Honestly, the best books I read in 2010 were mostly young adult fiction books. These novels, marketed to young people ages 14-21, are the work of some of the best writers working today. Because of the age group, the authors are required to keep it simple, not simplistic, but too many fancy tricks or philosophical meanderings and you lose your target readers. I guess I just have a young mind.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Semicolon thoughts here.

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. Semicolon review here.

Somebody Everybody Listens To by Suzanne Supplee. Semicolon review here

Hush by Eishes Chayil. Semicolon review here.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter. Great book in the Gallagher Girls series.

Heist Society also by Ally Carter. I just finished this one tow days before 2011, and it was really good. I can’t wait to see the movie.

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins. Semicolon review here.

Exposure by Mal Peet. Soccer and celebrity in South America. Semicolon review here.

For the Win by Cory Doctorow. Computer games and organized labor? Semicolon review here.

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas. Nominated for the first annual INSPY awards in the YA fiction category, this book tells the story of a young protege victimized by an older mentor. Nothing graphic or overtly sexual or violent makes the story even more creepy and disturbing.

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar. Semicolon review here. A story about bridge? Really? Yes, but it’s a good story about bridge, and you can skip the technical parts if you want.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr. A preacher’s kid in a struggling family faces questions about her faith until a community tragedy eclipses personal concerns. Winner of the first annual INSPY award for YA fiction that “grapples with expressions of the Christian faith.”

I’m making this list before the announcement of the Cybils shortlists, and I hope that several of the above will make the YA fiction shortlist. We’ll see.