Books for Teens

 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Sassy Sophie Hatter is a young woman doomed to forever work in her family's hat shop; that is, until the day she insults the Witch of the Waste and is cursed to inhabit the body of a very old woman. Addled by her new condition, she leaves home to wander aimlessly about the countryside, but quickly ends up at the floating castle of the ill-reputed Wizard Howl, eater of young girls' souls. Feeling safe inside her old body, Sophie plants herself firmly in the household with the hope that Howl will one day lift her curse. Little does she know that adventure, excitement, and - oh my goodness - love await her there! Written with a sense of wit and humor that people of all ages can enjoy, I'm surprised it took me this long to read this very clever and thoroughly absorbing tale. Reviewed by Shireen 3/29/2008

 

 

The Great Tree of Avalon: Child of the Dark Prophecy by T.A. Barron

The first The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy, this thrilling story had me tearing through pages to find out what would happen next. Tamwyn, a young boy from Avalon, has always been an outcast for having been born during the year of the dark prophecy. The prophecy foretold that during his seventeenth year a child born during the year of the prophecy would destroy Avalon. Tamwyn's 17th year is just starting when the first star in Merlin's constellation goes out, the signal that the dark prophecy is beginning to come true. As the book goes on the reader and Tamwyn begin to suspect together that he may be the child who was foretold to destroy all of Avalon. But Tamwyn loves Avalon; he doesn't want to destroy it.  Meanwhile Elli, a young priestess, is hunting for Merlin's true heir. Only Merlin's heir can stop the child of the dark prophecy from destroying their beloved land. The plot is already wound tight when suddenly Tamwyn and Elli meet and then the story explodes. You won't be able to put this one down I guarantee! Reviewed by Catherine 1/18/2008

 

Life as we Knew it by Susan Pfeffer

This work of diary fiction is beautifully written. Miranda, the sixteen-year-old narrator, is at first unimpressed with the asteroid that is scheduled to strike the moon. Only a conversation with her older brother foreshadows events to come as he confesses to Miranda that he's nervous about the astronomical event. Life changes quickly after the impact, and Miranda's life becomes increasingly restricted as the world around her reacts to the lunar shift. Both heartwarming and unnerving, you won't want to put this book down. Reviewed by Aly 12/31/07

 

This story is told through the eyes of Miranda who had just barely begun her sophomore year in high school when an astroid hit the moon. The collision was a far greater force than anyone predicted it would be and the force of it moved the moon considerably closer to earth. After the event, Miranda and her family deal with the repurcussions which created an earth as it had never been before; volcanic ash covering the sun so that there’s an arctic-like atmosphere, tidal waves, and starvation. It sounds depressing but the book is really a story of survival and hope. Reviewed by Susan 1/17/2008

 

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl is about a popular high school junior class president, Matt, known for his off-the-wall humor and Ugly Girl, Ursula, a 5 ft. 8 inch star basketball player known for being opinionated and a loner. While in the cafeteria one day Matt is asked what he will do if his play is not chosen to be produced by the local drama club. Matt belts out that "what's he supposed to do? Bring his gun to school and kill a bunch of people?" Two anonymous witnesses hear this comment out of context and report it to the principal who calls in the police setting off a chain reaction of events that change Matt's life, his parent's lives and the reputation of the school and the town. Matt becomes a hated outcast. Ursula is the only person to come to his defense. This would be an excellent choice for a teen book discussion group. Reviewed by Marian 1/8/2008

 

 

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

I read this book a little while ago and just recently noticed that it’s finally getting the popularity it deserves. It’s about a German family who’re going against the flow/force that’s happening around them during World War II by hiding a Jew in their basement. In the midst of it all the main character, the family’s 10-year-old child, develops a hunger for reading. This prompts her to start stealing books from the Nazi book burnings, which she reads with the Jew her family is hiding. What’s great about this book is the way you get to see a lot of different personalities. It provides individuality to this time in history that is often portrayed as very uniform and monolithic. Reviewed by Janet 12/19/2007

 

 

 

The Alchemist: the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Dylan Scott

Legendary figures like the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, triple-faced Hekate and Egyptian goddess Bastet abound in this exciting tale. Will the twins Sophie and Josh Newman be able to assist Nicholas in recapturing the codex for the formula to the Sorcerer's Stone? Reviewed by Aurora 11/30/07

 

 

 

 

 

Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Dianne Wynne-Jones

An irreverent look at fantasy cliches, as observed by a master of the genre. Designed as a mock travel guide/encyclopedia, Jones touches on familiar aspects of fantasy epics, from Rings to Missing Heirs to Colour Coding in characters. Tucked away in non-fiction, this is a treat for fans of Jones and Terry Pratchett or anyone with delusions of writing a fantasy trilogy. Reviewed by Lisa 11/30/2007

 

 

 

 

What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles

Cass McBride thinks she knows how to get what she wants until she is kidnapped in the middle of the night and buried alive. Can Cass talk her way out of this one? A riveting page turner from the author of Shattering Glass. Reviewed by Elsie on 10/27/07

 

 

 

 

 

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Fifteen-year-old Donnie aka Fanboy is a good student with a passion for graphic novels who blames everyone else for making his life difficult, especially jocks - even has a list – until he meets Kyra aka Goth Girl who shares his dislike for jocks and his interest in graphic novels AND challenges him not to accept his “geek” status. The adventures begin. Reviewed by Elsie 10/20/07

 

I am the messenger by Markus Zusak

Nineteen-year-old Ed Kennedy is a layabout. An underage cabbie. Sort of a bum. He spends most of his off-work time playing cards and drinking with his friends and lamenting the absence of romance in his life (specifically with his best friend). Then Ed disrupts a bank robbery, and the cards start coming. Not on the table. In the mail. They give Ed instructions. Missions. A motive for breaking away from the hum-drummery of his day-to-day. And everything changes. Is Ed man enough to face all his challenges? You'll have to read it to find out. Like the blurb says, don't pick this one up unless you have time to read it from cover to cover. Reviewed by Bill on 09/26/07.

 

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This is how noble and moving a graphic novel can be. Yang transcends all previous notions of graphic-novel-as-glorified-comic-book here. It might be worth exploring whether there might be a way to put the 'novel' before the 'graphic,' just to do Yang justice. Three seemingly disparate story lines come crashing together beautifully at the end to tell a uniquely human tale. And if anybody gives you static for reading a 'comic book,' you have my permission to thump them on the head with this one. ABC was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2006 -- the first graphic novel to attain such distinction. Reviewed by Bill 9/26/07

 

Keturah and lord death by Martine Leavitt

Keturah the storyteller is able to save herself, her village and her family through her creative tales. Lord Death is an enigmatic character in love with Keturah but willing to set her free…Yes, he has competition! How does the story unfold? Reviewed by Aurora 9/06/07

 

 

 

 

 

Rhymes with Witches by Lauren Myracle

Jane is a frumpy nobody until she is adopted by the "Bitches" clique and initiated into the source of their power--popularity stolen from other girls through witchcraft. When this seemingly "normal" book takes a hard left turn into the supernatural, it may turn some readers off. Others, however, will stay for this unusual take on popularity. Jane's relationships flourish (or wither) as her star rises, and her moral dilemma over the torment of a lonely girl will speak to anyone who has experienced bullying. Smart, hip, and engaging, this book barrels into a shocking climax. Maybe there is room for a sequel? Reviewed by Lindsay on 08/22/07.

 

 

 

 

 

ElfQuest Archives by Wendy & Richard Pini

This is one of the first fantasy graphic novels series from the late sevenites that has come back in color. The elves, Cutter and his Wolfriders have been burned out of their Holt and are in search of a new home. Follow their unbelievable adventures through the troll's caverns and their surprising history with incredible color graphics including some original black and white drawings from the earliest editions. Reviewed by Ang on 8/16/07

 

 

 

 

Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll

If you like to read a true account of a street smart kid growing up during the 1960's in New York City, then Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll is a gripping, hilarious and haunting account of a teens life that explores the blending of basketball, hustling, stealing, getting high and hooked on drugs while searching for a better place to grow up.  What a thrill to whip through a diary style book that deals with real situations and personalities in the inner city. I thought this book might be about sports, but it describes life far beyond a controlled environment as experienced by real kids. Reviewed by Julie 08/14/07

 

 

 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Imagine a world where hoverboarding is a primary mode of transportation, bungee jackets provide some excellent fun, and high-tech wall screens are all the rage. This is Uglyville, and Tally Youngblood is dying to get out. She can't wait to turn 16 and finally get her ticket into New Pretty Town: the wild cosmetic surgery that turns her supermodel pretty. There's just one thing standing in her way: a best friend determined to stay ugly for life. First in a trilogy, this fast-paced, sci fi adventure will hook you from beginning to end! Reviewed by Shireen 8/10/07

 

 

 

Ceres Celestial Legend vol 1 Aya by Yu Watase

Beings from outer space, legends, romance and traitorous as well as heroic acts are packed into this fourteen-volume story. You will explore beautiful areas on the island of Japan. Reviewed by Aurora on 7/19/07

 

 

 

 

 

God went to beauty school by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant has made it ;delightfully entertaining to ponder on faith. For reluctant poetry readers out there! Reviewed by Aurora on 6/20/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl Caraway, the main character, has a great start at her new high school. She is poetic, straightforward, simple and quirky. All of these qualities work together to craft a very charming story. Reviewed by Andi on 05/01/07

 

 

 

 

 

Freak the Mighty by W.R. Philbrick

Humor, smarts, heartache and fellowship are at the center of this book. As my nephew stated when he finished reading it, “you feel like you lost a friend.” Reviewed by Aurora on 03/01/07

 

 

 

 

 

Complete Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe

Whet your appetite with The Tell-Tale Heart and keep on reading. Mr. Poe is the master of suspense and imagination. This collection gives you an interesting mix of short tales, not so short tales and poetry. Reviewed by Aurora on 03/01/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghost Hunt by Shiho Inada

In this series, the Shibuya Psychic Research Team investigates a series of paranormal incidents. If you like movies like The Grudge and The Ring, this manga might just be for you! Reviewed by Aurora on 03/01/07

 

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