CHARLESTON, S.C. — As of July 31, the following titles are nominated for inclusion within the 2018 compilation of best fiction recommendations for young adults across the country. Click a title listed below to view available formats, place a hold or locate a copy at a CCPL branch near you. Additional nominees will be added each month, so stay tuned for updates!    

After the Fall by Kate Hart (2017)
Raychel has been part of the Richardsons' lives since she was young, but as teenagers the relationships between Raychel, Matt, and Andrew have changed. When Raychel is the victim of a rumor cycle, the boys protect her. After tragedy strikes, all must let go of first loves and move on.

Alex and Eliza: A Love Story by Melissa de la Cruz (2017)
It's the height of the American Revolution. Alexander Hamilton, Washington's right-hand man, and Elizabeth Schuyler, a member of a prominent family, fall in love despite a rocky first meeting. However, Eliza is expected to marry a man of equal regard. Alex, an orphan, is not suitable. Will they find happiness?

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett (2017)
When Bailey moves to California to live with her dad, she looks forward tracking down the boy she's developed an online friendship with in a classic movie forum. But her search for "Alex" gets sidetracked by annoying surfer-boy and coworker Porter. "You've Got Mail" gets a modern and refreshing makeover.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson (2017) 
16-year-old Mary Addison has spent 7 years in the juvenile justice system for allegedly killing a white baby, but now that she's pregnant with a baby of her own, she's ready to tell the truth about what really happened that night.

All in Pieces by Suzanne Young (2016)
After stabbing her ex-boyfriend's hand with a pencil, Savannah is sent to an alternative high school for anger management. An alcoholic father means that Savannah is the primary caretaker for her younger disabled brother. Can she meet Evan's needs and still find her own happiness?

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han (2017)
High school senior Lara Jean has much to look forward to: attending prom with her lacrosse boyfriend, getting into her first choice college, planning her father's wedding, and finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. When things don't go according to plan, Lara Jean must make some difficult decisions.

American Street by Ibi Zoboi (2017)
Fabiola Toussaint, an American born citizen raised in Haiti, tries to immigrate back to the United States from Haiti with her mother to live with her Aunt Jo and three cousins in Detroit. When her mother is detained at the airport, Fabiola must learn how to adapt to American living.

Bad Blood by Demitria Lunetta (2017)
Heather, on a summer trip to Scotland, realizes the design she has been cutting into her own flesh is a Celtic symbol. Learning her ancestors dabbled in blood magic, Heather wonders if there's a deeper reason that she cuts. Are seventeenth-century twins reaching out to her?

Bang by Barry Lyga (2017)
At four years old, Sebastian accidentally shot and killed his infant sister. Now, ten years later, he is still dealing with guilt and learning how to cope.

Beast by Brie Spangler (2016)
Insecure about his unusually large and hairy appearance, 15-year-old Dylan feels like a freak until he meets brave and beautiful Jamie, who accepts and loves him as he is. But when he realizes she is transgender, can he return the favor?

Behind Closed Doors by Miriam Halahmy (2017)
Josie's mother is a hoarder. Tasha's mother's boyfriend keeps trying to sneak into her bedroom. Both girls are guarding these secrets. But things are changing and they will need one another's help.

Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves (2017)
Unable to use magic properly, Anna is exiled from society to Hungary. But when she's there, she discovers sinister plots involving her family. She must decide her destiny, and her decision could change the world.

Bull by David Elliott (2017)
The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur is given a modern spin in this darkly humorous novel in verse. Minos' thirst for power gets him into trouble with Poseidon. It's Pasiphae, Minos' wife, who pays the price, birthing a son who is half man and half bull.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (2017)
Scarlet and her sister Tella live with their abusive father on a small island. When invitations to attend the unique Caraval party arrive just prior to Scarlet's wedding, things seem hopeful. But nothing is as it appears at this magical party.

City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson (2017)
Tina lives on the streets of Kenya and becomes part of a gang to survive. She desperately wants revenge on the man she believes killed her mother. But much of the family's past is shrouded in mystery. Will Tina find justice?

Crazy Messy Beautiful by Carrie Arcos (2017)
Neruda Diaz is an artist and believes in soulmates in spite of being unlucky in love. When he's paired with white Callie Leibowitz for a school project, he hopes that has changed. His unfaithful father and a ex-con friend help him come to terms with the complications of love.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller (2017)
Alosa is on a mission to find a lost treasure map for her father, the legendary pirate king. She orchestrates her own kidnapping and ingeniously acts the helpless victim to ensure her stay on a rival pirate ship. Now she must quickly find the map and plan her escape before the Captain discovers what she truly is.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray (2017)
Noemi is a 17 year old soldier defending her planet, Genesis, against Earth. Abel is a robot programmed to fight Genesis for Earth and protect his creator. They are sworn enemies who end up trying to survive together- and, perhaps, to find a way to end the war.

Devil's Advocate by Jonathan Maberry (2017)
Relocated to Maryland for her father's military career, Dana Scully must adjust to a new high school. On her first day of class, she wakes from a horrific dream that is later followed by an on-campus vision of a recently-killed classmate. Can the teen discover the sinister forces at work?

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid (2016)
Nemesis is a Diabolic, an engineered human, created to be the deadly guardian for Sidonia, the daughter of an important galactic family. When Nemesis impersonates Sidonia at the court of the emperor, she becomes involved in a deadly game of intrigue and learns about her developing sense of humanity.

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham (2017)
The discovery of human remains on Rowan's family's property triggers a murder mystery investigation, and in alternating chapters, tells the story of the Oklahoma Race Riot of 1921.

The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera (2017)
Margot Sanchez spends her first year at Somerset Preparatory School crafting a new persona to ingratiate herself with classmates, mimicking their fashion style and their critical and supercilious attitudes towards others. After misusing her father's credit card, she must repay the debt by working all summer in the family supermarket. 

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia (2017)
Fellow students don't know that when she's not at school, reclusive senior Eliza is LadyConstellation, creator of the wildly popular Monstrous Sea. New student Wallace is a huge fan of the webcomic, and slowly breaks through her shell. However, trying to keep her two lives separate may cost Eliza everything.

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza (2017)
Rhiannon, the last princess, is traveling to her coronation when someone attempts to assassinate her. In an environment of deception and betrayal, it's hard to differentiate allies and enemies. Rhee must discover who wants her dead, claim the throne, and prevent interplanetary war.

Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined by Danielle Younge-Ullman (2017)
Ingrid's life is turned upside-down when her internationally-lauded, brilliant opera-star mother's career suddenly and disastrously ends. Leaving Europe to return to the inherited family home in Canada, both she and her mother struggle to adapt to their changed lifestyle and its accompanying emotional distress.

Fire Color One by Jenny Valentine (2017)
Although her rich, art-loving father has been absent for most of her life, sixteen-year-old arsonist Iris spends time with him during his final living days and hears a different story than the one told to her by her manipulative and money-hungry mother. 

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh (2017)
Mariko, betrothed to the Emperor's son, is attacked on her way to the palace. To survive, she disguises herself as a man to find those responsible for her attempted murder. However, seeking answers while traveling with the Black Clan could lead to her death if they learn her identity.

Flying Lessons & other stories edited by Ellen Oh (2017)
Ten popular YA authors offer their own spin on growing up in this engaging and diverse collection. Middle school and high school students will appreciate the humor and authenticity of each story and will relish the introductions to the featured authors.

Frogkisser! by Garth Nix (2017)
Princess Anya's Quest to return one of her sister's suitors to his human form and defeat her evil step-step father grows to monumental proportions, eventually involving all sorts of magical creatures and humans across a multitude of kingdoms.

The Go-Between by Veronica Chambers (2017)
Cammi's famous mother finds herself in a tabloid scandal, leading the family to take a hiatus in L.A. where Cammi is taken for a scholarship student at her private school because she's Mexican. She goes along with this story as a social experiment, but digs herself deep into her lie.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner (2017)
Carver's three best friends are killed in a car accident soon after he sends the driver a text message. Grief and guilt take their toll. When the grandmother of one of his deceased friends asks for a "goodbye day," Carver agrees, hoping for closure.

Grendel's Guide to Love and War by A. E. Kaplan (2017)
An introspective teen who takes an interest in recording the stories of his elderly neighbors enters a pranking war with the partying teenagers next door, partly to protect his father who suffers from PTSD in this clever Beowulf adaptation.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017)
Starr Carter is a black girl caught between two worlds: her poor, black neighborhood, and her suburban, mostly white high school. Occupying this liminal space becomes nearly impossible when Starr witnesses, and is forced to speak out about, the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend, Khalil, by a white cop.

The Hidden Memory of Objects by Danielle Mages Amato (2017)
When fifteen-year-old Megan learns that police attribute her brother's unexpected death to a drug overdose, she refuses to accept this characterization. Megan begins an investigation to find the truth, quickly finding herself caught up in a world of blood artifacts, paranormal abilities and political intrigue.

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Blake (2017)
Grace is a 17-year-old pianist who has spent most of her life taking care of her mother, Maggie. Eva is an accomplished dancer who moves to Grace's seaside town after her mother passes away. As romance ensues, the two learn to confront grief, embrace happiness, and make decisions for themselves. 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (2017)
Henry Montague, the son of a British nobleman, embarks on a European tour with his best friend (and secret crush) Percy and his sister Felicity. Along the way, they encounter adventure and conflict that leads them to a very different destiny than the one awaiting their return to England.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sàenz (2017)
High school senior Sal has a lot on his plate as he deals with his dying grandmother, tries to control his growing anger with the prejudice of others, and ponders his relationship with his adopted father in this diverse novel about friendship and what it takes to become a man.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (2017)
Juliet and Declan begin writing letters, and later emails, anonymously after one exchange at the gravesite of Juliet's mom. Soon they share personal struggles, but still as strangers. When they realize their worst moments may be connected, the friendship could be over.

A List of Cages by Robin Roe (2017)
After Julian's parents die in an accident, he moves from a loving foster home to live with his abusive Uncle Russell. Five years later, Adam, a well-liked older classmate with ADHD, provides his former foster brother Julian with an important friendship at a critical time.

Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell. Illustrated by Shadra Strickland (2017)
This accessible novel-in-verse brings readers into the lives of Richard and Mabel (Jeter) Loving, an interracial couple who married in 1958 despite Virginia's anti-miscegenation laws, and whose determination to be a family resulted in the landmark Civil Rights decision from the Supreme Court.

Maid of the King's Court by Lucy Worsley (2017)
The daughter of politically disgraced royalty in financial straits, Eliza understands her duty to rescue her family through marriage to a man of wealth and title. When arranged marriage plans end in disaster, Eliza's only remaining option is to be groomed as a maid-of-honor in King Henry VIII's court.

Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson (2017)
Just before Adri leaves Earth to become one of the first human inhabitants of Mars, she finds a journal and a series of letters that spark her curiosity about her past. Told across multiple generations, Midnight at the Electric explores the moments that define our lives and connect us.

The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius (2017) 
Despite being a gorilla, Sally Jones is an excellent typist and she uses her typewriter to tell the adventure of her attempts to exonerate best friend and sailor Henry Koskela, who was wrongfully imprisoned for murder after the two of them were caught in the middle of a smuggling operation.

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord (2017) 
Bible camp was always Lucy's plan for the summer. But when her mom asks her to serve instead as a counselor at a camp for youth who have experienced trauma, Lucy's plan is thrown off course as she learns to adjust to new possibilities-both exciting and terrifying.

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus (2017) 
Five high school students end up in detention after being caught with their phones out during class. Five students go in, but only four come out alive. All have secrets they didn't want Simon to reveal on his high school gossip app. Which student is the killer?

Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen (2017)
Petula sees danger in everything since the death of her little sister. In therapy group, she meets Jacob, outgoing despite an accident in which he lost a limb. As she slowly opens herself to hope, she learns Jacob's been keeping secrets-was she right all along to expect the worst?

Overturned by Lamar Giles (2017)
Nikki Tate's plans to escape the Vegas life by winning illegal card tournaments comes to a sudden stop when her father, a small-time casino owner, is murdered shortly after being released from jail for a homicide he did not commit.

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson (2017)
Artist Jade has big dreams, but recognizes that coming from a rough neighborhood creates barriers. She reluctantly joins Woman to Woman, a mentoring program that promises a scholarship. Her well-intentioned mentor, also black, doesn't understand Jade has no desire to be "saved." Each has things to learn from the other.

Poison's Kiss by Breeana Shields (2017)
Marinda is a "poison maiden" whose kiss kills the Raja's enemies. When her next target is the boy she loves, she decides to try to save him, her little brother, and herself from her handlers and powers of the supernatural.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (2017)
To the outside world, Frances is a shy, boring nerd who hopes to attend Cambridge University. In reality, she is a quirky bisexual artist who loves listening to and drawing fan art for Universe City, a mysterious podcast whose agender narrator goes by the name of Radio Silence.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (2017)
Ramona thinks she knows exactly who she is, who she loves, and what her future holds, until her senior year of high school challenges her expectations and she learns that life, love, and identity are more fluid than she thought.

Refugee by Alan Gratz (2017)
Josef (a Jewish boy in 1939), Isabel (a Cuban in 1994), and Mahmoud (a Syrian in 2015) flee their homes seeking safety. Readers will come to care deeply for each protagonist, recognizing the similarities in each of these different political periods and the universal face of courage.

Saint Death by Marcus Sedgwick (2017)
In Juarez, the childhood friend Arturo hasn't seen for a year comes begging for help to transport his girlfriend and infant across the Mexican border into North America. The game of calavera Arturo plays to win freedom for his friends draws him into the merciless vortex of cartels and drug-trafficking.

A Season of Daring Greatly by Ellen Emerson White (2017)
Jill Cafferty is the first female pitcher in MLB history. During her initial short season with the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league team, she feels enormous pressure to perform while facing sexism on and off the field, and loneliness from leaving right after her high school graduation.

The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby (2017)
In an alternate present-day New York City, twins Tess and Theo Beidermann and their friend Jamie Cruz race to save their home from destruction. Can they solve the Old York Cipher, a mystery left behind by the Morningstar twins, geniuses whose city design was unrivaled in its technology and advancements?

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (2017)
Lazlo Strange is an orphan raised by monks. He dedicated his life to learning and his favorite story is of Weep, the lost fairytale city that was literally removed from memory. This is the story of his search for the magical city.

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom (2017)
Life for sixteen-year-old Mel Hannigan isn't easy. As she tries to hide her bipolar disorder and grieve the loss of her older brother, it costs her old friends and threatens to affect new relationships. How will those closest to Mel react when they discover the extent of her secrets?

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale (2017)
Doreen is not your average teen. Sure, she worries about math homework and making friends, but she's got bigger problems too. Doreen must save the town using her assets-her luxurious squirrel tale and super squirrel strength. Can she use her squirrel super powers to defeat the evil Micro-Manager?

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (2017)
17-year-old Molly has 26 crushes behind her, but has never acted on them. Her outgoing twin, Cassie, thinks she's got the perfect guy for Molly, but Molly's finding herself more drawn to a nerdy coworker. Can Molly overcome her insecurities and finally take a chance?

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour (2017)
Marin has isolated herself in icy New York over winter break rather than confronting the devastating memories she ran from in San Francisco. But when her best friend flies cross-country to be with her, Marin discovers that the only way to move beyond grief is to face it head-on.

Who Killed Christopher Goodman? by Allan Wolf (2017)
Several high school students tell the story of classmate Christopher Goodman's murder -- including the person who killed him. Set in 1979, this novel is based on a true crime from the author's childhood.

Wonderful Feels Like This by Sara Lövestam  (2017)
Steffi, bullied at school, finds solace in jazz music and in a new friendship with a retired man and former jazz musician who coaches her through learning a new instrument and tells her about his own teenage years as a musician in Sweden during WWII.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (2017)
Rachel and Henry were best friends until Rachel moved away. After her brother's death, Rachel's world is in shambles. She returns to their home town to work in Henry's family bookshop, where Henry faces his own struggles. An exceptional coming of age exploration and ode to the power of words.