10 Best Hopeful Young Adult Books with Happy Endings
Pull up a cozy chair, my dear readers, because I am on a mission today - A mission to share something uplifting, something brimming with hope and, above all, something joyous to conclude. Oh yes, I am talking about our top ten picks of fantastically hopeful Young Adult novels, which will lift your spirits with their cheerful happy endings.
We have adventured across countless pages, climbed many a plot twist and dove deep into a myriad of characters' lives to carefully compile this list for you. As we navigate the ups and downs of life (particularly in the current age), these stories serve as a refreshing reminder that despite hardships and trials, things can, and often do, end on a positive note. These young adult books have been meticulously chosen for their unique blend of relatable characters, engaging narratives, and the substantial life lessons they impart, all while maintaining an undercurrent of unwavering hope.
So, whether you're a seasoned bibliophile or a novice in the world of literature, we believe there's something here for everyone. Be ready to embark on journeys filled with laughter, tears, heartbreaks, and most importantly - happy endings. Stay tuned as we embark on this literary rollercoaster together. Ready? Let's dive in.
『Cemetery Boys』
A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave in Aiden Thomas's New York Times-bestselling paranormal YA debut Cemetery Boys, described by Entertainment Weekly as "groundbreaking." Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. Praise for Cemetery Boys: Longlisted for the National Book Award "The novel perfectly balances the vibrant, energetic Latinx culture while delving into heavy topics like LGBTQ+ acceptance, deportation, colonization, and racism within authoritative establishments." —TeenVogue.com "This stunning debut novel from Thomas is detailed, heart-rending, and immensely romantic. I was bawling by the end of it, but not from sadness: I just felt so incredibly happy that this queer Latinx adventure will get to be read by other kids. Cemetery Boys is necessary: for trans kids, for queer kids, for those in the Latinx community who need to see themselves on the page. Don’t miss this book." —Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift
Author | Aiden Thomas |
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Price | $9.99 |
Publisher | Swoon Reads |
Release Date | Sep 01, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
『In Deeper Waters』
Forbidden magic, high-seas adventure and love . . . the perfect LGBTQ+ romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author F. T. Lukens is here! Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Daughter of the Pirate King and Adam Silvera. Prince Tal has waited a long time for his coming-of-age tour – a chance to explore his family’s kingdom. When his ship’s crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a derelict vessel, Tal feels an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal is heartbroken. But it’s not long before Athlen turns up on dry land, very much alive, and as charming – and secretive – as ever. When Tal is kidnapped in a plot to reveal his powers and destroy his family, Athlen might be his only hope. But can Tal trust him? Funny, subversive, romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author F. T. Lukens. Look out for So This is Ever After and Spell Bound.
Author | F.T. Lukens |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
Release Date | Dec 22, 2022 |
Source | Google Books |
『Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe』
Fifteen-year-old Ari Mendoza is an angry loner with a brother in prison, but when he meets Dante and they become friends, Ari starts to ask questions about himself, his parents, and his family that he has never asked before.
Author | Benjamin Alire Sáenz |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
Release Date | Jan 01, 2012 |
Source | Google Books |
『The Passing Playbook』
Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth. “A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story, and I’ve never rooted harder for a jock in my life.” – New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boys' soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans—he's passing. But when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone—including the guy he's falling for.
Author | Isaac Fitzsimons |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | May 31, 2022 |
Source | Google Books |
『You Should See Me in a Crown』
Liz has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. She hopes to become a doctor and has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . .
Author | Leah Johnson |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Scholastic |
Release Date | Sep 03, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
『Ramona Blue』
The fourth novel from Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’—now a Netflix feature film starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston, with a soundtrack by Dolly Parton! For fans of Rainbow Rowell and Morgan Matson, Julie Murphy has created another fearless heroine, Ramona Blue, in a gorgeously evocative novel about family, friendship, and how sometimes love can be more fluid than you first think. Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever. Since then, it’s been Ramona and her family against the world. Standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she’s fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she’s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. But juggling multiple jobs, her flaky mom, and her well-meaning but ineffectual dad forces her to be the adult of the family. Now, with her sister, Hattie, pregnant, responsibility weighs more heavily than ever. The return of her childhood friend Freddie brings a welcome distraction. Ramona’s friendship with the former competitive swimmer picks up exactly where it left off, and soon he’s talked her into joining him for laps at the pool. But as Ramona falls in love with swimming, her feelings for Freddie begin to shift too, which is the last thing she expected. With her growing affection for Freddie making her question her sexual identity, Ramona begins to wonder if perhaps she likes girls and guys or if this new attraction is just a fluke. Either way, Ramona will discover that, for her, life and love are more fluid than they seem.
Author | Julie Murphy |
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Price | $9.49 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Release Date | May 09, 2017 |
Source | Google Books |
『Tweet Cute』
One of Cosmo's Best YA Novels of All Time A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected. Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming — mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account. Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time. All’s fair in love and cheese — that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life — on an anonymous chat app Jack built. As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate — people on the internet are shipping them?? — their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected. "A witty rom-com reinvention ... with deeply relatable insights on family pressure and growing up.” - Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Always Never Yours and If I’m Being Honest “An adorable debut that updates a classic romantic trope with a buzzy twist." - Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately and Serious Moonlight
Author | Emma Lord |
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Price | $9.99 |
Publisher | Wednesday Books |
Release Date | Jan 21, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
『Felix Ever After』
A Stonewall Honor Book * A Time Magazine Best YA Book of All Time From Stonewall and Lambda Award–winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time. Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle.... But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself. Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve. "Felix is attending an ultracompetitive arts summer program to have a better shot at a full scholarship to Brown when someone posts Felix’s dead name beside photos of him, pre-transition, in the school’s lobby. Felix’s plot to get revenge throws him onto the path of love and self-discovery." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")
Author | Kacen Callender |
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Price | $13.99 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Release Date | May 05, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
『The Unexpected Everything』
When a scandal surrounding her father upsets all her carefully laid plans for her future, Andie must learn to accept a new relationship with her father and to embrace a little chaos in her life.
Author | Morgan Matson |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
Release Date | May 03, 2016 |
Source | Google Books |
『Love & Gelato』
"After her mother dies, Lina travels to Italy where she discovers her mothers's journal and sets off on an adventure to unearth her mother's secrets"--
Author | Jenna Evans Welch |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
Release Date | May 02, 2017 |
Source | Google Books |
In conclusion, each of these masterpieces is a treasure trove of hope, courage, and heartwarming conclusions. They confidently navigate the waters of young adult fiction, seamlessly incorporating themes like friendship, resilience, and self-discovery alongside their storylines' complications and strifes. Their pages are splashed with experiences and emotions that resonate with us all, echoing the trials and triumphs of everyday life. These books do not only promise invigorating narratives and complex characters but also lasting messages that will remain with you long after you've closed the book. Most importantly, they are powerful reminders that no matter the trials or obstacles we may face, a happy ending is always possible. So, go ahead and take your pick. These tales of hope and joy are waiting just for you. Embrace the journey and myriad emotions that they offer. After all, isn't that what makes a YA book truly memorable?
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