Amber Smith grew up in Buffalo, NY and now lives in Charlotte, NC with her two dogs. After graduating from art school with a BFA in Painting, she earned her MA in Art History. When shes not writing, she is working as a curator and art consultant. She has also written on the topics of art history and modern and contemporary art.
Our Stories, Our Voices (2018) 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America edited by Amy Reed
Amber Smith recommends
Girl Reflected in Knife (2026) Anica Mrose Rissi "A haunting, bold portrait of a young woman whose world has reached fever pitch, whose grief has taken on a life of its own. Unputdownable and exquisitely written, Girl Reflected in Knife is chilling yet beautiful, fantastical yet all too real, as we follow one girl through the looking glass. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time to come."
All the Tomorrows After (2025) Joanne Yi "Crafted with exquisite care and insight, All the Tomorrows After is a stunning, gorgeously-written exploration of the intricacies of family, love, loss, and the redemptive power of forgiveness. This harrowing yet hopeful story will captivate readers from the very first page."
How to Lose a Best Friend (2024) Jordan K Casomar "A refreshing and honest exploration of the pressures a culture of toxic masculinity places on teenagers that tenderly portrays its effects, not only on young women, but also the negative impact it has on young men. An important and necessary book for our time."
On the Bright Side (2024) Anna Sortino "On the Bright Side is a poignant, romantic, and deeply heartfelt story of resilience in the face of life's most challenging and unpredictable circumstances - and how love can be the thing that sees us through. You will be thinking about Ellie and Jackson long after you've turned the last page."
The Glass Girl (2024) Kathleen Glasgow "Kathleen Glasgow has an unparalleled ability to breathe humanity into her characters, to make us hurt and hope and heal alongside them; it is this quality that shines most brightly in The Glass Girl. Nothing short of a modern masterpiece, it is a powerful, necessary, and gorgeously written journey into the depths of addiction - and there is no guide better equipped to lead readers through this darkness to a state of light, recovery, and hope than Glasgow."
Dark Room Etiquette (2022) Robin Roe "Haunting, beautiful, and impossible to put down, Dark Room Etiquette is nothing short of a masterpiece. Expertly paced with unforgettable characters and addictive, gorgeous writing, Robin Roe offers up a story that is as deeply thrilling as it is profound."
Dear Miss Cushman (2021) Paula Martinac "Paula Martinac's vivid, mesmerizing prose transports us to the gritty streets of New York City at the height of the Victorian era in this unapologetically queer and deeply empowering story. Dear Miss Cushman is a triumphant portrayal of one young woman's determination to forge a path of independence--complete with all the splendor, hope, and ugliness of this iconic period. Simply unforgettable."
The Liability of Love (2021) Susan Schoenberger "A poignant tale of love, loss, and secrets, The Liability of Love is a heart-wrenching, compassionate portrayal of survival--of what happens when old wounds are left untended, when quiet pain refuses to stay silent any longer, and when we allow ourselves a second chance. Gorgeously written; Susan Schoenberger has crafted a story that will remain with you long after you turned the last page."
Smoke (2021) Darcy Woods "A poignant story that explores the dilemma of doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. . . . Will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page."
Tell Me My Name (2021) Amy Reed "Haunting, beautiful, thrilling--Tell Me My Name is an exquisitely crafted, nuanced story of metamorphosis and mystery. Amy Reed's smart, captivating prose twists and turns, a kaleidoscope of light and shadow that will keep you flipping page after page."
Rent a Boyfriend (2020) Gloria Chao "Sweet, romantic, hilarious, and heartfelt, Rent a Boyfriend is the feel-good book you’ve been waiting for."
Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf (2020) Hayley Krischer "Necessary and timely, Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf takes us on a journey that is at once heartbreaking and heart-healing, as Hayley Krischer's unique, refreshing voice skillfully navigates the realities of sexual assault with care, insight, and authenticity. Full of truth, hope, and empowerment, this story is one you'll be thinking about long after you've finished."
Accidental (2020) Alex Richards "Compelling, timely, and deeply empowering, ACCIDENTAL explores the complexity of guilt, grief, and healing in the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy. As thoughtful as it is thought-provoking, Alex Richards has crafted a heartrending, yet hopeful story about the transformative power of taking control over one's own narrative--this is a book you'll be thinking about long after you've turned the last page."
I Killed Zoe Spanos (2020) Kit Frick "Haunting, addictive, and simply unputdownable, I Killed Zoe Spanos is complex, nuanced, and full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. This is a story that will stay with you long after you've finished."
The Looking Glass (2018) Janet McNally "A poignant, beautifully-woven story, THE LOOKING GLASS explores all the complexities of love, loss, family, and healing, as we follow one girl on a powerful journey of self-discovery."
Tradition (2018) Brendan Kiely "Powerful and necessary, Brendan Kiely bravely takes on class, privilege, and injustice in this layered, authentic story about friendship and finding the courage to stand up for what is right-Tradition is an important, timely book that will empower young men to rise up against misogyny and rape culture."
The Wicked Deep (2018) Shea Ernshaw "THE WICKED DEEP is more than just a scary story, it is a tale with substance and depth, one of magic and curses, betrayal and revenge, but most importantly, it is a story about the redemptive power of love to make even the worst wrongs, right."
Now Is Everything (2017) Amy Giles "Powerful and haunting, Now is Everything explores the complexities of family and abuse, as we follow one girl on her courageous journey to choose love over hate and hope over fear."
When We Were Worthy (2017) Marybeth Mayhew Whalen "When We Were Worthy is a poignant, haunting story of truths and secrets - the power of tragedy to unravel an entire community, and then stitch it back together - I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough."
The Rattled Bones (2017) S M Parker "In this chilling story of grief, ghosts, and secrets, Parker leads you on a journey that reveals a deep and unexpected connection between the past and the present. Full of twists and turns, darkness and light, THE RATTLED BONES will stay with you long after you ve turned the last page."
Teach Me to Forget (2016) Erica M Chapman "In this stunningly brave and necessary debut, Erica M. Chapman takes us on a journey to the edge and back--exploring grief, depression, and suicide with candor, insight, and above all, hope."
