So far away, yet so close, these Young Adult books will take you on adventures near and far with their vivid descriptions and engaging stories. With all of the travel restrictions, I hope one of these books will help satisfy your wanderlust.
Italy and gelato – a match too good to put down. After discovering her mother's journal, Lina embarks on a journey to Italy to find her biological father. Lina soon discovers Florence and Rome's beauty, and along the way, finds plenty of friendship, love, and of course, gelato in this lighthearted, laugh-out-loud book.
Available in: Print | eBook | eAudiobook
Mars One by Jonathan Maberry
I'm a NASA nerd, and I love books about space travel. In this fast-paced journey to outer space, Tristan and his family are one of 40 people on a one-way mission to Mars. The race is on to beat another ship, find the person sabotaging the mission, and make it to Mars alive.
Available in: Print | eAudiobook
Paris and croissants; apparently, travel and food are all I need to pick up a book! In this fun and energetic book, Teen chefs from all over the world travel to Paris to study at Chef Laurent's famous cooking school. They find love, triumphs, disappointments, and of course, great food. Spoiler alert: you will definitely crave a good croissant after reading this.
Available in: Print
Peak by Roland Smith
Climb Mount Everest with 14-year-old Peak Marcello, who is sent by a judge to live with his father after being arrested for scaling skyscrapers. Filled with details about the base camp, climbing, and the roles of Tibetan Sherpas, this book shares the international culture of major mountain climbing.
Available in: Print | eBook | eAudiobook
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Andi Alper's family is torn apart by the death of her younger brother. When Andi and her father impulsively move to Paris, Andi discovers the lost diary of Alexandrine. Andi is immediately whisked into the dead girl's life during the French Revolution. The fast-paced story, great characters, and intriguing history lessons keep you thinking about this book long after its end.
Available in: Print | eBook | eAudiobook
Marcus Vega is already 6 feet tall and 180 pounds -- and he's only in eighth grade. He's not a bully but a protector of the bullied. When he is expelled for standing up for Charlie, his younger brother with Down Syndrome, Marcus' mother takes the family to Puerto Rico to reconnect with her family. Marcus wants to find his real dad, who is somewhere nearby. Along the way, he learns that truth lies within, that family stands together, and even a little bit of Spanish. Cartaya's own authentic voice and detailed descriptions of the food, music, and Puerto Rican culture make the book come alive. As a bonus for any audiobook listeners, Cartaya narrates the book himself.
Available in: Print | eBook | eAudiobook
I'm always drawn to WWII historical fiction, and Salt to the Sea doesn't disappoint. Four teens each have their own dark secrets and reasons for escaping war-torn eastern Prussia at the end of WWII. Based on actual events and told in alternating voices, Sepetys aptly describes the harrowing and heartbreaking journey as the teens seek refuge on the Wilhelm Gustloff in this captivating story of survival.
Available in: Print | eBook | eAudiobook
Naila, a Pakistani American high-school senior, goes against her parents' wishes to attend prom with her sweetheart, Saif. Her family immediately takes her to Pakistan to arrange a suitable marriage. Together Naila and the reader are thrust into the culture, language, and rituals of Pakistan. I chose this book to learn more about Pakistani culture from a teen's perspective, which is confidently depicted in Saeed's writing.
Available in: Print
Monica P.
Young Adult Librarian