April 2023 YA Book Releases

Get your students reading with these amazing new titles!

Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby

For students who like action and science fiction. This would be a great book to entice students to read more science fiction. Reminds me of 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad, a fave in my classroom.

In 2098, Jessica Mathers travels to a deep space colony to reunite with her scientist parents, but when she arrives, she can’t find anyone. Just a destroyed landing unit and some bloody handprints along the corridor…

Female perspective written by a male author, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, since this is a starred Kirkus Review.

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila

For students who like urban fantasy and books about community, family, and activism. This would be a great book for students who liked the Shadowshaper trilogy by Daniel José Older. After reading it, students may be interested in realistic activism books, like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Yolanda Nuelis Alvarez is a Black Dominican American girl who is being trained in her family’s bruja (witch) traditions. She receives visions about potential gun violence at her school and takes action to prevent it from happening by embracing her gifts.

This is a starred Kirkus Review.

Promposal by RaeChell Garrett

For students who like romance and strong female protagonists. I would give this to students who really like romance and then stack them with books like Last Chance Dance by Lakita Wilson and Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley before moving into classics like Pride and Prejudice.

Autumn Reeves has been waitlisted at her dream school. After planning an amazing promposal for her friend, she launches a promposal-planning business to set herself apart.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

For students who like dystopic horror and humor. I would give this to students who are looking for something really different. Maybe they liked Survive the Night by Danielle Vega or Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. Or I would recommend those next. I would eventually recommend the Sookie Stackhouse books, because it’s a classic in the monster-gone-mainstream genre.

Three years ago, a small percentage of the population was exposed to a pathogen that left them craving human flesh. A group of four girls travels to a music festival with a cooler full of synthetic meat. One of the girls goes feral and begins killing boys. Oops. This is a starred Kirkus review.

As Long As We’re Together by Brianna Peppins

For students who like contemporary fiction and books about family. I would give this to a student with a lot of siblings or family responsibilities. Afterwards, I would recommend Far From the Tree by Robin Benway or I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez.

Novah has six siblings, and she spends her days taking care of the younger ones while her older sister is busy on the volleyball team and her parents are at work. When her parents unexpectedly pass away, her older sister ends up as the guardian. The two girls struggle to raise their siblings together.

2023 Recommendations

Check out all by 2023 recommendations here.

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