Sophie by Guy Burt
This is one of the most psychologically disturbing novels I've ever read. I'm not sure I'd describe it as YA per se, but Burt's other novels usually are. It flips back between a child and adult POV throughout, so this is usually evened out as YA (for some reason, although it was published in the mid-90s when the label was in flux). I still don't understand half of the things that happened and I would love to discuss this dense, dark, little novel with someone one day. It's pretty damn harrowing, with the most memorable final scene I've ever read.
Sins of the Fathers by Chris Lynch
This is a brilliant, underrated novel, one which deals with what might be seen a lot of average YA themes (institutionalised abuse, uncaring/clueless adults, tight-knit friendship groups on the brink of Big Change), but deals with them in a way that I've never quite seen before. A lot of the major events take place off-screen (or -- page), but this is never frustrating, and it's so funny. I hate this phrase, but it really is a great boy YA, and I can imagine it really rocking with reluctant readers too.
Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser
I don't really understand why this book hasn't made more of a splash. It's very dark, gorgeously and sparsely written. This is one I really would pair with Sins of the Fathers as two of the kind: totally unique. (How's that for an oxymoron, English teachers?) If I described the themes, it would sound like many other YAs that rule the shelves, but Gelbwasser's deeply humane writing and understanding of the relationships between the characters really make this spark.
Fury by Shirley Marr
I don't blame this one for being underrated. After all, it was only published in Australia (why? why?) and I only got a copy thanks to my amazing Goodreads friends, who sent it around between us. It's an amazing fast, thrilling novels of a group of girls who spiral towards horrific violence when one of them is harmed. Why it hasn't got a wider release, I don't understand. The pacing is exquisite, the characters are extremely memorable, and it's so lady-positive.
There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff
Rosoff herself is not an unknown author, what with the huge adaptation of How I Live Now and everything, but I want to see this one everywhere. I feel like it's been publicised far more in Britain. It's a genuinely funny, heart-warming novel, and I loved how Rosoff juggled the dark sense of humour with a sense of consequence and empathy. Also, I want an Eck. I'm not kidding. I will do anything for an Eck.
Angry Young Man by Chris Lynch
I felt like I was cheating by including two Lynch novels, but I feel sad that my least favourite of the books of his I've read - Inexcusable - seems to be his biggest hit to date. I love books about brothers (/siblings/family in general), and I dig books about lovable screw ups on the brink of something bad, and I dig books about unusual female characters. So I basically dig this book.
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos
This is a beautifully-written, fantastically-researched gothic/horror-ish/literary...thing. Imagine Psycho (with less blood) meets Shirley Jackson. It's so odd and unexplainable. It's unlike anything I've ever read. It's possible that the incestuous undertones (undertones only) and the taxidermy will be too much for you, and I get that, but when I finished it, I was left just sitting in my room, blinking at this tiny book, amazed that something so twisted could be so well-crafted and unique.
