Best Teen Nonfiction of 2019

Brave Face

A Memoir

by Hutchinson, Shaun David

Book - 2019

Mixing this trademark humor with heartbreaking truths, popular YA author Hutchinson shares his story of coming of age as a young gay man in the 1990s. He ...Show more Mixing this trademark humor with heartbreaking truths, popular YA author Hutchinson shares his story of coming of age as a young gay man in the 1990s. He includes cringe-worthy journal entries and emails and doesn’t shy away from discussing his battle with depression, but he also offers a message of hope to this generation of queer teens. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Far Away Brothers

Two Teenage Immigrants Making A Life in America

by Markham, Lauren

Book - 2019

This young adult adaptation of the author’s 2017 book follows the harrowing journey of twin brothers Ernesto and Raul Flores who fled their gang-ridden to...Show more This young adult adaptation of the author’s 2017 book follows the harrowing journey of twin brothers Ernesto and Raul Flores who fled their gang-ridden town in El Salvador only to find that life in California isn’t easy for refugees. Markham’s personal experience working with refugees to help them resettle in the U.S. helped to develop this insightful and empathetic story. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Ordinary Hazards

A Memoir

by Grimes, Nikki

Book - 2019

In perhaps the most powerful book of her career, Grimes’ memoir in verse details her tumultuous childhood: dealing with her schizophrenic mother, being sh...Show more In perhaps the most powerful book of her career, Grimes’ memoir in verse details her tumultuous childhood: dealing with her schizophrenic mother, being shuffled between foster homes and struggling to connect with her gifted but often absent father. The hope in this heartbreaking story comes when she finds solace in the arts by performing at poetry readings and acting in theater productions. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The (other) F Word

A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce

Book - 2019

This extremely inclusive anthology features popular authors like Alex Gino writing about living at the intersection of trans and fat, Julie Murphy praisin...Show more This extremely inclusive anthology features popular authors like Alex Gino writing about living at the intersection of trans and fat, Julie Murphy praising The Little Mermaid’s sea witch Ursula for her subversive behavior, and Isabel Quintero talking about not just surviving but thriving. Full of color illustrations and photographs, the book also includes fat fashion resources. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Shout

A Poetry Memoir

by Anderson, Laurie Halse

Book - 2019

Using thought-provoking poems, the author of Speak expresses her rage about how little our messed up culture has changed in the past 20 years since she pu...Show more Using thought-provoking poems, the author of Speak expresses her rage about how little our messed up culture has changed in the past 20 years since she published her groundbreaking novel about rape. She also reveals the experiences from her own past that led her to become such a strong advocate for sexual assault victims. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse

by Burcaw, Shane

Book - 2019

Written with his trademark snarky humor, the 25-year-old author, who has spinal muscular atrophy, shares ridiculous anecdotes from his life. Just like his...Show more Written with his trademark snarky humor, the 25-year-old author, who has spinal muscular atrophy, shares ridiculous anecdotes from his life. Just like his first book, Laughing at My Nightmare, this one emphasizes the idea of using humor to overcome hardship, which includes a lot of immature jokes about bodily functions. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Trans Mission

My Quest to A Beard

by Bertie, Alex

Book - 2019

YouTube star Bertie offers very personal anecdotes from his life as a transgender man, including stories about coming out to his family, his surgeries, da...Show more YouTube star Bertie offers very personal anecdotes from his life as a transgender man, including stories about coming out to his family, his surgeries, dating and job hunting. He gives advice on how trans teens can find a supportive community and how everyone can show acceptance and respect for the trans folks in their lives. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Search

Services

FAQs

About the Library

I Speak...

Resources for

Contact Us