Young Adult

Oscar and his dog have made a pretty good life for themselves, despite the fact that Oscar’s family has all but vanished—his father is dead; his mother has a new boyfriend. Mr. Cigar is a loyal protector: a supernatural creature that can exact revenge, communicate telepathically, and manipulate car doors and windows with ease. So, when Rachel – now twenty-two and an artist living in New York – calls out of the blue and claims she’s being held hostage, Oscar sees an opportunity to make things right between them.

A heartwarming story of love, loss, serendipity, and texting.

From one of my favorite authors comes a short, warm and entertaining book about art, creativity and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince.

It has always bothered me that there is not more emphasis teaching students practical study strategies. This book provides teens with a practical guide on how to learn anything more quickly and easily.

I hate to sound like a curmudgeon, but it depresses me to see so many negative-themes books for teens. No wonder they’re stressed. I make a conscious effort to find books that inspire students to make a positive impact on the world, and that’s what I love about this book. Featuring stories of how kids all around the world are making a positive difference, this inspiring guide shows kids how to wield their passions, digital tools and the principles of social entrepreneurship to affect real change in their schools, communities and beyond.

I have been in the position of introducing Shakespeare to teens – and it’s not easy task. Doescher delightfully adapts the popular Tina Fey teen film Mean Girls into Shakespearean verse. The result is an Elizabethan makeover in this totally fetch comedy of manners about North Shore High’s queen bees, wannabes, misfits and nerds.

I had to include at least one holiday-themed book. Francie is saving up for a car and angling to kiss the cute boy who works at the tree lot next door – hopefully it will be good enough to wipe her fiasco of a first kiss from her memory. As the weather outside gets more and more frightful, can Francie pull off the holiday of her dreams? Funny tale of a teen girl’s second chance at her first kiss.

The story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender. Especially popular with reluctant boy readers.

Imogen lives at the Playa Grande Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She spends her days working out in the hotel gym and telling other guests how she was forced out of Stanford. But Imogen isn't really Imogen. She's Jule. And she's on the run from something. Or someone. Which means – where is the real Imogen? Page-turning thriller told in reverse that makes for great class discussions.

This powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging and home.

Anyone who knows me knows I am drawn to positive books, especially for teens. Oher’s story of overcoming the toughest of odds serves as their hope. This book chronicles his unexpected highs: a college degree; four beautiful, healthy children and a happy marriage; drafted in the first round; a Super Bowl victory; and a second chance to play in the “big game.” But it also examines his lows: poverty, hunger, homelessness, struggles in school, bullying, job loss, brain injury, anxiety and depression. Inspiring and needed.

Paranormal novel for teens about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places. This one will send shivers down your spine – just in time for Halloween.

Graphic novel version of the New York Times bestselling series Five Nights at Freddy's includes three novella-length horrifying comic stories, sure to keep any teen up at night.

It’s all fun and games until a prank goes fatally wrong. Book 28 of 36 in the immensely popular Stine’s Fear Street series, I included this pick because there is nothing better than discovering a series kids enjoy and telling them there are 35 more books!

I got a kick out of this book. The world can feel like a dumpster fire to many teens, with endless things to be afraid of. But Jones – bestseller of books, sorceress of side-eyes and critic of culture – gives teens the permission they might need to be the troublemakers they are, or wish to be. This is the book she needed when she was the kid who got in trouble for her mouth when she spoke up about what she felt was not fair. This is the book she needed when kids made fun of her Nigerian accent. This is the book that she needed when it was time to call herself a writer, but she was too scared. And this is the book I think all too many teens can relate to. Funny, motivating and touching – all in one.