New Books for Teenagers: Newmag Presents Two Novels for Readers 12+ (Video)

The televised presentation featured Gohar Manukyan, head of Newmag’s Yeraz book series, Naira Khachatryan, translator of “The Boy Who Sees in the Dark,” and Christina Simonyan, author of the philosophical fantasy “The Secret of the Full Moon.”

One of the new titles, “The Boy Who Saw in the Dark,” was released as part of the Yeraz series. Gohar Manukyan spoke about how Newmag selects and publishes books that resonate with young Armenian readers.

“These two books — different in genre and story — will captivate teenagers. For younger readers, we choose books that help them discover the world and fall in love with reading. But when it comes to teenagers, it’s about understanding their inner world, earning their trust, and addressing their challenges. Both of these books explore warm family and friendship ties and teach empathy, trust, and self-discovery.”

According to Manukyan, the language and design of teenage books are crucial.

“Books should be written in clear, beautiful, and dynamic language and look visually engaging — especially today, when we compete with screens, short videos, and constant distractions. We are also exploring international trends. For instance, we plan to introduce Spanish children’s books that have gained wide popularity in the global market.”

Translator Naira Khachatryan introduced “The Boy Who Saw in the Dark” by Latvian playwright and writer Rasa Bugavičute-Pēce, emphasizing that the story is based on true events.

“The author wrote about her husband’s childhood. It’s a heartfelt, complex, and educational story told in the first person — a boy who grows up as the eyes and hands of his blind parents. The book beautifully depicts how people who live in darkness perceive the world and face everyday challenges.”

Khachatryan noted that the book also addresses broader social themes:

“It shows how blind people navigate their daily lives and what obstacles they encounter — even small ones, like a car parked in the wrong place. It also touches on society’s attitude toward them. This delicate subject is handled with great sensitivity and understanding.”

Author Christina Simonyan presented her novel “The Secret of the Full Moon,” which unfolds like a journey — a philosophical adventure in which the heroine searches for her father while also finding herself.

“Fantasy allows you to convey wisdom through hidden layers of reality,” said Simonyan. “Readers not only understand the story but also feel it deeply. The book’s characters are all searching — for meaning, dreams, and transformation. The story is filled with mysterious figures and moments that help the reader reflect on their own life.”

She added that her book has no strict age limits:

“This novel encourages courage, self-awareness, and listening to your inner voice. The journey of my heroine is both outward and inward — it’s about changing yourself to change the world around you.”

Both “The Secret of the Full Moon” and “The Boy Who Saw in the Dark” are now available on newmag.am and in bookstores across Armenia.