Young Adult

I forgot all about this short classic. Definitely a hit with girl readers, as it chronicles the story of a 12-year-old girl in search of her real mother. One of the few books with a girl main character that does not totally annoy boys.

This was not what I expected. It is funny (like I thought) in parts, but it is largely a story that makes for great classroom discussions on animal welfare and tough decisions. Really good for fifth and sixth graders, as we talk about a girl's intentions and consequences of taking in stray squirrels.

This is the kind of book I enjoyed growing up. The story of a young Virginian in the 19^th century headed West in search of gold and adventure, this book will enrapture your students by the story and stimulate their curiosity and interest in the historical time period, as well. A great segue for social studies teachers.

This is just a cool book, as it is filled with tidbits for the historically-challenged like myself. See who was technically the first President of the United States (a man by the name of Huntington), which statesmens’ homes were burnt for signing the Declaration (most) and how one representative stricken with cancer rode all night by horseback to cast a crucial vote on independence (Caesar Rodney). A great look at the lives of the men who served in the Continental Congress.

There is something that draws teens to books that are written from multiple points of view. I remember actually enjoying Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying when I was in high school simply because it shifted gears from chapter to chapter (and it includes one of the shortest chapters of any book I have ever read). This is Leveen’s first novel, but his involvement in theatre is apparent in the vivid teen characters he creates here.

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres to attract reluctant teenage readers. Boys are especially drawn to Turkel’s story – set in a dystopian future – about a son’s transformation into an assassin after his father’s death. Middle schoolers love discussing this book.

After perusing the shelves of a popular book chain and seeing mainly titles geared for girls, I am on a mission to find books that will appeal to boys. This debut novel is hilarious and sure to engage even the most reluctant buy reader.

One of the short stories in this collection, “Lamb to the Slaughter,” sealed my interest in everything by Roald Dahl when I was in ninth grade. In “Lamb,” a wife murders her husband with a leg of lamb before feeding the murder weapon to local investigators. Dahl’s wicked sense of humor is perfect for teens.

I’m not the biggest advocate for horror stories, as I prefer looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. That said, a lot of teens dig creepy tales, and Prose’s retelling of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw will have them jumping out of their seats.

Combine one of the best authors working today with one of the most popular superheroes, and you get a graphic novel that will always be checked out and talked about by your boys.

This gifted author who gave us the delightful tale of the pig named Babe writes another extraordinary tale from the barnyard. Martin, the cat, loves mice…as pets. When his pet mouse escapes to her freedom, Martin is devastated until he is imprisoned as a pet himself. Frankly, Dick King-Smith amazes me by the depth of his characters and stories. There are some amazing morals weaved throughout his stories, and I recommend ALL of his books.

A lot is going on in this book about a 15-year-old girl who witnesses her sister die in a car accident on September 11th. I sort of felt that all the stuff was a distraction, as I enjoyed the main character’s attempts to cope with her grief. I have had many wonderful book discussions with middle schoolers on this book.

When should you stop reading aloud to students? Never! Here is a great example of a book that your students will enjoy even more if you read it aloud to them, as Oliver’s writing is so pleasant to the ears. Plus, Oliver does a superb job of presenting strong female protagonists – something sorely (and oddly) lacking in a lot of fantasies.

Very few coming of age teen stories can make you laugh and cry in equal doses. Whaley is a masterful storyteller, and this book makes for terrific class discussions.

Boys love reading books by Dan Gutman because so many of his books are about sports (I especially enjoyed his book on Satchel Paige). I think this one is one of my favorites because there are so many subplots taking place. When 11-year-old Eddie Ball gets the chance to sink a halftime free throw during the NBA finals worth a million dollars, all sorts of interesting twists ensue. To read more about the impact of The Lazy Readers’ Book Club on boys who are reluctant readers, read this month’s blog by clicking here.