The 2018 "English Journal" young adult honor list selections are an amazing mix of truth and fiction, fact and fantasy. The protagonists, five females and one male, all demonstrate what it means to follow your heart and speak your truth. Consideration of young adult books for inclusion in the 2018 Honor List begins in January and February of 2019 as the awards for the 2018 publications are announced. Ultimately, the list is winnowed to six books that represent the "best of the best." Each books, described by the author, offers opportunities for teachers to explore a multitude of topics with their students: culture, religion, sexuality, sexism, gender roles, racism, persecution, prejudice, genocide, dysfunctional families, rape culture, and teen violence are all prominently featured in the selections. Although complex and sometimes difficult, these topics become much more adolescent friendly when viewed through the lens of young adult literature.