Due to Popular Demand….
The Golden Age of Young Adult Literature!
Many parents have asked for a list of recommended book titles, so I have put a small one together. Although I have not included synopses, they are easy enough to find online. The books are not in any particular order. Please don’t take a lack of commentary to mean a book is less worthwhile than another. I’ve included some terrific websites, many of which contain booklists and reviews.
M= Mature
*Sherman AlexieThe Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian (M)
(Alexie made me laugh and cry simultaneously. )
*Jordan Sonnenblick Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
Notes from the Midnight Driver
Zen and the Art of Faking It
(Sonnenblick has a knack for creating dynamic characters. Interesting tidbit: one of his teachers
was Frank McCourt, Pulitzer prize -winning author of Angela’s Ashes.)
*Laurie Halse Anderson Speak
Wintergirls
Fever 1793
*E. L. Konigsburg Silent to the Bone(M)
*Richard Peck A Long Way from Chicago
*Kenneth Oppel Half Brother
(Love this book! Raises these questions: What makes a family? What does it mean to be
human?)
*Rebecca Stead When You Reach Me
(This novel begs to be discussed!)
*MellinaMarchetta Jellicoe Road
*Wendelin Van Draanen Flipped
*Edward Bloor Tangerine
*Christopher Paolini Eragon
(Paolini was 16 when he wrote this bestseller.
It is a dragon book for people who are not ordinarily dragon fans.)
*Cynthia Lord Rules
*Patricia McCormick Cut
*GenniferCholdenko Al Capone Does My Shirts
Al Capone Shines My Shoes
*Nancy Farmer The Sea of Trolls
The House of the Scorpions
Any books by the following authors:
GordanKormanCarline B. Cooney
AviRick Riordan
Gary SotoKimberly Willis Holt
Gary PaulsonPatricia Wrede
Richard Peck Chris Crutcher
Joan Bauer Margaret Peterson Haddix
Fantastic websites:
- ala.org/yalsa Wonderful booklists from the Young Adult Library Association.
- teenreads.com Booklists galore- has reviews written by teens.
- homeworktips.about.com My favorite homework and study tips site; they also offer a terrific
newsletter by Grace Fleming.
- walterthegiant.com Walter Mayes is a parent, librarian, storyteller, and a wonderful
bookreviewer.
- guysread.com Author/illustrator Jon Sczieskastarted this site to encourage boys to read.
- teenink.com This is a safe site for young authors who want to publish their work
on the web.
- barnesandnoble.com This is my “go-to” site for reliable book reviews and
recommendations.
As I always say, “You can take a book anywhere, and a book can take you anywhere!”
Good luck finding great literature!
-Mrs. Curran
*****I’m always looking for new titles. Please feel free to share recommendations with me!*****
Thank you!