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Young Adult

High Dive

High Dive

By Tammar Stein 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I think a lot of us could use a book to escape with right about now, so grab a copy of this tale of one girl’s European travel adventures as she tries not to think about her father’s recent death or her mother’s deployment to Iraq. Moving and extremely well-written.
Lost Boy

Lost Boy

By Linda Newbery 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I guess I was on a British authors’ kick this past month. Linda Newbery crafts a compelling mystery around Matt, “a new kid in town,” who feels a connection to a boy with the same initials who died on a road where Matt bicycles. Matt’s new chums, Robbo and Tig, torment the boy’s killer, but maybe there is more to the story than Robbo and Tig let on. This one is sure to entice middle schoolers.
Same Birthday

Same Birthday

By Carol Galusha 128 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

An intriguing story that follows the lives of Molly, Janine and Mary Anne. All are born on the same date in the heart of the Midwest, and this easy-to-read and compelling tale examines the effects of their different families on the fulfillment, or lack thereof, of their childhood dreams. 
The Quiz Life

The Quiz Life

By Marina Khidekel 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I confess that I love taking teenie-bopper quizzes, as they provide me with some of my favorite interactive exercises to attract students’ attention. This book is filled with quizzes geared for teenage girls looking for what guys want. In reality a good teacher can adapt these quizzes for use as icebreakers with students. 
A Field Guide to Monsters

A Field Guide to Monsters

By Johan Olander 64 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Olander, a “world-famous monstrologist,” shares his insights with readers on a variety of “googly-eyed wart floppers, shadow-casters, toe-eaters and other creatures. A book to be enjoyed by all ages, that is particularly popular with fifth-grade boys.
Nugrl90

Nugrl90

By Cheryl Dellasega 194 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The first book in the new Bloggrls series, Sadie’s story profiles a teenager whose life takes a dramatic turn when her parents divorce and she moves to a new school, Sadie maintains her sanity by keeping a blog. The book is entirely written in blog-style, which is what the teenagers I have used this book with found most appealing. I also like to point out to students who aspire to write their own books someday that all illustrations in this book were created by 15-year-old Karina LaPierre.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

By Lenore Look 172 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Really meant for fourth and fifth graders, Alvin Ho is entertaining to all ages, as he freaks out about everything. He is a shy second grader who becomes the loud superhero Firecracker Man at home. A quick, enjoyable read with fun illustrations from LeUyen Pham and one of the most entertaining glossaries I have ever encountered.
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.

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