Each year, teams of hungry teen readers from 15 school and public libraries across the country power their way through dozens of books published throughout the previous calendar year to create a list of 25 book nominees. From that list, in a nationwide teens’ choice online vote, readers aged 12 through 18 vote for the books they loved the most on the list. Winners make up the annual Teens’ Top Ten list, a program of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

What differentiates this list from other book lists and awards is that it is based 100% on what teens loved reading. This year’s list (and lists for years prior) is a great place to find books to hook reluctant or easily distracted readers, and to satisfy voracious readers. And, because these titles have been popular with many readers already, these are books that create community among readers. What’s more to love? No book is off limits! If teen readers love it, it’s a contender. The 2021 Teens’ Top Ten features a book from the Library’s adult collection! Can you find it?

The following books are flying off their display in the Teen Scene, but you can place a hold request with your library card. Happy reading!

The 2021 Teens’ Top Ten: 

All Boys Aren’t Blue, by George M. Johnson
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins
Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas
Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo
Five Total Strangers, by Natalie D. Richards
The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Instant Karma, by Marissa Meyer
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by VE Schwab
Legendborn, by Tracy Deonn
One of Us is Next, by Karen M. McManus

And, the honorable nominees:

All the Stars and Teeth, by Adalyn Grace
Atomic Women, by Roseanne Montillo
The Betrothed, by Kiera Cass
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, by Frederick Joseph.
The Bone Thief, by Breeana Shields
Chain of Gold, by Cassandra Clare
Dangerous Secrets, by Mari Mancusi
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr, by Laura Gulledge
Dragon Hoops, by Gene Luen Yang
Flamer, by Mike Curato
Lost Book of the White, by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea, by Maggie Tokudo-Hall
The Shadows Between Us, by Tricia Levenseller
Tweet Cute, by Emma Lord
We Used to Be Friends, by Amy Spalding

Are you a teen or tween who’s read an amazing book published in 2021? Nominate it for the 2022 Teens’ Top Ten with ALA’s nomination form at https://www.ala.org/yalsa/public-nomination-form.

For more information about the Teens’ Top Ten, or to access previous years’ book lists, visit https://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten.