When 12-year-old Cassie’s family relocates to a rundown neighborhood, her outlook shifts. Dee writes with a strong, humorous voice. I especially enjoy the grammar-obsessed English teacher who strongly objects to Cassie’s fantasy journal.
Jazz and Antonia are polar opposites, yet their peer-counseling sessions bring them together in a way that allows readers to deeply know both girls. A well-written book that I use as a model for teenage writers.
I am always looking for books that examine multiple points of view, and this book fits the bill. A compelling look at school violence from several perspectives: students, teachers, parents, etc. Reads like a viewing of Rashomon.
While looking at different perspectives, take a look at the cliques in this school. What intrigues and frightens me about this story is how vicious teenagers can be to one another (and that, sadly, is accurate). The characters in this book should have read Strasser’s Give a Boy a Gun to consider the possible consequences of ridiculing a classmate.
Grabbed a copy when I read praise on the cover from Mark Haddon (author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). This is a MUST READ. One of the best young adult novels I have read in years, as it manages to cast a self-centered teen (redundant?) in dire circumstances (a 21st century World War), and the protagonist actually learns empathy – something more adolescents could use. Middle school students cannot stop talking about this one.
When I come across teens who don’t like to read, one of my favorite authors to direct them to is William Sleator. While Sleator writes a lot of great sci-fi, this “horror” book is a great way to peak teens’ interest in reading. Fast-paced, with plenty of clever twists and turns.
A tale of two drastically different cousins. When one commits suicide, the other spirals down the same path until her family intervenes. I found the book to be pleasantly uplifting in an overcrowded market of morose tales of teen angst.
The perfect book for teachers to complement Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Lockhart’s female protagonist turns into a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room, and hilarity and introspection ensue.
I am making it my mission to get students to read Judy Cox. This is her second story about two rat brothers who live in a cage in Ms. Dove’s fifth-grade classroom who, once in a while, escape for an adventure around the globe. Make sure to check out its predecessor, The Mystery of the Burmese Bandicoot (see July 2008 review).
I’ve been on a William Sleator kick lately. I hear all of these teens talking about their favorite scary authors, and I challenge them to read Sleator. That man knows how to tell a terrifying tale.
An eerie tale of a teen’s life in a polygamist community. Sort of a cross between Under the Banner of Heaven, The Chosen One and Big Love. Great book for sparking lively classroom discussions.
Middle-school science teachers will especially appreciate this book about an 11-year-old girl whose family lives in an extraordinary underground house. Great way to excite students about geology. Fantasy that is scientifically-based!
Van Draanen is renowned for her wonderful mysteries (check out her Sammy Keyes series), and I was thrilled to read this departure that proves to me she is one of the great young adult authors of our time. A great book for class discussions, as the boy/girl teen voices make for a wonderful battle of the sexes.
Great book! We need more books for teens that emulate this tone, a sort of It’s a Wonderful Life-like tale for teens. Mass accomplishes what great authors aim for: she makes you laugh, cry and think.
