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Young Adult

Dirt Road Home (Alabama Moon)

Dirt Road Home (Alabama Moon)

By Watt Key 240 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Key’s debut, Alabama Moon, is a highly popular book among teens, and this one will be, too, as it is a page-turner. Better yet, teachers and parents will appreciate the book’s lessons in decision-making and consequences. One of the all-too-rare teen reads that is edgy and manages a happy ending.
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Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical

By Nora Raleigh Baskin 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Beautifully crafted story about a 12-year-old boy with autism who feels most at home communicating with others on an Internet writing site. When he makes friends with a girl online, he becomes terrified when his parents take him to a live conference of the site’s participants. All teens will relate to the social awkwardness, and this book does a superb job of taking readers through the autistic boy’s struggles with interpreting “simple” things like body language.
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Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs

By Ron Koertge 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

One of the simplest pieces of advice I can give all teachers and parents to helping children become better readers is to utilize poetry. This sequel to Koertge’s Shakespeare Bats Cleanup follows two teens who connect through their poetry. One of the best parts of this book is the number of different types of poetry students discover.
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The Vacation

The Vacation

By Polly Horvath 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

When you read a book by Polly Horvath, you can depend on her providing quirky characters in extraordinary situations. You also will find yourself wishing for more as you quickly devour her stories. Students really enjoy this story of a 12-year-old left in the care of his eccentric aunts on an unforgettable vacation. Terrific read aloud.
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Chu Ju's House

By Gloria Whelan 240 pages pages Young Adult

Danny Says

  • Remarkable story of a 14-year-old girl in China who leaves home so her parents will not sell her baby sister. See, under China’s rural population law, families are only allowed two babies, and every family wants at least one boy. Think this book will spark some interesting discussions in class?
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Border Crossing

Border Crossing

By Jessica Lee Anderson 174 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Coming-of-age story told through first person about a mixed-race teenager in rural Texas as he gradually loses control and dips into schizophrenia.
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The Lottery Rose

The Lottery Rose

By Irene Hunt 181 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Touching story about child abuse that has been around for awhile and – like with too many books and authors – I am finally getting around to featuring on this site. Check out more of Irene Hunt’s books, as she is a gifted storyteller.
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Silver: The Silver Series Book 1

Silver: The Silver Series Book 1

By Cheree Lynn Alsop 230 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

As Halloween is approaching, I figured a good page-turner about werewolves could peek the reading interests of plenty of reluctant teen readers. Good coming-of-age story that is the first in a series.
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Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, Vol. 1 - manga

Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, Vol. 1 - manga

272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

While this book is a little longer than other recommendations, consider that it is Japanese manga (a graphic novel) based on a video game. I have used these books to draw a lot of disinterested boys into reading graphic novels. Tip: hook kids on reading using whatever means necessary.
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When My Name Was Keoko

When My Name Was Keoko

By Linda Sue Park 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Let’s face it: Linda Sue Park is one of the most talented young adult authors today. I cannot get enough of her books, and I know you’ll find this piece, set in Japanese-occupied Korea during World War II, as compelling and lovely as I did.
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Pinned

Pinned

By Sharon Flake 240 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The unlikely love story of two disabled African American teens, as told by their alternating first-person accounts.
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The Scar Boys

The Scar Boys

By Len Vlahos 272 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

A badly burned teen describes his life in a college application essay that is sure to hold your attention.
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Dead Is So Last Year

Dead Is So Last Year

By Marlene Perez 208 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

How can you walk by a book with this title and NOT pick it up? Perez just cracks me up with her sassiness, which make this book – one of several in the Dead Is series – a hit with lazy readers.
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Montana 1948: A Novel

Montana 1948: A Novel

By Larry Watson 186 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

How does a family in a small town maintain honor in their family name? Three generations collide in this wonderful Western.
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Can I See Your I.D.?: True Stories of False Identities

Can I See Your I.D.?: True Stories of False Identities

By Chris Barton 144 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Ten vignettes of real-life marauders who masqueraded with false identities. Told in second person with cool graphic illustrations by Paul Hoppe, this quick read is always a hit with the boys.
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