Florida Teen’s Read is a list compiled of some of the best books in order to encourage teens to read. Teen Book Guild members read a majority of the books on the list, and share their thoughts below. Enjoy the descriptions, and maybe you’ll gain some fantastic books to add to your to-read list along the way!
read by Grace H.
When Alice Ogilve returns to town after disappearing post a bad breakup with her popular boyfriend, Steve, she is mute. She refuses to comment on the situation. But when Steve’s next girlfriend also disappears and then turns up dead, Alice cannot remain silent. She teams up with her tutor to prove Steve’s innocence.
I thought that this was such a fun and enthralling mystery. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, and I really loved the ending as well. Beyond the mystery, this continued to be a strong read. Alice’s character arc from being a silent outcast to making more friends and being successful throughout the novel was very satisfying to read.
by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jason Griffin
read by Taylor R.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright is a beautifully tragic characterization of American society written by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Jason Griffin. Written in the wake of the 2020 pandemic and George Floyd protests, the poetry delivers a highly symbolic narrative that will leave any reader stunned. It’s a quick read, tending to only have a few words per page, some pages having no words at all, which allows the artwork to tell its own story alongside the literature.
by Sabaa Tahir
read by Brooke K.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir is a coming-of-age story that features main characters Salahudin and Noor. Throughout the story, they navigate grief, love, and feelings of isolation while living in a small desert town.
This book deserves every award since it focuses on relevant themes like the importance of community and overcoming grief. It was an amazing read that I would definitely recommend.
by Dhonielle Clayton, et.al.
read by Grace H.
This book is essentially a collection of six short stories that all take place in NYC during a power outage. Many different authors have collaborated on this book, and the result is a semi-related gathering of stories about black teens falling in love.
I really enjoyed the short story format, and I think it could be good for impatient readers because each story wraps up in much fewer pages than a normal romance story. I thought that the authors did a great job of representing many different kinds of characters and love, and while the short story format was new for me, I definitely will be reading more like this.
by Brittney Morris
read by Holly K.
The Cost of Knowing was a very entertaining book to read. It follows the point of view of Alex Rufus, the future-seeing, older brother of Isaiah Rufus. Upon seeing the vision of Isaiah’s grave, Alex tries to give Isaiah the best days of his life before his passing.
The Cost of Knowing was a very suspenseful, entertaining book that keeps the reader interested. I chose this book to read for Florida Teens Read because the concept looked interesting. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The only problem I had with it were the long chapters.
by Brigid Kemmerer
read by Anna M.
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer got off to a rough start for me. A few chapters in I was already considering putting it down forever; however, it surprised me.
This novel features a death, an anonymous love interest, and a quickly accelerated plot. Even if someone considers putting it down, I’d encourage them to not give up on this excellent read. It was definitely a top YA novel of 2023.
by Lamar Giles
read by Brooke K.
The Getaway by Lamar Giles focuses on Jay’s experience living in secluded Karloff Country during a time of turmoil outside of the gates and within them.
This book’s spot on the list is well-deserved since it is filled with twists and turns that kept me interested from start to finish. The book brought me on a dystopian adventure while teaching multiple valuable lessons. It is absolutely a must-read and deserves 5 stars.
by Ruta Sepetys
read by Chris K.
I Must Betray You weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue set against the backdrop of the tumultuous political landscape the Cold War.
This book is an excellent read that combines a compelling hook, engaging storytelling, and a rich web of plot details. Sepetys crafts a narrative that never fails to entertain and leave a lasting impact.
by Doug Stanton & Michael J. Tougias
Read by Em C.
In Harm's Way, by Doug Stanton and Michael Tougias, tells the story of how members of the crew of the WWII ship USS Indianapolis survived the sinking of their vessel and were adrift at sea for four days. It features a wonderfully detailed account of the events of those days, including what individual groups where doing and when. For its comprehensive account of this event, I believe it deserves to win the Florida Teen Reads Award.
by Gabby Noone
Read by Helena M.
Live Laugh Kidnap, in my opinion, is not the best book on this list by far. It follows Holly, Genesis, and Zoe. They are three different girls from a small town in Montana. City girl Holly, religious Genesis, and rebellious Zoe try to stop the local mega church from buying Genesis’s cult’s ranch - by kidnapping the priest’s son.
I didn’t love it because it lacks substance and definition to the characters. However, it was funny. I know many people enjoy it, but I personally didn’t like it.
by Goldy Moldavsky
read by Bella S.
This was such an exciting and interesting book. I would have never guessed the ending, and the plot twists were so unexpected. I love the way the author builds her characters and she keeps the readers hooked the entire time.
This novel was co-authored by well-known YA author Neal Schusterman, and his son, Jarrod Schusterman. It follows four main characters, two of which are taking drugs for different reasons, and two who personify the drugs themselves. The personified drugs make it their mission to make the other two characters overdose, and a sort of competition starts between them.
While I thought the premise behind the book was interesting, I often found the plotline hard to follow and a lot of drug terms are used that not all readers may be familiar with. The POV changes made the story hard to follow as well, and I didn’t think the plotline flowed well between chapters. I do, however, think that having the characters be personified as drugs was a unique way to write this commentary, and this book is certainly different from any book you will ever read.
by Stephanie Kuehn
read by Anna M.
Stephanie Kuehn’s We Weren’t Looking to be Found follows Dani and Camila, two girls with apparently broken mental health. In hopes of running away from their facility, they develop an unlikely friendship and help each other heal.
Personally, I believe this book represents reasons why mental health problems are stigmatized and do not think it belongs in the Florida Teen Reads list.
by Tiffany D. Jackson
read by Phoebe N.
The Weight of Blood is a close adaptation of the novel Carrie by Stephen King. Entailing the racial struggles of Madison Washington, a multiracial senior who endures the brutal discrimination of her white peers, and Kendrick Scott, a black all-rounder senior at a high school in Springville, Georgia. The book elaborates on the 21st-century context of cultural assimilation and white supremacy ideals. The story brings awareness to the extreme prejudice in high school settings in contemporary times and narrated through a third-person perspective.
Overall, I really enjoyed the ridicule of racial differentiations as it adds more depth to the raging emotions behind the main characters, giving more meaning behind their actions. Additionally, Tiffany Jackson includes articles and interviews in between chapters-creating an ambiguous element, mini spoilers, and providing extra context or explanations- which adds to the intriguing layout of the story.
Librarian note: Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams was also part of the 2023-23 Florida Teens Read list
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