| Best Fiction for Young Adults |
The Young Adult Library Services Association of the American Library Association presents an annual list of books that are recommended reading for young adults 12 to 18. The following titles are selections from that list, which the library owns.
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
All that stands between Curzon and his freedom is George Washington's army and a winter at Valley Forge.
Split by Swati Avasthi
Jace, 16, fights back against his abusive father and is thrown out of the house. He finds his older brother which begins a journey toward healing for both brothers.
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Nailer is a light crew scavenger tearing up old hulks of ships, living day to day, until a rich girl and her gleaming ship run ashore in a storm on the beach and his life gets more dangerous.
White Cat by Holly Black
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers and begins to suspect his brothers have cursed him to use him as a tool in their quest for power.
Plain Kate by Erin Bow
After her father's death, Plain Kate has nothing except her carving tools and her cat, Taggle. Alone, she is vulnerable to witches and to those who suspect she is one.
Cosmic by Frank Boyce
When 12-year-old Liam, who looks like he is 30, poses as the "adult" chaperone on a kids' mission to space, he must think fast to save the group.
The Demon King: A Seven Realms Novel by Cinda Williams Chima
The lives of Princess Raisa and former street lord, Han, intertwine when an amulet Han finds helps him discover his true heritage and Raisa uncovers treachery in the castle.
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Gemma, 16, writes to the young man who kidnapped her and held her captive in the Australian outback, revealing the complexity of her feelings for both Ty and the land.
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
In hopes of meeting a boy, Lily leaves a set of clues in a bookstore and begins a series messages, dares and a possible romance with Dash.
Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia and Xander are Matched by the Society that plans all aspects of one's life, making everything perfect for her, until Ky's face flashes across her screen and everything changes.
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
Charlie and Rose have never been friends and couldn't be more different on the outside, but this summer, their longing and unhappiness causes them to turn to one another.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas' memories don't serve him well when he wakes on an elevator, only to find himself in the Glade, trapped by monsters and a maze that changes daily.
The 10 PM Question by Kate De Goldi
When a new girl, a free-spirit who doesn't seem to worry about anything, arrives at school, Frankie begins to question the way he looks at his life.
Every Little Thing in the World by Nina DeGramont
Sydney's parents send her to a wilderness camp after her run-in with the police. The trip gives her a month to consider what to do about her secret pregnancy.
The Body Finder by Kimnerly Derting
When her ESP leads to the body of a girl who met a violent death, Violet finds herself not only drawn to the murdered, but to the murderer as well.
Raiders' Ransom by Emily Diamand
When pirate raiders kidnap the Prime Minister's daughter, thirteen-year-old Lilly sets out on a rescue mission, with a mysterious talking jewel for ransom.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Haunted by the death of her brother, Andi is taken to Paris by her estranged father where an encounter with a mysterious diary may bring her back from the edge.
Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson
This book is a beautifully written account of life in Alaska through the eyes of an Inupiaq family. One child is given a special bead which threads the generations together.
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Ten-year-old Caitlin has to figure out how to make the world work now that her brother Devon has died.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Trapped in the massive prison world of Incarceron, Finn searches for his true identity; outside, Claudia searches for the truth about Incarceron and its warden, her father.
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Jacob Reckless knows the fantasy world behind the mirror, but his brother doesn't and now he is turning to stone and Jacob must help.
Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
Poppy, one of the twelve dancing princesses, is witness to the events surrounding a mysterious princess at court who wears glass slippers to the balls.
Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray
When their best friend Ross dies an accident, Kenny, Sim, and Blake run off to Ross, Scotland, to give him their idea of a proper funeral.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
When two very different teenage guys named Will Grayson meet by chance in Chicago, their worlds collide.
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
Ellie's drawn into a mysterious world of Maori myth and magic when she meets Mark at boarding school in New Zealand during a killing spree that leaves victims without eyes.
Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Sick with pneumonia, blind teenager Cheyenne is waiting in the back seat of her stepmother's car when someone steals it, effectively—and unintentionally—kidnapping her.
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Green sets out on a journey to learn the histories of the local witches and to free her soul mate from prison.
The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt
Amos Kincaid comes from a family of men who can find water underground. This gift follows him and his family as they travel West.
The Heart is Not A Size by Beth Kephart
While on a service trip in Mexico, Georgia gains perspective on her life that enables her to challenge the things not discussed in her relationship with her best friend Riley.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
Vera Dietz spends her days going to school and working full time as a pizza delivery technician, all while being haunted by her dead best friend. Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge
Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland's biggest problem isn't the baseball playoffs: it's what to do when he's dating one girl but emailing poems to another.
Hothouse: A Novel by Chris Lynch
Russell and DJ lose their firefighter fathers in a major fire and must cope with their private grief and the community's adulation of their fathers. And then there's backlash.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Finnikin and his fellow exiles from Lumatere wish to return to their cursed homeland. Finnikin must go on an epic journey with a mute novice named Evanjalin to return home.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Amy and Roger must both learn to deal with loss while on a road trip across the country which doesn't go as expected.
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
When Sam discovers he is a necromancer he must learn to control his power in order to defeat a powerful and corrupt rival and save his friends.
The Death-Defying Pepper Roux by Gerladine McCaughrean
When Pepper Roux was born his aunt had a vision from Saint Constance that the boy would die on his fourteenth birthday, but Pepper Roux has other ideas.
Sources of Light by Margaret McMullan
It's 1962, and after her father's death in Vietnam, 14-year-old Sam and her mother move to Jackson, Mississippi, where they encounter the prejudice and violence of the segregationist South.
The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
In Arcane, Missouri, in 1914, Natalie stands at the crossroads, looks the devil directly in the face, conquers him, and saves her family and her town.
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard
Runaway Skip struggles to survive during a sudden war, living in an abandoned amusement park with an older homeless man, a young orphan, a teenage ballerina, and a newborn.
Trash by Andy Mulligan
Three garbage-picker boys find an item of great value to a corrupt politician on their rounds, setting off a tense hunt to see who will triumph.
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
With a few months remaining on his sentence in a juvenile detention facility, Reese struggles to overcome racism, prejudice and his volatile personality to cope with life on the outside.
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
When Lennie's beloved big sister suddenly dies, she gets help pushing past her grief from two very different boys.
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
After her parents' arrest, Gaia falls heir to a dangerous parcel and assumes her mother's role as midwife, all the while beginning to question her allegiance to the Enclave.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Sam's seemingly perfect life has ended in a terrible crash. But, it turns out she has to relive the last day of her life seven times to get it right.
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
Ben begins to see the chimpanzee his father is using to study language acquisition as more than a test subject which leads to problems when funding runs low.
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
In 1776, 13-year-old Samuel returns home from hunting in the woods to find the settlement burned and most of the settlers murdered.
As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins
On the way to camp, Ry finds himself in the midde of nowhere when his train leaves him behind, leading to a remarkable journey full of surprises and adventure.
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
Chiko, a Burmese soldier and Tu Reh, a Kerenni refugee meet on opposite sides of war and each must learn what it means to be a man of his people.
Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick
Despite the fact that she lives in a school bus, Amber Appleton is the biggest optimist you'll ever meet. But then one tragic event makes her question everything.
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
Fever Crumb, raised by the Order of Engineers and the only female among its ranks, finds her engineer rationality continually tested as she begins to discover more about her past.
The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt
Boaz is back and hailed as the hometown hero, but he is not at all the same. Can his younger brother Levi help him truly make his way home?
Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards
Told in verse, this story revolves around a variety of people whose lives touch before and after the failure of the earthen dam above Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1889.
The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Roland, Max, and Alicia battle the mysterious Prince of Mist - a diabolical character who has returned from the sea to collect on a debt from the past.
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar
Alton's summer job is turning cards at bridge games for his blind great-uncle Trapp. He learns much more than how to play bridge as a result.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Saenz
Weeks in therapy go by and 18-year-old Zach is still unable to remember the monstrous events that left him alone and haunted by nightmares.
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
Sig is alone with his father's body when the lawless man his father had managed to escape appears out of the icy wilderness.
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Elizabeth gets a job in a strange lending library that has everything, including the working original items from the Grimm's fairytales, but things are going missing.
After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Jeffrey must figure out how to live as a cancer survivor, and graduate eighth grade.
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
One of the Sullivans deeply offended Almighty, who will cut the entire family out of her will unless that person confesses. So begin the confessions of Norrie, Jane, and Sassy.
The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork
Seventeen-year-old Pancho grapples with the mysterious death of his sister while accompanying his new friend, D.Q, on his own quest to face down death.
Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber
Iris finds love and acceptance in unexpected places in the summer of 1926 after her father sends her away to work for a doctor and his mother in rural Missouri.
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Regina used to be a member of the Fearless Five but is now being frozen out by her friends and must find acceptance among the peers she used to terrorize.
Nothing by Janne Teller
When a classmate tells them “nothing matters,” his peers reinforce the opposite, sacrificing what matters to them in progressively intense challenges, assembling a pile of meaning.
Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson
In a Perrault fairy tale reset to fascinating pre-British India, impoverished stepsisters encounter a goddess whose gifts bless, or curse. Diribani returns speaking jewels and flowers; Tana, toads and snakes.
A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whelan Turner
When his uncle, the king, is murdered, Sophos must set aside his self-doubt, accept his role as Sounis and unite the kingdom against invaders.
Numbers by Rachel Ward
Jem, a British girl of 15, is on the run with her erstwhile boyfriend Spider, because of complications from her "talent" of seeing the date that people will die when she looks in their eyes.
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
After Alex is date-raped at her boarding school, she turns to a secret society of students, the Mockingbirds, to find the justice her school administration cannot provide.
Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams
Hope keeps having dreams about crying. It's no wonder: her father is dead, her mother clearly has issues, and her sister Liz has been institutionalized after trying to kill herself.
The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey
Henry and monstrumologist, Dr. Warthrop are in the Canadian wilds, trying to disprove the existence of the Wendigo, a wraithlike creature that gorges on flesh, yet is perpetually hungry. |
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Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lia is haunted by her best friend's death from bulimia, as she struggles with her own eating disorder.
Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes
In an attempt to distance himself from the rest of the students in the school's therapy group known as the Madman Underground, Karl launches his senior year with “Operation Be Fucking Normal.”
The Unnameables by Ellen Booraem
In a place where everything has a name and every name has a meaning, outsider Medford Runyuin struggles in vain to follow the rules of his adopted home.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Flavia de Luce is delighted with the discovery of a dead snipe on her doorstep and considers it a bonus when a human body is found in her cucumber patch.
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Cameron knew there was something wrong when he started seeing pillars of fire and angels, but he never imagined he had mad cow disease.
Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
Sixteen-year-old Nick and his older brother Alan are always on the run. Now, Alan has been marked by a demon and to save him, the boys must become the hunters.
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
In the year following the devastating shootings at her high school orchestrated by her boyfriend Nick, Valerie must come to terms with grief and guilt in order to move on with her life.
All the Broken Pieces by Anne E. Burg
12-year-old Matt struggles to cope with his memories of family left behind in war-torn Vietnam with the help of his adoptive parents, his music teacher, and his baseball coach.
Fire by Kristin Cashore
In a world full of monsters so beautiful they lure people into their doom, how can people protect themselves from human monsters?
Because I Am Furniture by Talia Chaltas
Anke watches her siblings and mother suffer at the hands of her abusive father until she finds enough strength, through involvement in volleyball, to demonstrate her needs.
Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Maggie and Lisa find their spring break road trip interrupted by a cow's carcass which launches them into a hunt for an evil demon terrorizing a remote desert.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss is preoccupied with the government's expectations for her romantic life. She soon has more important worries—including revolts in the Districts and new Game rules.
A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper
Not even a small island nation populated mostly by royalty can keep neutral in the events leading up to the Second World War.
The Stolen One by Suzanne Carlisle Crowley
In searching for her identity, Spirit finds that she is the daughter of a former queen and realizes who she truly loves, at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
Lost by Jacqueline Davies
Essie, 16, sews all day for pennies at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory to help feed her fatherless family and now to forget her little sister's death. Then the fire happens.
Mare's War by Tanita Davis
Sisters Octavia and Tali embarks on a road trip woth their grandmother over the summer. During this road trip, Octavia and Tali learn that there's more to their grandmother than what they have seen.
Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Auden's summer becomes one of second chances, not just for her but for her family and friends as well. The more chances she takes, the more she discovers about herself.
Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
Holly Hogan had had enough. She dons a blonde wig, hits the road, and becomes Solace, a street smart, tough teen ready to take on the world.
After by Amy Efaw
Soccer star Devon never admitted to herself that she was pregnant. Now she's in detention, facing charges of attempted murder after delivering a baby and dumping it in the trash.
If I Stay by Gayle Froman
While in a coma after her family is killed in a car accident, Mia struggles to decide whether to live or die.
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
Muriel's itching for a life outside her family's Vermont farm, but bigger changes await her in 1917 as first her neighbor and then her brother enlist to fight in Europe.
Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee
After her estranged mother dies, Shawna Gallagher refuses to accept her dysfunctional home life and attempts to make peace with her mother's lesbian lover.
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
When the decade long war ends, professional solider Galen finds work as a gardener in the king's garden, only to help solve the puzzle involving twelve dancing princesses.
Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill
When a repo demon comes for her Cadillac, Bug Smoot finds that her deceased grandfather pledged both her soul and her car as collateral on a deal.
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Sixteen-year-old Eon is the unlikeliest candidate for Dragoneye, but she holds great power and a dangerous secret that just might make her the greatest Dragoneye for centuries.
The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin
Despite poverty, gang violence, and lack of appropriate supports, three inner-city teens come together and try to beat the odds and succeed in life.
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
Feeling used by her two best friends, high school sophomore Jessie decides to go in search of new friends. But will she be able to survive being branded a nerd?
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
At the beach house where she has spent every summer since childhood, sixteen-year-old Belly finds that this is the summer of many changes.
The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge
Hathin is unremarkable compared to her mind wandering sister, but when push comes to shove, Hathin must save herself, her sister, and her whole island.
The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong
His mother is dead and his father is missing at sea. With a horrific storm brewing, can sixteen-year-old Ben and his younger brothers survive?
No More Us for You by David Hernandez
Carlos has a cheating girlfriend, a mystery man urinating on the floor at work, and a friend in a coma. Can Isabel—still grieving her dead boyfriend—help him cope?
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
Nina Harrison, now and forever a teenage vampire, leads her dysfunctional crew of bloodsuckers on a mission to halt vampire persecution and rescue a vicious werewolf.
Muchacho by Louanne Johnson
Eddie Corazon, an angry juvenile delinquent in an alternative school, is influenced by love, a special teacher, books, and a criminal cousin as he tries to find his true self.
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
An intriguing new student gets Logan out of his post-breakup slump, but as Sage reveals her past, Logan isn't sure he's confident enough to handle her MTF gender identity.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
In 1899, eleven-year-old Calpurnia bonds over science and nature with her grandfather even as she becomes increasingly aware that she may not be able to pursue those interests as an adult.
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
After being cursed to live the lives of 100 dogs before being reborn as a human, former pirate Emer Morrisey returns to Jamaica to reclaim treasure buried centuries before.
Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
Ellie is pregnant after looking for love in the wrong places with one too many boys. Corrine, Caleb and Josh all deal with the emotions, consequences and difficult decisions ahead.
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Devastated by her best friend's suicide, Caitlin tries to rebuild her own life and relationships while finding the courage to read the journal that Ingrid left behind.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
For years Micah has been a liar, and after her boyfriend's brutal murder, will anyone...will you... believe what she has to say?
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristine Levine
1917 Alabama, 12-year-old Dit's life in rural Moundville becomes complicated and tragic by his friendship with Emma, the African American daughter of the new postman.
The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch--And Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart
Ruby Oliver's neurotic mind continues to struggle with having boys as friends while being backstabbed by her female classmates at Seattle's Tate Prep School.
Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan
Blake Hewson discovers there's a big difference between lust and love, a tough lesson of a fifteen-year-old involved with a girlfriend and another girl as a friend.
The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon
In 1968 Chicago, Sam struggles to decide whether to support his father's nonviolent approach to civil rights or his brother, who has joined the Black Panther Party.
Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
Private Matt Duffy receives the Purple Heart, but he cannot remember the incident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and an image of an Iraqi boy's death.
The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan
Orphaned siblings Aiden and Maddy have survived Kansas, barely, setting out on the Oregon Trail just to have regular meals. But the trip is more than they expected...
Fire: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson
Fire in different and subtle interpretations: a phoenix hatched from an egg forgotten in an old museum, a dragon that can't go into Firespace, a hellhound/dog that finds a family.
Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
After surviving years of torture as a political prisoner in Chile in the 1980s, Daniel's father rejoins his family in the United States, but his fight for justice isn't over.
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli
Fourteen-year-old Calogero emigrates to Louisiana in 1899, where his tiny Sicilian community faces discrimination and worse in a small town where they're considered neither black nor white.
Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks
For five years, Wyatt travels the country with his drifter Uncle Spade, first as a companion, then as a money-making bare-fisted fighter, until realizing Spade doesn't exactly have Wyatt's best interests at heart.
The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson
October 19th never turns out well, but this year is different as Destiny takes off on a road trip with three classmates in a convertible left by a mysterious stranger.
We Were Here by Matt de la Pena
Miguel, sentenced to a group home for a horrible crime, must overcome his self-hatred while on the run with two other criminals.
Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
Jamie has run away from his family, military school, and his troubled past. He sets out via bus to visit his dying brother, writing letters along the way.
Surface Tension: A Novel in Four Summers by Brent Runyon
Every summer Luke spends two weeks vacationing at a lake, and every year things are just slightly different.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Mary's village is protected by a fence keeping out the Unconsecrated-who are undead craving human flesh-until a massive breach launches the teenage girl into a fight for survival.
Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
Seventy-five days after the car crash that killed her best friend Julia, Amy leaves rehab and begins writing a series of letters to her in a journal.
In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith
When their mother abandons them, brothers Jonah and Simon hit the road and make one fatal mistake: they accept a ride from a pretty girl and a dangerous man.
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
During WWII, Ida Mae Jones must go against her family and heritage to join the Army's WASP program and fulfill her dream of being a pilot.
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
Fringe dwellers Jonas (Ghost Boy) and Beatrice (Robot Girl) use their adopted alter egos to help navigate the difficulties of fractured families and impending adulthood during their senior year.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The year they are twelve, Sal begins to ignore Miranda and breaks her heart. But Miranda's attention is diverted when she begins to receive urgent, anonymous notes in unexpected places.
Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
Shy and ordinary Deirdre finds herself caught up in an ancient struggle in the faerie world when she meets Luke, a sexy musician with a very dark past.
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. She has been particularly drawn to one – a yellow-eyed wolf who, in turn has been watching her intensely.
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Marcelo—a teen who exhibits Asperger-like behaviors—is forced to leave his job caring for horses to work in his father's law firm and experience “the real world.”
Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud
Halli lives in the shadow of his brother and the ancient heroes of his homeland, but when his family is threatened, he is unafraid to face enemies - whether human or not.
Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan
Giant floating poetry balls, living stick figures, strange creatures from the sea and an all-knowing water buffalo are some of the wonders found in this lushly illustrated collection of stories.
Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Three novellas explore the power of a kiss, and its possible hazards or thrills, especially if the kiss pulls humans and demons together in a lusty embrace.
Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson
Juvenile delinquent Bobby resists his mother's plan to move to the countryside, but his anger becomes fear as he learns about local history and the creatures who rule the fields.
Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine
Since Rowan's brother died, her mother's been depressed, and she's been caring for her sister alone. When a stranger insists that a photo negative belongs to her, Rowan's life changes.
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
Emily commutes between a suburb where everyone tries to fit in and Philadelphia where everyone wants to be unique. Between these two "worlds" Emily tries to navigate between two sets of friends and struggle to find out who she really is.
Breathless by Jessica Warman
When her schizophrenic brother's behavior grows violent, Katie parents send her off to boarding school, where she quickly becomes part of the in crowd while harboring a dark secret.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Steampunk novel that is a strange mixture of Victorian times with mechanical inventions. Bio-society countries are at war with mechanical countries in this extremely fresh novel.
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
When the Prophet commands thirteen-year-old Kyra to marry her aging uncle, her family is shaken. Desperate to escape, Kyra knows that running away puts them all at risk.
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia
When Trina unknowingly insults Dominique in the hallway, she's in danger of being jumped after school. Leticia could warn her, but she's reluctant to get involved.
Funny How Things Change by Melissa Wyatt
In this coming-of-age novel, Remy must choose between the girl of his dreams and the mountain his family has called home for generations.
The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones
When Mimi decides she has to get out of town, she retreats to her father's cabin in the Canadian wilderness. Unease, mystery, and spookiness decide to follow.
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a monstrumologist, races against time to save his town (and himself) from the anthropophagi, a pod of monstrous creatures who prey on humans.
The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang
Three tales in one graphic novel show the paper-thin margin that separates fantasy from reality for a warrior, a frog and a girl.
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
Samara's faith is tested as struggles to uphold their perfect family image her father. a pastor, must portray while her mother drinks herself into rehab and a friend goes missing.
An Off Year by Claire Zulkey
Cecily decides to take a gap year before college and embarks on a journey of self-discovery with wry humor and professional help.
| Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers |
The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, annually selects books that teens will pick up on their own and read for pleasure. The list is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read. The following titles are selections from that list, which the library owns.
Fiction
The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
Most gardeners grow plants, this Gardener grows people.
Matched by Allie Condie
Deciding between perfection and passion.
The Maze Runner by James Dasher
Is there a way out?
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Will things turn deadly at the full moon?
Rules of Attraction: A Perfect Chemistry Novel by Simone Elkeles
Opposites attract.
Dark Song by Gail Giles
Caught in an obsessive relationship.
Girl Stolen: A Novel by April Henry
Blind and carjacked, will she escape?
The D.U.F.F. (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger
Could enemies-with-benefits become friends?
By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Daelyn is determined to die.
The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price
Witness to two murders.
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Cutting to forget.
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
Falling for your best friend's boyfriend.
Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan
Cirque du Freak: how it all began.
Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense by R.L. Stine
Ummmm, they're scary, helllooo.
Blood on My Hands by Todd Strasser
Keg party turns deadly.
Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
What if your wish came true?
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Mean girl smackdown.
Nothing by Janne Teller
Is it possible to prove life has meaning?
Non-Fiction
The Lego Book by Daniel Lipkowitz
From fan creations to collectibles.
Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri and Randy DuBurke
Eleven-years-old and wanted for murder.
What's New Cupcake: Ingeniously Simple Designs for Every Occasion by Karen Tack
Cupcake pizza, hold the anchovies!
Ripley's Believe it or Not!: Enter If You Dare by Geoff Tiballs
Bizarre mysteries and amazing science.
The Tattoo Chronicles by Kat Von D with Sandra Bark
A year in the life.
Fiction
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Dying to be thin.
We Were Here by Matt de la Pena
Miguel did something awful.
Drama High # 6: Courtin' Jayd by L. Divine
Boys, babies and hair.
Drama High #7: Hustlin' by L. Divine
Jayd's ups and downs.
Dirty Jersey by Phillip Thomas Duck
Fame is fickle and can have a price.
After by Amy Efaw
Baby in the dumpster – why?
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Gang member and cheerleader: it's not exactly love at first sight.
If I Stay by Gail Forman
This life or the afterlife?
Brutal by Michael Harmon
Taking down the status quo.
Muchacho by LouAnne Johnson
In Alt Ed and angry, can he keep his promise to mom?
Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Marilyn Kaye
Queen of Mean trapped in the life of unpopular Tracey.
Gifted: Better Late Than Never by Marilyn Kaye
Jenna's dad finally shows up. Too good to be true?
Gifted: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by Marilyn Kaye
Kidnapped to commit crimes, can super powers save them?
Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
One pregnancy seen through the eyes of four friends.
Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel
Four friends face the toughest decision ever — life or death.
Jaded by Monica McKayhan
Can Jade handle her boyfriend's secrets?
Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
Life on the streets with a supernatural twist.
Shrink to Fit by Dona Sarkar
Leah's "Thinspirations" will make all her dreams come true. Won't they?
Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton
Racing against time to save her brain-dead body from being unplugged.
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Girl + Werewolf = True Love.
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Can thirteen-year-old Kyra save herself from becoming her sixty-year-old uncle's seventh wife?
Non-Fiction
How to Be a Vampire: A Fangs-on Guide for the Newly Undead by Amy Gray
Thinking outside the coffin.
Twilight Director's Notebook: The Story of How We Made the Movie by Catherine Hardwicke
Behind the scenes.
Are You Afraid Yet? The Science Behind Scary Stuff by Stephen James O'Meara
Uncover the scientific truth about the strange and unusual.
The Vampire Book by Sally Regan
All you ever wanted to know in full dead and living color.
High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D.
Famed L.A. tattoo artist talks ink and rock-n-roll.
Reader's Corner for Adults
Reader's Corner for Children
Still looking for further reading suggestions?
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Last Updated: 2/19/11
Last Reviewed: 12/19/09 |
