Books for Teens

K.J. REILLY AUTHOR

K.J. REILLY AUTHORK.J. REILLY AUTHORK.J. REILLY AUTHOR
Home
About Me
Books
Photos
Mind Maps!
Contact Me
Ways to help/get help
Videos
  • Sixteen Minutes

K.J. REILLY AUTHOR

K.J. REILLY AUTHORK.J. REILLY AUTHORK.J. REILLY AUTHOR
Home
About Me
Books
Photos
Mind Maps!
Contact Me
Ways to help/get help
Videos
  • Sixteen Minutes
More
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Books
  • Photos
  • Mind Maps!
  • Contact Me
  • Ways to help/get help
  • Videos
    • Sixteen Minutes
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Books
  • Photos
  • Mind Maps!
  • Contact Me
  • Ways to help/get help
  • Videos
    • Sixteen Minutes

KIRKUS Best Books of the Year

KIRKUS BEST BOOKS OF 2022

KIRKUS Best Teen & YA Novels About Family of 2022

KIRKUS BEST TEEN BOOKS ABOUT FAMILY

YALSA 2023 Best Fiction for Young Adults

YALSA 2023 BEST FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS

1/2

Kirkus, Starred Review

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

KIRKUS REVIEW

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW

Booklist, Starred Review

Horn Book, Starred Review

Horn Book, Starred Review

BOOKLIST REVIEW

Horn Book, Starred Review

Horn Book, Starred Review

Horn Book, Starred Review

HORN BOOK REVIEW

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year 2023

Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year 2023

Horn Book "Bakers Dozen"

Horn Book Summer 2023 Reading List

National Council of Teachers of English “Top 10" Adolescent Books About Mental Health

NCTE Guide for Summer Reading

WINNER!! Mississippi's 2024 Magnolia Teen Book Award

THE MAGNOLIA BOOK AWARDS 2024

WINNER!! Vermont's 2023-2024 Green Mountain Book Award

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK AWARD

Maine's North Star 2023-2024 YA Book

THE NORTH STAR YA AWARD 2023-2024

Junior Library Guild Gold Star Selection

Rhode Island 2024 Teen Book Award Nominee

Maryland Black-Eyed Susan 2024-2025 Book Award Nominee

Florida Teens Read Award Master List 2025

Arizona Grand Canyon 2025 Reader Award Nominee

Michigan MISelf in Books 2023

2024-2025 Illinois Read For a lifetime Challenge Book

Washington DC Public Library Great Books For Teens

Pennsylvania School Library Association Best of 2022

BUY FOUR FOR THE ROAD HERE:

AMAZONBOOKSHOPBARNES & NOBLEINDIEBOUND
GOODREADS

WORDS WE DON'T SAY (Disney/Hyperion 2018)

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2019

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"In a debut filled with heart and wit, Reilly draws a memorable portrait of a teen struggling with big problems beyond his control...This novel traces with remarkable sensitivity how a vulnerable adolescent becomes less absorbed in his own suffering as he reaches out to others."

LINK TO FULL REVIEW

BOOKLIST

"Told in fractured vignettes that slowly converge to an emotional conclusion, Joel's story explores themes of death, mental illness, and the effects of trauma on ordinary people-all without settling on definitive answers for why good people must sometimes suffer. Every character feels flawed and real, as do their struggles to find hope amid the horrors in the world. Reilly's book offers readers a work of profound truth that will linger long after a reader finishes the final page." 

NPR

"Joel Higgins's voice is just as strong as Holden [Caulfield]'s, but far more contemporary and far less problematic... It made me cry on two different occasions, definitely a mark of excellence."

LINK TO FULL REVIEW

KIRKUS

"A high-interest read for its exploration of complex topics without simple answers."

LINK TO FULL REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Many characters deal with profound grief and devastating loss, which is explored honestly and unflinchingly. Recommended for readers who enjoy thoughtful realistic novels that cover difficult topics."

LINK TO FULL REVIEW

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Joel's voice has a grim, ironic humor that spins from the serious to the quotidian concerns of a sophomore in high school reeling from the aftermath of personal loss... With its spirit of ethical social commitment and its exploration of the what-ifs of being left behind after the death of your important person, this will have broad appeal for teen readers."

LINK TO FULL REVIEW

Oregon Library Association Intellectual Freedom Beach Reads for 2019

Intellectual Freedom Committee

CONNECT TO GOODREADS

GOODREADS

WHERE TO BUY WORDS WE DON'T SAY

BOOKSHOP
INDIEBOUND
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
BOOK DEPOSITORY
KOBO

Copyright © 2025 Young Adult Author - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by