YA's Obsession With: Dead Loved Ones (73 books)

If you lived in the YA world, it's likely one or both of your parents, your favorite siblings, the grannie who raised you, your first crush, and/or your best friend all died last week. Barring that, they'll be dead ten pages from now--which will either send you into an existential quandary someone will need to pull you out of, or have you hunting for a killer that trained investigators can't seem to catch. Good luck with that...

This list is for all YA novels that feature dead parents, siblings, important relatives, girl/boyfriends, or friends as a part of character history or the starting gun for character motivation.

NOTE: If you see a book listed here erroneously, please leave a note for me so I can remove it. Thanks!

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Please only list books published with traditional presses (large or small; no self-published please) that are published in hardcover or paperback (ebook is fine, as long as hc or pb also are available)

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1	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling 4.47 avg rating — 11,427,725 ratings score: 490, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins 4.35 avg rating — 9,923,891 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 1,606,069 ratings score: 394, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 3.80 avg rating — 3,897,679 ratings score: 297, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) by J.K. Rowling 4.62 avg rating — 4,113,472 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Operation Oleander by Valerie O. Patterson 3.69 avg rating — 166 ratings score: 276, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	While It Lasts (Sea Breeze, #3) by Abbi Glines (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 57,483 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	My Life with the Walter Boys (My Life with the Walter Boys, #1) by Ali Novak (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 91,921 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Crux by Julie Reece (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 1,090 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 477,342 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1) by Jenny Han (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 1,059,854 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 226,268 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,882,507 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Wild Cards (Wild Cards, #1) by Simone Elkeles (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 18,852 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Coda (Coda, #1) by Emma Trevayne (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 1,221 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Fairest Beauty (Hagenheim, #3) by Melanie Dickerson (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 13,806 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 4.24 avg rating — 2,003,479 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause 3.80 avg rating — 44,008 ratings score: 168, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Sempre (Sempre, #1) by J.M. Darhower (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 28,508 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	A Symphony of Cicadas (Forever After #1) by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 44 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, #1) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 18,060 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Starters (Starters, #1) by Lissa Price (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 45,494 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 92,571 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Full Measures (Flight & Glory, #1) by Rebecca Yarros (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 91,673 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 357,900 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Forever Thirteen by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 27 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Stetson by S.L. Rottman 4.07 avg rating — 182 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Where She Went (If I Stay, #2) by Gayle Forman (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 305,522 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner 3.82 avg rating — 1,492 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	More Than Forever (More Than, #4) by Jay McLean (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 17,673 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink, #1) by Mindy McGinnis (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 14,235 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Road to Hope (Hope #1) by Crissi Langwell (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 53 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Confessions of a Murder Suspect (Confessions, #1) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 32,787 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Meet Me at the River by Nina de Gramont (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 437 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	My Clarity by M. Clarke (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 4,610 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 113,800 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	I Was Here by Gayle Forman (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 68,511 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 7,406 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	We Were Liars (We Were Liars, #1) by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 1,402,200 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 55,994 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher (Goodreads Author) 3.43 avg rating — 4,303 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Life of Pi by Yann Martel 3.94 avg rating — 1,754,807 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Dessert First by Dean Gloster (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 225 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein (Goodreads Author) 3.56 avg rating — 2,182 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 88,588 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 10,227 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Old Town in the Green Groves: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Lost Little House Years by Cynthia Rylant 4.05 avg rating — 5,578 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Smoke (Burned, #2) by Ellen Hopkins (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 17,309 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Tracked (Tracked, #1) by Jenny Martin (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 980 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 107,638 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 35,034 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Tex by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 14,312 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Cy in Chains by David L. Dudley 3.88 avg rating — 111 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 5,729,821 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 212,162 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 26,622 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 33,524 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 5,204 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Backwater by Joan Bauer 3.79 avg rating — 1,619 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Sisterhood Everlasting (Sisterhood, #5) by Ann Brashares 3.91 avg rating — 38,918 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Nothing But Blue by Lisa Jahn-Clough (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 149 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood, #2) by Ann Brashares 3.81 avg rating — 101,267 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 3,091 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester 3.65 avg rating — 1,268 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors, #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.85 avg rating — 42,494 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Shade of the Moon (Last Survivors, #4) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.29 avg rating — 12,848 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer 3.79 avg rating — 34,907 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Spellbound by Christopher Pike 3.67 avg rating — 2,767 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin 3.88 avg rating — 1,153 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	A Breath of Eyre (Unbound, #1) by Eve Marie Mont (Goodreads Author) 3.41 avg rating — 2,021 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Shooter by Walter Dean Myers 3.64 avg rating — 3,523 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1) by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 83,771 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 1,025,437 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars