It's Time for Young Teen Lit
@youngteenlit.bsky.social
We believe 12-15 year olds need books published just for them. Moderated by Christina Chatel & Marcia Kochel, MS librarians who implore the publishing industry for books meant for grades 6-9. #youngteenlit #itstimeforyoungteenlit www.youngteenlit.com
Funny books for young teens are HARD to find. Dropping Beats has a compelling story, a boy protagonist (also rare!), a social media disaster, British slang, and a rap competition with a big cash prize. Publishers, we would love to have more humor books #youngteenlit @littlebrownyr.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Funny books for young teens are HARD to find. Dropping Beats has a compelling story, a boy protagonist (also rare!), a social media disaster, British slang, and a rap competition with a big cash prize. Publishers, we would love to have more humor books #youngteenlit @littlebrownyr.bsky.social
Today's the day to order #youngteenlit t-shirts, tote bags, and more at Cafepress. Everything is 50% off! bit.ly/4424q0b
December 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Today's the day to order #youngteenlit t-shirts, tote bags, and more at Cafepress. Everything is 50% off! bit.ly/4424q0b
The year's "Best-of" lists are appearing, and they are sadly lacking in books for 12-15 year olds.
We are especially excited when we see reviewers pointing out good books for young teens (while highlighting that there are SO FEW books in this age range).
Thank you, Kirkus and Laura Simeon!
We are especially excited when we see reviewers pointing out good books for young teens (while highlighting that there are SO FEW books in this age range).
Thank you, Kirkus and Laura Simeon!
November 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The year's "Best-of" lists are appearing, and they are sadly lacking in books for 12-15 year olds.
We are especially excited when we see reviewers pointing out good books for young teens (while highlighting that there are SO FEW books in this age range).
Thank you, Kirkus and Laura Simeon!
We are especially excited when we see reviewers pointing out good books for young teens (while highlighting that there are SO FEW books in this age range).
Thank you, Kirkus and Laura Simeon!
We have many questions after reading the November 2025 @sljournal issue, which featured 4 middle grade and 2 middle school (in the YA section) reviews.
WHERE ARE THE BOOKS WITH BOY NARRATORS?
❌Two of the six books had male narrators, one being a young Arthur Conan Doyle. (1/4)
WHERE ARE THE BOOKS WITH BOY NARRATORS?
❌Two of the six books had male narrators, one being a young Arthur Conan Doyle. (1/4)
November 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
We have many questions after reading the November 2025 @sljournal issue, which featured 4 middle grade and 2 middle school (in the YA section) reviews.
WHERE ARE THE BOOKS WITH BOY NARRATORS?
❌Two of the six books had male narrators, one being a young Arthur Conan Doyle. (1/4)
WHERE ARE THE BOOKS WITH BOY NARRATORS?
❌Two of the six books had male narrators, one being a young Arthur Conan Doyle. (1/4)
Here are two pages of romance recommendations for your young teen fans of THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY to read next!
We were delighted to be able to come up with so many #youngteenlit titles: there have been several romance books published in the past year with 8th-9th grade protagonists.
We were delighted to be able to come up with so many #youngteenlit titles: there have been several romance books published in the past year with 8th-9th grade protagonists.
November 3, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Here are two pages of romance recommendations for your young teen fans of THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY to read next!
We were delighted to be able to come up with so many #youngteenlit titles: there have been several romance books published in the past year with 8th-9th grade protagonists.
We were delighted to be able to come up with so many #youngteenlit titles: there have been several romance books published in the past year with 8th-9th grade protagonists.
Remember when there wasn't literature for young teens? This Gen X #youngteenlit advocate went from Judy Blume to Flowers in the Attic. I did love Lois Duncan's books, but I don't remember much else that was written for me. What you read in 7th and 8th grades? #yalit #genx #millenials #genz
October 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Remember when there wasn't literature for young teens? This Gen X #youngteenlit advocate went from Judy Blume to Flowers in the Attic. I did love Lois Duncan's books, but I don't remember much else that was written for me. What you read in 7th and 8th grades? #yalit #genx #millenials #genz
Sports recommendations for young teens! Not every book here fits our 6 Criteria for #youngteenlit, but these are definitely old and new favorites in our MS media centers. Let us know what's missing here.
Check out www.youngteenlit.com to access the doc.
#itstimeforyoungteenlit #tlsky #skybrarians
Check out www.youngteenlit.com to access the doc.
#itstimeforyoungteenlit #tlsky #skybrarians
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Sports recommendations for young teens! Not every book here fits our 6 Criteria for #youngteenlit, but these are definitely old and new favorites in our MS media centers. Let us know what's missing here.
Check out www.youngteenlit.com to access the doc.
#itstimeforyoungteenlit #tlsky #skybrarians
Check out www.youngteenlit.com to access the doc.
#itstimeforyoungteenlit #tlsky #skybrarians
At #AASL25, we launched new #youngteenlit genre lists. It was difficult trying to find mystery & horror to fill a page, and the list isn't perfect: 12 and 17 yr old characters, some long books, some with young covers, and a few on the edge of YA. What would you add? Download at www.youngteenlit.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:02 AM
At #AASL25, we launched new #youngteenlit genre lists. It was difficult trying to find mystery & horror to fill a page, and the list isn't perfect: 12 and 17 yr old characters, some long books, some with young covers, and a few on the edge of YA. What would you add? Download at www.youngteenlit.com
Happy to see a pamphlet at the @penguinschoollib.bsky.social
booth at #aasl25 dedicated to grades 6-9! When I asked them for some #youngteenlit, they had two books ready for me. Murder mystery and a novel written in notes! #itstimeforyoungteenlit
booth at #aasl25 dedicated to grades 6-9! When I asked them for some #youngteenlit, they had two books ready for me. Murder mystery and a novel written in notes! #itstimeforyoungteenlit
October 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Happy to see a pamphlet at the @penguinschoollib.bsky.social
booth at #aasl25 dedicated to grades 6-9! When I asked them for some #youngteenlit, they had two books ready for me. Murder mystery and a novel written in notes! #itstimeforyoungteenlit
booth at #aasl25 dedicated to grades 6-9! When I asked them for some #youngteenlit, they had two books ready for me. Murder mystery and a novel written in notes! #itstimeforyoungteenlit
It was wonderful to see so many #youngteenlit supporters at #AASL25! Our poster is up until Saturday—stop by to get a sticker and a postcard!
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
October 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
It was wonderful to see so many #youngteenlit supporters at #AASL25! Our poster is up until Saturday—stop by to get a sticker and a postcard!
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
Christina is looking forward to seeing everyone at #AASL25 during the poster sessions! Come visit her Thursday 1-3 pm to get a #youngteenlit sticker and postcard.
@aaslala.bsky.social
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
@aaslala.bsky.social
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
October 13, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Christina is looking forward to seeing everyone at #AASL25 during the poster sessions! Come visit her Thursday 1-3 pm to get a #youngteenlit sticker and postcard.
@aaslala.bsky.social
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
@aaslala.bsky.social
#itstimeforyoungteenlit
Disappointing to see the sparse options for #youngteens in the Sept issue of @slj.com. There has been a "Middle School" subsection in the YA reviews, but in September, there was NONE. In the Middle Grade reviews, 2 out of the 5 reviews had 8th grade characters, but both were reviewed for gr 5+. 🧵1/4
October 6, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Disappointing to see the sparse options for #youngteens in the Sept issue of @slj.com. There has been a "Middle School" subsection in the YA reviews, but in September, there was NONE. In the Middle Grade reviews, 2 out of the 5 reviews had 8th grade characters, but both were reviewed for gr 5+. 🧵1/4
SWIPE to see some of the fantastic #youngteenlit romances that we've read recently and enjoyed. It feels like there are so many more options with characters ages 13-16! Thanks to @juliadevillers.bsky.social GF Miller and @arriwrites.bsky.social for writing books young teens will love.
October 1, 2025 at 11:51 PM
SWIPE to see some of the fantastic #youngteenlit romances that we've read recently and enjoyed. It feels like there are so many more options with characters ages 13-16! Thanks to @juliadevillers.bsky.social GF Miller and @arriwrites.bsky.social for writing books young teens will love.
Thank you for recognizing the gap and offering suggested books for young teens. We welcome younger YA books, especially murder mysteries, horror &humor! sites.prh.com/pyrmiddlesch... @penguinschoollib.bsky.social @penguinteen.bsky.social #youngteenlit #yalit #tlsky @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Thank you for recognizing the gap and offering suggested books for young teens. We welcome younger YA books, especially murder mysteries, horror &humor! sites.prh.com/pyrmiddlesch... @penguinschoollib.bsky.social @penguinteen.bsky.social #youngteenlit #yalit #tlsky @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
P.S. Josh Sippie, we’d love to join your group.
September 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
P.S. Josh Sippie, we’d love to join your group.
One @publisherswkly.bsky.social article mentioned how agents are looking for “plot driven,” “shorter attention grabbing”, “high interest” books “that are ‘easy entry’ that any kid can pick up." MG horror writing and verse novels are on the rise. (See our Six Criteria for YTL: we said all of this.)
September 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
One @publisherswkly.bsky.social article mentioned how agents are looking for “plot driven,” “shorter attention grabbing”, “high interest” books “that are ‘easy entry’ that any kid can pick up." MG horror writing and verse novels are on the rise. (See our Six Criteria for YTL: we said all of this.)
While we firmly believe that young teens deserve a publishing category of their own, we noticed @publisherswkly.bsky.social aimed the spotlight on MG publishing. The interviewees echoed what we have been saying ad nauseum since spring 2024 (see our articles and podcasts at www.youngteenlit.com). 🧵
September 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
While we firmly believe that young teens deserve a publishing category of their own, we noticed @publisherswkly.bsky.social aimed the spotlight on MG publishing. The interviewees echoed what we have been saying ad nauseum since spring 2024 (see our articles and podcasts at www.youngteenlit.com). 🧵
We're excited to announce that our #AASL25 poster session was accepted! Christina will be representing us in St. Louis during the poster presentations on October 16. Stop by to chat about #youngteenlit and learn how to support our movement.
#tlsky #skybrarians #schoollibrarian #AASL2025
#tlsky #skybrarians #schoollibrarian #AASL2025
August 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We're excited to announce that our #AASL25 poster session was accepted! Christina will be representing us in St. Louis during the poster presentations on October 16. Stop by to chat about #youngteenlit and learn how to support our movement.
#tlsky #skybrarians #schoollibrarian #AASL2025
#tlsky #skybrarians #schoollibrarian #AASL2025
In terms of our six #youngteenlit criteria, Tommy Greenwald consistently knocks it out of the park: his newest THE RIGHT CALL is no exception. 15 yr old narrator, a compelling story about injuries in youth sports, less than 300 pages, eye-catching cover, multiple formats, and heavy on mass appeal.
August 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
In terms of our six #youngteenlit criteria, Tommy Greenwald consistently knocks it out of the park: his newest THE RIGHT CALL is no exception. 15 yr old narrator, a compelling story about injuries in youth sports, less than 300 pages, eye-catching cover, multiple formats, and heavy on mass appeal.
This Judy Blume-inspired book about a 7th grader's first crush is both hilarious and wise and will be LOVED by young teens and by Gen X librarians and moms. It's on the younger end of #youngteenlit and recommended for collections serving middle schoolers. Thanks @kristinnilsen.bsky.social #tlsky
August 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
This Judy Blume-inspired book about a 7th grader's first crush is both hilarious and wise and will be LOVED by young teens and by Gen X librarians and moms. It's on the younger end of #youngteenlit and recommended for collections serving middle schoolers. Thanks @kristinnilsen.bsky.social #tlsky
We're summer dreaming about what we'd love to have written and published. MSers want to read the books below, but some may not be developmentally ready for the content (since it was written for an older audience). We would love to see #youngteenlit comparable to the following.
#tlsky #skybrarians
#tlsky #skybrarians
August 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We're summer dreaming about what we'd love to have written and published. MSers want to read the books below, but some may not be developmentally ready for the content (since it was written for an older audience). We would love to see #youngteenlit comparable to the following.
#tlsky #skybrarians
#tlsky #skybrarians
For your mature 14-16 yr olds: PROMISE BOYS and UP IN SMOKE by Nick Brooks. Short chapters, multiple voices. Page-turning whodunits with 16 yr olds trying to prove a friend's innocence in the death of their principal (PB)/a woman at a BLM rally (UiS). CW👇 #youngteenlit
@henryholtbooks.bsky.social
@henryholtbooks.bsky.social
August 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
For your mature 14-16 yr olds: PROMISE BOYS and UP IN SMOKE by Nick Brooks. Short chapters, multiple voices. Page-turning whodunits with 16 yr olds trying to prove a friend's innocence in the death of their principal (PB)/a woman at a BLM rally (UiS). CW👇 #youngteenlit
@henryholtbooks.bsky.social
@henryholtbooks.bsky.social
Young teens ask for murder mysteries ALL THE TIME. Here's one by @aprilhenry.bsky.social that is perfect for 7th-9th grades. After a plane crash Milan finds out that both her parents were murdered & that she may be next. Bonus—it's also a survival story! #youngteenlit @hachettechildrens.bsky.social
July 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Young teens ask for murder mysteries ALL THE TIME. Here's one by @aprilhenry.bsky.social that is perfect for 7th-9th grades. After a plane crash Milan finds out that both her parents were murdered & that she may be next. Bonus—it's also a survival story! #youngteenlit @hachettechildrens.bsky.social
This! Kids are intimidated by a “wall of text” —Erin Becker at #alaac25 talking about how she integrates messaging into her novel to make it more accessible to young teens #youngteenlit #tlsky @erindaydreams.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This! Kids are intimidated by a “wall of text” —Erin Becker at #alaac25 talking about how she integrates messaging into her novel to make it more accessible to young teens #youngteenlit #tlsky @erindaydreams.bsky.social
At #alaac25 looking for #youngteenlit Especially looking for books about 14-15 year olds—here’s one that looks great for teens! It’s a graphic novel sports memoir by Amar Shah @amarshah.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
At #alaac25 looking for #youngteenlit Especially looking for books about 14-15 year olds—here’s one that looks great for teens! It’s a graphic novel sports memoir by Amar Shah @amarshah.bsky.social