Young Adult

This Newbery Award winner is a must-read for grade 4-6 teachers. Reminds us that children’s possibilities are endless.

How I've managed not to recommend an Avi book yet is beyond me, as I believe Avi is one of the greatest storytellers in America today (and he is great to listen to in person, if you ever get the chance). He is a master with historical fiction, and this story takes us to poor rural Colorado just before the Great Depression. An eighth grader needs to pass her exams if she is to move on to high school and fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, and when her teacher leaves she takes on the role of preparing her classmates and herself for the exams. Token Avi as he portrays kids as able (if not more so) than adults. A great story about the importance of education.

Finally a vampire story that I can sink my teeth into (ugh – I cannot believe I wrote that sentence). This is the first vampire story I have read with students that gets them laughing, as it follows the misadventures of Cody Elliot, who flunked-out of one public high school only to enroll in a private school that he soon discovers is populated by student vampires. Especially great for boys who despise girls going ga-ga over the Twilight series.

You are going to fall in love with Colin Fischer, the teen sleuth with Asperger’s Syndrome who shines as the protagonist of this delightful story. Colin’s observations of high school are funny, insightful and fascinating, and I especially enjoyed Colin’s listings of many “Cliff Clavin-like” random facts.

Before I ever enjoyed books, my 7th grade reading teacher recommended I read this (another Newbery Award winner). I love this story, and I am even more excited about it now that I live near Catalina Island.

Talk about a wonderful book to discuss with students! Shawn McDaniel is a 14-year-old with severe cerebral palsy who cannot communicate his gift: he remembers everything he has ever heard (my wife also has this gift). Seriously, what I enjoyed most about this book was the relationship between Shawn and his father, who struggles with whether to euthanize his son.

Great for all ages, this fun, fast and insightful story will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow the characters along the roadmap to achieving success...like a Superhero!

One way to occupy students is to provide them with books like this one, filed with great brainteasers and riddles that will allow students to use the creativity they are restricted to use because of dull, mandated school standards.

A spectacular, true account of the author’s harrowing experiences as a ten-year-old daughter of a Japanese official in Korea. The story follows the family as they flee Korea for post-WWII ravaged Japan. The action is non-stop, and I’d love to see this book made into a television mini-series. While the story is spellbinding, my guess is that Watkins actually downplays the atrocities she had to endure. A book that belongs in every middle school classroom.

Touching story of a poor Kentucky girl during the Great Depression who longs to leave home to attend college. Useful conversation starter on the role of education in America.

Teenage boys – I particular – will enjoy this inside look at how the Navy Seals’ elite K-9 unit is trained. Particularly timely because of the popularity of American Sniper.

Fascinating tale of a deaf girl learning American Sign Language to communicate with a chimpanzee. This story is filled with layer after layer of messages and will make a good discussion piece for your middle-school class.

One of the primary reasons I believe in school uniforms is because of the outrageous cost of clothing for teens. For those who attend middle schools and high schools without such policies, Miller has created a very handy guide for fashion-conscious girls from budget-conscious families.

A favorite of the high school girls I read with, this book is not quite as funny as the title suggests. Yes, Mackler is hilarious, but she manages to touch a lot of major teen issues, from date rape to eating disorders. I do not come across as many reluctant girl readers, but when I do I always pull out a copy of this book. Not appropriate for younger kids, though.

Great book for Black History Month, as Melba Pattillo shares here experiences as a 16 year old in 1956 trying to integrate Little Rock High. Fascinating story.