We don't often feature two YA novels in one month but we had to make an exception this month with the publication of two fantastic new books for teens.
The Year of the Rat follows a year in the life of 16-year-old Pearl, coping with the heartbreaking loss of her mother and the arrival of 'the Rat', her baby sister – a constant reminder of why her mum is no longer alive. It's a beautifully written story that is full of bittersweet humour and heartbreaking honesty about how to deal with grief and will doubtless have you reading through into the night and sobbing into your hanky.
We think both The Year of the Rat and We Were Liars are strong contenders for best YA novels of the year and would love to hear your thoughts. If you'd like to read and review - either on this thread or by posting up a review, apply for a free copy here Budding novelists can also read Clare's top tips for writing.