Hi friends! It’s finally August and, for me, that means summer break!! Yaaay! How are you? Are you on holidays? Working? What are you up to? I want to know everything!
I’m back on the blog today to talk about the back to school season. Yeah…I know, I know…you’re like “please let us enjoy the summer”! Well… I made you a fantastic list of ya books so when the time comes around, you won’t be so bummed to get back to real life. How does that sound?!
For a lot of people, this time of the year means getting back to school whether it’s reuniting with your friends, entering a brand new school where you know absolutely no one or starting a semester abroad.
It can also mean getting back to work, starting a new job or internship. I think everyone can agree that these new beginnings can be both scary and exciting. Here’s a list of 10 amazing books to help you get through that time. They’re about mental health, the importance of staying true to yourself and finding your people. But I also found you some perfect YA books full of drama, lies and secrets. I bet you’re intrigued! Let’s dive in, shall we?
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Top 10 YA Back to School Books
You Asked For Perfect, Laura Silverman
This is the story of Ariel, a bisexual Jewish teen, who puts a lot of pressure on himself to be valedictorian and get into Harvard. When he fails his Calculus test, he seeks tutoring help from Amir, his gay Pakistani classmate. It’s an intense story about the weight school puts on students. It focuses on mental health and the price of overachieving. 100% recommending it!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
How To Disappear, Sharon Huss Roat
Vicky is the best at hiding in plain sight, navigating the halls of her high schoool. One day she decides to invent a social life by Photoshopping herself into other people’s pictures, posting them on Instagram under the screen name Vicurious. A wonderful story about the reality behind social media and the importance of being true to yourself.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli
Simon is gay but no one knows and that’s totally fine by him. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being discovered… A lovely tale about identity, friendships, family and the struggles of coming out. It’s sweet, funny and it makes you want to be brave!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Henna Wars, Abida Jaigirdar
Flávia is pretty and charismatic and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat choose to do henna. A rivals-to-romance story, also dealing with cultural appropriation and bullying. A perfect blend of serious and sweet!
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Your Life Has Been Delayed, Michelle I. Mason
Jenny boards her flight in 1995 and lands 25 years later! She must quickly adjust to smartphones and social media while being the biggest story to hit the internet. It’s about the passage of time and the ways lifestyles change while people age and leave us, forcing us to build new connections. A fun read!
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Admission, Julie Buxbaum
Chloe’s life is pretty much perfect. She’s going to prom with her long-time crush, she always has her best friend by her side, she’s heading to the college of her dreams… That is until the FBI come knocking on her front door, her mother being arrested in a massive college admissions bribery scandal. A real provocative and thought-provoking story about privilege, complicity, and accepting responsibility. Addictive!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
180 Seconds, Jessica Park
Allison spent most of her life in the foster care system. She is now starting her third year of college and is one of those people who keeps to herself. One afternoon she’s roped into a social experiment and suddenly finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. 180 seconds that will change everything. This is a story about love, friendship, family and kindness to others. Poignant and very emotional!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
All These Beautiful Strangers, Elizabeth Klehfoth
Determined to finally let go of the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Charlie throws herself into life at Knollwood, the prestigious New England boarding school she attends. But Charlie suddenly finds herself thrown into a secret society… A great mystery-solving novel, with unexpected plot-twists. Captivating!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Clique Bait, Ann Valett
Chloe is out for revenge. Last year her best friend’s life was ruined by the most popular students at their high school, so this year she plans to take each and every one of them down. She has the perfect plan . . . but there’s one thing she didn’t prepare for. And that’s falling for someone she’s determined to destroy. Fast paced and gripping, this one has a bit of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars vibes. You won’t be able to put it down!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
These Vengeful Hearts, Katherine Laurin
Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Ember has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Two years ago, they caused the accident that left her older sister paralyzed. Now, she is determined to hold them accountable… A great take on a secret society from a high school level!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
☂️ You might also enjoy: 26 Summer-Themed YA Books To Read This Summer
📌 Pin 10 back to school books that’ll make it easier to say goodbye to summer on Pinterest!
What did you think of my list? Any book you’re dying to read?
What are the perfect “get back to school” books to get into the mood? Any recommendations?
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How to Disappear is so underrated, so I love seeing it on your list. Definitely a favorite.
Yeees, it’s a shame it’s such a good story!! 😊
Thanks for stopping by 😘😘
this is such a wonderful list!! the henna wars and admission are both amazing books, and are perfect for the beginning of the school year.
i haven’t read any of the others, but they all sound amazing!! your life has been delayed seems so interesting, and i’m loving watching manifest right now which makes me think i’ll love this one.
how to disappear, these vengeful hearts, and clique bait all sound amazing as well!
you asked for perfect sounds like it will be my next favorite book; bi jewish rep is so hard to find, and everything about the story, representation, and romance sounds so amazing!!
thank you for this amazing book recommendations: i’ll have to pick one of these up in the fall, to make starting high school a little bit easier!!
Thank you so much!! ☺️
I’m so happy that you found some great reads to add to your TBR! I hope you’ll like them 😁
Happy reading! 😘😘
I believe a good chunck of them are already on my list- but all great picks!
I actually always was the odd one out, liking going to school.. i’m kinda missing thoses « back to school » days 😅 sadly, thoses are over for me (for now- maybe ill go back to university eventually) : working for a living and no more summer vacation is quite the bad side of adulting x3 even though I do love my job and my immediate coworkers, so i’m lucky in a way.
Haha! 😂
Same here, back to school days are long gone for me too! I used to love it and damn how I wish we could just keep this long summer break 😭😭
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😘
So many good picks! How to Disappear sounds so interesting! 😊
Thank you! 😊
It really is!! 😁
180 Seconds! I loved seeing that one on your list. I’ve only read Simon other than that one.
Yaaay, a favorite of mine for sure 😍
Hope you’ll give the others a chance 😁😁
Thanks for stopping by!
Omg I’ve never heard of Your Life Has Been Delayed or even Admission but they both sound super interesting! Definitely adding them to my tbr 😀
Yaaaay! That makes me so happy!! You’re going to love them 😁
Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 😘😘