Young Adult

Fourteen-year-old Natalie O'Reilly's world is turned upside down with the news that she will soon go blind. As if this weren't shocking enough, she is forced to face the fact that she must now attend a school for the blind to learn Braille and how to use a cane. As Natalie tackles the skills that will help her to survive in a sighted world, she inwardly hopes for a miracle that will save her sight. But will that miracle come, or will she need to learn to embrace her new life?

I recommend anything Smith writes. This is the first in a series: Chase Masters and his father are "storm runners," racing across the country in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Anywhere bad weather strikes, they are not far behind. Chase is learning more on the road than he ever would just sitting in a classroom. But when the hurricane of the century hits, he will be tested in ways he never could have imagined.

Teens should read this book. From the Snapchat sensation, business mogul and recording artist, Khaled reveals his major keys to success in this very readable and inspiring guide.

When I used to teach teenagers, I always began with a Paul Harvey read aloud. You remember Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story? Those were always perfect little anecdotes that enthralled students, and Mike Rowe continues that tradition with this wonderful collection of short stories for the curious mind with a short attention span taken from his awesome podcast.

I know this book doesn’t need my help to promote it, but I wanted to suggest to all those parents who are suddenly forced to homeschool their kids that a great way to entice kids to read is by giving them reading materials based on their favorite movies, TV shows and video games.

I’m happily married, but if I ever have an affair it would be with Pam Muñoz Ryan, who is simply a superb storyteller. The Newbery honoree scores another triumph with this tale of struggle, hope and the search for tomorrow – reminding us about compassion and our shared humanity.

Fans of The 5th Wave will love this heart-pounding sci-fi novel about a girl with a secret: on a near-future Earth taken over by aliens, she is the only human left alive.

Can you resist a title like this? I couldn’t! Following her mother’s death, Ruby is reluctantly reunited with her estranged movie star father in this stunning free verse novel.

After losing everything they have during a trek through the wilderness, two boys, one of whom is a diabetic, must depend on their wits and courage in order to survive.

Totally unexpected. A brilliant novel that reveals the true meaning of being an alien in an “alien world.”

As a boy, Durrell – a celebrated naturalist – spent four glorious years in the late 1930s living with his family on the Greek island of Corfu (home to every backpacker’s favorite hostel – The Pink Palace). His youthful zoological adventures are interwoven with wonderfully entertaining family anecdotes about the creatures he brought home as a child. Universally charming and G-rated for audiences – so rare, nowadays.

Someone's been a very bad zombie. Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe – not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah…not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote – before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town…and stay hormonally human. Part of the Kate Grable series.

For years teacher friends have been after me for never including this American classic on my lists, and my reasons were twofold: (a) it’s well-known enough that it doesn’t need my endorsement and (b) I hated this book as a child. Since we are now officially in the Roaring 20s of the 21st century, though, I figured I’d include it to get my critics off my back!

One of the reasons I feel teens have so many “issues” is the slew of negative books they must endure, so I LOVE books like this that send a positive message of kindness. All the people that like to tweet negative, reactive posts should heed the wisdom of this gem.

It’s January, which signifies a new opportunity for us all. Keep in mind that being a teen in today’s world can be mind-boggling (in the negative sense), so this is a great reminder of the things that truly matter BEYOND high school. Inspirational and practical guide.