There's definitely magic in the air this month thanks to these YA books [1] arriving this August. While the fantasy and YA genres [2] often intersect, this month is absolutely overflowing with tales of witches, ghosts, and young people discovering their power. Not into fantasy? That's okay, because there's also an incredible novel about a trans teen standing up for his rights, a story about a young woman whose summer road trip doubles as a journey toward self-discovery, and a novel about a very relatable freshman college experience. No matter what kind of mood you're in, this month's selection of must-read YA books [3] is sure to have a title that will speak to you.
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
The Dead and the Dark [4] by Courtney Gould is an eerie supernatural tale of a small town plagued by strange events. After several teens disappear and reports of ghosts begin to spread, Logan Ortiz-Woodley and her dads — who are both paranormal TV hosts — show up in Snakebite, OR, to investigate. However, they quickly become embroiled in a darkness they never could have imagined.
Out Aug. 3
Fresh by Margot Wood
Margot Wood's Fresh [5] captures every cringeworthy, hilarious, and heartwarming moment of freshman life in college. As told through the eyes of the wonderfully imperfect Elliot McHugh, the college experience comes to life, and so do the numerous trials of self-discovery that are wrapped inside keggers, all-night study sessions, and ill-advised crushes.
Out Aug. 3
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
A Lesson in Vengeance [6] by Victoria Lee is the dark queer academia novel fans of the genre have been waiting for. Set in Dalloway, a boarding school plagued by rumours of witchcraft, the story follows a student named Felicity who returns to the school after the death of her girlfriend. Despite her grieving heart, she can't help but be attracted to a young novelist after they both decide to do a deep dive into the school's haunted past.
Out Aug. 3
Mercury Boys by Chandra Prasad
Chandra Prasad's Mercury Boys [7] is an inventive take on the time-travel novel. Saskia Brown feels out of place in her new, predominantly white school until she accidentally discovers an old vial of mercury that allows her to communicate with boys from the past. Other girls follow Saskia's lead, but what begins as a sisterhood quickly devolves into jealousy and violence that threaten to expose everyone's secrets to the rest of the school.
Out Aug. 3
Sugar Town Queens by Malla Nunn
In Sugar Town Queens [8] by Malla Nunn, 15-year-old Amandla sets out to find answers about her mother's past, including who her mysterious father is and why no one seems to remember much from before the time she was born. And while she may not like the answers she finds, she will at least have the support of her best friends throughout her journey.
Out Aug. 3
The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad
The Wild Ones [9] by Nafiza Azad is a lyrical fantasy about a group of girls with magical gifts who band together to save a boy who once helped them all. Now the girls will have to stave off the dark forces that threaten them and their old friends.
Out Aug. 3
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Anyone who has ever felt like an ugly duckling in a sea full of beautiful influencers will relate to Moon Fuentez. The young protagonist in How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe [10] by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is spending her summer on a tour bus full of beautiful people, which only confirms her belief that she's doomed to always go unnoticed. At least it feels that way until she begins a flirtation with a guy named Santiago and slowly begins to realise her future will be what she makes it.
Out Aug. 10
How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao
Sinclair Prep is rocked by the death of one of the school's brightest students in How We Fall Apart [11] by Katie Zhao. But as shocking as Jamie Ruan's death is, nothing can prepare Nancy Luo for what comes next. Shortly after Jamie's body is discovered, an anonymous student implicates Nancy and her friends Krystal, Akil, and Alexander in his death. Now, it's up to Nancy to unravel the truth before she loses everything.
Out Aug. 17
Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas
Both Sides Now [12] by Peyton Thomas is the story of trans teen Finch Kelly, who is determined to win the the National Speech and Debate Tournament. A win could mean a scholarship to his top-choice school in Washington DC and the start of his political career. However, this year's topic happens to be transgender rights, which could force Finch to argue against his very existence.
Out Aug. 24
Burden Falls by Kat Ellis
Burden Falls [13] by Kat Ellis reads like a horror blockbuster in the best way possible. Set in a town plagued by rumours of ghosts, Ava Thorn knows all too well the dangers of the falls. But when someone Ava knows is murdered, she begins to wonder if she should be worried about the supernatural or an actual killer.
Out Aug. 24
Edie in Between by Laura Sibson
Edie in Between [14] by Laura Sibson is a story about mothers and daughters, growing up, and owning your power. One year after her mother's death, Edie is grappling with her family's legacy as witches after her mom's old journal shows up and begins showing her memories from the past. As she gains a better understanding of her mother, Edie needs to control her magical gifts in order to deal with a dark secret her family buried.
Out Aug. 24
The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
The Witch Haven [15] by Sasha Peyton Smith is a dazzling historical fantasy novel about a school for witches in 1911 New York City. The book follows Frances, a 17-year-old girl who is taken away to a magical school after a man who attacks her ends up dead at her feet. At first, her new life seems too good to be true, and she discovers soon enough that it is. Although she's found a place to call home, Frances winds up getting involved in a war between witches and wizards.
Out Aug. 31