By: Terah Edun, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling high fantasy author. You can find her diverse and epic urban fantasy novels on OverDrive here.

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So what do a Junior Library Guild winner, a New York Times Notable Book of 2015, and many other riveting works have in common? They are all part of a showcase of diversity for young adult titles across genres. Together they exhibit the type of writing that comes from living in the heart of a diverse world and community.

There’s nothing like reading a book and feeling like the author represents you. We want authors and readers in this global eBook market to reach other and find homes while knowing that this is what they’ve been waiting for. What we’ve been waiting for. In honor of that, here is a list of diverse books brought to you by writers from all walks of life.

Each of the following books are either the first in their series or stand-alones. So, if you’re looking to fill your Diverse Books YA collection, here are six titles which are the perfect place to start.

eBooks

Serpentine by Cindy Pon

The author introduces an East Asian-fantasy with the cultural depth and the evocative world-building that makes Skybright, the protagonist, soar into Chinese mythology.

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

A supernatural thriller rooted in contemporary Brooklyn that turns the connection between street artistic expression and spirit-walking on its head with a Afro-Latina protagonist named Sierra.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

A riveting fantasy that takes a spin on a Grimm fairytale and deftly mixes Middle Eastern with European style to create a dark yet beautifully constructed, dynamic tale.

Audiobooks

Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith

When a 14-year-old grieves the loss of her boyfriend, we get not only a perspective on her personal turmoil but also a look into Native American life and issues.

Forever Mine by Elizabeth Reyes

A contemporary romance with a Latina protagonist swept up in the passion of a new love while adjusting to life with an incarcerated parent and living in a new community.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

A gorgeously vivid retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that brings Hindu folklore to the forefront with poetic prose in a setting reminiscent of ancient India.