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Nearly every week since about this time last year, I’ve been able to note that there’s at least one new YA book being simultaneously published in paperback and in hardcover. That trend continues this week, with two titles falling into this category. It’s a welcomed sight, especially since the idea of YA getting a revived mass market paperback is pretty much dead.
The decision to publish a book simultaneously is a sign that the book is being explicitly targeted to teen readers, as opposed to gatekeepers who will help ferry the book into the hands of teens. Most teens don’t have the cash to spend on a new hardcover; even the trade paperback pushes the teen budget, as some come in at nearly $16 (see here and here). But providing options is one big step in accessibility.
All that said, we’ve got another banger of a release week, with an array of titles across genres. Whether you’re looking for a little romance, for some fantasy, for a survival adventure story, or something else entirely, chances are you’ll find at least one, if not many, new YA books to plop on your TBR.
New Hardcover YA Releases This Week
The Free Verse Society by Delali Adjoa–dual release in hardcover and paperback
This sounds like a great book for fans who dug Truth Is by Hannah V. Sawyerr, as well as readers who like books focused on the joy and power of words and literature.
Jae’s a teen mom who put her baby up for adoptions. But in Delray, she’s a new student and she hopes no one learns about her pass. This is a fresh start.
Unfortunately for her, she runs into Derek Patel, the school’s biggest troublemaker. Jae hopes that she can find peace in the school’s poetry club, and she does–until Derek gets involved in the club, too.
Derek is completely misunderstood and hiding from the darkest parts of his home life. No one knows he doesn’t actually live in his old house anymore; he’s been breaking in and pretending. The house is owned by the school’s literature teacher now, and as a way to make up for his behavior, his teacher invites Derek to be part of the poetry club.
Now Jae and Derek are put to work planning the end of the semester poetry reading. As much as both want to and need to guard their hearts and their histories, their bond over words and language may ignite some big feelings between them.
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King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore–dual release in hardcover and paperback
Lessore’s novel centers a teen boy and it’s packed with humor, heart, and a dose of breaking down ideas of toxic masculinity.
Anton and his friends are the cool kids at school. They rule above all else. But Anton’s mom is fed up with how many detentions Anton’s gotten and she decides he needs to clean up his act. He’s going to be forced into a local group called Happy Campers, where attendees spend their weekends taking part in an array of wholesome activities.
It’s Anton’s worst nightmare, and it’s made worse by learning that he’ll be spending that time with the school’s biggest dork, Matthew, and his nerdy friends. There’s no way Anton will keep his reputation if these peers know he’s singing campfire songs and doing crafts.
But then Matthew accidentally saves Anton’s life and the two strike up a friendship that forces Anton to question everything he’s thought about who he is and how he needs to be in order to survive in the world.
Right As Rain by Tashie Bhuiyan
Megh Rashid just graduated high school and she’s so ready to leave her life behind and head to the opposite coast for college. She’s just got to get through the summer, which shouldn’t be too bad. She’s interning at a place which will help secure her college dreams.
The day before the internship begins, Megh is struck by lightning and is now being followed around by a storm cloud day in and day out.
She’s feeling the weight of everything and her depression, paired with sudden fears about leaving home, make the cloud act up. It could impact her ability to do good in this internship. But with the help of fellow intern Lev, she’s hoping to find a way to control the cloud, as well as fight a light for the future.
These Shattered Spires by Cassidy Ellis Salter
High fantasy? Check. Comps to Gideon the Ninth and Leigh Bardugo? Check. A deadly competition? Check.
Fourspires Castle is at the center of a crumbling world. Fourspires is home to arcanists of the four disciplines: bone, blood, botany, and stone.
But when the ruler of Fourspires is assassinated, everything is thrown into chaos and the arcanists, as well as their families, are thrown into a battle that will do two things. First, a new ruler will be crowned. Second–and most concerning–is that most of those involved in the battle will be killed, whether or not they even want to be in the battle.
Despite the rivalry, though, the four rival families have to work together in order to survive the battle.
Three Sisters by David Macinnis Gill
Harper Anderson, 14, is going on a camping trip with her two younger sisters and her father in the Three Sisters mountain range. It’s meant to honor their mother who recently died. But when the family is hiking South Sister, the volcanic peak erupts.
Now rather than a hike to memorialize their mother, the family is simply trying to survive. With dad injured, Harper has to take on significant responsibility in getting all four of them off the mountain and back to safety.
It’s a story of grief, of survival, and, of course, a little sibling rivalry. Bonus: readers looking for YA with younger teens will find plenty to enjoy here.
Hardcover YA Series Releases This Week:
More Hardcover YA Releases This Week:
New Paperback YA Releases This WeekHere’s your regular reminder that you might need to toggle your view once you click the link in order to see the paperback edition.
Every Borrowed Beat by Erin Stewart
Sydney was supposed to die, but she’s been the lucky recipient of a donor heart. Now, instead of spending all day inside, keeping herself as safe as possible and hoping beyond hope to get off the transplant list, Sydney has to figure out what to do with herself and new lease on life. She’s also realized she needs to step away a bit, too, knowing she’s gotten her transplant and other people like her–including her best friend who lives hundreds of miles away, Chloe–are still waiting.
She’s finding herself wanting to learn as much about the girl whose heart is now hearts. Sydney believes Mia’s her donor, and she’s trying to get to know Mia’s family, friends, and life. This includes maybe accidentally falling for Mia’s former boyfriend, Clayton.
But it’s even more complicated than it sounds. Mia’s brother hasn’t talked to Clayton in a long time and Clayton won’t tell Sydney why that is. Then things get even worse: Chloe’s health has taken a turn.
Who is Sydney now? That’s what she’s trying to figure out amid the time she was given to live, when she never expected to have much more.
I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. KennedyMaya and Alana have dated all four years of high school, but it’s not necessarily because Maya’s wanted to. She’s been scared to leave Alana, and their relationship is quite volatile. But then Maya decides she’s going to finally end things once and for all. She’ll do it while they’re hiking in Southern California.
Then Alana goes missing and the media seizes on Maya as the culprit for Alana’s disappearance. They think she’s lying about Alana’s whereabouts, and Maya knows if Alana shows up dead, that she may indeed be the one on the hook for it.
Alana isn’t gone, though. But how can Maya explain that Alana won’t let her go?
Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal
Readers who loved Wintergirls or who want a story about mental health will do well picking up Seal’s debut novel in verse. The book follows Evie, who has just admitted to having an eating disorder. She’s sent to an inpatient facility where she has to not only learn how to practice healthy habits but where she has to face her demons head-on.
Paperback YA Series Releases This Week:
More Paperback YA Releases This Week:
Want to build your TBR even higher? You’ll want to check out these debut adult novels by YA authors being published in 2026.
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