Young Adult

For years teacher friends have been after me for never including this American classic on my lists, and my reasons were twofold: (a) it’s well-known enough that it doesn’t need my endorsement and (b) I hated this book as a child. Since we are now officially in the Roaring 20s of the 21st century, though, I figured I’d include it to get my critics off my back!

One of the reasons I feel teens have so many “issues” is the slew of negative books they must endure, so I LOVE books like this that send a positive message of kindness. All the people that like to tweet negative, reactive posts should heed the wisdom of this gem.

It’s January, which signifies a new opportunity for us all. Keep in mind that being a teen in today’s world can be mind-boggling (in the negative sense), so this is a great reminder of the things that truly matter BEYOND high school. Inspirational and practical guide.

With humor and insight, Satok takes you into the turbulent world of young adulthood. Capturing the newfound freedoms of college life and the dizzying adventure of the years that immediately follow it, this poetry collection reflects on the ups, downs, and in-betweens of the journey towards independence. Perfect for high schoolers searching for “what’s next?”

Seventeen-year-old Ashleigh is about to experience a lot of things for the first time. 1) Snow. She and her mom are moving from sunny Texas to an icy island in the middle of Lake Michigan, which is completely snowbound. As in, no cars, just sleighs. 2) Small-town life. The icy island? Yep, it’s tiny. Like, 30 people in the whole high school tiny. And scariest of all: 3) Boys. Of course they had boys in Texas. But none of them were as irresistible – or as hard to figure out – as Josh Wynter. And before the snow melts, Ashleigh might also be falling in love. Perfect for teens who like cute, positive romances.

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of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in the year 2524 in a world where Christmas – among other things – is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.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.

A gripping tale of one girl’s struggle against the Nazis in this wonderful novel for tweeners.

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.