Young Adult

When 12-year-old Cassie’s family relocates to a rundown neighborhood, her outlook shifts. Dee writes with a strong, humorous voice. I especially enjoy the grammar-obsessed English teacher who strongly objects to Cassie’s fantasy journal.

New York’s #1 high school speaker presents a solid blueprint to help any teenager get on track to succeed in whatever he or she chooses. Great book for students to carry on them at all times!

Hinton wrote this book when she was 16 years old. Kind of makes you wonder what the heck you are doing with your life, doesn't it?

When I saw a group of boys reading this series of graphic novels like a bunch of crazed cultists, I decided to grab a copy and was impressed with the artwork and fast-paced historical-horror-fiction (say that five times fast) storyline.

I am a “lazy reader,” and I often tend to read children’s and young-adult versions of biographies before I settle on a longer, adult version. This book does a terrific job of introducing students to America’s first African-American Supreme Court justice.

Accidentally stumbled upon this book at the library (a common practice I highly encourage) and was treated to a sweet romance revolving around organ transplants. I have to confess that I truly enjoyed this, and the students I have handed copies to would agree.

Written for girls, this book is relatable for any small town teens who are bored and/or feel like outsiders. I’m a guy, and I sped through this very well-written novel.

Ever see M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village? This book is everything that movie wasn’t: interesting, involving and invigorating. Margaret Peterson Haddix is a superb storyteller.

This is Luper’s first book, and I expect many more. Everybody seems to be into poker nowadays, and Luper introduces us to 16-year-old Andrew Lang, a typical teen bursting with hormones and worldly knowledge. Just when he thinks he has figured everything out, he is dealt a bad hand, and Andrew’s losses may soon be noticed by an unsuspecting bankroller named “dad.” A really easy book to read.

One of the best ways I know to attract adolescents to reading is by feeding them graphic novels, and none other than Neil Gaiman says it best about this book: “a masterpiece of YA literature and comics.”

No, the book is not about naval warfare. Rather, a bunch of fourth graders devise various plans to make their substitute teacher cry. Find out if the tables turn.

For older teens (based on language and content), this one is popular reading with high school girls who enjoy romances. It is so well-written that even I managed to breeze through it, and it held my interest the entire way (a rarity for me with teen romances). A touching and often very funny portrayal of friendship, I like it best for how it deals with alternate points of view.

For those who love adventure stories, it does not get much better than this story of a young boy and his Eskimo buddy braving the storms of the Canadian Arctic in search of their fathers.

I like slender books! This novelette actually took a little longer than I thought, as the story is told through the point of view of an 8-year-old girl who has a penchant for misspelling (as seen in the title). I think teachers will appreciate recommending this book to students as an exercise in fluency. I have found that middle schoolers enjoy the story and delight in identifying misspellings.

Gleitzman is from the Land Down Under, and this funny and endearing tale has sparked my interest in Australian literature for kids (it’s not just about The Wiggles). The book follows the funny adventures of Young Limpy as he sets out to make humans have a little more respect for the toads they seem to run over on the highways so frequently. Students will benefit from seeing a funny character who never quits trying.