Why Not YA? Young Adult Books for Grown UpsLike this list

11 items

• Challenger Deep

  Shusterman, Neal

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  This National Book Award winning novel by Neal Shusterman chronicles teen Caden Bosch's stay at a psychiatric facility. Caden learns how to cope with his schizophrenia, which he imagines as a ship voyage with a vast crew sailing to the the deepest…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• We Were Liars

  Lockhart, E.

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  A book about a privileged family with deep, dark unspeakable secrets. A perfect read for grown-ups that enjoy thrillers, mysteries, and episodic family stories.

• The Wee Free Men

  Pratchett, Terry

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  Never read a Terry Pratchett? This is a great book to start with. The Wee Free Men story serves as an entry point into The Discworld, arguably Pratchett's most iconic series. It is funny, spunky, adventurous, and silly. The audiobook is fantastic.

• The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

  Anderson, M. T.,

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  Brilliant creators M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin banded together to write/illustrate "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge." A Finalist for the National Book Award, this book is a love letter to stories, lies, and promises, and the types of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• March. Book 1

  Lewis, John, 1940-2020

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  One of the most impactful and resonant books chronicling the lifelong work of Civil Rights icon and senator John Lewis. March is a three-book graphic novel series with historical details and first-person narration from Lewis. An unforgettable…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Drowned City

  Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans

  Brown, Don, 1949-

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  Author Don Brown is known for his non-fiction picture books and graphic novels. "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans" is his story about the storm of the century that tore apart the historic city of New Orleans. It's a fast but impactful…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Vincent and Theo

  the Van Gogh Brothers

  Heiligman, Deborah,

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  "Vincent and Theo" (pronounced "Tea-oh") is both an art history lesson and a story of family struggles. Author Deborah Heiligman analyzed over 658 letters written by Theo Van Gogh to his famed brother Vincent. In doing so, Heiligman crafted a magnum…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sachiko

  a Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story

  Stelson, Caren, 1951-

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  "Sachiko : a Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story" is a shining example of narrative nonfiction. Sachiko Yasui was an active 6-year-old girl when an atomic bomb shattered her world in Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945. Her story is deftly woven with WWII…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Undefeated

  Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team

  Sheinkin, Steve,

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  For history buffs and sports fans alike: Undefeated is the story of one of the greatest athletes in history, Jim Thorpe. From his humble beginning playing football for the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, to earning Olympic medals, Thorpe's life…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Faithful Spy

  Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler

  Hendrix, John, 1976-

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  "The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler" eschews definition, as it is contains both comic illustrations AND long stretches of prose. During WWII in Germany, Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi dissident, escaped…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Hole in My Life

  Gantos, Jack

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  Not many children's and teen writers can claim they spent time in prison. Jack Gantos can, however. "Hole in My Life" is his story of his year spent incarcerated as a result of his involvement in a drug venture gone wrong. Gantos' story is equal…Read moreRead more of this annotation