logo

Young Adult

The Breaking Light

The Breaking Light

By Heather Hansen 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Middle schoolers seem to be stuck in dystopian tastes nowadays, but this book straddles the worlds of science fiction and fantasy in a way that I have not seen since Neil Gaiman. I’ll definitely be reading the next book by Heather Hansen!
The Power of Time Perception

The Power of Time Perception

By Jean Paul Zogby 251 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This book is probably just as applicable for adults, as I was actually amazed how well-researched it was. I’ve been reading just about everything on brain research and habit formation lately, and I shared this with my teenage daughter to give her a better idea on how to spend her time wisely.
Peak

Peak

By Roland Smith 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Talk about a wonderful writer. Roland Smith inspires me. I met him at a conference in Maryland last year and was so enthralled by his advice to aspiring writers: if you want to write, don’t wait to have a cabin in the mountains, as you’ll probably just stare at the mountains; you have to be disciplined and write everywhere, every day. On that day he also told me about this wonderful latest book of his, which his answer to all the romantic tales of climbing Mt. Everest. A terrific book, in a long line of wonderfully diverse titles from this author - who used to work at the Portland Zoo.
In Defiance of Hitler: The Secret Mission of Varian Fry

In Defiance of Hitler: The Secret Mission of Varian Fry

By Carla Killough McClafferty 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Every now and then a book comes along that just blows me away. Read the left inside flap of this book jacket: “On August 4, 1940, an American magazine editor named Varian Fry flew from New York City to Lisbon, Portugal. He was en route to Marseilles, France, with $3,000 in cash taped to his leg beneath his pants, and in his pockets the names of approximately two hundred artists, scientists, and musicians – all enemies of the new Nazi regime. Varian Fry’s mission was to help the refugees flee to safety.” Fry winds up acting like an American-version of Oskar Schindler and helps a couple thousand refugees flee, including artist Marc Chagall and novelist Heinrich Mann. I loved this book! Sign me up for the movie about this fascinating man brought to life by this skillful author. Can you tell I liked it..as I typically try not to write this much about a book.
Girl, Barely 15: Flirting for England

Girl, Barely 15: Flirting for England

By Sue Limb 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

A good introduction to chick lit for teens, Limb writes better dialogue than most authors of the genre. This is part of a series of protagonist Jess Jordan that always stands her ground, and I enjoyed the humorous situations that arise when Jess hosts a French student for two weeks.
The Girls

The Girls

By Amy Goldman Koss 128 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I think this has to get into the hands of all middle school girls, as this book chronicles the meanness of cliques. I like using the book as a teaching tool, as different chapters are written from different points of view of girls trying to determine why their friend Maya has been ostracized from their group by their leader, Candace.
Assassination at Sarajevo

Assassination at Sarajevo

By Robin S. Doak 96 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Part of a wonderful series of books called Snapshots in History by Compass Point Books (compasspointbooks.com). Students love the photographs, and I like the way the author organized all the information in a visually appealing way. History books were always boring when I was in middle school. I’m a fan of this series, and my students were amazed by how this act caused one of the greatest catastophes the world had known to that point (World War I, for those of you keeping score at home). 
Double Dippin'

Double Dippin'

By Regenia Wright 210 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The author is a high school English teacher, and it made sense that my high school students got a kick out of this one. Nonstop action, as this one is not for the faint of heart. The perfect book to take to the park and devour in an afternoon.
Seventh Son

Seventh Son

By Orson Scott Card 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The first in the Tales of Alvin Maker series. I really enjoyed reading this book with my middle schoolers. The boys, in particular, got a kick out of it, as it blends fantasy with historical fiction. Even better, it hooks readers to read the other books, which is one of my favorite ways to encourage students to develop the “daily reading habit.”
The Witches Of Dredmoore Hollow

The Witches Of Dredmoore Hollow

By Riford McKenzie 266 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I breezed through this book, as it kept my interest throughout (not easy, as most books have a good beginning, middle or end, but not all three). Maybe it is because the author is from Vermont, but I felt like I was in the world of Ichabod Crane. Lots of authors have tried to imitate J.K. Rowling, but this is one of the first books that has read like a Harry Potter book to me.
Child of Dandelions

Child of Dandelions

By Shenaaz Nanji 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I have a habit of opting for young adult books that deal with historical events that I know little about. Ashamed by my lack of knowledge of Uganda’s Idi Amin, I grabbed this incredible story of a 15-year-old’s family and how they deal with Amin’s proclamation in the early 1970s to “weed out” all the foreign Indians. The number of “ethnic cleansing” episodes to take place in just the last hundred years disgusts me, and books like this need to be read early and often.
The Truth About Horses, Friends & My Life As a Coward

The Truth About Horses, Friends & My Life As a Coward

By Sarah P. Gibson 160 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

What a wonderful book with quirky characters. Your students will breeze through this set of tales from a small island town in Maine. A great read aloud for all ages, as the book reminds me a lot of Tom Bodett’s End of the Road. Glin Dibley’s illustrations are an added treat, the way Quentin Blake’s drawings add to Roald Dahl’s books.
Emako Blue

Emako Blue

By Brenda Woods 124 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I very rarely use the word “poignant,” but I think that is the best description of this important inner-city tale. True, I used to teach in inner-city Los Angeles, so I found the book particularly powerful for my “peeps” (translation: my “people”). Woods is such a wonderful storyteller, though, that I think it would be pretty difficult for anyone to finish this book with dry eyes.
Night of the Red Moon

Night of the Red Moon

By Angi Ma Wong 96 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

True story of the Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre of 1871, this compelling and quick read follows 12-year-old Ming and his family as they deal with this shameful incident in American history. Be sure to get plenty of Angie Ma Wong’s books in your library, as she writes stories that delight audiences of all ages.
Imaginary Enemy

Imaginary Enemy

By Julie Gonzalez 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Many children grow up with an imaginary friend. Slacker teen Jane White, on the other hand, created an imaginary enemy that she can blame all of her problems on. Nothing is ever Jane’s fault (sounds like a typical American, yes?), so when Jane’s imaginary friend writes her back, silliness sure to bring a smile to your face ensues.

Connect With Us

Join Now