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Teen Reads

This fun and feisty novel is a coming-of-age story set on a Wisconsin dairy farm: Brian’s football coach sends him to farmgirl D. J. Schwenk for summer training, even though D. J. already has her hands full running her family’s place. By the end of the summer, our hero learns how to work hard to achieve his dreams, and our heroine learns it’s okay to pursue dreams of her own. (No magic or fantasy.)

 

Read Sarah’s review

 

 

This compelling novel has been a favorite of teens and adult book clubs alike this year: it’s the story of Liesel, a young girl in WWII-era Germany who chooses to break the law by stealing books from government-sponsored book burnings. Her story is told by Death himself, who promises from the outset that he will meet her three times… Smart teen readers will love the dark, clever narrative and Liesel’s fascinating experiences. Guys or girls.

 

 

 

This adventure novel is a bold rewriting of Alice in Wonderland. It takes readers into the life of Alyss Heart, Princess of Wonderland, who escapes from her power-hungry aunt by journeying through the looking glass and into our world, where she waits for a chance to reclaim her rightful throne. It will especially appeal to Narnia readers who love stories of heroes who battle and overcome evil.

 

 

 

"The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson (0763624020)

This historical novel just won a National Book Award, and it has the best title ever. It’s set in Boston just before the Revolutionary War and follows the life of a young boy raised in secret to be a prince. It’s a rich, thrilling story about slavery, captivity, and freedom that will knock the socks off mature teens who are strong readers. (Mature situations, no magic or fantasy.)

 

 

 

This fantastic novel won the 2005 Printz Award for teen literature; it’s set in an Alabama boarding school among a group of brilliant, funny, rebellious friends who lose one of their own in an auto accident. Their story is all about testing limits, growing up, and asking the big questions about life and death. The language and situations are very frank, but the humor and superior writing make the book an absolute winner. Particularly good for teen guys. (Frank language, no magic or fantasy.)

 

Read Mark’s review

 

 

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (0525476881)

This very engaging, very funny teen novel shows the adventures of a young prodigy who (despairing that he's not a genius) sets out on a road trip that lands him in the South among a cast of oddball characters. Great for teen guys or girls. (Frank language, no magic or fantasy.)

 

Read Mark's review

This young-adult suspense novel has great characters and a watertight plot: two high-school guys have visions and that hint at something dark hidden in their pasts. The reader’s fun comes in piecing together exactly what connects the two, and why their families have kept it a secret. There’s nothing graphic or gory, just tense mystery and great storytelling. Guys or girls.

 

Read Mark’s review

 

 

 

The American Library Association named this graphic novel series a top-ten pick for young adults. It follows the adventures of a band of snarky L.A. teens who decide to bring their super-villain parents to justice. The stories mix science fiction and fantasy with teen humor and great dialogue, and the excellent Japanese-influenced illustrations are hip and amazing. Available as paperbacks or in a big hardcover collection. Guys or girls.

 

Read Mark’s reviews here and here and, uh, here

 

 

These gothic novels tell an engrossing story of danger and heartbreak set in the Pacific Northwest: Young Bella’s boyfriend Edward is a member of a clan of peaceful vampires, but when a rival family of bloodsuckers moves into town, there's a vampire turf war, and Edward can't guarantee Bella's safety. Think Westside Story crossed with Supernatural. Great for girls.

 

 

 

 

This teenage memoir tells how Said, who grew up in California, visited his father each summer in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. While his dad serves as a government spokesman, Said backpacked around the country and saw reconstruction firsthand. His story is an excellent read and an American Library Top Ten pick for teens. Great for guys. (No magic or fantasy.)

Read Mark's review

Winner of the Printz award for teen fiction, this novel tells how a young girl transplanted from Manhattan to the English countryside gets caught up in a modern-day war. The book has a riveting ripped-from-the-headlines feel, and it’s told in a voice that’s sad, angry, funny and driven. (Mature situations)

 

Read Mark's review

 

 

“47” by Walter Mosley (0316016357)

This unique teen novel from bestselling writer Walter Mosley blends history, African legend, and science fiction to tell the story of a young boy on a Georgia cotton plantation in 1832. He’s know only as slave number Forty-seven until he meets a strange visitor, who claims that his destiny is to fight a great battle to save the world and to lead his fellow slaves to freedom.  It's a great book, and wholly unique. Guys or girls.

Read Mark's review

 

“A Mango-Shaped Space” by Wendy Mass (0316058254)

Thirteen-year-old Mia narrates this young-adult novel with a strong, humorous voice and a very special perception. Mia is synesthetic: she sees many sounds as colors and relates letters and numbers to color, too. It's a rare and interesting way to experience the world, and following along as Mia learns how to deal with her special perceptions provides a fascinating read. Perfect for Judy Blume readers! (No magic or fantasy.)

 

Read Mark's review

 

 

 

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