Book Gallery: Reading Your Way Into and Through College

For many teens, trying to get into and thinking about what college might be like is a big deal. For this week’s Book Gallery, here are some books about getting into and then going to college. I’m sure this list is in no way related to the fact that on Saturday I will drop my first born child off at her college dorm and we have spent the last year and half trying to get to this moment. Nope, not at all.

Getting In

For many kids, getting in to college is hard and stressful. There is parental pressure, financial aid, college applications and testing, to name just a few of the really big hurdles for teens trying to navigate college admissions. It can be a very stressful and challenging time. For many kids, mostly because of finances, college won’t even be on the table. And college isn’t the right next step for everyone, but for those who are trying to navigate college admissions in high school, here are some books for you.

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Book covers shown include: Admission by Julie Buxbaum, We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan, Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney, Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson, The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Julian Cantor, Charming as a Verby by Ben Philippe, 500 Words or Less by Juleah Del Rosario

You may also want to check out this great reading list at Reading Middle Grade : https://readingmiddlegrade.com/ya-books-about-college-admission-pressure/

The Summer Before College

Graduating high school and the summer before college – or whatever comes next for year – can be such an emotional time. For some, it may fill like limbo. For others, it may feel like a long, protracted goodbye. Whatever you may be feeling, here are some books that take place in the summer after graduating high school.

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Book Covers Shown: The Things We Call a Heart by Sheba Karim, The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone, I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrois, Hello Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith, The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen, Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando, When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, Rayne and Delilah’s Midnight Matinee by Jeff Zentner

Freshman Year of College

For those who have dreamed of going to college, the Freshman year of college can be a time of terror, anticipation, fear, dread and honestly, a combination of them all at one. For many teens, this will be their first time truly on their own and time to figure out more fully who they are and who they want to become. So here are some books set in the Freshman year of college.

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Book Covers Shown: Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu, We Are Okay by Nina Lacour, I Hate Everyone but You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin, Freshman by Tom Allen and Lucy Ivison, American Panda by Gloria Chao, Fresh by Margot Wood and Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

And here are some more book lists of YA set in college for you:

Barnes and Noble New and Upcoming College Set YA Novels

Epic Reads: 16 Books Set in College, Full of Endless Possibility

Jen Ryland Reviews: YA Books Set in College

So now, I have to go and make college packing checklists and check them twice. I hope you enjoy this journey to and in college through YA literature.

Some Other Links of Interest

https://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2021/07/reading-your-way-through-high-school-a-book-gallery-by-grade/

https://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2021/03/take-5-college-planning-resources-and-ideas-for-tweens-and-teens/

Filed under: YA Lit, YA Literature