New year, new books: 15 YA releases to watch out for this January

One of the Good Ones by Maika and Maritza Moulite

From the authors who brought us Dear Haiti, Love Alaine comes a YA story exploring the prejudice people of color face, a timely topic considering all that’s happened in the U.S. over the past year. One of the Good Ones by sister duo Maika and Maritza Moulite tells the tale of Happi, whose activist sister is killed one day after attending a rally.

As Kezi’s death becomes one of many to justify the movement against police brutality, Happi is forced to ask uncomfortable questions about the circumstances surrounding such a tragedy. For one, how does the nature of Kezi’s death impact the way people remember her?

"“Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind — why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed? — Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could’ve ever expected — one that will change everything all over again.”"

One of the Good Ones sounds like a devastating but necessary read heading into the new year, and a reminder that some fights can’t stay in 2020. This book arrives in stores and online on January 5.