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Young Adult

Of Beetles and Angels

Of Beetles and Angels

By Mawi Asgedom 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Why are so many young adult books depressing? No wonder teenagers have so many problems! They need to read more stories of inspiration. Start here, as this memoir chronicles Asgedom’s journey from an Ethiopian refugee camp to Harvard. 
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The Girlfriend Project

The Girlfriend Project

By Robin Friedman 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

When Reed Walton goes from dork to ladykiller in terms of appearance over a summer, he turns to his two best friends to help him deal with his new world of dating. Reminded me of old Patrick Dempsey movies. 
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Teen Angst? Naaah . . .

Teen Angst? Naaah . . .

By Ned Vizzini 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Speaking of geeks, this high school journal from a self-described geek makes for fun reading enjoyed by teen boys and girls.
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Whirligig

Whirligig

By Paul Fleischman 144 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

One of the most moving stories of redemption I have read for a young adult audience in years. A wonderful book.
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Chinese Cinderella

Chinese Cinderella

By Adeline Yen Mah 240 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Happy Chinese New Year! It is the year of the rabbit, so I wanted to find a quick, gripping read. This memoir of the author’s brutal childhood is bound to inspire even the most cynical. 
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Inexcusable

Inexcusable

By Chris Lynch 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I found this book eerie, and students love to discuss how the protagonist Keir is able to justify his “mostly harmless” actions – or are they?
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Luna

Luna

By Julie Anne Peters 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

What I like about this book is that it makes a great discussion starter on issues of sensitivity to each other’s differences. When given the choice to listen or to label, I like to think I inspire students to listen.
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Hole in My Life

Hole in My Life

By Jack Gantos 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Gantos wrote the wonderful Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, and I think this memoir makes for even more riveting reading. Jailed briefly as a young man, Gantos paints a picture of prison that is sure to make it feel like the last place any teenager wants to go. Essential reading.
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Just Like That

Just Like That

By Marsha Qualey 240 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I am not usually one who goes for drawn-out prose, but Qualey is such a gifted writer that I do not mind that she takes her time. Protagonist Hanna is a teenager whose guilt consumes her after witnessing the deaths of two teens along a lake. When another witness, Will, tracks her down, the two deal with the issues together.
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Fat Girl: A True Story

Fat Girl: A True Story

By Judith Moore 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I have battled with my own weight issues throughout my entire life, and that may be why I could not put down Moore’s highly gripping memoir of her lifelong battle with obesity. I have so much empathy for her and so many others whose drug of choice is food. A great story for classroom discussions.
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Pop

Pop

By Gordon Korman 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Big print – don’t worry! Your boys will love this book about a teenager trying out for the high school football team and the eccentric old man who teaches him all he knows. Plenty of football for the boys, plus a great (and refreshingly deep) story of an unlikely cross-age friendship.
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Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska

By John Green 221 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Miles Halter lives a dull teenage life until coming to an Alabama boarding school and meeting the girl of his dreams. She and his roommate introduce Miles to a world of mischief and meaning that makes for a story that all students can easily relate to and discuss.
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Fangs for Freaks (Half-Blood Vampire Novels)

Fangs for Freaks (Half-Blood Vampire Novels)

By Serena Robar 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I am sort of irked by the popularity of vampire literature, as it is severely over-represented on bookshelves. That said, I find that if I want to relate to middle schoolers, I need to read what they read. I found myself actually enjoying the vampires in this story. What I like about Robar’s writing is she is very funny, and I hope she writes outside the vampire genre (I’d like to read more of her work). 
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Perfect: A Novel

Perfect: A Novel

By Natasha Friend 232 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Let’s face it: every teenager is messed up. That’s a fact. The world collapses for every teenager, regardless of the degree of seriousness. Popularity contests, bulimia – this book has everything your middle school girls will love to talk about in literature circles.
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The Face on the Milk Carton

The Face on the Milk Carton

By Caroline B. Cooney 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

When the face of a missing child on a milk carton begins to bring back memories, 15-year-old Jane begins to question if her loving parents are truly hers. An older book (it’s about 15 years old), but a real page-turner. 
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