14 Young Adult Books for Every Teen’s Summer Reading List

 Summer 2021 is here. With the pandemic finally getting under control, we can go to the beach this season and get tanned. Of course, the best way to spend your day at the beach is by reading a book, reading about how a dragon took over a castle, or how two frenemies become lovers.

Here is some quality summer reading for young adults to accompany you in the warm summer.

1.      Indecent Exposure by Viola Trivette

Our list of best summer books for young adults starts with a book revolving around law student Meera and her rival Aaron. Their rivalry takes an uncomfortable turn after they share an awkward moment in an empty classroom and later on come face-to-face at their graduation party. This awakens Meera’s hidden feelings for Aaron, yet she continues denying them, but for how long will she be able to do that?

2.      We Are Inevitable by Gayle Forman

This summer read for young adults follows a father and son in a bookstore, which nobody visits anymore—spending long, aimless days consuming words that no one around here buys anymore. Ira and his 19-year-old son, Aaron, have lost a lot already, a son (and brother) and a wife (and mother). They are now on the edge of losing the family bookshop as well. However, somehow, the community comes together to help them become happy again.

3.      The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

In this summer young adult book, we will learn about Spencer, a 15-year-old proud nerd, a Messi-in-training, and a transgender. Spencer decides to take a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio, after having a year of bullying at his old school during his transition.

Everything is going smooth at Oakley until Spencer’s coach gets forced to bench him after he discovers the ‘F’ on Spencer’s birth certificate. Now, it is up to Spencer to either cheer his team from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even if it means coming out to the whole school, including the guy he’s falling for.

4.      From Little Tokyo With Love by Sara Kuhn

‘From Little Tokyo’ is a modern-day fairy tale that centers on a half-Japanese girl Rika Rakuyama finding her lost mother and her place in the world. It is one of the best summer books for young adults to inspire readers to discover themselves during the summer break.

5.      Off the Record by Camryn  Garret

Seventeen-year-old Josie Wright, a potential teen journalist, gets the opportunity to write about an up-and-coming film star. But soon she discovers, that the real story is less about charming celebrities and more about #MeToo scandals. This summer book for young adults deals with several big topics at once, including mental health, family drama, body shaming, and sexual and racial identity.

6.      Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi

This summer read for young adults is a diverse, fast-paced, feminist romance with many exciting characters. Our protagonists are 14-year-old Parvin Mohammadi, whose parents enforced Farsi lessons, and an Iranian aunt caught up in the Muslim travel ban. This breezy young adult summer book is about trying to find love by hiding your true self.

7.      What’s Not To Love by Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley

Alison and Ethan are the very definitions of high school frenemies. The two high-achieving academic rivals compete in every school project until they have to co-plan a reunion at school in exchange for the promise of a recommendation for Harvard. However, with all the extra hours spent together, the rivalry turns into a friendship. Then one day, Alison realizes that there is one thing she wants more than winning, and that is Ethan.

8.      Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

The author of a Hot Dog Girl brings you another exciting summer read for young adults. ‘Some Girls Do’ is a queer romance between two high school students Ruby and Morgan. They both come from two different worlds. Ruby is a closeted bisexual beauty queen with a shabby reputation, whereas Morgan is open about her sexuality and is a proud Catholic aiming for a college scholarship. However, an unexpected encounter in the school parking lot sends them into each other’s orbit.

9.      A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen

Liza Yang, a high school senior, is thrilled when her mother asks her to judge the Yang Bakery and Restaurant’s Junior Baking Competition. But later on, she realizes it’s just a trick by her mother to find her a nice Asian boyfriend.

10.  Sunkissed by Kasie West

In this diluted Dirty Dancing young adult summer book, 17-year-old Avery encounters love on a two-month family vacation at a distant California resort. This breezy summer read by a creative young adult author Kasie West is a perfect match for a sunny day on the beach.

11.  Instruction for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

The young adult summer book is about a 17-year-old, Evie Thomas. After her parents decide to end their marriage, she decides to lock away her feelings. However, this will all change when a coincidental encounter with a book, Instructions for Dancing, sets her life on a supernatural path.

12.  Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee

Valora Luck plans to join the circus in New York and to reunite with her twin brother. She takes a voyage on the luxury ocean liner from England to America. Now, we all know how ‘Titanic’ ended. However, on the contrary, ‘Luck of the Titanic’ is an energetic, layered piece of historical fiction. It’s a finely shaped book that explores class, identity, and family that resonates through the present.

13.  A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

Next on the list of summer books for young adults is ‘A River of Royal Blood’. The book follows 16-year-old Eva facing her older sister Isa in a duel to protect the Ivory Throne. As fascinating as this book is, you will be amazed how Amanda Joy has explored the relationship between the two sisters.

14.  A Gilded One by Namina Forna

‘A Gilded One’ is about a 16-year-old Deka, who is terrified that she’ll get banished from her village. However, one day she discovers her true lineage. She finds out she’s an Alaki, a nearly immortal warrior with gold and magic running in her veins.

This brings us to the end of our list for summer reads for young adults. We hope you find the list interesting. Have a safe summer!