May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a time to slow down, check in with ourselves and each other, and create space for conversations that don't always come easily. From approachable nonfiction that explains anxiety, stress and emotions, to powerful fiction that reflects real struggles through relatable characters, books can be a quiet companion offering reassurance, perspective, and sometimes just the comfort of being seen. Curated by Ashley Lee. Being a Teen can be tough but you don't need to struggle alone, for free confidential mental health support: -Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go online to 988lifeline.org -Trevor Project 866-488-7386 or go online to TrevorChat.org
Category: young adult fiction
Teen Books for Gamers
Board games, active outdoor games like scavenger hunts, role-playing games (RPGs), videogames, virtual reality, and more...Gamers and their games come in many varieties. Check out a book that focuses on gamers or gives gamer vibes. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Freading: Series for Kids & Teens
Freading offers a wide selection of book series for kids and teens. From early readers to young adult favorites, these series make it easy for young readers to discover new worlds, follow beloved characters, and build a lifelong love of reading. Curated by Katie Rivers.
Snowy Stories & Holiday Magic: Winter Reads for Every Age
From whimsical picture books and heartwarming middle-grade tales to festive YA adventures and cozy romances or chilly thrillers, these stories capture the excitement of the season. Whatever your age or reading interests, these winter and holiday books promise entertainment, inspiration, and stories that will keep you turning pages all winter long. Curated by Katie Rivers.
Slavic Inspired YA Fantasy
Slavic countries of Europe have their own mythologies, beliefs, and rituals that still appear in literature today through characters, names, practices, magic, and the brutally cold winters the region is known for. Slavs were historically spread across Europe in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, and as far south as Croatia and Bulgaria, among other places. Today, Slavs can be found around the world but still with a high concentration in Central and Eastern Europe. Enjoy these YA books that share their roots with the Slavic people. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Read & Listen: Kid/Tween/Teen Favorites on cloudLibrary
Looking for your next great read or listen? Check out these top picks for kids, tweens, and teens on cloudLibrary and let the page-turning (or earbud-plugging) begin! Curated by Katie Rivers.
Cold Cases in YA
Not all crime cases wrap up in neat little bows. Some are messier and leave questions unanswered for investigators and local residents. Join these teen sleuths as they crack open cold cases and explore different possibilities to the longstanding puzzles. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Completed YA Duologies
Love to read YA but don't have time for a long complicated series? We've got you! Here's a list of duologies (a book series that only has 2 books). Best part, both books are already out so you can read them back to back. Happy reading! Curated by Ashley Lee.
Teen Advisory Board Recommendations
Looking for your next great read? Check out what our Teen Advisory Board is reading and recommending! These reviews come straight from the teens. So, discover your next favorite book. Curated by the teens on the APL Teen Advisory Board.
Rick Riordan Presents
If you enjoyed Rick Riordan's series that are rooted in Greek & Norse mythology such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, and more, venture into books and series under his Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Written for tweens & teens by authors from a variety of backgrounds, these books explore cultures and mythologies outside of the typically retold Greek, Roman, and Norse stories. Curated by Samantha Matherne
