5 YA Books About Artistic Ambition

Still Life With Tornado, by A.S. King
Being an artist has always been Sarah’s identity, so what does it mean when suddenly she can’t even draw the simplest still-life? Without her number one occupation, Sarah’s even more attuned to her surroundings, including her parents’ disastrous marriage, her former friends, and the gnawing absence left by her brother, who left home (and, effectively, their family) six years earlier. But there are new meanings to be found in life, she’s sure, and certainly ways to be more original, if only she can come up with them. If only she can find the right people. Following a homeless street artist seems to be a good start, but it’s the more unexpected people she meets—her past and future selves—that truly shed light on what she needs to face in order to move forward and get her mojo back.

You in Five Acts, by Una LaMarche
One performing arts school, five friends, and one last year together before the real world pulls them apart. Each of the five narrators—ballerina Joy, celebrity Dave, playwright Ethan, actress Liv, and dancer Diego—is pursuing a different path, and with stumbling blocks to push past and unrequited feelings everywhere, drama isn’t just for the stage. But as they work their way toward their famous futures, it becomes increasingly clear that one is never guaranteed.

The Sound of Us, by Julie Hammerle
Music camp is aspiring opera singer Kiki’s last chance to make her parents take her passion seriously, and that’ll only happen if she wins a scholarship to a university music program. But someone at camp is determined to keep everyone else from the top prize, and if Kiki can’t figure out who it is, she may be the next to get sent home. Especially since she’s having a tough time following one particular rule…the one that keeps her away from her cute new jamming buddy.

Tiny Pretty Things, by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Gigi, Bette, and June are three of the star ballerinas at the American Ballet Company, and like all their classmates, they’re determined to be on top, no matter what it takes or who gets hurt in the process. But soon they’re the ones getting hurt, whether through dirty tricks by their competition or the self-harm of an eating disorder. Stardom for the trio has never been closer at hand…or so far out of reach.

Look Both Ways, by Alison Cherry
Brooklyn comes from the epitome of a theater family, and she wants nothing more out of her prestigious summer theater internship than to discover her own talent. But there’s a whole lot more discovery going on when she develops major chemistry with her roommate, Zoe, and takes the opportunity to explore her sexuality. By the time summer ends, Brooklyn will have a way better handle on both, but that doesn’t mean anything will wrap up how she expects.