Summer YA Reads 2026

Now up on the Bookdragon Bookshop.org site: we've chosen some summer reads that will make you fall in love with reading again. Intriguing story lines, realistic teen characters--flaws and blushing et al--and some set in summertime. There are several that have already been made into movies, and some of these novels are in production for a series, and are easily accessible for the reluctant reader. 

• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is exactly the type of book I wanted to read as a teen, and that I still admire and enjoy as an adult. Written in verse with so much heart, it's a perfect summer read about a teen navigating her community and family. I love books that teach me about a culture and community as a coming of age story. Check out the first pages.

• I'm very much a Fangirl. Rainbow Rowell delineates 'growing up' of twins as they navigate going to the same college but with different paths. Cather is still an avid fan fiction writer and is dealing with a lot of anxiety and grief as she moves out for the first time. She channels her energy into her Simon x Baz fanfics, which have a large following. As a twin who went to a different college than her twin, and found herself navigating by herself for the first time, I could absolutely relate. A coming of age for the college years, and a must read for any one who has ever nerded out over a fandom.

• The graphic novel version of Fangirl stays true to its roots and has some unbelievable illustrations of Rowell's much-loved characters. A companion piece of sorts, but you could also start with the graphic novels, a great beach read.

• In Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean's love letters get accidentally sent out--which leads her to Peter Kavinsky, a previous crush from middle school. A teenage version of the trope of fake dating, but made sweeter with LJ and Kavinsky. What I love: these characters aren't perfect and are very relatable. Yes, you also might love the movie version as well. See notes from our 2020 quarantine read-along. And here’s the graphic novel version of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which just was released in May 2026.

• The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo follows a relationship between Clara Shin and her single father as they spend a summer together working at his food truck after a high school prank has gone awry. Unlike the stereotypically dutiful and respectful Asian daughter, Clara is loud and funny and always clowning around. Probably my opposite but I love how Goo makes me relate to Clara anyway. A lovely summer of growing up, making friends in unexpected places, falling in love, and also discovering oneself while also discovering one’s parent. I grew up LA adjacent (Orange County + UCLA alum) and love how this book makes me love the area even more—and also makes me super hungry for the food they are cooking in Clara’s dad’s Korean-Brazilian fusion food truck. Goo has a knack for really getting into the nitty-gritty of a character and setting and taking the reader on a journey. The food truck experiences are so quintessentially LA and Clara’s journey also is a quintessential coming-of-age story that will make you laugh, sigh, and sometimes want to wring her neck. I just recently wrote about this novel on the blog as I re-read it this spring.

• Just as I read Gayle Forman's Where She Went at least once a year, I keep coming back to Just One Day. On a high school graduation trip, Allison meets Willem--and becomes the person she always wants to be. They spend one adventurous day together in London/Paris and lose each other at the end. You can't read JUST ONE DAY without reading the sequel JUST ONE YEAR. Currently in production for a series, I highly recommend reading the books before it airs. A perfect summer read.

• Have you discovered Charlie and Nick yet? Heartstopper started out as webtoon and has successfully translated to six novels, with the latest one out this month. Discover first love again. Check out the first pages.

• Nicola Yoon's books have a way of making you fall in love again and Everything, Everything was her debut novel. Maddy has a chronic disease that limits her world and world view, which of course opens up when Olly moves in next door. Told in journalistic format, with doodles done by her husband who is also a writer, David Yoon, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING is a quick summer read that will make you fall in love not only with Maddy and Olly but with reading again. ~MTC Check out my review on the blog.