logo

Young Adult

The Children's Story

The Children's Story

By James Clavell 92 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Perhaps the theme of this month’s list should be “The Longest Titles Ever Used in Literature.”  This book is almost shorter than the title, but I enjoyed it because:  (a) it is the shortest thing the great Shogun scribe ever wrote; and (b) it confronts children and adults with not-so-easily answered questions taken from our daily routines.
Buy on Amazon
Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

By Kate DiCamillo 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

It is about time I added this to our list, as this is a book that all teachers should have in their classroom libraries.  Opal, our young protagonist, reminds me so much of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird.  There is not a doubt in my mind that this book about a little girl and the abandoned dog she befriends will become a classic.
Buy on Amazon
Frindle

Frindle

By Andrew Clements 112 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

When a fifth grader creates his own word to defy his teacher, he has no idea that the word will catch-on across America.  A funny book that I used to use with my English language-learning students.
Buy on Amazon
How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms

By Thomas Rockwell 128 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This book always makes me cringe…happily.  Required reading for all fifth graders and adults.
Buy on Amazon
My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain

By Jean Craighead George 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I read this book to a middle school class, and they loved it.  A runaway lives off the land in this fun book.  A good read for those who are suffering a midlife crisis, as well.
Buy on Amazon
The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

By Beverly Cleary 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Someone recently pointed out that I had not yet included a Beverly Cleary book.  I am sorry for the omission, as she is one of the most important children’s authors of the 20th century.  Each year, Ralph the Mouse intrigues scores of children to dive into chapter books.
Buy on Amazon
The Greatest: Muhammad Ali

The Greatest: Muhammad Ali

By Walter Dean Myers 172 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

One of the best ways to get me to read longer biographies is to start with a good biography written for teenagers.  After reading this book, I am now anxious to read more about this man many consider to be the most famous living human being.
Buy on Amazon
The Secret Journey

The Secret Journey

By Peg Kehret 136 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This is sort of a cross between Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe for girls.  A real page-turner, as we follow young Emma disguise herself as a boy, only to be tricked into boarding a ship bound for Africa.  A great chapter book for sixth graders.
Buy on Amazon
Trouble for Lucy

Trouble for Lucy

By Carla Stevens 80 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I love books that transport children to other time periods like the Old West.  This book paints a vivid picture of what the wagon trains were like, and my students enjoy how Lucy’s puppies always manage to get into mischief along the way.
Buy on Amazon
The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

By Mike Reiss 32 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This could probably be categorized as a children’s book because it is illustrated and super-short, but I have found that the 6th graders I read this book to find it hilarious.  And why not, as the author is a writer from the greatest show on television (no, not The Bachelor), The Simpsons.  Thanks to Bob Matulich for another great recommendation.
Buy on Amazon
Year of Impossible Goodbyes

Year of Impossible Goodbyes

By Sook Nyul Choi 169 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

And now for a more somber but uplifting book.  I often read young adult books to learn about times in history that I never studied in school.  About a girl’s suffering in North Korea in the 1950s under Japanese and Russian rule, this book truly moved me.  I promise it has a happy ending.



Buy on Amazon
Giraffes? Giraffes!

Giraffes? Giraffes!

By Doris Haggis-on-Whey,Mr. Haggis-on-Whey 64 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Bless you, Florence Hochman, for turning me on to this book.  This is now one of my favorite ideas.  Dave Eggers writes under a pen name and creates the most horrific idea man could have ever dreamed of:  the first in a series of reference books written by people who want to mess with future generations by providing erroneous information (e.g. giraffes did not evolve but rather came here from Neptune via the largest escalator in the galaxy).  I think this concept has been adopted by major political parties.  Kids of all ages (from 3 to 83) get a kick out of this book.



Buy on Amazon
I Like It Like That

I Like It Like That

By Cecily von Ziegesar 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I have found that this “Gossip Girl” series is practically addictive among middle school teens.  This is the latest in the series, and new readers may want to pick up the first episode to become familiar with these preppy New York teens.
Buy on Amazon
Witness

Witness

By Karen Hesse 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

A stirring look at racism in a 1920s Vermont town, written entirely in verse.  Many thanks to Tacy Trowbridge for the recommendation.
Buy on Amazon
The Friends

The Friends

By Rosa Guy 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

One of the most popular books read by middle school girls in the schools I speak at.  Why?  They relate to the two young girls in the book and empathize with the struggles of the main character, a recent West Indian immigrant to Harlem named Phyllisia.
Buy on Amazon

Explore

Act

About

Connect With Us

Join Now