The Best Young Adult Books from the 2022 Summer Reading Guide

Summer is the perfect time to get swept up in a story that captures all the intensity, heartache, and wonder of coming-of-age. Whether you’re a love of YA books or just dipping your toes into the genre, these stories will take you on emotional journeys filled with friendship, love, identity, and self-discovery. The 2022 Summer Reading Guide Young Adult Books Edition includes unforgettable characters navigating big feelings, life changes, and unexpected adventures—perfect for those lazy days by the pool or late-night reading marathons.

The Top 3 Young Adult Books

These books are packed with emotion, adventure, and unforgettable coming-of-age moments.

Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas

A joyful ode to Black boy joy, friendship, and one unforgettable day.

Harrison and Linus, two queer Black teens and best friends, are about to be separated when one of them prepares to move away. Determined to make their last day together unforgettable, they set off on a whirlwind adventure across Baltimore—dodging protective parents, meeting new people, and soaking up the city that’s shaped their friendship.

Full of heart, laughter, and poignant moments, Kings of B’more is a love letter to chosen family, identity, and the power of showing up for each other.

You can get a copy of Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas on Amazon.

Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest

A smart, heartfelt romance told in dual timelines.

Zyla, the serious, guarded girl who doesn’t believe in love, and Kai, the charming guy who falls hard and fast, are high school seniors whose love story is anything but ordinary. When they disappear during a school trip, rumors start flying—but the truth is told through alternating timelines of how they met, fell in love, and what led them to run away.

With Zyla & Kai, Kristina Forest delivers a nuanced, emotionally rich story about love, expectations, and rewriting your own path.

You can get a copy of Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest on Amazon.

The Sea Knows My Name by Laura Brooke Robson

A seafaring fantasy about freedom, power, and the bond between mother and daughter.

Neritha, born with the power to call storms, has always lived in the shadow of her powerful, commanding mother. When she’s forced aboard a ship under her mother’s control, Neritha begins to question the legacy she’s expected to inherit. As she faces danger, discovers her own strength, and navigates betrayal and power, she starts to imagine a future she could claim for herself.

The Sea Knows My Name is a lush, feminist fantasy about forging your own identity and breaking free from the expectations of others.

You can get a copy of The Sea Knows My Name by Laura Brooke Robson on Amazon.

Which 2022 Summer Reading Guide Young Adult Books Will You Read First?

Have you read any of these books? Which one are you adding to your summer reading list? Let’s chat in the comments all about the 2022 Summer Reading Guide Young Adult Books!