Young Adult

Coming-of-age mystery that takes place in the summer of 1956 – as the arrival of a handsome drifter at a rundown drive-in movie theater inflames dangerous passions and jealousies and changes a young girl’s life forever.

A short novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, Sula is a gripping story of two friends, Sula and Nel. Separated in young adulthood, they reunite as grown women. But their friendship ends in an unforgivable betrayal.

Great introduction to one of America’s greatest writers, this quirky collection of poems and short stories – with illustrations by the author – is a great way to engage teens with Atwood.

Got any students interested in horror? This one, from the Nobel Prize-winning Doris Lessing, will keep them up many nights! Classic horror of a family torn apart by the arrival of Ben, their feral fifth child. A happy family is torn apart when their fifth child – large and ugly, violent and uncontrollable – is born. I get the shakes just thinking about this book.

Not that Rowling needs any promotion from me, but I wanted to include this book for its extremely positive and inspirational messages. In 2008, the Harry Potter scribe delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. This book presents her words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life. How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?

Good for adults and young adults alike! No matter your age, the way your brain works is of utmost importance to the quality of your life. Sparrman shows new ways to enhance your brain's function by focusing on physical activity, nutrition, intellectually-stimulating activities and spiritual/social connections. Great food for thought on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Newbery Honor- and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winner Renée Watson's heart-rending debut, about one girl's journey to reconnect to joy.

The popular CW show for teens is a great way to entice them to read the book series.

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft.

In a hard-hitting novel about fitting in – or not – Anthony “Ant” Jones gets transported from his East Cleveland hood to an almost all-white prep school and has to figure out where he belongs...before he loses himself entirely.

The inspirational true story of the first African American to play college basketball in the deeply segregated Southeastern Conference.

A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother’s death in this outstanding debut novel that celebrates community and creativity.

Inspired by Betty's real life – but expanded upon and fictionalized through collaboration with novelist Renée Watson – Ilyasah Shabazz illuminates four poignant years in her mother’s childhood with this book, painting an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging that will resonate with young readers today.

Seventeen-year-old Lindsey Allen is an A-student who has her heart set on becoming an astronomer. But first she must break away from her mother, an eccentric failed beauty queen who has set up a phony psychic reading shop in their Oregon garage. Fascinating story of the ups and downs of a mother-daughter relationship.

The fourth book in a sizzling series filled with action and adventure. Fans of The Selection and The Hunger Games will discover a heart-pounding thrill ride of espionage and suspense set in glittering high society.