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YA Books Coming Out in Summer 2020

15 YA Novels Coming Out in Summer 2020 That Need to Be on Your Reading List

Jul 2 2020

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We're going to let you in on a little secret: young adult books aren't just for teenagers, and these novels coming out in summer 2020 are must reads even if you've long since left high school. Though the stories oftentimes revolve around high schoolers, YA novels are just as compelling and far-reaching as books targeted for adults, and everyone can benefit from reading them. Is fantasy your thing? Do you prefer swoon-worthy rom-coms? No matter what you're into, there's likely a YA book debuting this summer that you're sure to love. We've rounded up all the young adult books coming out this summer that we can't wait to read, and you'll definitely want to add these titles to your TBR list.

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1. Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

Lori M. Lee's Forest of Souls is the first instalment in an exciting new fantasy series, which tells the story of Sirscha Ashwyn, a young woman training to become the queen's next royal spy, despite coming from nothing. However, after shamans attack and kill her best friend, Sirscha discovers her true calling when she is somehow able to bring her friend back to life.

Out June 23

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2. Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti

Legendary YA author Deb Caletti's latest novel, Girl, Unframed, revolves around 16-year-old Sydney Reilly, who reluctantly returns home to San Francisco at the end of her school year to live with her self-centred movie-star mother for the summer. The situation is made worse when she discovers that her mother is involved with a shady art dealer, Jake, whose interest in Sydney becomes increasingly intense.

Out June 23

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3. Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano

Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano is the first novel in a fantasy duology, telling the story of Jack Sommers, a man who is given the choice to live forever, but only if he becomes the immortal, physical embodiment of winter. Each season is tasked with killing the season that becomes before it, which means winter kills autumn and spring kills winter — but that becomes difficult after Jack falls for a spring named Fleur.

Out June 23

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4. I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

Kit Frick's I Killed Zoe Spanos revolves around two teen girls: Anna, who arrives in Herron Mills for a summer nanny gig and a fresh start, and Zoe, who's been missing from Herron Mills since New Year's Eve and who bears a striking resemblance to Anna. As Anna becomes increasingly fascinated with the mystery, she becomes more and more convinced she was somehow involved — and maybe even killed Zoe herself.

Out June 30

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5. Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power

Wilder Girls author Rory Power's second YA novel, Burn Our Bodies Down, tells the story of Margot, a girl who has only ever known life with her single mother and knows nothing else about her mysterious family history. When Margot discovers a photograph that leads her to her mom's hometown, she decides to finally figure out where she came from and what exactly drove her mom to run away.

Out July 7

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6. Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Drawing from Persian mythology and fairytales, Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust revolves around Soraya, who — just like a princess from a fairytale — is cursed to poison everything she touches, forcing her to alienate herself from the world. As her twin brother's wedding day approaches, Soraya must decide whether she can risk stepping out for the big day, though the consequences are even graver than she realises.

Out July 7

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7. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

In her debut novel Cinderella Is Dead, author Kalynn Bayron rewrites the familiar story of Cinderella, picking up the fairytale 200 years after Cinderella found her prince. In this new world, teen girls are forced to attend an Annual Ball, where some are selected as wives and the others are never heard from again. When 16-year-old Sophia makes the decision to flee from the ball, she encounters the last known descendant of Cinderella, and together, they work to bring down the king and expose the true story of Cinderella.

Out July 7

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8. Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Rachel Lynn Solomon's Today Tonight Tomorrow takes place on the last day of senior year, following bitter rivals Rowan and Neil who find themselves facing off one last time during a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle. The two reluctantly pair off when they learn a group of their classmates is out to get them, but the more time they spend together, the more they find themselves falling for each other.

Out July 28

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9. This Is My America by Kim Johnson

In her debut novel This Is My America, Kim Johnson tells the story of 17-year-old Tracy Beaumont, who has spent several years tirelessly campaigning to get her father — an innocent Black man — off death row. With her time (and her dad's time) running out, Tracy encounters yet another tragedy: the wrongful arrest of her brother after he is accused of murdering a white girl.

Out July 28

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10. The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Megan McCafferty's The Mall is set in 1991, and follows recent high school grad Cassie Worthy as she spends her summer working at the local mall. Though she and her boyfriend are set to move to NYC and begin college together in just six weeks, Cassie finds that her time at the Parkway Centre Mall has her unexpectedly questioning her picture-perfect plan.

Out July 28

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11. The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Set during the 1992 Rodney King Riots, Christina Hammonds Reed's timely debut, The Black Kids, tells the story of Ashley Bennett, a privileged Black teen living in Los Angeles and looking forward to spending the Summer after her senior year of high school with friends. However, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after assaulting a Black man named Rodney King, Ashley finds that she's transformed in her friends' eyes from one of them to one of the Black kids.

Out Aug. 4

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12. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

They Wish They Were Us, Jessica Goodman's debut novel, takes place in on the Gold Coast in Long Island, New York, where Jill Newman is excited to begin her senior year at Gold Coast Prep. Though she's ready for senior year to be her best year yet, Jill's plans change after she starts receiving texts from her ex, Graham, who confessed to killing Jill's BFF three years ago but now claims he's innocent.

Out Aug. 4

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13. Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer De Leon

In Jennifer De Leon's debut novel Don't Ask Me Where I'm From, Liliana Cruz, a first-generation Latinx American, is struggling to fit in at her new all-white suburban high school — which is a world away from her tough inner-city Boston neighbourhood. Surviving Westburg becomes even more difficult after Liliana learns that her father — who recently abandoned her and her mother — may not have left of his own volition.

Out Aug. 4

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14. Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar

Inspired by Hindu mythology, debut author Shveta Thakrar's Star Daughter follows the story of Sheetal, the daughter of a human and a star who spends her life pretending to be "normal." However, when her mortal father is wounded by starfire, Sheetal must recruit the help of a full star (like her mother, who returned to the sky years before) to save him.

Out Aug. 11

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15. Now That I've Found You by Kristina Forest

Now That I've Found You by Kristina Forest tells the story of 18-year-old Evie Jones, the granddaughter of a movie star whose own rising career is threatened when her friend betrays her. Evie hopes that a public appearance with her grandmother will help salvage her career, but unfortunately, her reclusive grandmother has recently disappeared, and only a cute musician can help Evie find her.

Out Aug. 25

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