“What are the best Young Adult books released in 2020?” We looked at 185 of the top Young Adult books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

The top 33 books, all appearing on 3 or more “Best Young Adult” book lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 125+ titles, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.

Our other Best Of 2020 Articles:

• The Best Art, Photography, And Coffee Table Books
• The Best AudioBooks
• The Best Biography And Memoir Books
• The Best Graphic Novels And Comics
• The Best Cookbooks
• The Best Fiction Books
• The Best Books (All Categories)
• The Best History Books
• The Best Kids, Children, and Youth Books
• The Best Mystery, Horror, and Thriller Books
• The Best Nonfiction Books
• The Best Poetry Books
• The Best Science And Nature Books
• The Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Books
• The Best Young Adult Books

Previous Years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

All titles have been added to a Bookshop list as well!

Happy Scrolling!

Top 33 Best Young Adult Books From 2020

33.) A Phoenix First Must Burn written byPatrice Caldwell

Lists It Appears On:

• Powells
• Epic Reads
• Shelf Awareness

Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic. With stories by: Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Patrice Caldwell, Dhonielle Clayton, J. Marcelle Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Nicole Davis, Justina Ireland, Alaya Dawn

32.) A Song Below Water written byBethany C. Morrow

Lists It Appears On:

• Book Riot
• Epic Reads
• NPR

Bethany C. Morrow’s A Song Below Water is the story for today’s readers — a captivating modern fantasy about black sirens, friendship, and self-discovery set against the challenges of today’s racism and sexism. In a society determined to keep her under lock and key, Tavia must hide her siren powers

31.) All the Days Past, All the Days to Come written byMildred D. Taylor

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly
• Parents
• Chicago Public Library

The saga of the Logan family–made famous in the Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry–concludes in a long-awaited and deeply fulfilling story. In her tenth book, Mildred Taylor completes her sweeping saga about the Logan family of Mississippi, which is also the story of the civil righ

30.) Apple (Skin to the Core): A Memoir in Words and Pictures written byEric Gansworth

Lists It Appears On:

• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• NPR

How about a book that makes you barge into your boss’s office to read a page of poetry from? That you dream of? That every movie, song, book, moment that follows continues to evoke in some way? The term “Apple” is a slur in Native communities across the country. It’s for someone supposedly “red on t

29.) Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard written byEcho Brown

Lists It Appears On:

• Book Riot
• NYPL
• School Library Journal

Brown has written a guidebook of survival and wonder.–The New York Times Just brilliant.–Kirkus Reviews Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism–all through the

28.) Chain of Gold (The Last Hours, #1) written byCassandra Clare

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble 2
• Epic Reads
• Goodreads

From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel. Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to

27.) Charming as a Verb written byBen Philippe

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han. Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE acade

26.) Dark and Deepest Red written byAnna-Marie McLemore

Lists It Appears On:

• Epic Reads
• Shelf Awareness
• Chicago Public Library

With Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal. Summer, 1518. A strange sickness sweeps through Strasbourg: women dance in the streets, some until they fall down dead. As rumors of witchcraf

25.) Dear Justyce written byNic Stone

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• NPR

The stunning sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. Incarcerated teen Quan writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas. In the highly anticipated sequel to her New York Times bestseller,

24.) Fable (Fable, #1) written byAdrienne Young

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Epic Reads
• Goodreads

A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK Filled with all of the action, emotion, and lyrical writing that brought readers to Sky in the Deep, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with Fable, the first book in this new captivating duology. Welcome to a world made dan

23.) One of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is Lying written byKaren M. McManus

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads 2
• Barnes & Noble
• Popsugar

The highly anticipated, #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to One of Us Is Lying! There’s a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there’s a whole new set of rules. Come on, Bayview, you know you’ve missed this. A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since

22.) Red Hood written byElana K. Arnold

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly
• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library

A dark, engrossing, blood-drenched tale of the familiar threats to female power–and one girl’s journey to regain it. Five starred reviews greeted this powerful story from Elana K. Arnold, author of the Printz Honor winner Damsel.You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Y

21.) Super Fake Love Song written byDavid Yoon

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Amazon
• School Library Journal

From the bestselling author of Frankly in Love comes a contemporary YA rom-com where a case of mistaken identity kicks off a string of (fake) events that just may lead to (real) love. When Sunny Dae–self-proclaimed total nerd–meets Cirrus Soh, he can’t believe how cool and confident she is. So whe

20.) The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea written byMaggie Tokuda-Hall

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookpage
• School Library Journal
• NPR

In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas. The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive–including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, t

19.) Tigers, Not Daughters written bySamantha Mabry

Lists It Appears On:

• Shelf Awareness
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal

“Move over, Louisa May Alcott! Samantha Mabry has written her very own magical Little Women for our times.” –Julia Alvarez, author of How the García Girls Lost Their Accents In a stunning follow-up to her National Book Award-longlisted novel All the Wind in the World, Samantha Mabry weaves an achin

18.) Tweet Cute written byEmma Lord

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads 2
• Popsugar
• Amazon

A witty rom-com reinvention … with deeply relatable insights on family pressure and growing up.” – Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Always Never Yours and If I’m Being Honest “An adorable debut that updates a classic romantic trope with a buzzy twist. – Jenn Bennett, author o

17.) We Are Not From Here written byJenny Torres Sanchez

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookpage
• NYPL
• School Library Journal

A poignant novel of desperation, escape, and survival across the U.S.-Mexico border, inspired by current events. Pulga has his dreams. Chico has his grief. Peque a has her pride. And these three teens have one another. But none of them have illusions about the town they’ve grown up in and the danger

16.) Felix Ever After written byKacen Callender

Lists It Appears On:

• Book Riot
• Goodreads 2
• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library

From Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time.Felix Love has never been in love–and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants

15.) Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5) written byStephenie Meyer

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble 2
• Epic Reads
• Goodreads

#1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with this highly anticipated companion: the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire’s point of view. When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But unti

14.) Not So Pure and Simple written byLamar Giles

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookpage
• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal

Hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.” (Nic Stone) I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter. (Tiffany D. Jackson) Heartfelt and hilarious on every page (Justin A. Reynolds)4 starred reviews * An Indie Next List Pick Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequenc

13.) The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) written byJennifer Lynn Barnes

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Amazon
• Publishers Weekly
• Goodreads 2

Don’t miss this New York Times bestselling “impossible to put down” (Buzzfeed) novel with deadly stakes, thrilling twists, and juicy secrets–perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out. Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But h

12.) Dragon Hoops written byGene Luen Yang

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Publishers Weekly
• Powells
• Bookpage
• NYPL

In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches. Gene understands stories–comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins. But Gene d

11.) Elatsoe written byDarcie Little Badger, illus. by Rovina Cai

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Bookpage
• Shelf Awareness
• Publishers Weekly
• Chicago Public Library

Imagine an America very similar to our own. It’s got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream. There are some differences. This America been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly e

10.) The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes written bySuzanne Collins

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble 2
• Epic Reads
• Popsugar
• Amazon
• Goodreads

Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price. It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of

9.) The Black Flamingo written byDean Atta

Lists It Appears On:

• Book Riot
• Parents
• Shelf Awareness
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal

Stonewall Book Award Winner! A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender. Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s nav

8.) We Are Not Free written byTraci Chee

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Publishers Weekly
• Parents
• NYPL
• School Library Journal

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST From New York Times best-selling and acclaimed author Traci Chee comes We Are Not Free, the collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World

7.) You Should See Me in a Crown written byLeah Johnson

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Goodreads 2
• Publishers Weekly
• Parents
• NYPL

A Reese’s Book Club YA Pick! Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their

6.) Cemetery Boys written byAiden Thomas

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble 2
• Epic Reads
• Goodreads
• Publishers Weekly
• Chicago Public Library
• NPR

A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave in Aiden Thomas’s New York Times-bestselling paranormal YA debut Cemetery Boys, described by Entertainment Weekly as groundbreaking. Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid

5.) Legendborn (Legendborn, #1) written byTracy Deonn

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookpage
• NYPL
• School Library Journal
• Epic Reads
• Powells
• Goodreads

Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy Legendborn offers the dark allure of City of Bones with a modern-day twist on a classic legend and a lot of Southern Black Girl Magic. After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews

4.) Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You written byJason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Parents
• Publishers Weekly
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• NPR

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antirac

3.) Raybearer written byJordan Ifueko

Lists It Appears On:

• Amazon
• Epic Reads
• Publishers Weekly
• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal
• NPR

The epic debut YA fantasy from an incredible new talent–perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by

2.) Punching the Air written byIbi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Publishers Weekly
• Powells
• Shelf Awareness
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal

Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boy

1.) Clap When You Land written byElizabeth Acevedo

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble
• Book Riot
• Goodreads 2
• Popsugar
• Parents
• NYPL
• Chicago Public Library
• School Library Journal
• NPR

In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.Camino Rios lives for the summers when her fathe

The 125+ Additional Best Young Adult Books Released In 2020

20 Best Young Adult Book Sources/Lists