Young Adult

Middle schoolers will appreciate the story of a 12-year-old African-American girl growing up in segregated Alabama. Terrific surprise ending makes for great classroom discussions.

Don’t know how I missed this great coming of age story about a Midwestern transplant to southern California who finds her sanity in surfing.

This National Book Award finalist will haunt you, as it tells the story of a Nepalese teen sold into prostitution in India. The writing is outstanding.

Great for teen class discussions, as it blends romance and math in this wonderful introduction to multiple dimensions of space. Great precursor to Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth.

Here’s one to give your teen readers “the chills,” as seven students wait to get picked up from school during New England’s worst recorded nor’easter ever.

Funny tale that shows teenagers how each of us in charge of crafting our own destinies. Finn Easton is one of the most clever characters created in years.

Inspired by the Rio Olympics, a lot of students may have discovered a newfound interest in Brazilian culture. Popular book because it offers something for everyone: romance, mystery, quirky characters. Makes a really interesting book dialogues in class.

If you enjoyed Matthew Quick’s wonderful Silver Linings Playbook, you have to grab a copy of this story of “friendship, romance and mental illness.” A wonderful read.

A twist of fate bring a star football player and nerd together in an unlikely friendship. Harmon is an excellent author, but be warned that some of the language is more appropriate for older audiences.

When a lowly brass player in the marching band realizes he can form his own band, hilarity ensues.

Your middle school and high school boys will get a kick out of Guy and his oddball friends in this funny mystery.

I stared at the TV screen transfixed by the utter dominance and mastery of Simone Biles as she lapped the field en route to her all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics this past summer. A must-read for any teens determined to beat the odds and achieve limitless accolades.

Your teens are probably quite familiar with YouTube sensations Dan and Phil. This collection of quirky photos and observations introduces readers to their world, behind the scenes.

My apologies, as I thought I had included this book long ago (until a club member pointed out I hadn’t!). Junger’s true, tragic tale of doomed sailors is so captivating that most boys I’ve known cannot put it down. Better yet, there’s a movie version, too (which always makes for a great comparative classroom discussion).

Yolen is a terrific writer (I love her poetry), and this book is sure to be a hit with teens who enjoy fairy tales told in different ways. A grandma’s tales inspire her granddaughter to learn the truth about her family’s past in this amazing version of Sleeping Beauty.