Books
These 12 Upcoming YA Novels Are All By Latinx Authors, So Start Getting Excited
If you're anything like me, you're a voracious reader who is always looking for more books to add to your TBR pile, even when it's already teetering toward way too tall. And because of that you probably love to look ahead to what's coming months and even a whole year in advance. If so, you're in luck, and even more so if you're desperate for some exciting new YA books from Latinx authors. All of the 13 books below are being released either in the second half of 2017 or in 2018, and all are written by Latinx writers about diverse and Latinx characters.
You don't need me to tell you the importance of continuing to read diversely, and to make sure that we as a bookish community are amplifying diverse voices and experiences through reading and sharing the stories of minority groups. The best part? Each of these books is as unique as the authors who wrote them and the communities they represent, from Puerto Rico to Cuba, New York to Texas. Because not all people in the Latinx community sound the same, have the same traditions or experiences, you are guaranteed books that will bring to light so much of what makes these exciting and super talented Latinx authors ones to watch.
'They Both Die At The End' by Adam Silvera (September 5, 2017)
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure and to live a lifetime in a single day.
'Shadowhouse Fall' by Daniel José Older (September 12, 2017)
In the sequel to 2015's Shadowshaper, Sierra and her friends love their new lives as shadowshapers, making art and creating change with the spirits of Brooklyn. Then Sierra receives a strange card depicting a beast called the Hound of Light—an image from the enigmatic, influential Deck of Worlds. Thrust into an ancient struggle with enemies old and new, Sierra and Shadowhouse are determined to win. Revolution is brewing in the real world as well, as the shadowshapers lead the fight against systems that oppress their community. To protect her family and friends in every sphere, Sierra must take down the Hound and master the Deck of Worlds...or risk losing them all.
'The Victoria In My Head' by Janelle Milanes (September 19, 2017)
Victoria Cruz inhabits two worlds. In one, she's a rock star, thrashing the stage with her husky voice and purple-streaked hair. In the other, Victoria is a shy teenager with overprotective Cuban parents, who sleepwalks through life at the prestigious Evanston Academy. Unable to overcome her paralyzing stage fright, Victoria settles for living inside her fantasies. But after a chance encounter with a boy named Strand, whose band needs a lead singer, Victoria is tempted to turn her daydreams into reality. To do that, she must confront her insecurities and break away from the treadmill that is her life.
'All The Wind In The World' by Samantha Mabry (October 10, 2017)
Sarah Jacqueline Crow and James Holt work in the vast maguey fields that span the bone-dry Southwest, a land that is both seductive and fearsome. They’re tough and brave, and have big dreams to save up enough money to go east. But until then, they keep their heads down, their muscles tensed, and above all, their love secret. When a horrible accident forces them to start over on a new, possibly cursed ranch called the Real Marvelous, the delicate balance they’ve found begins to give way. And they will have to pay a frighteningly high price for their love.
'I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter' by Erika L. Sánchez (October 17, 2017)
Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role. But when Olga dies in a tragic accident, Julia must reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every single way Julia has failed. But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out the truth.
'The Closest I've Come' by Fred Aceves (November 7, 2017)
Marcos Rivas wants to find love. He’s sure as hell not getting it at home. Or from his boys, who aren’t the “hug it out” type. Marcos yearns for love, a cell phone, and sneakers that aren’t falling apart. But more than anything, Marcos wants out of Maesta—which seems impossible. When Marcos is placed in an after-school program for troubled teens, he meets Zach, a theater geek, and Amy, a punk girl who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. These new friendships inspire Marcos starts to think more about his future and what he has to fight for.
'The Poet X' by Elizabeth Acevedo (March 6, 2018)
Xiomara Batista feels unheard in her Harlem neighborhood. But she pours all her passion onto the pages of notebook—especially after she falls for Aman, a boy her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her to obey the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend. Still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.
'American Road Trip' by Patrick Flores-Scott (2018)
This YA novel is about Teodoro “T” Avila, a 17-year old whose family is affected by the economy and the Iraq War. But when he falls for college-bound Wendy, he fights to overcome family chaos and turn his life around. It's due out in 2018 from Macmillan.
'Circle Unbroken' by Zoraida Córdova (April 1, 2018)
The highly anticipated companion novel to Labyrinth Lost, Circle Unbroken will follow Lula Mortiz, eldest sister of Alex, whose story was told in the first Brooklyn Brujas book. It's due to hit shelves April 1, 2018 from Sourcebooks.
'Dealing In Dreams' by Lilliam Rivera (August 21, 2018)
Sixteen-year-old Nalah leads the fiercest all-girl crew in Mega City. That role brings with it violenence and access to the hottest boydega clubs, but Nalah grows weary of her lifestyle. Her dream is to make a home in the exclusive Mega Towers. But to make it to there, Nalah must prove her loyalty to the city’s founder and cross the border in a search of the mysterious Ashé Riders. Along the way, Nalah battles crews and her own doubts. But the closer she gets to her goal, the more she loses sight of everything she cares about.
'500 Words Or Less' by Juleah del Rosario (2018)
Juleah del Rosario's debut is a novel in verse that follows a high school senior who attempts to salvage her reputation by writing her Ivy League-obsessed classmates' college admissions essays, while she struggles with a moral compass that no longer points north. Publication is slated for fall 2018 from Simon & Schuster.
'When We Were Fearless' by Matt Mendez (2018)
When We Were Fearless, which is set to be published in fall 2018 from Simon & Schuster, tells the story of two high school friends growing up in a barrio community in El Paso, Texas. This will be Mendez's first YA novel, but second book, following his 2012 release Twitching Heart.
'Crows Cry Emilia' by Jenny Torres Sanchez (2018)
Jenny Torres Sanchez's fourth YA novel is an an "un-coming-of-age story" that charts the devolution of 16-year-old Emilia DeJesus when she learns that the police arrested the wrong man for attacking her seven years prior, that the real perpetrator is still out there, and that beauty can be found in all lost things. Publication is scheduled for spring 2018 from Penguin.
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