Young Adult

Napoli takes the well-known story of the ugly duckling and creates a full-length novel that takes place Down Under. Not only does this book provide great morals; it also proves useful as a science text. Great book for kids wondering how they will ever fit in.

This book includes characters that would make Albert Camus and Quentin Tarantino blush. Fifth grader Franklin Delano Donuthead’s obsessive cleanliness versus new girl Sarah Kervick’s sloppiness make for plenty of laughs and demonstrate the power of kindness to others. I would have to say that this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read for middle schoolers since Holes. A must read.

Memoirs of a camel? Sounds hokey, but this book actually captivated me. It shows, from the camel’s point of view, the true story of how the U.S. army shipped camels from Egypt to Texas in the 1850s to help troops cope with desert terrain.

I have to confess that I grabbed this book after reading the author’s delightful bio. Keep an eye out for Tina Ferraro because I am convinced she is going to become one of the next big teen authors. I read this book and her first (Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress), and I am impressed by how she takes stories about high school and makes them funny, realistic and meaningful. Write me to tell me what you think about this one.

A MUST READ! Raymo’s wonderful tale of how the prime meridian came to being is a constant page-turner for all ages, as I rarely come across an author who can take an obscure scientific topic and hold my attention with every paragraph. Raymo is an outstanding writer, and this book is pure joy.

While the story is set around a high school basketball team, this tale deals more with forces of good and evil. Filled with laughs and suspense, Players deals with the serious issue of competitiveness gone too far. An excellent book for teens.

Following the death of their father, a girl and her brother cross into America seeking a better life for their family in this often depressing narrative. Good companion to Will Hobbs’s Crossing the Wire; I think people should read stories like this around Thanksgiving, in particular, to be reminded of all of their blessings here in the United States.

If you ever have a book recommendation, please e-mail it to me. Sometimes I overlook what I consider to be obvious all-star writers, and that is the case with Matt Christopher. I love his books, as he has written well over 100 engaging sports books that are particularly popular with boy reluctant readers. This entry with great photographs is part of Christopher’s stellar Legends in Sports series.

Not quite sure how I missed this book when it was released in 1996, but if you want to get teens excited about historical fiction, this is a pretty good place to start. Chronicles a 12-year-old orphan’s apprenticeship with a country doctor during the 19^th century and the role of superstition in medicine. Reminded me of a great sketch about “medieval barber/physicians” with Steve Martin on old episodes of Saturday Night Live.

We need A LOT more books like this. If you have a daughter or granddaughter, buy this book as a New Year’s gift (yes, I just created that holiday). This is the perfect way to focus girls on positive elements that will bring out the amazing qualities so many teenage girls suppress in order to “fit in.” Carrier provides a blueprint that will benefit all teenage girls. This is a gem, and I have bought multiple copies for friends and customers. I highly recommend you do the same.

Why don’t teenage boys read? Check the covers and titles of most teen bestsellers. They almost all deal with teenage romance and how to fit into the right clique. It’s enough to drive a guy crazy! Deuker writes about sports and understands the thoughts of many teenage boys (He has a lot of great titles). How can we replicate him? I am so grateful for guys who write books for guys (I’m not saying everything has to deal with red meat and bodily functions, but trying to find an appealing book for a teenage boy is often like looking for educational programming on TLC).

Swanson’s adult-level Manhunt is one of the best books I’ve read in the past 20 years, and I am so grateful he created a young adult version that is sure to intrigue teens about the hunt for President Lincoln’s assassins. Social studies made riveting!

This is one of those rare books that I noticed students passing around with mischievous smirks. Colfer’s wit and sarcasm work perfectly for teens in this enjoyable story of an outcast who blackmails the most popular kids in his high school.

Burroughs is one of my favorite science fiction writers of all time, and besides his Tarzan books I have always devoured his John Carter series. This book is the third in that series, and it will serve as a great hook for many reluctant readers.

This is a book your students will get a kick out of, especially those who like to stir the pot. While not specifically written for teens, your students will enjoy wonderful discussions about how statistics are consistently used in ways to control, manipulate and persuade people how to vote, invest and do just about anything. The book is over 60 years old, and it is just as applicable and intriguing today as when it first appeared in 1954.