a young person you’re buying for prefers.
If shopping for a reader in middle school and beyond, choose something that you’ll want to borrow next. These are top-tier new choices.
‘Serafina and the Black Cloak’ by Robert Beatty
Fantasy, suspense, magic, mystery, historical fiction, more. Who is the strange man in the black cloak and why are children disappearing? The setting is the fabulous 250-room Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, N.C., where Serafina secretly lives in the basement with her father. The writing is crisp, and the fast-paced plot is a bit spooky, but hardly too scary. Author Beatty lives in Asheville and plans to continue Serafina’s story. (Ages 8-12, Disney-Hyperion, $16.99)
‘Circus Mirandus’ by Cassie Beasley
Circus Mirandus “exists to nurture magic, to keep it alive in the world beyond our gates.” This full-bodied debut beautifully written by a young author in rural Georgia (outside Savannah) led to a hot bidding war among publishers. Movie rights have been snapped up. Beasley’s story follows Micah Tuttle and his quest to find the circus and its mighty magician, the Lightbender, who long ago promised his grandfather a miracle. Grandpa is deathly ill; it’s time for that miracle.
A must for fans of “Tuck Everlasting,” the “Harry Potter” series, the quirky works of Roald Dahl and anyone who loves sinking deep into a captivating fantasy filled with heart, soul, magic — and miracles. (Ages 9-12, Dial, $17.99)
‘The Marvels’ by Brian Selznick
This fat but elegant tome is a remarkable achievements in kids’ fiction. Two meaty tales are ingeniously linked. The first follows a London theatrical family (the Marvels) and begins in 1766, occupying 400 wordless pages; the full saga is revealed through Selznick’s masterful pencil scenes. Its companion story begins in 1990 and is told chiefly through text. The combined 667 pages challenge readers to piece together terrific clues.
Another wondrous creation from the author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the basis for Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” which won several Oscars. (Ages 10 and up, Scholastic, $32.99)
‘Fuzzy Mud’ by Louis Sachar
From the author of “Holes” (1999) comes this highly inventive eco-cautionary suspense story. Sachar skillfully weaves themes ranging from bullying to a U.S. Senate inquiry that could impact the future of civilization itself. Sprinkled with math and science elements, this is just the ticket for any youngster who wants to contemplate big issues while being entertained. (Ages 10 and up, Delacorte Press, $16.99)
‘Orbiting Jupiter’ by Gary D. Schmidt
Here it is, easily my favorite novel in a long while. Don’t be put off by the fact the story involves a boy who became a father at 13 to a baby he’s not allowed to see. This slender book holds an abundance of heart, soul, truth and tension.
At 14, the sad and troubled Joseph becomes foster child to a kind farm couple with one son, 12-year-old Jack, a first-rate hero who also narrates. Support characters in this unputdownable tearjerker are distinctly real, from a cruel bus driver to Rosie the milking cow. Jack knows “you can tell a whole lot about someone from the way cows are around him.” Rosie provides Joseph with something rare: love he can trust. (Ages 12 and up, Clarion Books, $17.99)
‘The Hired Girl’ by Laura Amy Schlitz
Newbery Medal winner Schlitz drew from her grandmother’s diaries to bring forth this outstanding story in the voice of spunky Joan Skraggs, forced to quit school at 14 to labor on a farm. The place and time are rural Pennsylvania, 1911-1912, but the narrative is fresh and lively, rather than feeling old-fashioned. Excellent for fans of “Little Women,” “Jane Eyre,” and those whose younger hearts swelled for “Anne of Green Gables.” (Ages 12 and up, Candlewick Press, $17.99)
‘This Raging Light’ by Estelle Laure
Two sisters are scraping by without parents. Their rocker-dude dad went berserk and was taken away, then Mom took a “vacation” but never returned. Lucille, 17, has stepped up to care for 9-year-old Wren. She has to pay the bills, cope with high school, and keep prying types (like Wren’s concerned teacher) at bay. Laure writes in Lucille’s voice, present tense, giving the story a you-are-there immediacy. The narrative rings authentic, especially as Lucille wrestles with romantic pangs. Thankfully, there’s enough wry humor to balance the worry and poignancy. Above all, you’ll love steadfast Lucille and keep caring about what comes next. (Official release Dec. 22; ages 14 and up, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99)
‘Username: Evie’ by Joe Sugg, artwork by Amrit Birdi
Here’s a fantastic choice for teens drawn toward graphic novels. The creator is a 23-year-old British Internet star, aka ThatcherJoe. (He has 5 million subscribers and his YouTube channels include ThatcherJoeVlogs.) The plot centers on a high school outcast who discovers her late father was working on a cyberworld utopia. Can she escape into it? (Ages 14 and up, Running Press, $17.95)
‘The Snoopy Treasures: A Celebration of the World Famous Beagle’ by Nat Gertler
“Relatives are like mail order catalogs,” Snoopy reflects. “They come out of nowhere … .” That sentiment helps kick off the “Family” chapter, one of 12 artfully designed sections in this “all things Snoopy” sendup pegged to the rascal’s 65th anniversary. Gertler is a recognized “Peanuts” expert. There truly are “treasures” tucked into several 11-inch-high pockets. Example: In the “Snoopy the Sportsman” section, pull out a color reproduction of a 1958 cartoon Charles “Sparky” Schulz drew of the pup going out for all sports at once. (Ages 15-adult, Thunder Bay Press, $34.95)
‘Disney Movie Posters: From Steamboat Willie to Inside Out’ by Kevin Luperchio
For a film fan or any Disney-centic family, here’s eye candy spanning the studio’s entire history. The color reproduction in the coffee-table-sized volume is as good as it gets. If it’s Disney, it’s here, from a host of old Mickey Mouse romps in the 1930s to “Pinocchio” (1940), “Swiss Family Robinson” (1960) and all recent blockbusters.
Who knew that “Bambi” (1942) was advertised as “A Great Love Story,” or that back in 1971, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (“You’ll Be Witched … You’ll Be Dazzled!”) was touted as a magical adventure “beyond anything before!”
Curiously, the posters are not arranged chronologically and there’s no index. But minor quibbles, all things considered. (For the whole family, Disney Editions, $40)
12 more sure bets
Also for your browsing and consideration, these new young adult titles have earned glowing reviews; some are already on or inching toward best-seller lists. (Here in order of age appropriateness.)
"Full Cicada Moon" by Marilyn Hilton (Ages 8-12, Dial, $17.99)
"Freedom's Price" by Michaela MacColl and Rosemary Nichols (Ages 9-12, Calkins Creek, $17.95)
"The Blackthorn Key" by Kevin Sands (Ages 10-14, Aladdin, $17.99)
"Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard" by Rick Riordan (Ages 10 and up, Disney-Hyperion, $19.99)
"Becoming Maria" by Sonia Manzano (Ages 12 and up, Scholastic Press, $17.99)
"The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin (Ages 12 and up, Little, Brown, $17)
"Edgewater" by Courtney Sheinmel (Ages 12-18, Amulet/Abrams, $17.95)
"Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon (Ages 12-17, Delacorte, $18.99)
"The Sleeper and the Spindle" by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell (Ages 13 and up, Harper/HarperCollins, $19.99)
"Juniors" by Kaui Hart Hemmings (Ages 14 and up, Putnam, $18.99)
"Honor Girl" by Maggie Thrash (Ages 14 and up, Candlewick Press, $19.99)
"Wolf by Wolf" by Ryan Graudin (Ages 15 and up, Little, Brown, $18)
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