Young Adult

Julia Alvarez is a magnificent author of such great books as How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. This collection of her poems will introduce readers to her enticing writing style and keen eye for examining life across cultures in America.

One of my favorite tricks for finding short books is to look up screenplays and novels of the movies. They almost always tend to be short, and for some reason I can read these accounts very easily (good tip for teachers and parents of reluctant teen readers). I loved this movie, which did not receive the publicity and recognition it deserved. This book would also make a great read aloud for elementary school teachers who want to read Peter Rabbit and give students extra background knowledge about Beatrix Potter.

I LOVED this book. Halpern’s debut is a quirky and – to me – hilarious story about a depressed teen committed to a mental hospital with a cast of wonderful characters.

Smith’s “autobiography in collage” is aptly titled, as this gem is filled with anecdotes that are sure to make you laugh. With entries on false teeth, dog poop and dead beetles, this is also a great way to inspire students’ creativity in their writing (the Table of Contents alone should draw plenty of giggles and questions).

When 17-year-old Josh Swensen creates a popular website through his alter ego to impress Beth, havoc ensues in this page-turner that boys and girls alike will love.

We need more poetry in our classrooms. As a former history teacher, I especially appreciate poems that educate people about important moments in history. Nelson has collected 15 magnificent poems for students to read, memorize, recite and discuss.

Recently transplanted teen Paige Turner is trying to find her place in this fun coming-of-age tale.

M.T. Anderson is simply one of my favorite authors for teens, as his books are filled with plenty of twists and turns, lots of action and humor and even a subliminal message every now and then. Your middle schoolers will greatly enjoy this sequel to Anderson’s The Game of Sunken Places.

Say that title five times fast. Hartman made sure you knew what this book was about, didn’t she? This book is PACKED with all sorts of cool facts and anecdotes – the stuff I LIVE for!

I always wanted to work on a fishing boat…until I started watching Deadliest Catch! No, thank you. Really enjoyed reading this book by the always awesome Hobbs about a 16-year-old boy working a boat to save money for college, only to find out that his captain has a secret. Never a dull moment.

In this black comedy by the author of the popular Artemis Fowl series, a troubled teen must help an elderly man accomplish everything on his wish list. Touching – funny – poignant.

Deuker is one of those authors I turn to when I have a boy who tells me he doesn’t like to read. This book is about a lot more than baseball, and it makes for great discussions in class.

I just read this with some teens I am working with, and they all enjoyed the pacing and reality of this book. A good look at how two teens deal with their growing pains.

Touching memoir about an absentee father told in poems and prose and accompanied by moving black-and-white photographs that are sure to stimulate classroom conversations.

Witty memoir about Dumas’s emigration to the United States from Iran at age seven in the 1970s.