Young Adult

I think teens need to read heartwarming stories from time to time. There’s nothing worse than a cynical teenager. This quick read is sure to tug a heartstring or two.

I’ve recommended Andy Griffiths before (he is not to be confused with a certain sheriff from Mayberry), but I feel like I should include this book for parents of fourth-sixth grade boys who have no interest in reading. I read this book to boys who have never opened a book voluntarily, and I discover the boys weeks later have memorized pages! Yes, this book is not going to win any literary awards, but if it gets a boy into reading there is a greater chance that that boy will try to read a book that has won a literary award. I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents who have reluctant readers, especially boys (click here to read my blog about some tips to help reluctant readers).

I think all teenage girls should read this book, as it deals with a boy trying to make it into his high school’s “fraternity” on a challenge to sleep with a shy virgin. A good warning tale that makes for an important discussion starter.

Middle school boys love Enders Game, so they are sure to enjoy this side story set during Ender's first years at the Battle School where it is forbidden to celebrate religious holidays. Had to include something for the fellas.

God bless Walter Mosley! Mosley has provided the inner-city middle schoolers that I have read to for years characters that they can identify with, and Mosley’s writing skill and character development are something to behold. This is one of the shortest of Mosley’s Easy Rawlins mysteries, but it is sure to attract students to the series. A wonderful author with a diverse pool of stories.

Call me a sap, but I have seen some of the toughest teenage boys quietly enjoy this sentimental story of the power a homeless dog has on his adoptive family.

Last month I had the pleasure of speaking in beautiful Kentucky, and I asked everyone I came across what was making that deafening noise outside? “Cicadas,” Derek Shouse said, and that peaked my interest in learning more about these annoying and freaky insects. Lo and behold, the first book I came across with cicadas in the title turned out to be Beaty’s first young adult novel, and what a treat. Eleven-year-old protagonist Lily is a Nancy Drew lover, and this book should impress fellow Nancy Drew devotees.

Jackpot! If you have a ten-year-old boy who does not like to read, I insist you buy this book. It is filled with the cool types of stories that draw boys to read The Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

I admit, when faced with lots of “girlie” books to read, I try to always choose the slimmest. What this slim volume rewarded me with was an intriguing coming-of-age story about a teenager who has learned to deal with her mother’s psychotic mood swings and now must learn to find herself. On top of a good read, it is a slim, small book with big print (my favorite)!

Young Tim is caught between his brother's patriotism and his father's Tory sympathies, in this classic story of the American Revolution. I stole that summary, as well as a review from “The Horn Book” that claims this book "earns a place beside our best historical fiction."

The story of two rats fleeing the cage of Ms. Dove’s fifth grade classroom and embarking on a marvelous adventure. This is the kind of book that makes me sound like a curmudgeon wondering, “Why don’t they write books like this anymore?” You can tell the author used to be a teacher, as this is a book any teacher could read aloud to students.

Best book I have read in years for reluctant teen boys. This one gripped me in the same way as S.E. Hinton did with The Outsiders. I am now anxious to read McGowan’s previous young adult novels – he is not to be missed.

Alright, so it is technically too long to make our list. It is written for young adults, and it is so good that I breezed through this award-winning book. More kids would be interested in history if more teachers asked kids to read interesting books like this one.

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.