“My favorite YA book of the year is The Year The Gypsies Came by Linzi Glass (Holt). This book is smart, soulful and beautifully written. With heartbreaking prose, Linzi Glass has given us an intimate look at a two families through the eyes of the smallest sister; set against the beautiful landscape of South Africa with its nightmarish laws of Apartheid, this is a novel to treasure.”

—Kathi Appelt, author of Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers, illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein (Harper, 2005). Read a Cynsations interview with Kathi.

“My favorite YA book of the year is The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick) because it is beautifully written, absolutely daring, and surprisingly tender. In short, it’s everything a great book should be.”

—Cecil Castellucci, author of The Queen of Cool (Candlewick, 2006) and Beige (Candlewick, 2007); visit Cecil’s LJ. Read Cynsational interviews with Cecil and Tobin.

“My favorite young adult novel of the year is The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin (Dial) because I absolutely could not put it down and the characters stayed with me long after I closed the book.”

—Dorian Cirrone, author of Dancing In Red Shoes Will Kill You (HarperCollins, 2005) and the Lindy Blues series (Marshall Cavendish, 2006-). Read Cynsations interviews with Dorian and Nancy.

“My favorite YA novels this year were An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Dutton) and The Boy Book by E. Lockhart (Delacorte). I know, I know. I’m only supposed to pick one. But I absolutely loved both! Katherines because 1) its star, Colin, a former child prodigy, is adorable in a geek chic kind of way; 2) the supporting cast of characters are quirky and hilarious; and 3) I never knew a mathematical romance road trip book could be so much fun. As for The Boy Book, Roo Oliver is one of my favorite female protagonists ever–so neurotic! so sweet! so relatable!–and this sequel to The Boyfriend List doesn’t feel sequel-y. Meaning, it stands on its own kitten heels, yet still embodies the warmth and humor of its predecessor. Both are on my Must List for 2006.”

— Lola Douglas, author of More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet (Razorbill, 2006); visit Lola’s LJ. Read Cynsations interviews with E. and John.

“My favorite young adult novel of the year is Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Houghton Mifflin), because I loved the engaging voice of the main character and learning about life on a farm.”

—Debra Garfinkle, author of Stuck in the ’70s (Putnam, May 2007). Read a Cynsations interview with Debra.

“My favorite tween book of the year is Shug by Jenny Han (Simon & Schuster, 2006)(recommendation) because it made me laugh and cry and reminded me of what it was like to be in midddle school. It’s the kind of book I wish I’d written.”

—Debbi Michiko Florence, author of China: A Kaleidoscope Book (Ideals Publications, 2007); visit Debbi’s LJ.

“My favorite YA of the year is Grand and Humble by Brent Hartinger (HarperCollins) because the story kept me turning the pages with concern for the characters, and when I reached the end and discovered the twist, I exclaimed, ‘WOW!'”

—Linda Joy Singleton, author of psychic YA mystery series, The Seer (Llewellyn, 2004-ongoing), in which a sixth sense helps Sabine solve ghostly crimes. Read a Cynsations interview with Brent.

“My favorite fantasy novel of the year is Privilege by the Sword by Ellen Kushner (Bantam,) because I haven’t had so much fun reading anything in years.”

—Nancy Werlin, author of The Rules of Survival (Dial, 2006). Read a Cynsations interview with Nancy.

“My favorite historical fiction book of the year is Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy (Marshall Cavendish, 2006) because within its poetic prose is the powerful true story of one child’s view of the Holocaust–a story of tragedy, compassion and hope.”

—Lisa Yee, author of Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2005). Read a Cynsations interview with Lisa; visit Lisa’s LJ.

“My favorite young adult novel this year has been Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Houghton Mifflin). It’s one of those books that catch you off guard–you’re not expecting much, but what you find is a completely original story, told in a fresh, engaging voice, that manages to be both funny and touching without the requisite heavy coating of schmaltz. Plus, the plotting is immaculate–there isn’t a single detail included without good reason. A real winner, and one I find myself recommending months after I finished the last line.”

—Lara M. Zeises, author of Anyone But You (Delacorte, 2005); visit Lara’s LJ. Read a Cynsations interview with Lara.