Young Adult
A few years ago, I became hooked on young adult literature because I like the idea of teens reading books that focused on them and their ideas, problems, issues, relationships, dreams, etc. There are so many great young adult books out there, and they cover a wide range of themes. Following is a list of young adult books that I have read and enjoyed. There are thousands more out there, and I have some lists in my classroom that are genre specific (i.e., mysteries, westerns, sci-fi, etc.) Let me know if you want more help, or ask a librarian. Is there a young adult book you think I should read? Then please tell me, and I’ll try to do it.
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Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech: Just before the beginning of the summer, Mary Lou Finney and her classmates are asked to keep a journal, and Mary Lou takes this assignment very seriously. Throughout the summer, she records her adventures with her siblings, her sort-of-best-friend Beth Ann, her cousin Carl Ray (who has just arrived from West Virginia), and the cute Alex Cheevey. This book may be a smidge below your grade level, but it’s a great story about family and friends and about how we often forget how much people mean to us. An added bonus is that Mary Lou reads and explicates Homer’s Odyssey in this novel. (Posted March 2007)
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko: The premise of this book is really interesting: 13-year-old Moose lives on Alcatraz (an island prison) in the 1930s with his father (who works at the prison), his mother, and his autistic sister, Natalie. Moose and his mother don’t agree on the best care for Natalie, and it causes considerable tension between them. In the meantime, Moose is trying to make friends at school and with the few other kids living on Alcatraz. One of the kids, Piper, is the daughter of the warden and a true troublemaker. This book won a Newberry Honor, but I didn’t love it. Namely, I couldn’t understand why Moose feels compelled to do the naughty things that Piper suggests – especially when Moose is such a good kid. Read it, and let me know what you think. (Posted April 2007)
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green: This may be the only happy, laugh-out-loud book I have read so far this summer. Colin Singleton has dated 19 girls named Katherine, all of whom have dumped him. After the final dumping (by Katherine XIX), Colin and his friend Hassan, a wise-cracking Arab with a wicked sense of the one-liner, decide to go on a road-trip to sort out their lives. The boys end up in Gutshot, Tennessee, where they make some new friends, get a job, and make some self discoveries. An excellent, fun read. Highly recommended! Contains mature language. (Posted July 2008)
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne: I absolutely loved this book about Bruno, a nine-year-old German boy whose father is the commandant at Auschwitz. Bruno is very naïve and innocent, not really understanding where he is (he calls his new home “Out With”) or what is going on with the soldiers or the people behind the barbed wire – the people in the striped pajamas. All Bruno knows is that he is terribly lonely in his new home, and it is this loneliness that compels him to befriend Shmuel, a young Jewish boy held captive behind the fence. This book is painful in both its beauty and its message; I highly recommend it. (Posted September 2007)
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson: In both Speak and Catalyst, Anderson, in my opinion, tries to warn kids about the dangers of keeping secrets. In Catalyst, Kate Malone is an A-student who desperately wants to go to MIT, one of the best schools in the country. But when MIT rejects Kate, she can no longer hide the fact that she only applied to one college. On top of this angst, Kate is living with her nemesis, Teri Litch, because Kate's father invited Teri and her brother to live with the Malones after the Litches lose their home in a fire. I didn't love this book, but many of my students have read it and liked it. I give it a C. (Posted August 2008)
Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen-Mah: When Adeline’s mother dies shortly after giving birth to her, Adeline’s family blames her and treats her badly. Things become worse when Adeline’s father remarries a younger woman who really has it in for Adeline. In spite of incredible verbal and emotional abuse and neglect at the hands of her family, Adeline overcomes the odds – although she never receives the only thing she really wants: her parents’ love. Depressing but interesting.
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac: Code Talker tells the story of 16-year-old Navajo boy Ned Begay who enlists in the Marines during World War Two. He and several other Navajo men eventually become Code Talkers, a top secret group of Marines who send and receive important messages during some of the most crucial fighting of the Pacific arena. Told from the perspective of an elderly man telling about his war experiences to his grandchildren, Code Talker is a fascinating book about World War Two, Navajo culture, and a group of men whose work was classified – and therefore unrecognized and uncelebrated – for more than 25 years. Lots of interesting themes in this book – one of which would make a great essay. (Posted July 2008)
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper: This is a terribly sad but beautiful book about Amari, a fifteen-year-old girl from West Africa who is kidnapped by white traders and eventually sold as a slave in South Carolina. The book chronicles Amari’s happy life in Africa, which is smashed by the brutal treatment she receives at the hands of white captors, her miserable passage to South Carolina on a slave ship, her life as a slave (and sex-slave), and her eventual escape to Florida. Inter-mixed with Amari’s tale is the story of Polly, a fifteen-year-old white indentured servant, and the events that cause the two girls to eventually rely on each other for survival. Sharon Draper did years’ worth of research on this novel, and the result is a fascinating account of the slave trade and slavery in the 1730s. Again, this book is very depressing, but I would highly recommend it. (Posted April 2007)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon: When fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone finds that his neighbor’s dog has been murdered with a pitchfork (or “garden fork”), he decides to find out who the murderer is. Yet as he sleuths and snoops, Christopher uncovers some fairly messy secrets about his own family. This book is beautiful – and there is a lovely combination of both pathos and humor throughout. This book was particularly compelling to me because of its narration: Christopher, who tells the story, has Asperger’s Syndrome, and this fact comes through in both the matter-of-fact narration and in the careful unfolding of events. I highly recommend this book. Contains mature language. (Posted April 2008.)
Cut by Patricia McCormick: Like Melinda in Speak, Callie refuses to speak about why she is a “cutter” or what led to this behavior. Rather, she keeps her problems to herself, maintaining an inner monologue with the therapist to whom she’s been assigned at Sea Pines, a residential treatment facility for girls with various problems. But when a second “cutter” is introduced into her therapy group, Callie finds herself opening up to her therapist – and her group-mates – about her feelings and problems. This is a well-told story with an authentic narrator. I really liked it, even though the subject matter is very serious. (Posted April 2007)
Day of Tears by Julius Lester: This book is a series of fictional monologues about a real event: the largest slave auction in history. The main character is Mattie, a slave in the household of Master Butler, who has lost his fortune due to gambling and must make some money to protect his lifestyle. Thus, the slave auction. A great book, but naturally sad.
Dreadlocks by Neal Shusterman: Parker Bear is a wealthy teenager who is unbearably bored with life, until the beautiful and mysterious Tara moves in next door. Tara never takes off her sunglasses and seems to live alone surrounded by fabulous sculptures and works of art. But where are her parents? Why is she manipulating Parker’s schoolmates? Why do people become mysteriously ill when Tara is around? And why can’t Parker tear himself away from her? A neat story!
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler: Virginia feels like she doesn’t fit in with her perfect family. For example, her mother is a thin, beautiful family therapist, and her brother is a god-like, popular athlete. But when her brother is accused of date-rape, Virginia starts to see her family and herself in a whole new light. As the book progresses, Virginia comes to understand her family’s imperfections and her own worth. This is an uplifting book with a lovable protagonist. Contains mature content. (Posted June 2007)
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson: This is a nicely written book from the perspective of a 16-year-old boy who gets his girlfriend pregnant. The book toggles back and forth between past and present, discussing how life is both before and after Bobby and Nia’s baby, Feather, is born. Students really love this story, although I feel that the author didn’t do a good enough job conveying how difficult it is to be a single parent. That said, I did like the book. (Posted November 2007)
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen: This book was one of the freshmen’s favorites during the 2006-2007 school year, and after reading it, I can see why. Flipped is about two young neighbors, Bryce and Juliana, who have opposite feelings about one another: Juliana thinks Bryce is wonderful, and Bryce thinks Juliana is a pest. The book is told in alternating chapters, with Bryce’s voice in one chapter and Juliana’s in the next. Throughout the book, the readers see how the narrators’ opinions about one another evolve and “flip” during the course of their six-year relationship. I especially loved Juliana’s character; she is a very strong, smart, interesting young heroine.
Flush by Carl Hiaasen: Noah Underwood’s father, Payne, has just been imprisoned for sinking a casino boat because the boat’s owner is dumping raw sewage into the waters near Key West and destroying the environment. But no one can catch the casino owner in the act of dumping. So while the rest of Florida believes that Payne Underwood is crazy for committing this act of eco-terrorism, Noah and his sister Abbey realize that their father is trying to fight environmental pollution. The two kids eventually concoct a plan to trap the casino owner, and they use the help of some really crazy characters in the process. I love Hiaasen’s writing (see my entry for Hoot), and I highly recommend this book for people who are passionate about the environment.
The Giver by Lois Lowry: Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community. But through the help of The Giver, a man who stores memories for the community, Jonas learns that the only home he has ever known is actually very sinister. A really interesting book.
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson: Hattie Brooks is a 16-year-old orphan who has spent her life being passed from one relative to another. When she receives a letter saying that she has inherited her uncle’s claim shanty and acreage in Montana, Hattie heads west to “prove up” on her uncle’s claim – and her life. In Montana, Hattie discovers who she truly is amid her new life and often difficult circumstances, and she makes some memorable friends in the process. Hattie’s story is told through her first person account and her letters to a friend who is fighting in World War I. Great book – with lots of interesting info regarding pioneer life and WWI. (Posted March 2008)
Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos: This is a fascinating book about the author, who, at the age of 20, went on a one-time drug run in exchange for $10,000 cash. Up to this point, Gantos had been obsessed with becoming a writer, but since he had neither good grades nor money for college, he risked his life and reputation to earn some quick money. Much of the book chronicles Gantos' time in prison after he is caught, but throughout the story, Gantos stays focused on his goal of becoming a writer -- which he eventually achieves (he wrote the Joey Pigza books). Very interesting book with lots of great life lessons. Contains mature content. (Posted August 2008)
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: Roy has just moved to a new town, and both the school bully and Beatrice Leep are making his life miserable. One morning, as the school bully is smashing Roy’s face into the bus window, Roy sees a mysterious running boy and ultimately becomes involved in a plot to save some endangered owls whose existence is threatened by land developers. This is a touching and funny book about the power young people have to protect the environment and fight for the causes they believe in.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer: I don’t really love science fiction, but this was an intriguing story of an outcast boy who is actually a clone of a fabulously wealthy man. As Matteo discovers his true identity, he also begins to understand the dynamics of the very creepy plantation where he lives. The ending was a bit odd for my tastes; what do you think?
Hush by Jacqueline Woodson: Toswiah Green loves her life and her family. But when her father witnesses a horrific crime and must go into the Federal Witness Protection Program, Toswiah and her family search for stability and identity in the face of this crisis. A bittersweet story.
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak: Ed Kennedy is a 19-year-old cab driver in Australia who starts receiving cards in the mail with addresses and times. As he visits each address, Ed realizes that he must do something for or to the people who live there. Some “messages” are easy, and some are really difficult. But as Ed completes each message, he finds real purpose and fulfillment in his life. I absolutely loved this book; it is touching and funny, and the narrator’s voice is authentic. If you can get an audio version of this book, I think you’ll enjoy the Australian accent of the reader. Contains mature content. (Posted November 2007)
In Spite of Killer Bees by Janie Johnston: Fourteen-year-old Aggie Quade and her two older sisters, Jeannie and Helen, inherit an abandoned mansion from their grandfather. The girls, whose ex-con father is dead and whose mother is long-gone, are allowed to keep the house if they can convince their willful and daffy great aunt to live with them. As the girls try to solve their problems, Aggie, in particular, struggles with the legacy of her father (a petty thief), the impact of her noncomformist ways on the townspeople, and her desire to strengthen her ties with her sisters.
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson: When I was a teenager, I loved this story about Louise, who constantly feels like she is competing with her beautiful, talented twin sister. Louise struggles with so many issues: being a teenager, discovering love, admitting unpleasant feelings for her sister and grandmother, and ultimately learning that she is valued much more than she knows. I love the ending of this book, in particular.
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch: When you are finished reading Speak, consider reading this book. Keir is a great guy: his family loves him, his classmates love him, and he thinks Gigi loves him. So when Gigi accuses him of rape, he refuses to believe that he could be guilty of such a thing because, after all, he’s a good guy. This is a really amazing read, and it’s a great example of an unreliable narrator.
King of Shadows by Susan Cooper: Nat Field is an orphan who has been invited to act in a 21st century performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theater in London. But while he is in London, Nat contracts the bubonic plague and “awakens” in 16th century England, where he works as a young actor in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare’s acting company). If you like Shakespeare – especially if you like Midsummer – then this is a fascinating book. (Posted July 2007)
Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth: Jeeta is a teenaged girl in India whose mother is intent on marrying off her three girls (Jeeta is the youngest girl). But Jeeta would rather go to college – and she’d rather find her own husband, too. This is a really lovely story about Jeeta’s relationships with her domineering mother, her loving sisters, her intelligent and motivated best friend, and her attentive father. It was a bit slow at first, but I finished most of the book in a few hours. A great read about another culture. (Posted May 2007)
Looking for Alaska by John Green: Miles Halter narrates this story about his move to a boarding school in Alabama and his experiences there. At boarding school, Miles makes true friends, finds a girlfriend, and harbors a crush on his friend Alaska Young, a sexy, moody, wildly smart teen with a difficult past. This book has won many awards and is very good – although it definitely contains mature content. I liked the book and the narrator. (Posted December 2007)
Love and Other Four Letter Words by Carolyn Mackler: Much to her astonishment, Sammie’s parents are getting a “trial” separation. When Sammie’s father moves to California, Sammie’s mother whisks her to New York City. In NYC, Sammie struggles with making friends, finding love, and coping with her mother’s depression. A fun book.
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen: The Luxe tells the story of a group of spoiled, wealthy young adults who, during the turn of the century, are competing against one another for love and social position. When Elizabeth Holland learns that her family is no longer wealthy and will soon face social ruin, she agrees to marry a rich man whom she does not love – but whom her sister and her best friend both do. Rather than loving her fiancée, Elizabeth harbors a love for Will, her family’s coachmen, but Elizabeth’s maid also loves Will. As one student put it, this book involves not a love triangle but a “love web.” I thought the book was boring and predictable, but many of the girls in book club loved it, comparing it to The Gossip Girls with a 19th century setting. If you like The Gossip Girls, try this book. (Posted March 2008.)
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli: Misha is an orphaned gypsy living in Warsaw, Poland, during the Nazi occupation. For a long time, Misha wanders the streets with other orphans, stealing food and hiding from the Nazi “Jackboots.” Eventually, he meets a Jewish girl and, in spite of the horrific conditions and dangers of doing so, Misha aligns himself with her family and ends up living in the ghetto with them. I really loved this novel, which, in part, shows the lengths a child will go to to become a part of a family. (Posted July 2007)
Perfect by Natasha Friend: In this powerful, simple book, 13-year-old Isabelle Lee copes with the loss of her father by becoming bulimic. Her mother whisks Isabelle off to group therapy, where she discovers that the most “perfect” girl in school also has bulimia. The two girls become friends, but Isabelle starts to discover that people conceal their secrets and their fears in many ways. Eventually, the book has an uplifting ending and moral.
Pirates! by Celia Rees: Nancy is the English daughter of a sugar merchant and plantation owner. When her father dies, Nancy is shipped off by her loathsome brothers to Jamaica, where she has been promised in marriage to a wealthy (and creepy) man. Rather than marry this man, Nancy runs away with her slave, Minerva, and the two eventually join a band of pirates. The premise is a touch unbelievable, but the story has everything: love, high-seas adventure, fortune-telling, swordfights and battles, a strong anti-slavery message, and some really awesome 18th-century girl power! I absolutely loved this book. (Posted October 2007.)
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot: I have read the first two volumes of these books and loved them. Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is heir to the throne of Genovia (a small principality in Europe), and she is completely disgusted by the idea. After all, she thinks her life is hard enough: she is flunking algebra, her mother is dating her algebra teacher, she is awkwardly tall and has bad hair, and she has a crush on her best friend’s brother. The idea of being royalty is more than Mia can bear. If you haven’t read this book, it’s a riot!
Princess in Love by Meg Cabot: In the third installment of The Princess Diaries, Mia has a tumultuous two weeks. She realizes that she doesn’t love her new boyfriend, Kenny, and she decides to tell Michael that she loves him via secret admirer notes. On top of that, Mia still must muddle through princess lessons, algebra, and verbal abuse from both Lily and Lana. Is it weird that I love these books so much? Maybe, but I still recommend this one. (Posted: June 13, 2007)
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares: I have only read the first book in this series, but I thought it was great. Four friends swap a magical pair of pants during the course of a summer, and the pants help the girls really get to know themselves.
So B. It by Sarah Weeks: This is a beautiful book about a thirteen-year-old girl who tries to uncover the secrets of her birth. Heide’s mother is profoundly retarded, capable of speaking only 23 words. But one of those words – soof – is a word so unique that Heide thinks it is the key to finding out who she and her mother really are. This is a lovely book about family, motherhood, and learning what is and what isn’t important about life. The book’s writing is a smidge below grade-level, but it was on the Young Adult Library Services Association’s Top Ten list of best books for young adult readers in 2005.
Sold by Patricia McCormick: Lakshmi is a 13-year-old girl from Nepal who is sold by her stepfather into a life of prostitution. At first, Lakshmi thinks she is going to work as a maid in the city, so she eagerly goes away – thinking that her income will help care for her mother. But the truth is that Lakshmi is kept as a sex slave, threatened with violence, disease, and perpetual ill-treatment at the hands of the horrid woman who owns the brothel. According to the author, more than 10,000 Nepalese girls are sold into prostitution every year, and she has dedicated this book to those girls. This book is devastatingly sad – I feel haunted by it – and yet I think it is one of the greatest books I have read in a long time. McCormick really knows how to get into the head of her narrators, and the writing is sparse and beautiful. Highly, highly recommended. (Posted March 2007)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Melinda Sordino is starting high school with a horrible secret, yet she refuses to discuss it with anyone. I loved this story, and it’s fascinating to watch Melinda’s character develop from a frightened, silent victim into a strong advocate for herself. As the secret comes out, you will feel an incredible sympathy for Melinda. I think this book is a must-read for teens. (Watch for her descriptions of her English teacher; hilarious!) (Posted December 2006)
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements: This science fiction book is about a 15-year-old boy, Bobby, who wakes up one morning to find that he is invisible. Bobby’s parents refuse to seek outside help for their son, fearing that he will become a freak or science experiment, so Bobby must find the reason for his invisibility and a way to cure it using his own ingenuity and the help of a newly made friend, a blind girl named Alicia. Students seem to like this book; I thought it was merely okay. (Posted October 2008)
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka: When Ailin refuses to have her feet bound according to Chinese tradition, her arranged marriage is ended – and she now has very few prospects for adult success by ancient standards. So Ailin becomes a nanny for an American family and moves toward a life that is surprisingly liberating.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen: In the eighteen months since her father died, Macy Queen has shut herself off from friends, feelings, and honest discussion. In fact, the one time Macy does open up by saying “I love you” in an email to her boyfriend, she gets dumped. But when she starts to work for Wish Catering, Macy learns that she is not the only person who has faced devastating loss, and she develops true friendship with Delia, the head of the catering company; Kristy, a sassy and fun coworker; and Wes, a handsome sculptor who encourages Macy to unlock her heart. Students love Sarah Dessen’s books, and I can see why. This is highly readable, and the budding romance between Macy and Wes will keep you turning pages until the satisfying end of the book. (Posted April 2008)
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi: Many students love this book about a wealthy and well-bred teen, Charlotte Doyle, who, in the early 1830s, boards a ship from England to Rhode Island, where she will be reunited with her family. At the beginning of the voyage, Charlotte is warned that the ship’s captain, Captain Jaggery, is an evil man, but Charlotte ignores the warnings and befriends him. As this adventure novel progresses, Charlotte learns Captain Jaggery’s true character and discovers her own physical and moral strength. I found the plotline of this book fairly unbelievable, but, as I said, students love it. Let me know what you think. (Posted September 2007)
Truth or Dairy by Catherine Clark: Cathy Clark is a Minnesota writer with an ear for the way teens speak. In Truth or Dairy, Courtney has been dumped by Dave – and she can’t get over it! Courtney vents her frustrations in her diary, through which the reader also learns about her phone-hating mom, her epileptic dog, her run-ins with the class flirt, her work at a smoothie shop, and – of course – her feelings about Dave. A fun and funny read.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: Just in case you haven’t already read it, you may want to pick up Twilight, a hugely popular teen book about Bella, who falls madly in love with a handsome teenaged vampire, Edward Cullen. At first, Edward is a complete mystery to Bella – he even seems to hate her – but through a series of unusual circumstances, Bella becomes close to Edward and his entire vampire family, and eventually the two of them fall in love. I liked this book, and I definitely recommend it. But if I were writing a book report about it, I’d really explore the following issues: is Bella and Edward’s relationship rooted in a solid foundation – or is it more based on lust, and is Bella being premature in her desire to forsake her entire normal life to become a vampire? Some things to think about…
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin: This is yet another book I loved as a teen; in fact, I still read it periodically. Samuel Westing, a multimillionaire, has died, and sixteen people – all of whom seem unrelated but who live in the same condominium complex – have been named as heirs to the fortune. Is Westing out to reward these people or punish them? The Westing Game is a great mystery, but it also is a great story about growth and achieving dreams. Turtle Wexler is a marvelous female heroine.
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt: Thirteen-year-old Toby learns a lot about growing up during the summer that his mother leaves to become a Nashville singing sensation, his best friend’s brother is sent to Vietnam, and Zachary Beaver’s trailer is abandoned in Toby’s hometown. At first, Toby and his friend Cal are disgusted by the 643-pound Zachary, but eventually the three boys become friends.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare: Kit Tyler has just moved from Barbados to Connecticut to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins. Kit feels terribly stifled in the Puritan community that is her new home, so she befriends an elderly Quaker woman, whom many in the community believe to be a witch. When the townspeople start to believe that Kit is a witch too, things become even worse for Kit. As a teenager, I loved this book! (It’s romantic, too!)
Witch Child by Celia Rees: Mary is the granddaughter of an accused witch, and Mary is a witch herself. To escape witch hunters in England, Mary heads to a community in Massachusetts where she eventually becomes the target of witch hunters there. I found the plot fairly unbelievable and the characters relatively shallow, but most of the Book Club group liked it – so you be the judge. (Posted March 2008)
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