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25 Canadian YA books to read in fall 2023

Here are the Canadian young adult books we are excited about this season.

CBC Books Posted: Aug 15, 2023 7:19 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 15, 2023

Here are the Canadian young adult books coming out in fall we are excitedto read.

Focus. Click. Wind. by Amanda West Lewis

On the left a woman with grey hair smiles and looks into the camera. On the right is a book cover featuring different items and images associated with war. — Focus. Click. Wind. is a historical YA novel by Amanda West Lewis. (Andrew Alexander, Groundwood Books Ltd)

Focus. Click. Windis a historical YA novel set in 1968. At 17 years old, activist Billie Taylor is anaspiring photojournalist who has recently moved to Torontowith her mother. Billie gets more involved in activism as shediscovers an underground network of political protesters at Rochdale College in Toronto and shemust figure out how far she will go to be part of the revolution.

Focus. Click. Windis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it: Aug. 1, 2023

Amanda West Lewisis the author of numerousbooks for young readers, includingThese Are Not the WordsandSeptember 17, which was nominated for the Silver Birch Award, the Red Cedar Award and the Violet Downey IODE Award. She is a writer, theatre director, calligrapher and drama teacher basedin Brooke Valley, Ont.

Shovels not Riflesby Gloria Wesley

On the left a book cover shows three men holding shovels, looking into the camera and at each other and smiling. On the right a woman smiles looking into the camera. — Shovels not Riflesis a historical YA novel by Gloria Wesley. (Formac, Submitted by Gloria Wesley)

Shovels not Riflesis a historical YA novel that follows a youngBlack man namedWill, who enlists andjoins theNo. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada's only all-Black battalion, in the First World War. Will experiences racism and discrimination from his superiors and soon after hejoinshe learns that he won't be fighting on the front lines, but instead doing forestry work like he wasback in his small Nova Scotia town. The novel follows Will as he experiences the harsh realities of the war in 1916.

Shovels not Riflesis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2023

Gloria Wesley is a novelist and poet. Her previous YA novels includeIf This Is Freedom and Chasing Freedom, which was shortlisted for the2012 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children's Literature. Wesleylives in Halifax.

Into the Bright Openby Cherie Dimaline

On the left a book cover showing a field with flowers and a young woman wearing a white dress sitting in the field and looking into the camera. On the right a woman looks into the camera. — Into the Bright Open is a queer YA book by Cherie Dimaline which reimagines The Secret Garden. (Feiwel and Friends)

Into the Bright Openis a queer YA reimagining of The Secret Garden. When Mary Lennox becomes an orphan at 15 years old, she is sent from her home in Toronto to the wilderness of the Georgian Bay to live with her uncle.Mary is settling into her new life when one night she finds her cousin Olive, who has been medicated andhidden away in an attic room. Mary and Olive become instant friends and, along withaMtis girl named Sophie, set out to try and free Olive. Then one day theystumble upon a long-forgotten and overgrown garden.

Into the Bright Openis for ages 13and up.

When you can read it:Sept. 5, 2023

Cherie Dimalineis a Mtis author best known for her YA novelThe Marrow Thieves, whichwas named one ofTime magazine's top 100 YA novels of all timeand was championed byJully BlackonCanada Reads2018. Her other books includeVenCo,Red Rooms,The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy,A Gentle Habit,Empire of WildandFuneral Songs for Dying Girls.

House of Ash and Bone byJoel A. Sutherland

On the left, a book cover with a dark house in the distance with a red light shining from the windows and two large cloaked eyes in the foreground. On the right a man smiles at the camera. — House of Ash and Bone is a YA horror novel by Joel A. Sutherland. (Tundra Books, Colleen Morris)

In the YA horror novelHouse of Ash and Bone, 17-year-old Josephine and her family have inheriteda house in Vermont. Josephine, who can hear voices in her head, visits the house with her family and begins to question what is real and what isn't. She hastrouble controlling the voices, feels like she is being watched and even catches a glimpse of a woman in the shadows.

House of Ash and Boneis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it: Sept. 5, 2023

Joel A. Sutherland is an Ontario author of thriller, horror and fantasy short stories, as well asnovels,anthologies andchildren's and YA books. His work includesSummer's End,Haunted Canada 10, Haunted Canada 11 and Haunted: The House Next Door.

Say Yes and Keep Smiling by Laurence Beaudoin-Masse, translated by Shelley Tanaka

On the left a book cover showing an ink drawing of a body with flowers instead of a head, holding their hands up over where their eyes would be. On the right a woman smiles into the camera. — Say Yes and Keep Smiling is a novel by Laurence Beaudoin-Masse, pictured, and translated by Shelley Tanaka. (Groundwood Books Ltd, Melany Bernier)

Say Yes and Keep Smilingis the sequel to the novelSuck It In and Smile. Ellie, a social media influencerwith hundreds of thousands of followers and engaged to singerSamuel Vanasse, is about to launch her new wellness book. However, everything in her life isn't as perfect as Ellie likes to pretend it is. Her father's not well and Ellie is struggling under the pressure to be the person her YouTube followers expect her to be. Ellie finds herself falling back into old patterns as she tries to regain control of her life.

Say Yes and Keep Smilingis for ages 13 and up

When you can read it: Sept. 5, 2023

Laurence Beaudoin-Masse is a writer from Montreal. She is the author of two novels: Suck It In and Smile and its sequel,Say Yes and Keep Smiling.

Shelley Tanaka is an author, translator and editor who has written and translated more than 30 books for children and young adults. She lives in Kingston, Ont.

Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin

On the left a book cover shows a young person wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, holding a cat and standing in the rain. On the right is a woman wearing glasses and standing in front of trees and a blue sky. — Hopeless in Hope is a novel by Wanda John-Kehewin. (HighWater Press, Submitted by Wanda John-Kehewin)

Hopeless in Hopeis a YA novel about a14-year-old girl namedEva Brown whose life is unravelling. Her mother drinks and shouts, she is being targeted at school by the popular mean girl and then her belovednohkumends up in the hospital. After an incident where her younger brother is found walking around their neighbourhood alone, Eva is sent to live in a group home, while her brother goes to live with a foster family. A visit to her nohkum in the hospital and a copy of her mother's diary set Eva down a path of beginning to understand the truth about her mother.

Hopeless in Hopeis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it: Sept. 5, 2023

Wanda John-Kehewin is a Cree writer, poet, author and scriptwriter. She is the author of thegraphic novelVisions of the Crow.Her other work includes the poetry collectionsSeven Sacred Truthsand In the Dog House, which won the World Poetry Foundation's Empowered Poet Award.

Flight Planby Eric Walters

On the left a book cover showing a city with burnt out cars and buildings. On the right a man wearing a space suit looks into the camera. — Flight Plan is a book by Eric Walters. (Orca Book Publishers)

InFlight Plan, 13-year-old Jamie is stranded over 1,200 miles from home when the flight he is taking has to make an emergency landing when the engine stops. Jamie soon realises that all the other airplanes he can see have also been grounded, cars are no longer working, nor are cell phones. Jamie sets off on a journey to get home, with help from those around him, including a rescue dog and his fellow passengers.

Flight Planis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it:Sept. 12, 2023

Eric Walters is one of Canada's most prolific writers for young people. He's penned over100 books, includingBear in the Family,The Power of ThreeandRun. His 2006 novelWe All Fall Downcame in at #88 on the list ofthe 150 bestselling Canadian books of the past 10 years. Walters won the2020 Governor General's Literary Prize for young people's literature textforThe King of Jam Sandwiches.

Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson

On the left a book cover shows three young people standing in front of a neon pink and blue sign. On the right a woman wearing glasses looks into the camera. — Those Pink Mountain Nights is a YA novel by Jen Ferguson. (Heartdrum, Mel Shea)

Those Pink Mountain Nightsis a YA novel set in Alberta that follows three teenagers Berlin,Cameron andJessie who are brought together byworking at Pink Mountain Pizza. A possible sighting of Kiki, Cameron's cousin who disappeared five months earlier, sets off a course of events overone week in theirsmall, snowy town that will alter all their lives.Those Pink Mountain Nightsexplores topics such asMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women,mental health and sexuality.

Those Pink Mountain Nightsis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it:Sept. 12, 2023

Jen Fergusonis a YAauthor, activist and academic of Michif/Mtis and Canadian settler heritage, based in Los Angeles. Ferguson has aPhD in English and creative writing. Her debut novel,The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, wonthe 2022Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text.

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite

On the left a book cover shows a woman looking into the camera. On the right a woman wearing glasses smiles. — Goddess Crown is a debut fantasy novel by Shade Lapite. (Walker Books US, Emily Ding)

Goddess Crownis a YA Afro-fantasy novel set in the kingdom of Galla.Kalothia was raised in secret in a woodland outside of the kingdom where she learned to fish and hunt and look after herself. Onher16th birthday, she is forced to flee her home after it is invaded by attackers and she ends up in the king's court, where she gets caught up in dangerous power struggles.

Goddess Crownis for ages 13 and up

When you can read it: Sept. 12, 2023

Shade Lapiteis aBritish-Nigerian writerliving in Toronto. She runs a blog called Coffee Bookshelves which celebrates and promotes writingby authors of colour.Goddess Crown is Lapite's debut novel.

Suliewey by Saqamaw Mi'sel Joe and Sheila O'Neill

On the left a man looks into the camera smiling. In the middle is a book cover showing a necklace. On the right is a woman smiling into the camera. — Suliewey is a book by Saqamaw Mi'sel Joe, left, and Sheila O'Neill. (Ritchie Perez, Breakwater Books, Ritchie Perez)

Sulieweyis a historical fiction novel and the sequel to My Indian. It continues the story of Mi'kmaq guide Sylvester Joe, whose traditional name is Suliewey, as he decides to go out on his own to look for the last remaining Beothuk community. The noveldemonstrates anexisting kinship between the Mi'kmaq and the Beothuk.

Sulieweyis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it:Sept. 15, 2023

Saqamaw Mi'sel Joe is the author of Muinji'j Becomes a Man and An Aboriginal Chief's Journey, and the co-author ofMy Indianand Suliewey.Mi'sel Joe is considered the spiritual chief of the Mi'kmaq of Newfoundland and Labrador and has been the district traditional chief of Miawpukek First Nation since 1983, when he was appointed by the late Grand Chief Donald Marshall.

Sheila O'Neill is an author, drum carrier and member of Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. She is the co-author ofMy Indianand Suliewey. O'Neill is a founding member and past president of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network.

Life Expectancyby Alison Hughes

On the left a woman smiles into the camera. On the right a book cover shows a woman jumping into the air with their arms behind them. — Life Expectancy is a YA novel by Alison Hughes. (Samuel McInnes, DCB)

In the YA novelLife Expectancy, SophieSt. Johndiscovers a lawsuit that was launched by her parents when she was a baby, which says she has a reduced life expectancy as the result of a serious disease. She also finds out she might be very wealthy. Sophie is suddenly facing a much shorter life than she expected and she is determined to navigate this new world on her own terms.

Life Expectancyis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it: Sept. 23, 2023

Alison Hughes is a writer from Edmonton. She has written 20 books for children and young adults, including Fly andHit the Ground Running, whichwas a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text.Her writinghas been shortlisted for the Writers' Union Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers,longlisted for the 2011CBC Short Story Prizeand shortlisted for the 2021 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

Badass(ish) by Jaymie Heilman

On the left a woman smiles into the camera. On the right a book cover shows three young people, seen from behind, holding up placards. — Badass(ish) is a novel by Jaymie Heilman (Ken Mah, Ronsdale Press)

Badass(ish)is a YA novel that followsthree teenagers in Alberta Renzi, Davis and Jae who come together to try and stop the construction of a pipeline. Renziknows what the effects of climate change can do to a community she watched her grandparents' home get destroyed by a hurricane inPuerto Rico whileDavis's parents work for the oil company that they are protesting against. The three friendsneed to work through family pressures, secrets and ex-boyfriends in order to fight the pipeline, but also save their friendship.

Badass(ish)is for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it:Sept. 25, 2023

Jaymie Heilmana writer and historian who grew upin Sherwood Park, Alta. She teaches Latin American and Caribbean history at the University of Alberta and currently lives inEdmonton.Badass(ish) is her debut YA novel.

Poison Town by Elyssa Campbell

On the left a book jacket shows an empty bench in front of a row of green trees, with a red sky in the background and large grey plumes of smoke. On the right a woman wearing glasses smiles at the camera. — Poison Town is a YA novel by Elyssa Campbell. (Lorimer, Submitted by Elyssa Campbell.)

Poison Townis a mystery YA novel about a 14-year-old girl namedAddie who becomes an environmental activist in her hometown. There are ongoing environmental and health issues where Addie lives, a company town which was built around a lead and zinc smelter, even after the company did a cleanup. Addie is determined to find out what is going on and why the air and water still seem dangerous.

Poison Townis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it: Sept. 26, 2023

Elyssa Campell is a writer and substitute teacher who grew up in a town with a smelter and now lives near Vancouver.Poison Townis her debut novel.

The Grimmer by Naben Ruthnum

A composite image of a portrait photo of a South Asian man in a grey shirt smirking while looking into the camera and a red book cover with the silhouette of a teenage boy's head with a candle, skull and stack of books inside of it and a black cat crossing in the foreground. — The Grimmer is a YA novel by Naben Ruthnum. (ECW Press, Rudrapriya Rathore)

The Grimmeris a YA horror novel about a high schooler named Vishwho loves heavy metal and literature, but who isuncertain about his future. With his father recently out oftreatment for addiction, he can feel the eyes of the town focused on his family one of few brown families there. After Vish is attacked by a pale, decaying monster, he finds himself drawn into a world ofwitches, undead creatures and magic. With the help of aneccentriclocal bookstore owner and his teenage employee Gisela, Vishtries to stop aninter-dimensional threat that could destroy his whole town.

The Grimmeris for ages 13 and up.

Naben Ruthnum publishing first YA novel this fall, a coming-of-age story with a horror twist

When you can read it: Sept. 26 2023

Naben Ruthnum is a Toronto-based author and screenwriter whohas written everything fromshort fiction andcrime fictiontothrillers,memoirand literary criticism.He is the authorof the memoirCurry: Eating, Reading, and Raceand the novelsHelpmeetandA Hero of Our Time.Under the pen name Nathan Ripley, he is the author of two thrillers:Find You In the DarkandYour Life is Mine.

A Pretty Implausible Premiseby Karen Rivers

On the left two people, shown from behind and both with tattoos on their forearms, are walking with their pinky fingers linked together. On the right a woman smiles into the camera. — A Pretty Implausible Premise is a novel By Karen Rivers. (Algonquin Young Readers, Kelsey Goodwin)

In the YA novelA Pretty Implausible Premise, Hattie and Presley have an instant connection. Theymeet on thefirst day of their senior year in high school and are both trying to escape the ghosts of their pasts. Due to recent tragedies, Hattie hasgiven up on her dream to swim at the Olympicsand Presley has had to giveup his competitive ice skating career. They end up in a whirlwind romance, but can their relationship survive the trauma they've both endured, as well as the wildfires surrounding theirtown?

A Pretty Implausible Premiseis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it: Sept.26, 2023

Karen Rivers writes novels for children, teenagers and adults. Her YA books include A Pretty Implausible Premise,You Are the Everything, All That Was andBefore We Go Extinct. She lives in Victoria.

How to be Found by Emily Pohl-Weary

On the left a book cover shows a photograph of two teenagers walking outside on the sidewalk of a town, with dusk lighting. A hand is writing the book's title over the photograph in red lipstick. On the right a woman smiles into the camera. — How to be Found is a YA novel by Emily Pohl-Weary. (Arsenal Pulp Press, Brian Paul)

How to be Foundis a YA novel about best friends Michie and Trissa, who were raised by their single mothers in the same duplex. At 16-years-old, the friends suddenly find themselves with different interests Trissaloves going to the hottest nightclub in town, while Michie would prefer to stay in reading her favourite book. When Trissa goes missing one night everyone writes her off, but Michierefuses to give up on her friend. Her search for Trissa takes her to dangerous places, all the while a serial killer is targeting girls in their city.

How to be Foundis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it: Sept.26, 2023

Emily Pohl-Weary is a writer andcreative writing instructor at the University of British Columbia. Her previous books include the YA novelsNot Your Ordinary Wolf Girl and Strange Times at Western High and the poetry bookGhost Sick. Pohl-Wearyis originally from Toronto and now lives in Vancouver.

Iz The Apocalypse by Susan Currie

On the left a book cover shows a young person crossing the road and looking back, carrying a guitar over their shoulder. On the right a woman smiles looking into the camera. — Iz The Apocalypse is a YA novel by Susan Currie. (Common Deer Press, Submitted by Susan Currie)

In the YA novelIz The Apocalypse, 14-year-oldIz Beaufort is desperate to join a school music group called Manifesto. The only problem is that Manifesto is based at theprestigious Mtier School andIz, who has livedat 26 different foster homes,knows that Dominion Children's Care wouldn't send her toMtier School. Izfinds a way to fake her way in, but once she becomes a student atMtier, keeping her life a secret, while balancing fees, homework and new classmatesis more challenging than she expected.

Iz The Apocalypseis for ages 12 and up.

When you can read it:Oct. 1, 2023

Susan Currie is a writer and anelementary teacher. Her previous books includeThe Mask That SangandBasket of Beethoven. Currie lives in Brampton, Ont.

Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell

On the left a book cover with a pink background showing two cows chewing on tall blonde hair. On the right is a man, in black and white, looking into the camera. — Dragging Mason County is a book by Curtis Campbell. (Annick Press, Kevin Connery)

InDragging Mason County,Peter Thompkin'sbest friend Alan, also known asteen drag queen Aggie Culture, is throwing Mason County's firstDrag Extravaganza. Peter decides to help his best friend produce the show, but as backlash begins to mount Peter hopes his friendship with Alan will survive the experience.

Dragging Mason Countyis for ages 14 and up.

When you can read it: Oct. 3, 2023

Curtis Campbell is a writer, comedian and theatreartist. Campbell lives in Toronto andDragging Mason Countyis his debut novel.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

On the left a woman with blonde hair and glasses smiles into the camera. On the right is a book cover showing different phases of the moon and a hand poking out of the sea's waves. — Curious Tides is Pascale Lacelle's debut novel. (Lexine Mnard Photographie, Margaret K. McElderry Books)

Curious Tidesis a YA fantasy book about a teen mage who is trying to find out the truth about the drowning deaths of her fellow students at theprestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. After being theonly survivor of a tragedy at the Dovermere sea caves, Emory has discovered that she has gained new powers and abilities that she doesn't know how to control. When the supposedly drowned students begin to wash ashore, alive, only to then die very soon after in horrible ways, Emory begins to suspect that there is more behind the drowningsand the secret society that she believes her classmates were involved in.

Curious Tidesis for ages 14 and up.

When you can read it: Oct. 3, 2023

Pascale Lacelleis a French Canadian author from Ottawa. She has abachelor's degree in French literature.Curious Tidesis herfirst novel.

Catfish Rolling byClara Kumagai

On the left a woman smiles at the camera. On the right a book cover with abstract art in teal, dusty pink and blue. — Catfish Rolling is a debut YA novel by Clara Kumagai. (Penguin Teen Canada, Submitted by Clara Kumagai)

Catfish Rolling is a debut coming-of-age YA novel by Clara Kumagai with magical realism elements. There is a catfish that lives under Japan, and when it rolls the land rises and falls.Sorais 17 years old and livingwith her father after losing her mother to a powerful earthquake, which she blames on the catfish. The catfish doesn't just affect the land it also affects time, leaving Japan divided into zones, with some moving fast and some moving slow. When Sora's father disappears, Sora mustheadinto the abandoned time zones to find him.

Catfish Rollingis for ages 14 and up.

When you can read it: Oct. 3, 2023

Clara Kumagaiis from Vancouver and has lived in Japan and Ireland. Her writing has appeared in publications such asThe Kyoto Journal, Cicada,Room andThe Irish Times.Catfish Rollingis her debut novel.

Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

On the left a book cover shows two women, one with a red flower in the hair, as they face one another and their noses are touching. On the right a woman looks into the camera. — Songs of Irie is a historical YA novel by Asha Ashanti Bromfield. (St. Martin's Press, Kyle Kirkwood)

Songs of Irieis a historical coming-of-age YA novel set in 1976. Irie and Jilly are from two different worlds Jilly lives in the hills, safe in a mansion, while Irie is from the heart of Kingston, where fighting on the streets is a regular occurrence. Tension is building on the streets and there is civil unrest in the lead-up to animportant election.Irie and Jillybond at Irie'sdad's record store over their love ofReggae musicand must fight for their friendship, and budding romance, to survive.

Songs of Irieis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it: Oct.10, 2023

Asha Ashanti Bromfieldis awriter,actress, singer and producer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for starringas Melody Valentine, drummer for the band Josie and the Pussycats, in the television show Riverdaleand as Zadie Wells in the Netflix show Locke and Key.Her YA novels includeHurricane Summer and Songs of Irie. She is from Toronto. CBC Books named Bromfield aBlack Canadian writerto watch in 2022.

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

On the left a book cover is pink with large pink, purple and yellow flowers on the front. On the right a woman smiles at the camera. — Flower and Thorn is a YA fantasy novel by Rati Mehrotra. (St. Martin's Press, Veronika Roux)

In the YA fantasy novelFlower and Thorn, 17-year-oldIrinya, who has anincredible knowledge ofmagic flowers,has always wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother's disappearance. After discovering a priceless silver spider lily, which she is then tricked into handing over, Irinyahas to go on a dangerous journey to get the flower back.

Flower and Thornis for ages 14 and up.

When you can read it: Oct. 17, 2023

Rati Mehrotrawas born in India and now lives and writes in Toronto. She is the author of the YA fantasy novelNight of the Raven, Dawn of the Dovewhich wasa finalistfor best YA novel at the2023 Aurora Awards.Mehrotrahas also written the science fantasy novelsMarkswomanandMahimata.

The Haunting of Adrian Yates byMarkus Harwood-Jones

On the left a person with blue hair and glasses smiles. On the right a book cover shows a person in a graveyard meeting with what appears to be a ghost. It is nighttime and the CN Tower in Toronto can be seen in the background. — The Haunting of Adrian Yates is a queer YA romance novel byMarkus Harwood-Jones. (Adria Kurchina-Tyson, Metonymy Press)

In the queer YA romance novelThe Haunting of Adrian Yates, Adrian's summer takes an unexpected turn when he meets a ghost namedSorel in the graveyard near the apartment he lives in with his dads. Adrian's best friend Zoomer is worried that Sorel, who becomesAdrian's boyfriend, might be keeping secrets from him. Adrian begins to meet with Sorel in secret andthey start experimenting withconsensual possession, which doesn't go according to plan.

The Haunting of Adrian Yatesis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it:Oct. 24, 2023

Markus Harwood-Jones isa writer, artist and academic living in Toronto. His previous YA novels includeIn a Heartbeat,We ThreeandConfessions of a Teenage Drag King, which was named one of the best books of 2020 by CBC Books.

The Space Between Here & Now by Sarah Suk

On the left is a photo of a woman looking into the camera. On the right is the cover of a book. — The Space Between Here & Now is a book by Sarah Suk. (Farisa Thang, Quill Tree Books)

InThe Space Between Here & Now, Aimee Roh has a rare condition calledSensory Time Warp Syndrome. When Aimee smells something that is linked to a memory, she willtravel in time to that moment in her life. When Aimeetime travels to a memory about her estranged mother, the moment she is brought back to doesn't match up with the story she was told aboutwhy her mother left.Aimee decides to travel to Korea in search of some answers.

The Space Between Here & Nowis for ages 13 and up.

When you can read it: Oct. 31, 2023

Sarah Suk is a YA writer living in Vancouver. Her debut novel,Madein Korea, was named one ofthe best Canadian books for kids and young adults of 2022byCBC Books.

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng

On the left a woman looks into the camera, smiling and wearing glasses. On the right is a book cover showing a woman's face with glitter under her eye and blood on her cheeks. — Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is a YA book by Linda Cheng. (Roaring Brook Press)

Gorgeous Gruesome Facesis a debut speculative thriller about18-year-old Sunny Lee, a formerteen pop star. When Sunny findsout that Candie, her ex-best friend and group mate, is attending aK-pop workshop, shedecides to use itas an opportunity to confront her about their shared traumatic past involving the third member of their group. At the K-pop workshop, things don't go to plan andcompetitors start to experience strange injuries and mutilations to their bodies. Sunny is in a race against time to expose who is behind the bloodshed and why.

Gorgeous Gruesome Facesis for ages 14 and up.

When you can read it:Nov. 7, 2023

Linda Cheng was born in Taiwan. She received her bachelor of fine arts from the Savannah College of Art and Designand worked as an art director in the U.S. Gorgeous Gruesome Faces is Cheng's debut novel. She currently livesin Vancouver with her family.

25 Canadian YA books to read in fall 2023

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