The other day I told someone I liked young-adult literature. She asked me what books I liked. After I finished going on about C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, and (yes) even Laura Ingles Wilder, my friend said, "You realize all of your favorite books are more than twenty years old?"
Well, I do like Harry Potter, have read the His Dark Materials trilogy, and am in the middle of Eragon. I guess that only shows I'm a dedicated follower of fashion. (Why didn't I think to mention The Tale of Despereaux?)
So, yesterday, I bought a couple contemporary young-adult fantasy novels, and put some more on my Audible Wish List. I'm now in the middle of The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones, and am thoroughly enjoying it.
It's the story of a boy with an unfortunate lack of magical talent, parents who won't speak to each other, and a series of thoroughly boring governesses. However, he does have the ability to visit other worlds. That's enough information to get you started. But, be warned, if you do start reading this book, you might find yourself at work wishing you were home with Christopher Chant.