Young Adult

You now all know that I am a sap. I loved this story so much as a kid that after I saw the Disney movie, I actually wanted to read the book (this was simply unheard of when I was a young lad). One of the greatest stories of friendship and perseverance ever written (in my humble opinion).

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.

No, this author has an “s” on the end of his name, and his series of books bear little resemblance to anything you’d ever see in Mayberry. I find that this author has a way of making teenage boys want to read, and I will always recommend an author who motivates reluctant readers. Parents beware, as his silly tales can sometimes be a bit “raunchy.”

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.

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.

A wonderful piece of historical fiction that teachers can use to introduce students to the Civil Rights Movement. Makes a great read aloud.

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.

This one may keep your students up at night, as the combination of Arntson’s creepy story and Daniela J. Terrazzini’s illustrations make this an unexpected page-turner, perfect for students who enjoy Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games.

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?

So delighted to introduce teens to another incredible New Yorker illustrator like the very funny Tamaki. This graphic novel does a superb job of poking fun at the crazy world teens live in today.

I love using poetry as a way to entice my students to read and write more (after all, poems are a lot shorter than books). Edna St. Vincent Millay is a wonderful poet to expose middle schoolers to, as she writes in a very accessible way that makes “classical” poetry less intimidating to students.

I try not to publicize well-established authors, as I know they need no help selling books. However, John Grisham is precious to me, as he is the person who got me interested in reading for fun. I read all of his paperbacks when I lived in Spain (there were only three then: A Time to Kill, The Firm and The Pelican Brief), and his books set me on the path to reading lots of other authors. What a treat it is that he has written this Theodore Boone series, as now Grisham can attract a younger audience to his wonderful legal suspense thrillers.

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.

Very funny book about two opposite teens forced to live under the same roof once their parents develop a relationship.

This Newbery winner is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read aloud to students of all ages…and this book must be read aloud. The language is poetic.