Caitlin Lomas, who blogs at The Cait Files, chooses her Top 10 favourite UKYA books.
The White Darkness by Geradline McCaughrean
An all-time favourite, follows a girl, Sym, who is shy and socially withdrawn, mostly as a result of her hearing impairment, partly because of the death of her father but also because her best friend, intrepid explorer Titus Oates lives in her head. With a trip to Antarctica, an abundance of conspiracy theories and a creepy ‘uncle’ you’ll never know quite what to think or who to trust.
Junk by Melvin Burgess
A very real book based around heroin addicts who form a highly dysfunctional but often sweet family. Controversial, but eye-opening and oddly captivating.
Denial by David Belbin
Initially picked up because the MC was called Caitlin (best name ever) who is a teenage girl trying to recreate herself, which seems to be working, until her teacher father is accused of molesting one of his students and Caitlin’s life gets turned upside down.
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
One of the first dystopians I ever read and one of the best. In a world where adults live forever, children, Surpluses, are considered lower-class citizens and taught to be ‘useful’ to make up for their own existence.
Echorium Sequence by Katherine Roberts
A fantasy series surrounding the Singers and a battle over the ultimate evil. First book, Song Quest, was recently rereleased by Catnip Books
The Doomspell Trilogy by Cliff McNish
Possibly a little younger than YA, but I have always adored it. Fantasy series surrounding a witch who snatches children away to an alternate dimension meets her match when she steals 2 kids with extraordinary powers. Lots of battles, witches, wizards, other creatures, splendid.
The Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison
Everyone’s read them, but they deserve a mention. Hilarious diaries of a teen girl getting to grips with life. My sister used to shout at me for reading these late at night and keeping her awake by laughing.
A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton
Paranormal romance with a British twist! Witchcraft, love and magical mysteries all in a small coastal town in Southern England. And the sequel is just as good.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Strange, a little disturbing but very beautiful; the tragic story of spoilt, cynical Daisy and her cousins whose idyllic summer takes a nasty turn when a war breaks out. There’s a reason it’s a staple on these lists. Everyone should read it.
Hollow Pike by James Dawson
Creepy murders in a creepy town surrounded by a creepy wood. And if that’s not enough to entice you, James’ teenagers are outstandingly realistic and he writes about LGBT teens and issues better than any other author I’ve encountered so far.
And I’d like to end with an honorary mention for one of my favourite authors and favourite series, Sarah Rees Brennan and The Demon’s Lexicon trilogy. Keris said I could not include her because she is IRISH but her books are so fantastic they had to get a mention. Urban Fantasy set in England which follows the Ryves brothers and their adventures with demons, magicians and annoying girls with pink hair who demand you save their brother. One of the funniest and most plot-twisty series I’ve ever read.
The debut title in Katherine Roberts’ fantasy trilogy, The Echorium Sequence.
UKYA 