Skip to Main Content

RI Teen Book Award: 2023 RITBA Nominees

The goal of the Rhode Island Teen Book Award is to promote quality literature for teens by highlighting well-written books that will be of interest to those between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age.

RITBA 2023 Nominees

Ace of Spades

Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully.

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio, and eBooks available.  

All These Bodies

Sixteen bloodless bodies. Two teenagers. One impossible explanation. In this edge-of-your-seat mystery from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake, the truth is as hard to believe as it is to find.

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, Playaway, digital audio and eBooks available.

Blackout

Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teens in love to this charming, hilarious, and heartwarming novel that shines a bright light through the dark. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, large print, digital audio and eBooks available.

The Corpse Queen

In this dark and twisty feminist historical mystery, a teenage girl starts a new life as a grave robber but quickly becomes entangled in a murderer's plans.

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

Love & Gelato meets Don't Date Rosa Santos in this charming, heartfelt story following a Miami girl who unexpectedly finds love--and herself--in a small English town. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

The Darkness Outside Us

They Both Die at the End meets The Loneliest Girl in the Universe in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission, from two-time National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, books on CD, digital audio and eBooks available.

Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love

The future is anything but certain in this alternately funny and heartbreaking contemporary story about food trucks, festivals, and first loves. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

An Emotion of Great Delight

From bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi comes a stunning novel about love and loneliness, navigating the hyphen of dual identity, and reclaiming your right to joy--even when you're trapped in the amber of sorrow. 

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, Playaway, digital audio and eBooks available.

Fallout

New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents a follow up to his award-winning book Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, taking readers on a terrifying journey into the Cold War and our mutual assured destruction. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print and digital audio available.

Firekeeper's Daughter

Angeline Boulley's debut novel is a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community.

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, large print, Playaway, digital audio and eBooks available.

The Girls I've Been

In this feminist, suspenseful thriller, the daughter of a con artist is taken hostage in a bank heist--and will need to tap into all her skills in order to survive. 

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, large print, digital audio and eBooks available.

Rhode Island Teen Book Award Logo

Himawari House

A young adult graphic novel about three foreign exchange students and the pleasures, and difficulties, of adjusting to living in Japan.

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print and eBooks available.

Home Is Not a Country

From the  acclaimed poet featured on Forbes Africa's "30 Under 30" list, this powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been.

The print book is available in the EGHS library.  Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

House of Hollow

A dark, twisty modern fairytale where three sisters discover they are not exactly all that they seem and evil things really do go bump in the night.

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

In Deeper Waters

A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print and eBooks available.

Kneel

This fearless debut novel explores racism, injustice, and self-expression through the story of a promising Black football star in Louisiana. 

The print book is available in the EGHS library. Rhode Island public libraries have print and eBooks available.

Not My Problem

Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour, this queer coming-of-age story from the author of The Falling in Love Montage is wry, multilayered, and unflinchingly honest. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

Nubia: Real One

Can you be a hero...if society doesn't see you as a person? 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print copies available.

The Passing Playbook

Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth.

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

Take Me with You When You Go

From the New York Times bestselling authors of All the Bright Places and Every Day comes a story of hope, siblinghood, and finding your home in the people who matter the most. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

Today Tonight Tomorrow

The Hating Game meets Booksmart by way of Morgan Matson in this unforgettable romantic comedy about two rival overachievers whose relationship completely transforms over the course of twenty-four hours.

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

What I Carry

For readers of Robin Benway's Far From the Tree, a powerful and heartwarming look at a teen girl about to age out of the foster care system. 

The print book is available in the EGHS Library. Rhode Island public libraries have print, digital audio and eBooks available.

The Rhode Island Teen Book Award

The goal of the Rhode Island Teen Book Award is to promote quality literature for teens by highlighting well-written books that will be of interest to those between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age.  It is the hope of the committee that by allowing teens to select the winner from each year's list of nominees, teens will be encouraged to not only read more, but also discuss the books they are reading with their friends and family at school, the local library, and at home. 

For more information visit their website the RITBA website

Please remember that not all books are suitable for all readers.

2023 Annotated List

RITBA 2023 Nominees Flyer