TAYSHAS Reading List 2023

The TAYSHAS Reading List is produced annually by a Texas Library Association committee, with the goals of motivating students in grades 9-12 to read for pleasure, to become lifelong readers, and to participate in the community of readers in Texas. Some of these titles may also be available at eBooks, eAudioooks, or audiobooks on CD or Playaway.

Additional titles on the 2023 list: 14 Ways to Die and Lock the Doors, both by Vincent Ralph

Updated August 10, 2023
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Abuela, don't forget me
Ogle, Rex
Paper Book
A Finalist for the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award. Rex Ogle's companion to Free Lunch and Punching Bag weaves humor, heartbreak, and hope into life-affirming poems that honor his grandmother's legacy. In his award-winning memoir...
Ace of spades
Àbíké-Íyímídé, Faridah
Paper Book
Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. All you need to know is . . . I'm here to divide and...
All my rage
Tahir, Sabaa
Paper Book
Aristotle and Dante dive into the waters of the world
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller Four starred reviews! "Messily human and sincerely insightful." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and...
Better than the movies
Painter, Lynn
Paper Book
A USA TODAY and New York Times bestseller Perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, this "sweet and funny" (Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks) teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as...
Burn down, rise up
Tirado, Vincent
Paper Book
Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice. For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by...
The dead and the dark
Gould, Courtney
Paper Book
"Imagine Riverdale crossing streams with Stephen King's The Outsider and you'll get a sense of this gripping supernatural mystery...Gould's debut begins as a snappy paranormal yarn and unspools into a profound story about the complex interplay between grief, guilt, and identity."...
Dead flip
Farizan, Sara
Paper Book
In this "terrifyingly fun" (NYT) horror comedy, two friends must solve the mystery of their long-missing former friend's supernatural reappearance--perfect for fans of Stranger Things. Growing up, Cori, Maz, and Sam were inseparable best friends, sharing their love for...
Fadeaway
Vickers, Elaine
Paper Book
When a high school basketball star goes missing, a town's secrets are exposed in this edge-of-your seat, addictive read. At 8-53 pm, thousands of people watched as Jake Foster secured the state title for his basketball team with his signature fadeaway. But by the next morning, he...
Galaxy : the prettiest star
Axelrod, Jadzia
Paper Book
It takes strength to live as your true self, and one alien princess disguised as a human boy is about to test her power. A vibrant story about gender identity, romance, and shining as bright as the stars. "An effervescent and poignant tale about discovering and embracing your truest...
Girl on fire
Keys, Alicia
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author and 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Alicia Keys comes a new authentic and poignant coming-of-age young adult graphic novel, about finding the strength within when your whole world changes in an instant. Lolo Wright always...
Kiss & tell
Khorram, Adib
Paper Book
"Kiss & Tellis a total rush! Perfectly sweet and swoon worthy. I loved every page!" -Julie Murphy, New York Timesbestselling author of Dumplin' A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be...
Love & other great expectations
Dean, Becky
Paper Book
An American girl embarks on a competitive scavenger hunt in England-and along the way, meets up with a bookish British boy who might make the trip take some unexpected turns. Praise for Love & Other Great Expectations "Take it from a romance-addicted Anglophile-...
Voy a traicionarte
Sepetys, Ruta
Paper Book
Once upon a broken heart
Garber, Stephanie
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART marks the launch of a new series from Stephanie Garber about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has...
Punching bag
Ogle, Rex
Paper Book
Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical...
Serendipity : ten romantic tropes, transformed
Meyer, Marissa
Paper Book
Love is in the air in Serendipity, a collection of stories inspired by romantic tropes and edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer. The secret admirer. The fake relationship. The matchmaker.
Squire
Alfageeh, Sara
Paper Book
From two incredible rising talents comes the fantasy graphic novel Molly Knox Ostertag calls "instantly compelling." A New England Book Award and Harvey Award winner! Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It's the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt...
Tahira in bloom : a novel
Heron, Farah
Paper Book
Life is full of surprises in a winning novel about a girl dreaming big during one unexpected small-town summer. When seventeen-year-old aspiring designer Tahira Janmohammad's coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents have a Plan B. Tahira will work in her aunt's boutique...
These deadly games
Urban, Diana
Paper Book
"A propulsive mystery with high stakes and devious, masterful twists that will leave you guessing until the very last page. Diana Urban's latest had my jaw on the floor." --Jessica Goodman, bestselling author of They Wish They Were Us Let's play a game. ...
The weight of blood
Jackson, Tiffany D.
Paper Book
" New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson ramps up the horror and tackles America's history and legacy of racism in this suspenseful YA novel following a biracial teenager as her Georgia high school hosts its first integrated prom. When Springville...
Where I belong
Mickelson, Marcia Argueta
Paper Book
A Pura Belpré Honor BookAn immigrant teen fights for her family, her future, and the place she calls home.In the spring of 2018, Guatemalan American high school senior Milagros "Millie" Vargas knows her life is about to change. She has lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, ever since her parents sought...
You've reached Sam
Thao, Dustin
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller! If I Stay meets Your Name in Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam, a heartfelt novel about love and loss and what it means to say goodbye. Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke has her future all...

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