The Best YA Books from Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth

That said, how could we not include the summer 2024 YA pick, Twelfth Knight? The ultra-creative rom-com is a retelling of Shakespeare’s play by the same name. One parent called the coming-of-age story about girls who love gaming their “new favorite book of all time.”

“Wonderful character growth without being didactic; diverse povs; and helps give the reader context and vocabulary for many aspects of patriarchy, feminism, microaggression, and sexuality without necessarily realizing it or knowing you wanted/needed it,” they wrote on Amazon. “I can’t wait to put this book in the hands of my kid when he’s a teenager.”

Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell

The fall 2024 pick had the Witherspoon women “hooked from line one.” Looking for Smoke is a thrilling and poignant novel about four members of the Blackfeet reservation. After one of their peers is murdered, the teens become people of interest in this “high-stakes whodunit” that’s as much about life on the reservation as it is about justice. Readers were grateful to be introduced to Native American culture, and author K.A. Cobell said she hopes the characters make readers “feel something.”

“Like countless Natives today, they want change,” she told the book club. “They want outrage. They want their voices heard. I hope they stick with you long after the book ends.”

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

You Should See Me in a Crown has raked in the accolades. Not only is it one of Witherspoon’s YA picks, but it is a Stonewall Honor Book, and it made Time Magazine’s list of the 100 best YA books of all time. Of all time!

The novel follows the story of Liz Lighty who believes she’s too Black, too poor, and too awkward for her Indiana town. And so she formulates a plan to attend a prestigious college. All she needs is the money to get there. When her financial aid package falls through, she turns to the scholarship her school awards to the Prom King and Queen.

Despite hating social media and the spotlight, she’s willing to work for the crown (and her future). But what happens when she falls for one of her fellow Prom Queen nominees?

Readers loved this book that has “tons of Black girl magic.” “I couldn’t stop thinking that Black kids are so so lucky to be growing up in an era where YA books are starting to show more and more stories with us in the forefront,” one Amazon shopper said. “It went right on my favorites shelf.”

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

When Witherspoon chose Furia for her YA book club in 2020, she said the “fabulous” novel would “set your dreams on fire.” The book follows the [double] life of Camila Hassan. In her Argentinian home, she is a doting daughter living in the shadow of her brother’s soccer prowess.

But when she takes to the field, Camila becomes “La Furia,” a powerhouse player who leads her team to the South American tournament. As she reaches for an athletic scholarship at a North American university and navigates a possible romance, Camila must decide what is most important to her — and how she will make it happen.

“You know that feeling when you haven’t even finished a book and you already know you want to own it in every format available? That is what I felt as I was reading Furia. I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in just one sitting because it was so good!” one Amazon shopper said of the “must-read.”

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Dearest Gentle Reader,

If you are a fan of Bridgerton, you are going to be instantly hooked by The Downstairs Girl. Jo Kuan also lives a double life. During the day, the 17-year-old is a lady’s maid for the daughter of a wealthy man in Atlanta, but at night, she is the pseudonymous author of an advice column, Dear Miss Sweetie. Her column quickly becomes a hit — until the teen decides to challenge society’s ideas about race and gender.

Much like the people of the ton try to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, people rush to identify “Miss Sweetie.”

Readers loved seeing things from such a unique perspective.

“Have you ever read anything about Chinese-Americans living in the Reconstructionist South? Thought not,” one Amazon shoper said. “This book provides such a necessary historical lens into highly underrepresented people and untold stories … The writing’s mesmerizing. I wished this book could never end … ”

Fable by Adrienne Young

Fable is a dark and captivating tale of a 17-year-old girl who is left to her own devices and has to survive an infamously dangerous island filled with thieves and scarce resources.

The “incredible tale” received more than 7 thousand rave reviews on Amazon and is the first book in a thrilling 2-part series.

“Holy moly. What an adventure this story weaves. Every time Fable gets her footing, it seems to be cut out from under her. And yet, she perseveres,” one reader wrote. “Adrienne Young has a lyrical writing style that takes the reader on a fantastical journey. Every book I’ve read of hers, I finish with a great sigh and am reminded how much I love her work.”