Here we round up sophomore novels from authors whose recent debuts made big impacts. From award wins, big sales, snapped-up film rights, and critical acclaim, these are some highly anticipated second books.

History Is All You Left Me

By Adam Silvera (Soho Teen, Jan. 17, hardcover, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-61695-692-9).

Silvera’s first novel, More Happy Than Not, received five starred reviews and became a bestseller. In this follow-up, protagonist Griffin mourns the loss of his boyfriend by recounting their relationship and the aftermath of the drowning in alternating chapters titled “History” and “Today,” telling most of the story in direct address to his lost love. 

Goodbye Days

By Jeff Zentner (Crown, Mar. 7, hardcover, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-553-52406-2).

Zentner’s debut The Serpent King earned critical accolades, landed on several “best of” lists, and took home the William C. Morris Award for first YA novels. His second book tells the story Carver Briggs, a teen who texted while driving and inadvertently caused the death of his three closest friends

The Upside of Unrequited

By Becky Albertalli (Balzer + Bray, Apr. 11, hardcover, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-234870-8).

 

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Albertalli’s debut, netted several starred reviews and the film rights were snapped up quickly, with the movie currently in production. Her second novel is about two very different twin sisters: one super-confident, and the other lovesick but lacking confidence.

Beyond the Bright Sea

By Lauren Wolk (Dutton, May 2, hardcover, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-101-99485-6).

Wolk’s debut middle grade novel Wolf Hollow earned five starred reviews and received a Newbery Honor. It has also been shortlisted for a Carnegie Medal. Her follow-up tells the story of a curious orphan raised on an isolated New England island.

No Good Deed

By Goldy Moldavsky (Scholastic, May 30, hardcover $17.99; ISBN 978-0-545-86751-1).

Moldavsky’s debut Kill the Boy Band made a critical splash on its release, and her second novel proves to be equally provocative. In the book, protagonist Gregor goes to a “Save the World” camp but quickly learns that there’s something off about the place. 

All the Wind in the World

By Samantha Mabry (Algonquin, Oct. 10, hardcover, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-61620-666-6).

A Fierce and Subtle Poison was named a best book of 2016, and Mabry’s follow-up has been selected as a BookExpo Editors’ Buzz Book. The novel follows two teens falling in love in a magic-infused Southwestern landscape.

Here We Are Now

By Jasmine Warga (Balzer + Bray, Nov. 7, hardcover, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-232470-2).

Film rights for Warga’s debut, My Heart and Other Black Holes sold early on, and the book has been translated into more than a dozen languages. The author’s follow-up is about a music-obsessed teen reconnecting with her estranged father.