The descriptions included in young adult novels effectively transport readers to historical settings like King Henry VIII’s court or to dystopian worlds like in Veronica Roth’s Divergent. While many historical novels include European settings, contemporary YA novels are most often set in the United States. Traveling to Europe might not be an option for many teens, but they can surely pick up a novel set in Europe instead.
Die for Me by Amy Plum
The first in a YA trilogy, Amy Plum’s debut novel, Die for Me, is set in Paris, France. A former Paris resident herself, Amy Plum weaves in the feel of France in her novel without the use of overwhelmingly descriptive writing. In Die for Me, 16-year-old Kate’s parents die suddenly and she and her sister move in with their grandparents in Paris. There, she develops an instant infatuation with a French teenager named Vincent and then discovers that there is much more to him than meets the eye. With a touch of the paranormal and the macabre, ultimately Die for Me is a Parisian romance.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Like Die for Me, Anna and the French Kiss is set in Paris, France. The protagonist, Anna Oliphant, is sent to a Paris boarding school for her senior year of high school. Initially distressed by the news, all it takes to win her over is a gorgeous guy names Etienne St. Clair. Suited to older teens with its sexual content and language, this debut novel is a fun romance that not only transports readers into Parisian culture, but also transports them into the thrill of first love. With overwhelmingly positive reviews, Stephanie Perkin’s Anna and the French Kiss is not a debut novel to miss.
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Take the grand tour of Europe in Maureen Johnson’s 13 Little Blue Envelopes and travel to Rome, Paris, Greece, England, and the Netherlands. In this contemporary YA tale, 17-year-old Ginny inherits something a little different from her Aunt Peg - an adventure. Ginny leaves home alone on a tour of Europe with envelopes that lead her to Aunt Peg’s friends around the world. Along the way, she learns that life is more about love and friendship - the connections made with others - than about the places she visits. Like most adventure tales, 13 Little Blue Envelopes isn’t always believable, but it’s certainly a fun ride.
Jennifer Groepl - Living the good life in beautiful Cape Coral, Florida, Jennifer Groepl is currently working on her YA fiction projects. An intrinsically ...
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