Young Adult

While I cannot say I am a fan of some of the scenarios in this book, I do appreciate how Ehrenhaft employs a variety of literary devices in telling this story that some of the middle school boys I have worked with say is their favorite funny book. And I have a creedo: if it gets boys laughing and reading, I support it wholeheartedly!

For truly lazy readers, make sure to check out one of Japanese director Kitano’s many wonderful films (I particularly enjoyed Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman). This book will provide anyone a glimpse of Kitano’s world, as it includes three short stories that are strong enough to pull even teens to watch a foreign film with subtitles!

Hugely popular on YouTube with teenage girls, this book will be hard to keep on the shelf of your classroom library.

One of the more popular books I have introduced to middleschoolers, this tale of a 13-year-old heroin addict is sure to spark lively classroom discussions. A very honest and vivid look at the harshness of drug addiction.

Not only is this a great book because it puts a human face on illegal immigration (15-year-old Victor, who must head North to earn money for his fatherless family). I also appreciate how the book explores the geography of the Southwest, as I am constantly pressing students to learn more about geography (most Americans only learn where places are if there is a war or natural disaster). To find out more about why I enjoy Will’s books so much, click this link to read this month’s blog.

I’m not someone who goes ga-ga for animals, but Bekoff’s touching story will stimulate wonderful discussions among your students about how important animals are…and our importance, as humans, in treating animals with compassion and respect.

Dystopian novels are all the rage nowadays, but this one stands out for two reasons: it is short, and its author is herself a high school student.

Rumors are one of the toughest experiences for adolescents, and this book has always been popular with my students for grabbing their attention with its realistic portrayal of a girl who is falsely accused of being a slut. Also, very popular with teenage boys looking for short books to read to fulfill required book reports.

Good books should transform readers, and that is what this book will do. Mister Pip is a wonderful – though not happy – coming-of-age story with a strong adolescent female protagonist.

A classic war story, this “book of meditations” on the Vietnam War is a great catalyst for classroom discussions.

A couple of teachers asked me to start including more non-fiction titles for young adults, so I thought I’d throw in a cool look at Tony Hawk’s life in skateboarding. The book is put together in a very interesting format (meaning there are all sorts of asides, quizzes and funky photos and art) which should hold the interest of any student with ADD yearning to skate away from school.

I have been reading a lot of books about World War II lately, and an odd man at the bookstore insisted I read this book. Wish I could run into the fellow again, because this book is fantastic. A 15-year-old Jewish boy lies his way into the Air Force with dreams of becoming a hero. He soon regrets that decision, as he learns that there is nothing glorious about war. I know: there are plenty of stories like it, but I have never read such a story geared toward teenage boys. Recommend this one to reluctant middle school readers.

Paulsen doesn’t need my help, but I just cannot help myself – as he is one of my favorite authors for boys. Students love this story of a U.S. Marshal born into slavery who became the most successful lawman of the Wild West.

I confess that I picked up this book because I liked the title. It is not at all what I thought it was about, but it is still very funny. Let’s just say that a teacher gets what he deserves when he punishes a student for turning in an honest book report (something I always wished I had done in school).

I confess that I love taking teenie-bopper quizzes, as they provide me with some of my favorite interactive exercises to attract students’ attention. This book is filled with quizzes geared for teenage girls looking for what guys want. In reality a good teacher can adapt these quizzes for use as icebreakers with students.