Young Adult

National Book Award finalist. Chapters alternate in the views of different main characters, as protagonist Leticia battles with whether or not to inform a girl that a classmate intends to beat her up. Story makes for a great class discussion on responsibility.

What a cool story! Anyone who ever saw Jaws knows the true, harrowing story of the survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis who battled sharks in the South Pacific after their ship sank. What many – including me – did not know was that the navy blamed the captain of the ship, despite sailors’ pleas that their captain was not to blame. Fifty years later, an 11-year-old boy’s history project becomes a crusade to restore the captain’s name. This book had everything, and I honestly caught myself turning pages before students were ready. The kind of book every teacher needs to read to inspire her students to write.

This is the classic that began the Super Fudge phenomenon. Enjoy tales of Peter Hatcher's trials with his little brother Fudgie, among other delightful storylines.

When 12-year-old Cassie’s family relocates to a rundown neighborhood, her outlook shifts. Dee writes with a strong, humorous voice. I especially enjoy the grammar-obsessed English teacher who strongly objects to Cassie’s fantasy journal.

New York’s #1 high school speaker presents a solid blueprint to help any teenager get on track to succeed in whatever he or she chooses. Great book for students to carry on them at all times!

Hinton wrote this book when she was 16 years old. Kind of makes you wonder what the heck you are doing with your life, doesn't it?

When I saw a group of boys reading this series of graphic novels like a bunch of crazed cultists, I decided to grab a copy and was impressed with the artwork and fast-paced historical-horror-fiction (say that five times fast) storyline.

I am a “lazy reader,” and I often tend to read children’s and young-adult versions of biographies before I settle on a longer, adult version. This book does a terrific job of introducing students to America’s first African-American Supreme Court justice.

Accidentally stumbled upon this book at the library (a common practice I highly encourage) and was treated to a sweet romance revolving around organ transplants. I have to confess that I truly enjoyed this, and the students I have handed copies to would agree.

Written for girls, this book is relatable for any small town teens who are bored and/or feel like outsiders. I’m a guy, and I sped through this very well-written novel.

Ever see M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village? This book is everything that movie wasn’t: interesting, involving and invigorating. Margaret Peterson Haddix is a superb storyteller.

This is Luper’s first book, and I expect many more. Everybody seems to be into poker nowadays, and Luper introduces us to 16-year-old Andrew Lang, a typical teen bursting with hormones and worldly knowledge. Just when he thinks he has figured everything out, he is dealt a bad hand, and Andrew’s losses may soon be noticed by an unsuspecting bankroller named “dad.” A really easy book to read.

One of the best ways I know to attract adolescents to reading is by feeding them graphic novels, and none other than Neil Gaiman says it best about this book: “a masterpiece of YA literature and comics.”

No, the book is not about naval warfare. Rather, a bunch of fourth graders devise various plans to make their substitute teacher cry. Find out if the tables turn.

For older teens (based on language and content), this one is popular reading with high school girls who enjoy romances. It is so well-written that even I managed to breeze through it, and it held my interest the entire way (a rarity for me with teen romances). A touching and often very funny portrayal of friendship, I like it best for how it deals with alternate points of view.