Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This novel focuses on the stories of two Latino boys named Aristotle and Dante. Despite their differences, they grow to be close friends. This story explores their friendship and themes such as family and authenticity. This novel received the Stonewall Book Award and is a Printz Honor Book.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

This fantasy book will keep you entertained from the very first page to the very last. It is set in the fictional city of Ketterdam, and follows the adventures of a group of unlikely heroes as they attempt to pull off a dangerous heist. Lead by Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, the entire cast of characters is diverse and incredibly well written.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
This book is a heartbreaking glimpse at the effects of systematic racism and police brutality, while simultaneously acting as a call to justice. In this book, the main character (a black teenage girl named Starr) witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend. This book received critical acclaim, was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and is a Printz Honor Book.

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
This book is the first of a four book series. It follows the adventures of four characters, each with their own compelling story. This story interweaves magical elements (such as a curse and the search for ancient Welsh magic) with the teens’ everyday lives in Virginia.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This international bestseller is a must read. In an interesting twist, this novel is narrated by Death himself. The setting is 1939 in Nazi Germany. This book follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a foster child who steals books. As she gets older, she begins to share her books with the people around her, including the Jewish man that is sheltered in her basement.