Bookworms Unite: Re-‘reaping’ Young Adult Favorites

It’s getting late — just one more chapter.

The young adult (YA) genre has touched the lives of countless readers worldwide. From brilliantly crafted worlds to undeniably relatable characters, YA texts highlight everything from thrilling suspense to heart-wrenching romance.

From contemporary classics to nicely-niche titles and everything in between, consider revisiting these admirable series whenever the nostalgic thirst for teenage novels makes a reappearance.

‘Heartstopper’ — Alice Oseman

“Hi.”

The cultural phenomenon that originated as a webtoon has been resonating with grown-ish readers since 2016. Highlighting the sugary-sweet romance between teenagers Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper” series embraces authentic depictions of LGBTQ+ experiences combined with ever-so-awkward experiences of high school.

With the sixth and final installment arriving July 2, it’s never too late to re-explore the sentimental story of these English school boys.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ — Rick Riordan

Greek gods. Mythical creatures. A teenager destined to save the world.

Rick Riordan’s bestselling series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” shares a fantastical journey of epic proportions — a challenge demigod teenagers Percy Jackson andAnnabeth Chase, along with satyr Grover Underwood, can’t afford to fail. Readers are thrust into a magical realm of brilliant design, where ancient myths and modern life blend together in heroic harmony.

Boasting several spin-off series, two movies and a popular television series, consider revisiting the series when craving a legendary literary adventure.

‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ — Ransom Riggs

Magical abilities, mystery-horror and twisted suspense combine in the beautifully strange series “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”

Written by New York Times Bestselling Author Ransom Riggs, the story follows the adventures of young teen Jacob Portman as he navigates the thrills, chills and threats of a mystical world defying time and space. 

Complete with six enthralling installations and a movie adaption, the series is the perfect way for fans of “Stranger Things” to quench their paranormal thirst without being disappointed by a finale.

‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ — Holly Jackson

The case is closed — but they got the wrong person.

Holly Jackson’s heart-pounding series “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” highlights Pippa Fitz-Amobi, an overachieving teen who looks into a town cold case for a capstone project. The more she digs, the more she discovers about her neighbors — and the more dangerous her life becomes.

Complete with three novels, a novella and a popular Netflix adaptation, the franchise is the perfect endeavor for readers craving thrills with a psychological twist. 

‘One of Us Is Lying’ — Karen M. McManus

“The Breakfast Club” meets murder mystery in this wickedly wonderful YA series. 

Karen M. McManus’ bestselling “One of Us Is Lying” follows high school students Bronwyn, Addy, Nate and Cooper — the lead suspects in their classmate’s murder. Thrills, secrets and romance weave between the pages of every chapter, keeping readers jumping and jittering until the very end.

Read closely and you might crack the case.

‘They Both Die At The End’ — Adam Silvera

This heartbreakingly beautiful series encompasses everything that life and “Death-Cast” has to offer.

Adam Silvera’s bestselling series “They Both Die At The End” offers a speculative fiction tale in a world slightly more advanced than this one with the “Death-Cast” service reaching out to people 24 hours before they die. 

When Rufus and Mateo receive their calls, the strangers know what they should do.

But are they brave enough to do it?

‘The Hunger Games’ — Suzanne Collins

Happy Hunger Games. The reaping has finally arrived.

Suzanne Collins’ series “The Hunger Games” features six fantastically dystopian chronicles filled with heroic charm and gut-wrenching suspense.

Following the trials of Katniss Everdeen, the novels feature critiques on fascist regimes and themes of resilience and hope in times of chaos. Consider re-exploring this series whenever the real-world scene gets a bit too loud or stressful.

Happy reading — and may the odds be ever in your favor.