Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers is a book list created annually by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The list identifies fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels that may encourage teenagers who dislike reading to read.

Researchers, educators, librarians, parents, and teenagers have used the list to identify books reluctant young adult readers may enjoy.

Criteria When selecting books for the Quick Picks list, the judges consider:

Physical appearance (e.g., the cover, print style, format, and artwork/illustrations) Writing style

For fiction novels, judges consider whether the book has:

High interest "hook" in first 10 pages Well-defined characters Sufficient plot to sustain interest Plot lines developed through dialogue and action Familiar themes with emotional appeal for teenagers Believable treatment Single point of view Touches of humor when appropriate Chronological order

For informational books, judges consider the accuracy and objectivity of the book, as well as whether technical language is well-defined.

Recipients +Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Top Ten (2016-2021)Award YearAuthorTitle2016Red Queen and Cassandra Clare The Iron TrialZeroboxerThe Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl GeeksDumplin'The Silence of SixShadowshaperRad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our HistoryNimonaEverything, Everything2017Tell Me Three ThingsSymptoms of Being HumanFeminism: Reinventing the F-WordExit, Pursued by a BearPlutonaDaughters Unto DevilsThis Is Where It Ends and Brendan KielyAll American BoysIf I Was Your GirlThe Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love2018 with Bob Lentz (Illus.)Sandwiches!: More Than You've Ever Wanted to Know About Making and Eating America's Favorite Food with Howard Porter (Illus.)Scooby ApocalypseOne of Us Is Lying42 Is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American HeroLong Way DownMiles Morales: Spider-ManPatinaDear MartinThe Hate U Give with Alex Puvilland (Illus.)Spill Zone2019The Poet X with Emily Carroll (Illus.)Speak: The Graphic NovelGame ChangerHey Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction#MurderTrendingTrack series (Sunny [vol. 3] and Lu [vol. 4])Amal UnboundAnimal Zombies!: And Other Blood-Sucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life MonstersSadieThe Prince and the Dressmaker202010 Blind DatesBelly UpHeroine with Ellen T. Crenshaw (Illus.)Kiss Number 8 with Faith Erin Hicks (Artist)PumpkinheadsThe HauntedThe UnfortunatesTwo Can Keep a Secret and Ted CaplanUNpregnantWe Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories From Refugee Girls Around the World2021#NoEscapeBe Not Far From MeFoundGolden ArmHeartstopper Vol. 1 with Danica Novgorodoff (Illus.)Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel and Yusef SalaamPunching the AirSnapdragonThe LoopYou Should See Me in a Crown2022Amari and the Night Brothers The Canyon's Edge with Val Wise (Art)Cheer Up! Love and PompomsThe Crossroads at MidnightThe Girl from the SeaNubia: Real OneThe Passing PlaybookThe Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim CulturesTeen Killers ClubThey Better Call Me Sugar: My Journey from the Hood to the Hardwood2023Button PusherKate McLaughlinDaughter and Faith McClarenHorror HotelJumperLive, Laugh, KidnapLove RadioPunching BagTwo Truths and a LieYou'll Be the Death of MeSwim Team2024Breakup from HellThe Do-OverFive SurviveMissing ClarissaPromise BoysRoyal BloodSun Keep RisingThieves’ GambitThe Truth About EverythingA First Time for Everything2025Aisle NineThe Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke CiphersEven if It Breaks Your Heart and Shawnelle GibbsGhost RoastA Deathly Compendium of Poisonous PlantsThat’s Not My Name, Erica Martin, and Taylor Byas (edited)Poemhood: Our Black Revival: History, Folklore, and the Black Experience: A Young Adult Poetry AnthologyHomebodyThe Last Dragon on MarsEvery Time You Hear That Song

References