Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in the year 2524 in a world where Christmas – among other things – is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Not your typical holiday tale.
Ember Skye is a fed-up teenage Coal Elf with a big ashy chip on her shoulder. Having been torn away from a carefree life and forced into a world of dirt and darkness has started to get the best of her. And being the only girl-elf working as a coal miner at the North Pole doesn’t help much either! Then there’s Sturd: a power-hungry, twisted elf with a checkered past and a serious grudge against Ember. Slowly but surely, his maniacal tendencies are revealed, leaving Ember with the sacred “Naughty List” literally in her lap. When a mysterious illness threatens to decimate elves both Above and Underground, Ember is thrust into a journey that will see her confront the literal and figurative demons of her past and lead her to the head of the North Pole himself. Yes! Santa is real. But this isn't your childhood Christmas tale!
One wakeful night in the children’s ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital at the height of World War II, Jimmy Peterson receives an unexpected visit from none other than Santa Claus. While Jimmy relishes his adventures at the North Pole with St. Nick, he dreads the reality of returning to the hospital and his own debilitating illness in this tear-jerker.
I’ve had more and more teen girls and their parents asking me for teen romance picks, so here’s one I liked for its “positivity.” Leah Kurtz has finally found a place to call home, a town where she and baby Addy can live in peace, far from the drug-infested place she grew up. Chris is one of the best parts of her new life, the only person who’s ever made her feel safe. And now that she’s found him, there’s no way she can tell the truth: her real name is Faith, not Leah. She’s seventeen, not nineteen. And the baby isn’t hers – Faith kidnapped her. There is nothing typical about this book, and the short chapters force you to finish the book in one sitting (or face annoying questions about what happens next!).
Two high school seniors re-evaluate their failed friendship under dangerous circumstances. Benedis-Grab alternates between the two girls' perspectives; nearly every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, keeping tension high. The action and high stakes should keep readers engaged.
If this were a movie, the pitch would be “Little Miss Sunshine meets Room in this quirky, heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty and discovery.” This book is a hidden gem for your middle schoolers.
Beautifully written story of love, loss and a family centered around 16-year-old Melody. Coming of age tale that deals with teenage pregnancy and the impact on a family generationally written by one of today’s finest young adult authors.
More timely than ever, this entry in the Protector of the Small series is Anti-Bullying 101 while also touching on issues of bravery, friendship, and dealing humanely with refugees against a backdrop of an action-packed fantasy adventure.
A beautiful love story told to a son after his father's death. Spellbinding and philosophical. Thought provoking and causes one to wonder about our own existence.
Thank goodness for Dan Gutman! He has written so many sports books that have inspired my boys to read. When Joe Stoshack hears about Shoeless Joe Jackson – and the gambling scandal that destroyed the star player's career – he knows what he has to do. If he travels back in time with a 1919 baseball card in his hand, he just might be able to prevent the infamous Black Sox Scandal from ever taking place. And if he could do that, Shoeless Joe Jackson would finally take his rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But can Stosh prevent that tempting envelope full of money from making its way to Shoeless Joe's hotel room before the big game? Cool entry in Gutman’s Baseball Card Adventure series.
By Laura Schroff & Alex Tresniowski
272 pages
Young Adult
Danny Says
And here’s an inspirational book about gratitude and helping others for teens. An inspiration real-life story that chronicles the lifelong friendship between a busy sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy, and how both of their lives were changed by what began as one small gesture of kindness.
Looking for a little “light” reading with life-changing truth and ticklish humor? This book is for you, as Clarimont weaves stories and scripture between lasers, lighthouses, and lamps to illuminate the heart and enliven the spirit.
Great “tweener.” Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn’t going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on? A thoughtful, charming and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face fears.
