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Young Adult

Shane

Shane

By Jack Schaefer 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

If you really want to introduce your teens to the perfect Western, there is no finer example (in my humble opinion) than Shane. I used to use this book with my ESL students, as the language is simple, the writing is beautiful and the story has every element of a good Western (bad cattle rancher picking on the helpless farmers when a stranger with a white hat rides in from out of town and becomes the idol of a farm boy…yada, yada, yada). After you read the book, watch the terrific film with Alan Ladd. Ah, this is as good as it gets, as American as apple pie.
Sarah's Ground

Sarah's Ground

By Ann Rinaldi 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Historical fiction set in the Civil War that follows Sarah, a young woman who escapes her New York family’s matchmaking scheme to work at Mt. Vernon in Virginia. There, the Civil War is in full swing, and Sarah learns a lot about the treacheries of war and the goodness of all people. This one surprised the heck out of me, as I thought it was fantastic.
Cool Salsa

Cool Salsa

By Lori M. Carlson 160 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Subtitled “Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latinos in the United States,” this fantastic poetry collection includes samples from all the big-name Latino authors, from Sandra Cisneros to Gary Soto. A good middle school or high school teacher could use this book for a couple of months to inspire teenagers to write. A real value.
Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending

By Sonya Sones 160 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Moving book about trying to overcome the stigma of mental illness. Told from the point of view of a 13-year-old girl as she tries to come to terms with her older sister’s manic depression. This should be required reading.
Weetzie Bat

Weetzie Bat

By Francesca Lia Block 128 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

A great book for high school students. I like it because of its quirky characters (always a plus, in my opinion) and homage to the city I love, Los Angeles. Adults who ignore young adult literature really miss out on some of the best stories. Grab a copy of Weetzie Bat and relax for a couple of hours.
Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?: A Mystery in Poems

Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?: A Mystery in Poems

By Mel Glenn 112 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This book scores lot of points for originality, as each page is written in free verse from different characters’ points of view of a high school teacher’s murder. A great book to inspire reluctant writers (especially boys).
Montmorency

Montmorency

By Eleanor Updale 233 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

This is just a cool book for all ages, but middle-schoolers love the mystery of this criminal mastermind who lives a Jeckyll and Hyde lifestyle. Another great book from Great Britain – is there something in the water there?
Mindbenders

Mindbenders

By Neal Shusterman 128 pages pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The perfect book for those of you who have 12-year-old boys who don’t like to read. This collection of clever, funny, creepy and flat-out weird stories are sure to spark interesting book talks.
Odd Lot

Odd Lot

By Steve Burt 136 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I’ll let adults in on a little secret: some of the best literature available is reserved for teens. Such is the case with anything by Steve Burt, an incredibly gifted storyteller who manages to write chilling stories like this one (part of a series that includes the Bram Stoker award-winning Oddest Yet) or heartwarming stories like A Christmas Dozen. Especially popular with reluctant boy readers, Burt is a treat for all ages (and genders).
If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?

If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?

By M. E. Kerr 192 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I am thrilled that this classic is back in print! A wonderful story (probably my favorite) by the very talented M.E. Kerr, this book shows the fragility of high school popularity. Very “popular” among all teen readers.
Lost

Lost

By Jacqueline Davies 256 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I am fascinated by one of the most tragic events in American history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 that needlessly killed 146 immigrant seamstresses. This brilliantly-written novel chronicles one family’s resilience through devastating circumstances. Some of the best writing I have come across in a long time for young adults…I am anxious to read more by Jacqueline Davies.
Athletic Shorts

Athletic Shorts

By Chris Crutcher 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Here’s one for the fellas. Crutcher avoids athletic stereotypes in six compelling short stories that shed a whole new light on jocks in school. Makes for good read alouds with middle schoolers.
The Maze of Bones

The Maze of Bones

By Rick Riordan 220 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The first installment in this cool series, The 39 Clues provides teens with their own cross between National Treasure and The DaVinci Code. This is one even reluctant readers cannot put down.
Fair-Weather Friends

Fair-Weather Friends

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Billingsley writes teen dialogue that rivals Sharon Draper, and African-American teenage girls – in particular – rave about this book.
Knots in My Yo-Yo String

Knots in My Yo-Yo String

By Jerry Spinelli 160 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

One of the greatest young adult authors of our time provides teachers this gift for teaching writing. Spinelli (of Maniac Magee fame) recounts his experiences growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania. I absolutely LOVED this book and thank Jerry Spinelli for constantly inspiring young authors (and even older ones, too).

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