Young Adult

What a treat! I had never read any of the books in The Saint series, and this newer collection of the stories are page-turners with interesting tidbits about Charteris in the back. This issue is a good “gateway drug” to the rest of the series.

I chose the book for its funny title and was treated to a funny yet moving story of an odd teen couple who, oddly, fit together perfectly.

Every now and then I stumble upon a hidden treasure. If you have not read this book, go out and get it NOW! Middle schoolers eat this up, and UNlike the typical faire for middle schoolers, this book UNderscores the importance of our decisions. Students will Understand that actions have consequences, which makes this a perfect book for provocative discussions.

This is EXACTLY the kind of book I like to feature, as it is well-written, funny, a quick read and – rare for young adult fair – a genuinely nice and heart-warming story.

Just when I thought most young adult literature was written for nitwits and goths, I discovered this gem by John Green. This book will either delight or annoy your students, but it will definitely spark discussions with its DaVinci Code-style of anagrams and other quirks (I LOVED that it included footnotes and appendices, but – then again – I am a nerd).

February is Black History Month, and some of my favorite poets are African American. Walter Dean Myers is one of my favorite authors for teens, and the poems he includes in this collection show students how to use their distinct voices in their writing.

Sonnenblick is a great author for teachers and parents looking for an author who will appeal to their reluctant readers. I like him because he tackles serious issues that teens go through in a highly-entertaining and accessible way.

The kind of book I would have read in middle school, this story chronicles a teen’s football woes as he tries to please his father and coach and fit in with his peers. Deals with a variety of issues that make it a page-turner.

Actually, I’d read this book to all ages, as it provides background of several seminal composers plus descriptions of various instruments of the orchestra. Also includes beautiful illustrations by Meredith Hamilton.

It was a teenage boy who recommended I pick up this page-turning suspense, and I am grateful he did.

You have to read this one! This knocked my socks off, even when I was reading in sandals. Based on the 1996 accident in Indonesia that saw a ferry capsize, drowning hundreds of passengers. This intriguing first novel by Fama places a self-absorbed American teenager surviving the night with a Muslim boy she gave a lifejacket to as the ship went down. Honestly, I had no idea I would like this book as much as I did. A real treat.

I remember debating if this book was a real diary or not when I was a teenager. Regardless, I'd say this is about as good of a book to discourage teenage drug use as any. It certainly freaked me out, and it has had the same effect on most of the middle schoolers who have endured me reading it to them aloud.

Toswiah Green, meet Evie Thomas. Actually, they’re the same person. Toswiah’s family begins life anew in the witness protection program after her father decides to testify against two of his police colleagues for killing a boy. Adolescence is tough enough, but Toswiah tries to find her way as her family crumbles. I recommend this book for adults as well as teens. Woodson is a terrific author.

This book will take a maximum of two hours to read (big print, lots of dialogue and a few blank pages – yes)! Worth the brief read, as ultra-popular valedictorian Claire leaves this guide behind for her in-coming freshman sister Andie to know the ins-and-outs of high school. Let’s just say that Claire may not have known everything, and the book provides plenty of laughs for all ages to enjoy.

Even if this book, filled with fun photographs and simple messages, only takes 20 minutes to read, it is one of the best pick-me-up books I've seen. I have my old roommate Adam LeVrier to thank for that, as he kept a copy on our coffee table for years.