Young Adult Fiction
Here is romantic love as it is found in the Young Adult Fiction section. These titles are either romances, or novels that contain strong romantic elements. While hero and heroine need not end up as a couple, an over-all happy ending is required.
(List begun 09/02, updated 01/14)
Classic Young Adult Romances European Historical Romances American Historical/Frontier Romances Contemporary Romances, 1970 to 1999 Contemporary Romances, 2000 to present Fantasy Fairy Tale Retellings Paranormal Historicals/Steampunk Paranormal Contemporaries Dystopia Science Fiction
- Constance (1968) by Patricia Clapp
- The Iron Peacock (1966) by Mary Stetson Clarke
- Fifteen (1956) by Beverly Cleary (A at AAR)
- Seventeenth Summer (1942) by Maureen Daly
- Mrs. Mike (1947) by Benedict and Nancy Freedman (A at AAR)
- Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (1968) by Ann Head
- Up a Road Slowly (1966) by Irene Hunt
- Young Pioneers (1933) by Rose Wilder Lane
- Betsy and Joe (1948) by Maud Hart Lovelace
- Anne of the Island (1915) by L.M. Montgomery (set in Canada) (A at AAR)
- The Blue Castle (1926) by L.M. Montgomery (set in Canada)
- Green Grass of Wyoming (1946) by Mary O’Hara
- The Sherwood Ring (1958) by Elizabeth Marie Pope
- I Capture the Castle (1948) by Dodie Smith
- The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958) by Elizabeth George Speare
- A Girl of the Limberlost (1909) by Gene Stratton-Porter (A at AAR)
- Daddy-Long-Legs (1912) by Jean Webster
- Dear Enemy (1915) by Jean Webster
- These Happy Golden Years (1943) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Teeth of the Gale (1988) by Joan Aiken
- Primavera (2008) by Mary Jane Beaufrand (set in 15th century Italy)
- The Nostradamus Prophecy (2008) by Theresa Breslin (set in 16th century France)
- Prisoner of the Inquisition (2010) by Theresa Breslin (set in 15th century Spain)
- Spy for the Queen of Scots (2012) by Theresa Breslin (Renaissance)
- Nicola and the Viscount (2002) by Meg Cabot (B at AAR)
- Ransom my Heart (2009) by Meg Cabot (medieval)
- The Montmaray Journals (2009-2011) by Michelle Cooper (set during WWII)
- The Queen’s Daughter (2010) by Susan Coventry (medieval)
- Catherine, Called Birdy (1995) by Karen Cushman (medieval)
- The Queen’s Soprano (2006) by Carol Dines (set in 17th century Italy)
- Anastasia’s Secret (2010) by Susanne Dunlop (set in Russia)
- In the Shadow of the Lamp (2011) by Susanne Dunlop
- The Musician’s Daughter (2008) by Susanne Dunlop (set in Vienna)
- The Lacey Chronicles (2010-2011) by Eve Edwards (Renaissance)
- A Countess Below Stairs (1982) aka The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson (A at AAR)
- Lady Lochinvar (1987) by Barbara Hazard
- At the House of the Magician Trilogy (2007-2009) by Mary Hooper (Renaissance)
- At the Sign of the Sugared Plum (2003) and Petals in the Ashes (2004) by Mary Hooper (Restoration)
- Fallen Grace (2010) by Mary Hooper
- The Remarkable Life & Times of Eliza Rose (2006) by Mary Hooper
- Velvet (2011) by Mary Hooper
- The Girl in the Mask (2012) by Marie-Louise Jensen
- The Lady in the Tower (2009) by Marie-Louise Jensen (Renaissance)
- A Sweet Disorder (2009) by Jacqueline Kolosov (Renaissance)
- Gilt (2012) by Katherine Longshore (Renaissance)
- The Season (2009) by Sarah MacLean
- Maid of Secrets (2013) by Jennifer McGowan (Renaissance)
- Diamonds & Deceit (2014) by Leila Rasheed
- The Fool’s Girl (2010) by Celia Rees (Renaissance)
- Sovay (2008) by Celia Rees
- The Ramsay Scallop (1994) by Frances Temple (medieval)
American Historical/Frontier Romances
- Catherine and the Pirate (2002) by Karen Hawkins (B at AAR)
- Samantha and the Cowboy (2002) by Lorraine Heath (B at AAR)
- Jacob Have I Loved (1980) by Katherine Paterson (set in the 1940s)
Contemporary Romances, 1970 to 1999
- Forever (1975) by Judy Blume
- Tom Loves Anna Loves Tom (1990) by Bruce Clements
- Seven Days to a Brand-New Me (1981) by Ellen Conford
- Janie Johnson Series (1990-2013) by Caroline B. Cooney
- Keeping the Moon (1999) by Sarah Dessen
- I am an Artichoke (1995) by Lucy Frank
- When I Was Older (1994) by Garret Freymann-Weyr (B+ at AAR)
- When We First Met (1982) by Norma Fox Mazer (A at AAR)
- My First Love and Other Disasters (1979) by Francine Pascal
- The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman (1995) by Louise Plummer (A at AAR)
- The Only Alien on the Planet (1995) by Kristen D. Randle
Contemporary Romances, 2000 to the present
- Backwater (2000) by Joan Bauer
- Hope Was Here (2000) by Joan Bauer
- Ishmael Series (2007-2011) by Michael Gerard Bauer
- Geek Girl (2011) by Cindy C. Bennett (B at AAR)
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series (2001-2011) by Ann Brashares (A+ at AAR)
- Royally Jacked (2004) by Niki Burnham (B at AAR)
- All-American Girl Series (2002-2005) by Meg Cabot (A- at AAR)
- Pants on Fire (2007) by Meg Cabot (B+ at AAR)
- The Princess Diaries Series (2000-2009) by Meg Cabot (A/A- at AAR)
- Teen Idol (2004) by Meg Cabot
- North of Beautiful (2009) by Justina Chen
- Tara*Starr and Elizabeth Series (1999-2001) by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin
- The Boyfriend Trick (2007) by Stephie Davis
- My Life as a Snow Bunny (2003) by Kaz Delaney (B+ at AAR)
- Along for the Ride (2009) by Sarah Dessen
- Just Listen (2006) by Sarah Dessen (B+ at AAR)
- This Lullaby (2002) by Sarah Dessen (B+ at AAR)
- The Truth about Forever (2004) by Sarah Dessen (A- at AAR)
- Going Too Far (2009) by Jennifer Echols (C at AAR)
- Major Crush (2006) by Jennifer Echols
- Paradise Series (2007-2010) by Simone Elkeles
- Perfect Chemisty Series (2008-2011) by Simone Elkeles
- Adios to My Old Life (2006) by Caridad Ferrer
- Thrill Ride (2006) by Rachel Hawthorne (Lorraine Heath)
- Jessica Darling Series (2003-2009) by Megan McCafferty (A at AAR)
- Pushing the Limits (2012) by Katie McGarry (B+ at AAR)
- The Sea of Tranquility (2013) by Katja Millay (B at AAR)
- Dairy Queen Series (2006-2009) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
- Big Mouth & Ugly Girl (2002) by Joyce Carol Oates
- Boy Down Under (2004) by Sally Odgers (set in Australia) (B- at AAR)
- Anna and Friends Series (2010-) by Stephanie Perkins (A at AAR)
- All’s Fair in Love, War, and High School (2003) by Janette Rallison (B at AAR)
- Just One Wish (2009) by Janette Rallison
- Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Series (2000-2009) by Louise Rennison
- Eleanor & Park (2013) by Rainbow Rowell (set in the 1980s) (A at AAR)
- Confessions Series (2012-) by Louise Rozett
- Enthusiasm (2006) by Polly Shulman
- Psych Major Syndrome (2009) by Alicia Thompson (B- at AAR)
- Easy (2012) by Tammara Webber (B+ at AAR)
- Siege and Storm (2013) by Leigh Bardugo (B+ at AAR)
- Fire & Thorns Series (2011-2013) by Rae Carson
- Graceling Series (2008-2011) by Kristin Cashore (A- at AAR)
- The Goblin Mirror (1992) by C.J. Cherryh
- The Chanters of Tremaris Series (2004-2006) by Kate Constable
- Young Wizards series (1983-) by Diane Duane
- The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy (2003-2005) by Clare B. Dunkle
- Inkheart Trilogy (2003-2007) by Cornelia Funke
- Stardust (1999) by Neil Gaiman (B+ at AAR)
- The Princess Bride (1973) by William Goldman
- Book of a Thousand Days (2007) by Shannon Hale (A at AAR)
- Books of Bayern Series (2003-2009) by Shannon Hale
- Princess Academy Series (2007-2012) by Shannon Hale
- Tales of the Otori Series (2002-2007) by Lian Hearn
- Deep Secret (1999) by Diana Wynne Jones
- Howl’s Moving Castle Series (1986-2008) by Diana Wynne Jones (A+ at AAR)
- Year of the Griffin (2001) by Diana Wynne Jones
- The Iron Fey Series (2010-) by Julie Kagawa (A- at AAR)
- Ever (2008) by Gail Carson Levine
- The Blue Sword (1982) by Robin McKinley (A at AAR)
- Chalice (2008) by Robin McKinley
- The Hero and the Crown (1984) by Robin McKinley
- Sky Bounce (2003) by Deanna Miller (B at AAR)
- Sabriel (1996) by Garth Nix
- Mort (1987) by Terry Pratchett
- Aurelia Series (2008-2011) by Anne Osterlund
- Song of the Lioness Series (1983-1988) by Tamora Pierce
- His Dark Materials Series (1996-2000) by Philip Pullman
- General Winston’s Daughter (2007) by Sharon Shinn (B at AAR)
- Safe Keepers series (2005-06) by Sharon Shinn
- Summers at Castle Auburn (2001) by Sharon Shinn (A at AAR)
- Crown Duel Series (1997-1998) by Sherwood Smith (C- at AAR)
- A Posse of Princesses (2008) by Sherwood Smith
- Sasharia En Garde Series (2008) by Sherwood Smith
- The Trouble with Kings (2008) by Sherwood Smith
- The Burning Sky (2013) by Sherry Thomas
- The Queen’s Thief Series (1996-2010) by Megan Whalen Turner (A at AAR)
- Jackaroo (1985) by Cynthia Voigt
- On Fortune’s Wheel (1990) by Cynthia Voigt
- Shadow Magic (1982) by Patricia C. Wrede
- The Healer’s Apprentice (2010) and The Fairest Beauty (2013) by Melanie Dickerson
- Entwined (2011) by Heather Dixon (B- at AAR)
- Once Upon a Time Series (2002-2010) by Cameron Dokey
- Beastly (2007) by Alex Flinn (A- at AAR)
- A Kiss in Time (2009) by Alex Flinn (A- at AAR)
- Towering (2013) by Alex Flinn
- Princess at the Midnight Ball (2009) by Jessica Day George (A- at AAR)
- The Princess and the Hound Series (2007-2013) by Mette Ivie Harrison
- Enchanted (2012) by Alethea Kontis
- Keturah and Lord Death (2006) by Martine Leavitt
- Ella Enchanted (1997) by Gail Carson Levine
- Fairest (2006) by Gail Carson Levine
- The Two Princesses of Bamarre (2001) by Gail Carson Levine
- Ash (2009) by Malinda Lo
- Beauty (1978) by Robin McKinley
- Sirena (1998) by Donna Jo Napoli
- East (2003) by Edith Pattou
- The Sweetest Spell (2012) by Suzanne Selfors
Paranormal Historicals/Steampunk
- Gemma Doyle Series (2003-2007) by Libba Bray
- Finishing School Series (2013-) by Gail Carriger
- The Infernal Devices Series (2010-2013) by Cassandra Clare
- Leland Sisters Series (2008-2013) by Marissa Doyle
- The Double Shadow (2011) by Sally Gardner
- I Coriander (2006) by Sally Gardner
- The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade (both 2010) by Sally Gardner (set in France)
- The Red Queen’s Daughter (2007) by Jacqueline Kolosov
- Tudor Witch Series (2012-) by Victoria Lamb
- Grave Mercy (2012) by Robin LaFevers (set in Brittany)
- Airborn Series (2004-2008) by Kenneth Oppel
- The Perilous Gard (1974) by Elizabeth Marie Pope
- Mairelon the Magician Series (1991-1997) by Patricia C. Wrede
- Sorcery and Cecelia (1988) by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (A at AAR)
- Darkest Powers Trilogy (2008-2010) by Kelley Armstrong (A-/B+/B+ at AAR)
- Wishful Thinking (2011) by Alexandra Bullen (B+ at AAR)
- The Mediator Series (2000-2005) by Jenny Carroll (Meg Cabot)
- 1-800-Where-R-You? Series (2001-2007) by Jenny Carroll (Meg Cabot)
- Gods Series (2008-2013) by Tera Lynn Childs
- Lily Sanderson Series (2010-2012) by Tera Lynn Childs
- The Mortal Instruments Series (2007-2014) by Cassandra Clare
- Fire and Hemlock (1984) by Diana Wynne Jones
- Owl in Love (1993) by Patrice Kindl
- Blood and Chocolate (1997) by Annette Curtis Klause (B+ at AAR)
- The Wish (2000) by Gail Carson Levine
- Wicked Lovely Series (2007-2011) by Melissa Marr
- Twilight Series (2005-2008) by Stephenie Meyer (B+/B- at AAR)
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series (2005-) by Rick Riordan
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series (2011-) by Laini Taylor
- Companions of the Night (1995) by Vivian Vande Velde (A at AAR)
- Impossible (2008) by Nancy Werlin
- Razorland Series (2011-2013) by Ann Aguirre
- The Hunger Games Trilogy (2008-2010) by Suzanne Collins (B+ at AAR)
- Matched (2010) by Ally Condie
- Bumped Series (2011-2012) by Megan McCafferty – dystopia
- Chaos Walking Series (2008-2010) by Patrick Ness
- Under the Never Sky (2012) by Veronica Rossi
- Divergent Series (2011-) by Veronica Roth
- The Scorpio Races (2011) by Maggie Stiefvater (A- at AAR)
- The 5th Wave (2013) by Rick Yancey
- Hexwood (1993) by Diana Wynne Jones
- These Broken Stars (2013) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (A- at AAR)
- The Host (2008) by Stephenie Meyer (B at AAR)
- The Starlight Crystal (1996) by Christopher Pike
- Academy 7 (2009) by Anne Osterlund
- Across the Universe (2011) by Beth Revis (A- at AAR)
This list is currently open for submissions.
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