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 — 11,287,922 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 — 9,792,430 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 — 1,579,464 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 — 3,861,985 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 — 4,077,156 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 — 57,472 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 — 87,654 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 — 475,079 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 — 1,045,242 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 — 226,128 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 — 2,851,691 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 — 18,837 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 — 13,744 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 — 1,982,819 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 — 43,901 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 — 28,486 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) 4.16 avg rating — 45 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 — 18,028 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 — 45,366 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) 3.79 avg rating — 92,179 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 — 87,394 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 — 356,428 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 — 304,810 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 3.81 avg rating — 1,489 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 — 17,655 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 — 14,202 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) 3.88 avg rating — 32,684 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) 3.75 avg rating — 438 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 — 4,608 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 — 113,557 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 — 68,385 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 — 7,401 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 — 1,374,520 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 — 55,930 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 — 4,295 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 — 1,744,601 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 — 2,179 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 — 88,462 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 — 10,223 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 — 5,567 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 — 17,174 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 — 977 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 — 107,594 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 — 35,011 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) 3.90 avg rating — 14,116 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 — 5,669,226 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 — 211,948 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 — 26,273 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 — 33,414 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 — 5,202 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 — 1,618 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 — 38,833 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 — 150 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 — 101,046 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 — 3,090 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 — 1,265 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 — 42,331 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 — 12,756 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 — 34,766 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 — 2,761 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 — 1,152 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) 3.40 avg rating — 2,010 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 — 3,512 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 — 83,726 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 — 1,021,337 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