Inspired by a question from a reader, I decided to consider the following scenario: If fate dropped me on a deserted island with enough gear to survive, no hope of immediate rescue, and ten young adult books, which books would I want most? To qualify for my list, each book would need to be suitably complex and compelling that I would want to read them again and again. I might be here for awhile.
Wait - is that a ship on the horizon? Dang. Just a fat albatross.
An initial pass produced a list of forty. That was the easy part. So I started chopping. I chopped some limbs for a shelter, and leaves for catching rainwater. I also chopped my list to twenty-five.
Look - is that a naval buoy? Nope. Just a Wilson volleyball. How'd that get here?
The second pass required whittling. So I began whittling. I whittled a totem for the top of my shelter, and a long stick for spearing fish in the shallows. I also whittled my book list to seventeen. Seventeen. I just couldn't slice any further. And it is now too late to change the post to "Seventeen Books on a Desert Island". Oh, well - you try it, and see what list you come up with. Leave a comment!
Here is my list, in no particular order:
- Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
- The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke
- Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Deaver
- Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
- Harry Potter, Volume 1 by J.K. Rowling
- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
- Sabriel by Garth Nix
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Alive by Piers Paul Read
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Friday, December 9, 2011
Does Twilight Suck? (Or, What Defines a "Good Book"?)
Few novels have produced such a divided reaction as did Twilight. Equal and opposing camps formed, one proclaiming it "The Best Romance Novel Ever!" and the other standing at the walls with torches, shouting "Twilight Sucks!" This has become one of the fiercest debates since "Which way should the toilet paper hang?" Who is right? And whose job is it anyway to decide which novels are good, and which are not? And which way should the toilet paper hang?
For insight into these questions, let's examine the most prevalent arguments of the Twilight haters. But first, turn your nose up a little and adopt the appropriate sneer.
Argument 1 - The story is cliche; nothing about the story line is new.
Analysis: Vampirism as the result of a plague was done most famously by Richard Matheson in I Am Legend back in the 1950's. Check. The girl falling for the bad-boy vampire has been done repeatedly before, best by Vivian Vande Velde in Companions of the Night (a great read, I might add). Check. Vampires are not necessarily evil, they drink the blood of animals, they have werewolf rivals. Check, check, and check.
Conclusion: True. Twilight is a mish-mash of cliches.
Argument 2 - The story is not well written.
Analysis: The vampire genre was taken to new heights by world-class wordsmiths like Ann Rice, Bram Stoker, and Laurell Hamilton. Next to these works, Twilight does come across as a slightly longer version of The Cat in the Hat that makes liberal use of an on-line thesaurus.
Conclusion: True, depending on what you compare it to. Meaning, almost anything.
3. The characters are flat. And I mean, paper flat.
Analysis: The heroine is brooding and clumsy. The hero is brooding and sparkly. The other characters are brooding and whatever else. Their base character changes very little over the course of the series. I guess we shouldn't expect much change from a hundred year old vampire, or a teenager, or the evil undead in general.
Conclusion: Yep - looks true.
And on and on. The many criticisms of the novel in the spirit of "Twilight Sucks!" appear to have merit. Knowing all of this, I read the novel anyway. It was cliche. The writing was awkward. The characters were flat. Oh, and I really liked it.
Why did I like it? I can only explain it this way. Despite the many flaws and foibles of the book (look whose using a thesaurus now!), the story made an emotional impact on me. I cared what happened to the paper flat characters in their cliche, awkwardly described world. I don't know why.
Many critics define books as "good" based on freshness of ideas, proficiency of writing, richness of characters, etc. However, all these criteria are trumped by one other: if the story leaves an emotional mark on you, then to you it is a good book. Twilight did just that, about 100 million times, and counting.
So, does Twilight suck? Yes. Is it a good book? Yes. And I like the toilet paper to hang away from the wall.
For insight into these questions, let's examine the most prevalent arguments of the Twilight haters. But first, turn your nose up a little and adopt the appropriate sneer.
Argument 1 - The story is cliche; nothing about the story line is new.
Analysis: Vampirism as the result of a plague was done most famously by Richard Matheson in I Am Legend back in the 1950's. Check. The girl falling for the bad-boy vampire has been done repeatedly before, best by Vivian Vande Velde in Companions of the Night (a great read, I might add). Check. Vampires are not necessarily evil, they drink the blood of animals, they have werewolf rivals. Check, check, and check.
Conclusion: True. Twilight is a mish-mash of cliches.
Argument 2 - The story is not well written.
Analysis: The vampire genre was taken to new heights by world-class wordsmiths like Ann Rice, Bram Stoker, and Laurell Hamilton. Next to these works, Twilight does come across as a slightly longer version of The Cat in the Hat that makes liberal use of an on-line thesaurus.
Conclusion: True, depending on what you compare it to. Meaning, almost anything.
3. The characters are flat. And I mean, paper flat.
Analysis: The heroine is brooding and clumsy. The hero is brooding and sparkly. The other characters are brooding and whatever else. Their base character changes very little over the course of the series. I guess we shouldn't expect much change from a hundred year old vampire, or a teenager, or the evil undead in general.
Conclusion: Yep - looks true.
And on and on. The many criticisms of the novel in the spirit of "Twilight Sucks!" appear to have merit. Knowing all of this, I read the novel anyway. It was cliche. The writing was awkward. The characters were flat. Oh, and I really liked it.
Why did I like it? I can only explain it this way. Despite the many flaws and foibles of the book (look whose using a thesaurus now!), the story made an emotional impact on me. I cared what happened to the paper flat characters in their cliche, awkwardly described world. I don't know why.
Many critics define books as "good" based on freshness of ideas, proficiency of writing, richness of characters, etc. However, all these criteria are trumped by one other: if the story leaves an emotional mark on you, then to you it is a good book. Twilight did just that, about 100 million times, and counting.
So, does Twilight suck? Yes. Is it a good book? Yes. And I like the toilet paper to hang away from the wall.
What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Road
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The first three things you notice about The Road are that Mr. McCarthy shuns punctuation, that nothing much is happening, and that you can't put down the book. In his telling of a relatively simple story, the author quickly grabs your aching heart and won't let go.
The story follows a father and his young son on a journey through a post-nuclear war America that could be next week. Most of the population has died, all of the plant and animal life lies dead on the scorched landscape, and nearly all hope has been crushed. The father and son cling to one another against the lawless world, journeying toward the sea where they hope to find others of like mind and purpose. Along the way they fight cannibal clans, deep hunger, and crushing despair. The man does his best to hide the despair from his son, and to infuse the boy with what little hope he has left. He repeatedly reminds the boy, "We are the good guys." This becomes one of the central themes of the book - holding onto the greater aspects humanity when the whole world has abandoned its soul. Their journey becomes a symbol of noble survival, and the fight to maintain what is good in a man when only darkness remains.
This novel is not expressly for teenagers, and it is definitely not for everyone. It does not resolve in a satisfying conclusion. It is not uplifting save for brief, shining moments. It does not leave you smiling. However, it will shatter your heart, and leave you pondering its meaning for days. This will be one of those stories you remember always. If you want happily-ever-after, avoid this book. If you want to be moved to your core, then this novel is mandatory reading.
One of my faves!
The first three things you notice about The Road are that Mr. McCarthy shuns punctuation, that nothing much is happening, and that you can't put down the book. In his telling of a relatively simple story, the author quickly grabs your aching heart and won't let go.
The story follows a father and his young son on a journey through a post-nuclear war America that could be next week. Most of the population has died, all of the plant and animal life lies dead on the scorched landscape, and nearly all hope has been crushed. The father and son cling to one another against the lawless world, journeying toward the sea where they hope to find others of like mind and purpose. Along the way they fight cannibal clans, deep hunger, and crushing despair. The man does his best to hide the despair from his son, and to infuse the boy with what little hope he has left. He repeatedly reminds the boy, "We are the good guys." This becomes one of the central themes of the book - holding onto the greater aspects humanity when the whole world has abandoned its soul. Their journey becomes a symbol of noble survival, and the fight to maintain what is good in a man when only darkness remains.
This novel is not expressly for teenagers, and it is definitely not for everyone. It does not resolve in a satisfying conclusion. It is not uplifting save for brief, shining moments. It does not leave you smiling. However, it will shatter your heart, and leave you pondering its meaning for days. This will be one of those stories you remember always. If you want happily-ever-after, avoid this book. If you want to be moved to your core, then this novel is mandatory reading.
One of my faves!
What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Imagine a future America where a central government rules all with an iron fist, fed by the tribute of 12 subjugated colonies. Those in the capital city live lives of ease, abundance and entertainment at the expense of the colonists, who struggle against nature every day to survive. This is the life of the teenage Katniss, a girl who risks punishment for excursions beyond the electric fence to find food for her widowed mother and young sister.
Her slow trudge toward a bleak future is suddenly interrupted when her sister's name is drawn to compete in the annual Hunger Games, and Katniss volunteers in her sibling’s place. The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. Twenty-four teens from the 12 colonies are chosen to fight to the death in an arena of diabolical design, their every word and action televised to a riveted nation. Because the colony of the winning contestant receives extra food allotments for an entire year, the full attention of the colonies focuses on the outcome.
The story follows Katniss through her preparation and competition. Although she wishes only to survive, Katniss' ingenuity, selflessness, and defiance soon earn the admiration of viewers across the nation. She slowly becomes that which the Capital fears the most: a symbol of rebellious hope to the oppressed colonies. Even if she survives the games, she may not survive the wrath of the central government.
Much has been said about the Hunger Games trilogy - that it is a knock-off of previous works, that it is simplistic in its view of humanity, that it is little more than a moral parable. The critics, however, have missed the bigger picture. Ms. Collins has painted a portrait of an America not far removed from our own - one where the oppression of race has been replaced by the oppression of class, and where the divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' has grown deep. She achieves what every author should - to have the reader care deeply for the main character, and to have the reader think deeply about the circumstances and actions of that character. This novel is a tremendous mixture of action and relationships, and should not be missed by any teen reader. Part 1 of a three-part trilogy.
One of my faves!
Imagine a future America where a central government rules all with an iron fist, fed by the tribute of 12 subjugated colonies. Those in the capital city live lives of ease, abundance and entertainment at the expense of the colonists, who struggle against nature every day to survive. This is the life of the teenage Katniss, a girl who risks punishment for excursions beyond the electric fence to find food for her widowed mother and young sister.
Her slow trudge toward a bleak future is suddenly interrupted when her sister's name is drawn to compete in the annual Hunger Games, and Katniss volunteers in her sibling’s place. The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. Twenty-four teens from the 12 colonies are chosen to fight to the death in an arena of diabolical design, their every word and action televised to a riveted nation. Because the colony of the winning contestant receives extra food allotments for an entire year, the full attention of the colonies focuses on the outcome.
The story follows Katniss through her preparation and competition. Although she wishes only to survive, Katniss' ingenuity, selflessness, and defiance soon earn the admiration of viewers across the nation. She slowly becomes that which the Capital fears the most: a symbol of rebellious hope to the oppressed colonies. Even if she survives the games, she may not survive the wrath of the central government.
Much has been said about the Hunger Games trilogy - that it is a knock-off of previous works, that it is simplistic in its view of humanity, that it is little more than a moral parable. The critics, however, have missed the bigger picture. Ms. Collins has painted a portrait of an America not far removed from our own - one where the oppression of race has been replaced by the oppression of class, and where the divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' has grown deep. She achieves what every author should - to have the reader care deeply for the main character, and to have the reader think deeply about the circumstances and actions of that character. This novel is a tremendous mixture of action and relationships, and should not be missed by any teen reader. Part 1 of a three-part trilogy.
One of my faves!
What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
No author possesses a more finely developed sense of dark and silky humor than does Neil Gaiman. In the telling of this story he is at his finest. The novel examines a simple but shivering pretext: what if an orphaned toddler were to be raised by the ghostly residents of a graveyard?
The child wanders into the graveyard after the murder of his parents, where the kindly but long deceased Owens family raises him. Under the protection of the graveyard and the watchful eye of Silas, who might be a member of the undead, the boy thrives. His unique circumstances expose him to a macabre world of death, ghouls, witches, and monsters, all of which he takes in stride. When his blissful, if unorthodox, existence is threatened by the return of his parents' murderers, the boy must use his unique accumulated knowledge to survive.
Mr. Gaiman tells the story with a pitch perfect mixture of dark humor, suspenseful mystery, and genuine emotion. This novel will leave you pondering the meaning of life and the nature of love as seen through the eyes of the dead.
One of my faves!
No author possesses a more finely developed sense of dark and silky humor than does Neil Gaiman. In the telling of this story he is at his finest. The novel examines a simple but shivering pretext: what if an orphaned toddler were to be raised by the ghostly residents of a graveyard?
The child wanders into the graveyard after the murder of his parents, where the kindly but long deceased Owens family raises him. Under the protection of the graveyard and the watchful eye of Silas, who might be a member of the undead, the boy thrives. His unique circumstances expose him to a macabre world of death, ghouls, witches, and monsters, all of which he takes in stride. When his blissful, if unorthodox, existence is threatened by the return of his parents' murderers, the boy must use his unique accumulated knowledge to survive.
Mr. Gaiman tells the story with a pitch perfect mixture of dark humor, suspenseful mystery, and genuine emotion. This novel will leave you pondering the meaning of life and the nature of love as seen through the eyes of the dead.
One of my faves!
What Are the Best Romance Novels for Teens?
When considering the best novels for teens, the romance genre is the place to start. Why? Because teen girls actually read. Teen guys just play Xbox and watch football. (Okay, a few of you read. You know who you are. Rock on!) And when teen girls read, they gravitate to romance. That's because teen guys are too busy playing Xbox and watching football to be romantic, so the girls must live vicariously through literary others.
So, what are the best romance novels for teens? Well, asking a teen girl, or a lot of them, is a good place to start. Alternatively, consider the list below, which are the best of the best. Because I already asked. And read most of them.
Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This much-loved retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast creates a more complicated Beauty and a richer, deeper relationship with the Beast. Although the arc of the story is familiar, the depth of the characters and the bond that grows between them makes you wonder if you ever heard the story at all. This novel is a Beauty!
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb - Dead Helen attaches herself to one human host after another for 130 years, until she meets James, a kindred spirit who has occupied the living body of a teenage boy whose soul has left. When he teaches Helen to do the same with the vacant body of a teen girl, the pair begin a romantic relationship that mixes old-fashioned courting and modern morals. More importantly, they begin to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Caution: the physical aspects of the romance are explicit.
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!
The China Garden by Liz Berry - When Clare goes with her mother to an English estate with dark secrets, she begins an unexpected journey. The ensuing story spins itself into many layers, featuring mystery, fantasy, and romance, all centered around an ancient family feud of which Clare is unwittingly a part. This novel is very rich in detail with a lot of historical and mythological references, so it is not for the faint of heart. For those who like deep stories with realistic romance, this is an outstanding read.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier - In a pseudo-retelling of Homer's Odyssey, wounded American Civil War soldier Inman decides to desert to return to his Blue Ridge Mountains home and his love, Ada. Inman's journey runs a gauntlet of physical and emotional challenges against marauders, bounty hunters, and witches. Meanwhile Ada tries to maintain her father's farm in a world gone mad. This powerful and moving epic will weigh on the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde - Teenager Kerry helps rescue a mysterious young man from a vigilante mob, only to learn that he is a vampire. Forced to trust him to rescue her family, she wrestles with the suspicion that she is being seduced by evil. As a romantic horror novel, this outshines the more recent "Twilight".
Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres - When the invading Italians occupy the Greek island of Cephalonia at the outset of World War II, the local doctor's daughter, Pelagia, falls for the cultured and dashing Captain Corelli, who cares more about playing his mandolin than waging war. As the conflict grows uglier, will their romance survive? The author deftly balances a war story with a romantic tale, and challenges the reader to ponder what is important in times of conflict.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - D. J. is a 15 year old rural tomboy, who after her father's accident, inherits the responsibility of keeping the family's dairy farm going. If that and school aren't enough, she also takes on the training of the rival school's quarterback, on whom she has a monster crush. The story is told by D. J., whose self-deprecating and sometimes naive manner loads the narrative with one hearty laugh after another. A great story of a young woman unsure of herself trying to find her way in the world.
Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.
Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols - Meg's desire to escape her backwater town and smothering parents leads her to a dare that runs her afoul of the law. She is sentenced to join rookie cop John on night patrol to better appreciate the importance of maintaining law. Meg despises John because he seems content to remain in their small town. John disdains Meg, because she is so hateful of the community. As they strive to understand each other, both extend their boundaries - and of course, fall in love.
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer - Set in Victorian England, young but energetic Sophy is taken in by her aunt Lady Ombersley. She soon discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right. One step at a time she fixes the family messes, wins their hearts, and finds love everlasting. A joyous story with a strong romantic thread.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones - In a complex and compelling fairy tale, Sophie's hopelessly mundane life is interrupted when a witch's curse turns her into an old hag to distract the girl from discovering her latent powers. Taking refuge in the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl, she is soon swept up in his madcap attempts to rid himself of his own curse. As her powers grow, so does her love for Howl, and the story grows deliciously complicated from there. The ending is wonderfully satisfying!
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - Seventeen-year-old aspiring writer Cassandra lives with her family in a crumbling English castle rented when times were good. Her optimism is challenged daily by her hopeless but beautiful sister, brooding father, and disassociated step-mother. Her mundane existence is turned suddenly upside down when the wealthy Cotton family takes over a nearby estate. Written in the 1940's, this book is a modern classic often compared to the works of Jane Austen.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - Taylor finds herself the leader of her boarding school's Underground Community, whose mission is to battle their counterparts at an all-male Cadet encampment and the public high school. For two decades the three factions have waged a game of negotiation, pranks, and sometimes physical violence for control of paths, places, and facilities. One problem: Taylor might have a crush on the leader of the Cadets. The author weaves in a back story about how the whole war started, and how Taylor is unwittingly tied to it. Romance, action, mystery, and plot twists, this is just a great story.
Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - Mrs. Mike is the rare gem that speaks to women of all generations. This moving love story tells the tale Katherine Mary, a privileged girl from Boston, who falls for and marries a dashing Canadian Mounty. When he is assigned to the remote Canadian wilderness, their love must survive the massive adjustment to the hardships of the remote outpost. Romance, adventure, tragedy, and triumph - this story has it all. A favorite for over 50 years, and a must-read for women of all ages.
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - When popular Isobel is partnered with sullen goth Varen for a report on Edgar Allan Poe, her life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn. After snooping Varen's journal, she finds herself drawn into a creepy dreamworld populated by ghosts, ghouls, and other Poe characters. The remainder of this difficult-to-describe story follows Isobel's attempts to escape and save Varen, and the romance that slowly grows between them. A great read, especially for more literary readers.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Jane Austen is the inventor of the modern romance novel, and this is her greatest work. Elizabeth Bennett's family is well-to-do, but will lose everything to a relative when her father dies, a fact that drives her mother in a headlong crusade to marry off the daughters for social advantage. Sharp witted Elizabeth resists the game, sparring particularly with the wealthy Mr. Darcy. However, the adversarial relationship with Darcy soon turns to something deeper. A must read.
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary Pearson - A modern take on Romeo and Juliet, except nobody commits suicide. Kait's California family has hated the neighboring Crutchfields for generations, and she believes them to be monsters. Everything changes when, while attending public school under an assumed name, she falls for Bram, one of the Crutchfield family. She hides her identity from him, and the tensions build to a breaking point. Revelations about the root of the feud, however, may show the way through.
The Shore of Monsters by David Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Stargirl Caraway is a new 10th grader at Mica Area High School, and is she ever strange! Quirky dress, odd behavior, and off-kilter speech soon endear her to a fascinated student population. However, little by little her classmates sour on Stargirl's strangeness and turn against her. Even as the boy who loves her, the narrator of the tale, grows angrier and angrier at her treatment, Stargirl's ever-positive attitude carries her through. The message: be true to yourself.
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green - Patty, a young physically abused Jewish girl in a small Arkansas town during WWII, sees her life turned upside down by the arrival of Nazi prisoners of war. When one escapes, Patty hides him for several months, and learns that people are more than the labels they possess. The ending is heart-rending, but absolutely worth the journey.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - Victorian era novel about a powerful Duke, Justin, who rescues a starving waif from an abusive guardian and makes the boy his page. Because of the boy's resemblance to an enemy, Justin hopes to use the child to bring shame to his foe. However, the tables turn when the "boy" turns out to be a teenage girl with a strong personality and a timeless beauty. As Justin's plans progress, he barely realizes that he is falling for the young woman until she has captured him completely.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Seventeen year old Macy is emotionally adrift after her father's death, and she compensates by building a facade of perfect behavior. The facade crumbles when Macy takes a job with the strange Wish Catering, and falls for Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle directly opposes hers. Through the burgeoning romance, Macy learns that every ending leads to a new beginning. Dessen's powerful writing expertly describes Macy's grief and her path through it.
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Anna loved Matt, the brother of her best friend Frankie, but Matt died, and Anna never told Frankie. Now, a year later, Anna and Frankie are on a beach vacation where Anna hopes to finally tell Frankie of the secret relationship with Matt. However, she finds herself falling for a guy she meets at the beach, and suddenly feels the guilt of "cheating" on the memory of a loved one. Although it sounds like a soap opera, the story is incredibly well constructed and moving.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - The criticisms of Twilight are many: shallow, not well written, cliché, etc. However, Meyer obviously touched a nerve in her story of a less-than-popular high school student who finds herself the love object of a teenage vampire. Edward and Bella's improbable relationship takes turns from innocent to frustrating to dangerous, culminating in Bella's realization that her love of Edward may result in her death - by him or by other means. This story hits the high mark of female fantasy - a hottie bad boy who remains barely tamed for the sake of his otherwise under-appreciated love interest.
The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer - This lighthearted romance novel stands apart for its impeccable ability to poke fun at - romance novels! Smart but gangly Kate Bjorkman narrates her newly developing romance life using the conventions of The Romance Writer's Handbook. Every plot turn is told as a set piece of the standard bodice-ripper in hilarious and dramatic fashion. Incredibly, you quickly grow a deep emotional bond with Kate despite her over-the-top descriptions, and cheer her unlikely triumph in love.
The Best of the Rest:
Beast by Donna Jo Napoli
The Catalogue of the Universe by Margaret Mahy
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Forever … by Judy Blume
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking An Ashtray? by Randy Powell
My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
So, what are the best romance novels for teens? Well, asking a teen girl, or a lot of them, is a good place to start. Alternatively, consider the list below, which are the best of the best. Because I already asked. And read most of them.
Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This much-loved retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast creates a more complicated Beauty and a richer, deeper relationship with the Beast. Although the arc of the story is familiar, the depth of the characters and the bond that grows between them makes you wonder if you ever heard the story at all. This novel is a Beauty!
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb - Dead Helen attaches herself to one human host after another for 130 years, until she meets James, a kindred spirit who has occupied the living body of a teenage boy whose soul has left. When he teaches Helen to do the same with the vacant body of a teen girl, the pair begin a romantic relationship that mixes old-fashioned courting and modern morals. More importantly, they begin to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Caution: the physical aspects of the romance are explicit.
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!
The China Garden by Liz Berry - When Clare goes with her mother to an English estate with dark secrets, she begins an unexpected journey. The ensuing story spins itself into many layers, featuring mystery, fantasy, and romance, all centered around an ancient family feud of which Clare is unwittingly a part. This novel is very rich in detail with a lot of historical and mythological references, so it is not for the faint of heart. For those who like deep stories with realistic romance, this is an outstanding read.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier - In a pseudo-retelling of Homer's Odyssey, wounded American Civil War soldier Inman decides to desert to return to his Blue Ridge Mountains home and his love, Ada. Inman's journey runs a gauntlet of physical and emotional challenges against marauders, bounty hunters, and witches. Meanwhile Ada tries to maintain her father's farm in a world gone mad. This powerful and moving epic will weigh on the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde - Teenager Kerry helps rescue a mysterious young man from a vigilante mob, only to learn that he is a vampire. Forced to trust him to rescue her family, she wrestles with the suspicion that she is being seduced by evil. As a romantic horror novel, this outshines the more recent "Twilight".
Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres - When the invading Italians occupy the Greek island of Cephalonia at the outset of World War II, the local doctor's daughter, Pelagia, falls for the cultured and dashing Captain Corelli, who cares more about playing his mandolin than waging war. As the conflict grows uglier, will their romance survive? The author deftly balances a war story with a romantic tale, and challenges the reader to ponder what is important in times of conflict.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - D. J. is a 15 year old rural tomboy, who after her father's accident, inherits the responsibility of keeping the family's dairy farm going. If that and school aren't enough, she also takes on the training of the rival school's quarterback, on whom she has a monster crush. The story is told by D. J., whose self-deprecating and sometimes naive manner loads the narrative with one hearty laugh after another. A great story of a young woman unsure of herself trying to find her way in the world.
Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.
Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols - Meg's desire to escape her backwater town and smothering parents leads her to a dare that runs her afoul of the law. She is sentenced to join rookie cop John on night patrol to better appreciate the importance of maintaining law. Meg despises John because he seems content to remain in their small town. John disdains Meg, because she is so hateful of the community. As they strive to understand each other, both extend their boundaries - and of course, fall in love.
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer - Set in Victorian England, young but energetic Sophy is taken in by her aunt Lady Ombersley. She soon discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right. One step at a time she fixes the family messes, wins their hearts, and finds love everlasting. A joyous story with a strong romantic thread.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones - In a complex and compelling fairy tale, Sophie's hopelessly mundane life is interrupted when a witch's curse turns her into an old hag to distract the girl from discovering her latent powers. Taking refuge in the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl, she is soon swept up in his madcap attempts to rid himself of his own curse. As her powers grow, so does her love for Howl, and the story grows deliciously complicated from there. The ending is wonderfully satisfying!
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - Seventeen-year-old aspiring writer Cassandra lives with her family in a crumbling English castle rented when times were good. Her optimism is challenged daily by her hopeless but beautiful sister, brooding father, and disassociated step-mother. Her mundane existence is turned suddenly upside down when the wealthy Cotton family takes over a nearby estate. Written in the 1940's, this book is a modern classic often compared to the works of Jane Austen.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - Taylor finds herself the leader of her boarding school's Underground Community, whose mission is to battle their counterparts at an all-male Cadet encampment and the public high school. For two decades the three factions have waged a game of negotiation, pranks, and sometimes physical violence for control of paths, places, and facilities. One problem: Taylor might have a crush on the leader of the Cadets. The author weaves in a back story about how the whole war started, and how Taylor is unwittingly tied to it. Romance, action, mystery, and plot twists, this is just a great story.
Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - Mrs. Mike is the rare gem that speaks to women of all generations. This moving love story tells the tale Katherine Mary, a privileged girl from Boston, who falls for and marries a dashing Canadian Mounty. When he is assigned to the remote Canadian wilderness, their love must survive the massive adjustment to the hardships of the remote outpost. Romance, adventure, tragedy, and triumph - this story has it all. A favorite for over 50 years, and a must-read for women of all ages.
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - When popular Isobel is partnered with sullen goth Varen for a report on Edgar Allan Poe, her life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn. After snooping Varen's journal, she finds herself drawn into a creepy dreamworld populated by ghosts, ghouls, and other Poe characters. The remainder of this difficult-to-describe story follows Isobel's attempts to escape and save Varen, and the romance that slowly grows between them. A great read, especially for more literary readers.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Jane Austen is the inventor of the modern romance novel, and this is her greatest work. Elizabeth Bennett's family is well-to-do, but will lose everything to a relative when her father dies, a fact that drives her mother in a headlong crusade to marry off the daughters for social advantage. Sharp witted Elizabeth resists the game, sparring particularly with the wealthy Mr. Darcy. However, the adversarial relationship with Darcy soon turns to something deeper. A must read.
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary Pearson - A modern take on Romeo and Juliet, except nobody commits suicide. Kait's California family has hated the neighboring Crutchfields for generations, and she believes them to be monsters. Everything changes when, while attending public school under an assumed name, she falls for Bram, one of the Crutchfield family. She hides her identity from him, and the tensions build to a breaking point. Revelations about the root of the feud, however, may show the way through.
The Shore of Monsters by David Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Stargirl Caraway is a new 10th grader at Mica Area High School, and is she ever strange! Quirky dress, odd behavior, and off-kilter speech soon endear her to a fascinated student population. However, little by little her classmates sour on Stargirl's strangeness and turn against her. Even as the boy who loves her, the narrator of the tale, grows angrier and angrier at her treatment, Stargirl's ever-positive attitude carries her through. The message: be true to yourself.
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green - Patty, a young physically abused Jewish girl in a small Arkansas town during WWII, sees her life turned upside down by the arrival of Nazi prisoners of war. When one escapes, Patty hides him for several months, and learns that people are more than the labels they possess. The ending is heart-rending, but absolutely worth the journey.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - Victorian era novel about a powerful Duke, Justin, who rescues a starving waif from an abusive guardian and makes the boy his page. Because of the boy's resemblance to an enemy, Justin hopes to use the child to bring shame to his foe. However, the tables turn when the "boy" turns out to be a teenage girl with a strong personality and a timeless beauty. As Justin's plans progress, he barely realizes that he is falling for the young woman until she has captured him completely.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Seventeen year old Macy is emotionally adrift after her father's death, and she compensates by building a facade of perfect behavior. The facade crumbles when Macy takes a job with the strange Wish Catering, and falls for Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle directly opposes hers. Through the burgeoning romance, Macy learns that every ending leads to a new beginning. Dessen's powerful writing expertly describes Macy's grief and her path through it.
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Anna loved Matt, the brother of her best friend Frankie, but Matt died, and Anna never told Frankie. Now, a year later, Anna and Frankie are on a beach vacation where Anna hopes to finally tell Frankie of the secret relationship with Matt. However, she finds herself falling for a guy she meets at the beach, and suddenly feels the guilt of "cheating" on the memory of a loved one. Although it sounds like a soap opera, the story is incredibly well constructed and moving.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - The criticisms of Twilight are many: shallow, not well written, cliché, etc. However, Meyer obviously touched a nerve in her story of a less-than-popular high school student who finds herself the love object of a teenage vampire. Edward and Bella's improbable relationship takes turns from innocent to frustrating to dangerous, culminating in Bella's realization that her love of Edward may result in her death - by him or by other means. This story hits the high mark of female fantasy - a hottie bad boy who remains barely tamed for the sake of his otherwise under-appreciated love interest.
The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer - This lighthearted romance novel stands apart for its impeccable ability to poke fun at - romance novels! Smart but gangly Kate Bjorkman narrates her newly developing romance life using the conventions of The Romance Writer's Handbook. Every plot turn is told as a set piece of the standard bodice-ripper in hilarious and dramatic fashion. Incredibly, you quickly grow a deep emotional bond with Kate despite her over-the-top descriptions, and cheer her unlikely triumph in love.
The Best of the Rest:
Beast by Donna Jo Napoli
The Catalogue of the Universe by Margaret Mahy
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Forever … by Judy Blume
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking An Ashtray? by Randy Powell
My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
What Are the Best Science Fiction Novels for Teens?
'Science Fiction' is a loosely used term that means "stuff that is unlikely to happen anytime soon." If you wait around long enough, some science fiction becomes fact. For example, Jules Verne wrote "science fiction" in the 1800's about a manned trip to the moon. In 1969, it became fact, unless you are one of those wackos who thinks we faked the moon landing in the Nevada desert for who knows what reason. If you are, I'm not talking to you anyway. Everything is science fiction to you.
Alternatively, some science fiction remains fiction forever. "The War of the Worlds", for example, will never happen. There are no creatures on Mars who will attempt to invade our planet. No - such a planetary invasion will have to come from elsewhere. Bring it on, E.T.!
That said, some of the most prophetic ideas have showed up in science fiction first, from supercomputers to cloning. Below is my list of the best sci-fi for teens.
1984 by George Orwell - Written in 1949 as a warning against totalitarianism, this book becomes more haunting each year as Orwell's visions come true. The extent and control of TV, the corruption of language, and the snooping of governments into individuals' lives are among the most chilling. You will never view traffic cameras or Facebook the same after reading this novel.
Anthem by Ayn Rand - Although Rand's books were her platform for preaching her ideology, she told great stories. In a future society that demands conformity, a teenager struggles to break free and think for himself. Controversially examines the consequences of creating a society that is too equal and too stable at the expense of individual achievement.
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier - When people die, they continue to exist in a surreal afterlife "city" as long as any living person remembers them. The city rapidly depopulates when a plague wipes out every living person with the exception of Laura Byrd at an Antarctic station. The story follows Laura and those she remembers as they all try to cope with their new and disappearing reality. A haunting reminder of how connected people are. No Hollywood ending here.
The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke - Clarke is king of sci-fi, and this is his best story. Alvin is the first child born in a million years in humanity's last city of Diaspar. Humans have huddled there for a billion years, living nearly eternal lives but devoid of hope, afraid to leave the city. Alvin is different - he wants to go to the stars, and face the great power that drove humanity into hiding in the first place. The story follows his escape and journey, culminating with a startling and uplifting ending. A poetic mind-blower.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - Teenage members of a future society live in a mysterious dark city with a murky past. Life is confining and predictable until the light-generating machinery begins to break down. As the city decays they must solve the puzzle of where they are and the way out before the food and light disappear. Much better than the sequels.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - Few books have shocked readers the way this one did when released in 1962. Set in a dystopian near future, Alex is the teen leader of a sadistic gang that spends evenings committing acts of sickening violence. Captured by the state, he is "re-formed" through behavior conditioning, but further warped in the process. The author's invented slang is difficult to follow at first, but soon the reader is sucked into Alex' twisted thought process.
The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman - Every teen feels like an outsider, but 14 year old Jason has good reason to feel that way. His parents are aliens, left behind after an abandoned alien invasion of Earth. His schoolmates are in training to use strange alien weapons, and his best friend has transformed into an alien being. However, Jason also learns that a human girl, Paula, loves him. The bizarre premise of the story keeps the reader engaged, but it is Jason's struggle to retain his humanity that shines.
Dune by Frank Herbert - One of the most well-known science fiction novels of all time, Dune tells the story of a power struggle on the desert world Arrakis for control of a spice that allows interstellar travel, psychic powers, and long life. Central to the story is the young nobleman Paul, who is cast into the desert to die. However, he rallies a group of desert dwellers to reclaim his rightful place as a Duke. Few have created a more realistic alien world than Herbert. Mind-blowing stuff.
Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!
Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl - Elana is a member of a star-traveling civilization on a mission to a medieval planet, where she becomes embroiled in a local war. Her desire to help the Andrecian's, who still believe in magic, to turn back an invasion is complicated by her fear of revealing who and what she is. Complicating the story is Georyn, a woodcutter who believes that there is a dragon in the enchanted forest that he must defeat, and that Elana is an Enchantress to whom he must prove his worth.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Young Ender Wiggins is recruited for a special academy that trains leaders to fight the aliens that have twice attempted to attack Earth. The training consists of zero-gravity war games between units of children, with the winners advancing up the proficiency ladder. The author tells all with frank brutality. Ender proves to be a master of the training games, and quickly ascends to leadership. The final fantastic twist is jaw dropping, making an outstanding book a classic.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - Seven generations have passed since the Return, a plague that reanimates dead humans into creatures that feed on the living. Teenager Mary lives inside one of the last enclaves of uninfected, protected by a chain link fence that surrounds her village. When the fence is breached, Mary flees the village with a small band of survivors. Their flight toward an uncertain salvation is both harrowing and revealing, as they try to determine if they are humanity’s last hope.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Jonas lives in a utopian society free of poverty, crime, and sickness. The sudden realization that he is different from everyone else causes him to question his society's suppression of the individual. The exploration of his unique "gift" leads to conflict and alienation. When he discovers what has been sacrificed for that 'perfect' society, he must decide if he is willing to pay the price, or abandon his society. The revelation of the "gift" is a "Wow!" moment for the reader.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - Nations run by religion extremists are familiar, but what if that happened to you? In a near future former United States taken over by religious extremists, Offred is forced to be a surrogate mother for a powerful couple. She suffers the humiliating ownership of the husband and the jealous jabs of his wife while living as a virtual slave. Offred must determine if she should succumb to her role or risk everything through escape. Chilling tale of religion gone wrong.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Dryly hilarious tale of Arthur Dent and his companions roaming the galaxy after the destruction of Earth. Arthur's many adventures are bound by the thread of a common question - "what is the meaning of life?" The narrative is aided by an acidly funny robot and the satirical informational entries from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. British satire at its best.
The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - In a book of futuristic fiction that seems more plausible by the year, the author portrays a near-future world where the U.S. and Mexico have ceded land to drug cartels in an attempt to stabilize their border. The story follows a motherless clone, Matt, born into this dark place as a pawn of the drug trade. As he learns about his world, sometimes through horrible events, he begins to seek escape from his desperate life. Well-formed characters bring utter realism to the telling.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - Fascinating novel about the outbreak of a 21st century world war as seen through the eyes of Daisy, a 15 year old American staying with her cousins on a remote England farm. At first utopian, the kid's existence degenerates into horror as the war encroaches on the farm. Through the several month period covered by the story, Daisy grows from a self-centered girl into a determined survivor. This book will leave a mark on the reader for years to come.
The Hunger Games (Trilogy) by Suzanne Collins - In a future America where twelve impoverished colonies are ruled by a rich, totalitarian Capitol, teenager Katniss struggles to feed her mother and sister. Everything changes when Kat becomes a contestant in the Hunger Games, a death match between 24 teens representing the 12 colonies. Winning means glory and extra food for the colony. Losing means death. As Katniss survives against the odds, her selfless approach to the game make her a symbol of revolution - and a target of the Capitol. If she survives the games, she may not survive those who control it.
Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton - Unless you have been in a coma since 1993, you have no doubt seen the special-effect drenched movie rendition of this book. Although ground-breaking for its effects, the movie lacked a few things. Like character development. And explanations. And meaningful dialogue. Have no fear. Crichton's novel fills in all the gaps about a theme park populated with dinosaurs grown from ancient DNA, and what happens when things go terribly awry.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - Dana, a young modern African-American woman, is repeatedly drawn back in time to protect a racist slave owner who might be her ancestor. Each trip proves longer and more destructive, stripping Dana of her soul and body little by little. This eye-opening view of the horrors of racism and slavery shows how easily one can become racist or a willing victim of it. Because the author is African-American, she brings a credible voice of barely suppressed rage to the story.
The Long Walk by Stephen King - King's first novel, it gathered dust for years before printing. In a future society where reality shows rule, 100 boys set out on a walk. The rules are simple: average four miles per hour. If you fall behind you get warned. If you get three warnings, the punishment is absolutely horrifying. To the last boy standing goes the spoils. The novel is striking in its prediction of the current culture's thirst for reality television, and foretold of King's greatness as an author of the gruesome.
The Necessary Beggar by Susan Palwick - Young Darotti lives in Gandiffri, a utopian land where no one goes homeless or hungry. After being accused of murder (falsely?) Darotti and his entire family are exiled to a another dimension that is a dark and troubling place - America. The story follows the family as they struggle with what they have lost, and what it means to be a refugee in a strange land. The author exquisitely describes the power of love and the importance of knowing oneself in this remarkable novel.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Harrowing novel that follows a man and his young son through a burned and dying post-war America. With all plants and animals dead, the remaining people struggle for survival through often violent means. The power of the story is in the relationship between the father and son, as they cling to one another in their journey of hope toward the sea. Never again will you take for granted a warm bed or a can of fruit. Soul-shattering book that the reader will remember always.
Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi - In a near future where oil has run dry, grounded oil tankers are scavenged for parts by teenage crews. Seventeen-year-old Nailer works the dangerous duty, hoping to survive his job and his murderous father. When he discovers a luxury yacht wrecked by a storm, he faces a difficult decision: scavenge the ship to become rich, or rescue the sole survivor, a beautiful, wealthy teenage girl. His decision propels him into more danger, adventure, and love than he had ever counted on!
The Shore of Monsters and Fall of Darkness by David J. Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!
The Sign of the Raven by Julie Hearn - While visiting his grandmother's house, Tom starts hearing voices in the basement that belong to residents of an 18th-century freak show. Entering the time portal, Tom finds himself part of their dark and unseemly world. Using modern technology, Tom attempts to free his new friends from their virtual slavery. Although the arc of the story is quite good, the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the freak show residents is particularly riveting. Good and dark!
The Stand by Stephen King - Before Mr. King became the prince of horror he penned one of the all-time great good versus evil novels. A man-made plague has wiped out most of humanity. The few survivors, drawn by visions, congregate into one of two camps: one for good and one for evil. The two camps fight for the soul of humanity and the future of the human race. Although lengthy, the novel saves some tremendous twists and turns for the end.
Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden - In a fantastic coming-of-age novel, Ellie tells the story of the invasion of her homeland of Australia by a foreign power. She escapes to the outback with six of her friends, where they make plans to fight a guerilla war against the occupiers. Ellie tells the story with superb sensitivity and insight, which generates the power that makes a good story a remarkable one. The relationships amongst the teens are incredibly realistic, and the accounts of armed conflicts are riveting.
The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen - While on a solo desert camping trip, Mark steps into a mysterious light beam and is transported to a strange and hostile world. As Mark tries to find his way home, he must employ every strategy he knows to survive the dangerous jungle and the wild creatures and humans who live there. As he transforms from slave to warrior, he grows in the process - even finding first love. Central to the story is the mystery of where he is - which is answered in a very surprising conclusion.
Uglies by Scott Westerfield - In a future society, a mandatory operation at age 16 wipes out physical differences, turning "Uglies" into "Pretties". The Pretties are allowed freedom to play, while the Uglies jealously await their turn. Ugly Tally has gotten into trouble that may forfeit her operation. The menacing government offers her a way out: find a group of rebel Uglies, infiltrate, and betray them. Tally agrees, but upon finding the rebels comes to understand the terrible price of becoming pretty.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - When the Murry's entertain a strange visitor on "a dark and stormy night," he brings news of their father, who had gone missing while studying wrinkles in time. The story follows the Murry children and a school friend as they travel through space and time in search of Mr. Murry. Twists and turns abound in a wondrous ride along the way. Unusual and magical, this novel contains layers of idea that appeal to all ages. It has held up well over the decades since it was written.
Z for Zechariah by Robert C. O'Brien - What's worse than being the last person on Earth? Sixteen-year-old Ann learns the answer when she finds herself a solitary survivor of nuclear war, wondering if she is alone in the world. After a year of solitude, she suddenly sees smoke from a campfire moving closer night by night. Is her long lonely nightmare ended at last, or does the approaching man represent a new level of terror? The tenseness of this novel is outstanding; you won't be able to put it down.
Best of the Rest:
2001: a Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
The Duplicate by William Sleator
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Fade by Robert Cormier
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Feed by M. T. Anderson
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove
The Hour of the Horde by Gordon R. Dickson
House of Stairs by William Sleator
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
The Postman by David Brin
Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert a. Heinlein
The White Mountains by John Christopher
The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
Alternatively, some science fiction remains fiction forever. "The War of the Worlds", for example, will never happen. There are no creatures on Mars who will attempt to invade our planet. No - such a planetary invasion will have to come from elsewhere. Bring it on, E.T.!
That said, some of the most prophetic ideas have showed up in science fiction first, from supercomputers to cloning. Below is my list of the best sci-fi for teens.
1984 by George Orwell - Written in 1949 as a warning against totalitarianism, this book becomes more haunting each year as Orwell's visions come true. The extent and control of TV, the corruption of language, and the snooping of governments into individuals' lives are among the most chilling. You will never view traffic cameras or Facebook the same after reading this novel.
Anthem by Ayn Rand - Although Rand's books were her platform for preaching her ideology, she told great stories. In a future society that demands conformity, a teenager struggles to break free and think for himself. Controversially examines the consequences of creating a society that is too equal and too stable at the expense of individual achievement.
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier - When people die, they continue to exist in a surreal afterlife "city" as long as any living person remembers them. The city rapidly depopulates when a plague wipes out every living person with the exception of Laura Byrd at an Antarctic station. The story follows Laura and those she remembers as they all try to cope with their new and disappearing reality. A haunting reminder of how connected people are. No Hollywood ending here.
The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke - Clarke is king of sci-fi, and this is his best story. Alvin is the first child born in a million years in humanity's last city of Diaspar. Humans have huddled there for a billion years, living nearly eternal lives but devoid of hope, afraid to leave the city. Alvin is different - he wants to go to the stars, and face the great power that drove humanity into hiding in the first place. The story follows his escape and journey, culminating with a startling and uplifting ending. A poetic mind-blower.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - Teenage members of a future society live in a mysterious dark city with a murky past. Life is confining and predictable until the light-generating machinery begins to break down. As the city decays they must solve the puzzle of where they are and the way out before the food and light disappear. Much better than the sequels.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - Few books have shocked readers the way this one did when released in 1962. Set in a dystopian near future, Alex is the teen leader of a sadistic gang that spends evenings committing acts of sickening violence. Captured by the state, he is "re-formed" through behavior conditioning, but further warped in the process. The author's invented slang is difficult to follow at first, but soon the reader is sucked into Alex' twisted thought process.
The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman - Every teen feels like an outsider, but 14 year old Jason has good reason to feel that way. His parents are aliens, left behind after an abandoned alien invasion of Earth. His schoolmates are in training to use strange alien weapons, and his best friend has transformed into an alien being. However, Jason also learns that a human girl, Paula, loves him. The bizarre premise of the story keeps the reader engaged, but it is Jason's struggle to retain his humanity that shines.
Dune by Frank Herbert - One of the most well-known science fiction novels of all time, Dune tells the story of a power struggle on the desert world Arrakis for control of a spice that allows interstellar travel, psychic powers, and long life. Central to the story is the young nobleman Paul, who is cast into the desert to die. However, he rallies a group of desert dwellers to reclaim his rightful place as a Duke. Few have created a more realistic alien world than Herbert. Mind-blowing stuff.
Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!
Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl - Elana is a member of a star-traveling civilization on a mission to a medieval planet, where she becomes embroiled in a local war. Her desire to help the Andrecian's, who still believe in magic, to turn back an invasion is complicated by her fear of revealing who and what she is. Complicating the story is Georyn, a woodcutter who believes that there is a dragon in the enchanted forest that he must defeat, and that Elana is an Enchantress to whom he must prove his worth.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Young Ender Wiggins is recruited for a special academy that trains leaders to fight the aliens that have twice attempted to attack Earth. The training consists of zero-gravity war games between units of children, with the winners advancing up the proficiency ladder. The author tells all with frank brutality. Ender proves to be a master of the training games, and quickly ascends to leadership. The final fantastic twist is jaw dropping, making an outstanding book a classic.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - Seven generations have passed since the Return, a plague that reanimates dead humans into creatures that feed on the living. Teenager Mary lives inside one of the last enclaves of uninfected, protected by a chain link fence that surrounds her village. When the fence is breached, Mary flees the village with a small band of survivors. Their flight toward an uncertain salvation is both harrowing and revealing, as they try to determine if they are humanity’s last hope.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Jonas lives in a utopian society free of poverty, crime, and sickness. The sudden realization that he is different from everyone else causes him to question his society's suppression of the individual. The exploration of his unique "gift" leads to conflict and alienation. When he discovers what has been sacrificed for that 'perfect' society, he must decide if he is willing to pay the price, or abandon his society. The revelation of the "gift" is a "Wow!" moment for the reader.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - Nations run by religion extremists are familiar, but what if that happened to you? In a near future former United States taken over by religious extremists, Offred is forced to be a surrogate mother for a powerful couple. She suffers the humiliating ownership of the husband and the jealous jabs of his wife while living as a virtual slave. Offred must determine if she should succumb to her role or risk everything through escape. Chilling tale of religion gone wrong.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Dryly hilarious tale of Arthur Dent and his companions roaming the galaxy after the destruction of Earth. Arthur's many adventures are bound by the thread of a common question - "what is the meaning of life?" The narrative is aided by an acidly funny robot and the satirical informational entries from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. British satire at its best.
The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - In a book of futuristic fiction that seems more plausible by the year, the author portrays a near-future world where the U.S. and Mexico have ceded land to drug cartels in an attempt to stabilize their border. The story follows a motherless clone, Matt, born into this dark place as a pawn of the drug trade. As he learns about his world, sometimes through horrible events, he begins to seek escape from his desperate life. Well-formed characters bring utter realism to the telling.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - Fascinating novel about the outbreak of a 21st century world war as seen through the eyes of Daisy, a 15 year old American staying with her cousins on a remote England farm. At first utopian, the kid's existence degenerates into horror as the war encroaches on the farm. Through the several month period covered by the story, Daisy grows from a self-centered girl into a determined survivor. This book will leave a mark on the reader for years to come.
The Hunger Games (Trilogy) by Suzanne Collins - In a future America where twelve impoverished colonies are ruled by a rich, totalitarian Capitol, teenager Katniss struggles to feed her mother and sister. Everything changes when Kat becomes a contestant in the Hunger Games, a death match between 24 teens representing the 12 colonies. Winning means glory and extra food for the colony. Losing means death. As Katniss survives against the odds, her selfless approach to the game make her a symbol of revolution - and a target of the Capitol. If she survives the games, she may not survive those who control it.
Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton - Unless you have been in a coma since 1993, you have no doubt seen the special-effect drenched movie rendition of this book. Although ground-breaking for its effects, the movie lacked a few things. Like character development. And explanations. And meaningful dialogue. Have no fear. Crichton's novel fills in all the gaps about a theme park populated with dinosaurs grown from ancient DNA, and what happens when things go terribly awry.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - Dana, a young modern African-American woman, is repeatedly drawn back in time to protect a racist slave owner who might be her ancestor. Each trip proves longer and more destructive, stripping Dana of her soul and body little by little. This eye-opening view of the horrors of racism and slavery shows how easily one can become racist or a willing victim of it. Because the author is African-American, she brings a credible voice of barely suppressed rage to the story.
The Long Walk by Stephen King - King's first novel, it gathered dust for years before printing. In a future society where reality shows rule, 100 boys set out on a walk. The rules are simple: average four miles per hour. If you fall behind you get warned. If you get three warnings, the punishment is absolutely horrifying. To the last boy standing goes the spoils. The novel is striking in its prediction of the current culture's thirst for reality television, and foretold of King's greatness as an author of the gruesome.
The Necessary Beggar by Susan Palwick - Young Darotti lives in Gandiffri, a utopian land where no one goes homeless or hungry. After being accused of murder (falsely?) Darotti and his entire family are exiled to a another dimension that is a dark and troubling place - America. The story follows the family as they struggle with what they have lost, and what it means to be a refugee in a strange land. The author exquisitely describes the power of love and the importance of knowing oneself in this remarkable novel.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Harrowing novel that follows a man and his young son through a burned and dying post-war America. With all plants and animals dead, the remaining people struggle for survival through often violent means. The power of the story is in the relationship between the father and son, as they cling to one another in their journey of hope toward the sea. Never again will you take for granted a warm bed or a can of fruit. Soul-shattering book that the reader will remember always.
Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi - In a near future where oil has run dry, grounded oil tankers are scavenged for parts by teenage crews. Seventeen-year-old Nailer works the dangerous duty, hoping to survive his job and his murderous father. When he discovers a luxury yacht wrecked by a storm, he faces a difficult decision: scavenge the ship to become rich, or rescue the sole survivor, a beautiful, wealthy teenage girl. His decision propels him into more danger, adventure, and love than he had ever counted on!
The Shore of Monsters and Fall of Darkness by David J. Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!
The Sign of the Raven by Julie Hearn - While visiting his grandmother's house, Tom starts hearing voices in the basement that belong to residents of an 18th-century freak show. Entering the time portal, Tom finds himself part of their dark and unseemly world. Using modern technology, Tom attempts to free his new friends from their virtual slavery. Although the arc of the story is quite good, the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the freak show residents is particularly riveting. Good and dark!
The Stand by Stephen King - Before Mr. King became the prince of horror he penned one of the all-time great good versus evil novels. A man-made plague has wiped out most of humanity. The few survivors, drawn by visions, congregate into one of two camps: one for good and one for evil. The two camps fight for the soul of humanity and the future of the human race. Although lengthy, the novel saves some tremendous twists and turns for the end.
Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden - In a fantastic coming-of-age novel, Ellie tells the story of the invasion of her homeland of Australia by a foreign power. She escapes to the outback with six of her friends, where they make plans to fight a guerilla war against the occupiers. Ellie tells the story with superb sensitivity and insight, which generates the power that makes a good story a remarkable one. The relationships amongst the teens are incredibly realistic, and the accounts of armed conflicts are riveting.
The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen - While on a solo desert camping trip, Mark steps into a mysterious light beam and is transported to a strange and hostile world. As Mark tries to find his way home, he must employ every strategy he knows to survive the dangerous jungle and the wild creatures and humans who live there. As he transforms from slave to warrior, he grows in the process - even finding first love. Central to the story is the mystery of where he is - which is answered in a very surprising conclusion.
Uglies by Scott Westerfield - In a future society, a mandatory operation at age 16 wipes out physical differences, turning "Uglies" into "Pretties". The Pretties are allowed freedom to play, while the Uglies jealously await their turn. Ugly Tally has gotten into trouble that may forfeit her operation. The menacing government offers her a way out: find a group of rebel Uglies, infiltrate, and betray them. Tally agrees, but upon finding the rebels comes to understand the terrible price of becoming pretty.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - When the Murry's entertain a strange visitor on "a dark and stormy night," he brings news of their father, who had gone missing while studying wrinkles in time. The story follows the Murry children and a school friend as they travel through space and time in search of Mr. Murry. Twists and turns abound in a wondrous ride along the way. Unusual and magical, this novel contains layers of idea that appeal to all ages. It has held up well over the decades since it was written.
Z for Zechariah by Robert C. O'Brien - What's worse than being the last person on Earth? Sixteen-year-old Ann learns the answer when she finds herself a solitary survivor of nuclear war, wondering if she is alone in the world. After a year of solitude, she suddenly sees smoke from a campfire moving closer night by night. Is her long lonely nightmare ended at last, or does the approaching man represent a new level of terror? The tenseness of this novel is outstanding; you won't be able to put it down.
Best of the Rest:
2001: a Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
The Duplicate by William Sleator
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Fade by Robert Cormier
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Feed by M. T. Anderson
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove
The Hour of the Horde by Gordon R. Dickson
House of Stairs by William Sleator
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
The Postman by David Brin
Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert a. Heinlein
The White Mountains by John Christopher
The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
What Are the Best Fantasy Novels for Teens?
The term 'fantasy' in fiction means "things that can't happen, or are so extremely unlikely to happen that we assume they can't". Examples of this are parallel worlds populated by unicorns and elves, stories of supernatural beings, or you winning American Idol. Fantasy. Not real. Can't happen.
Because 'fantasy' is such a broad term, the books that populate the genre are as eclectic as Lady Gaga's wardrobe. (Yes - 'eclectic' is a word. It means 'more varied than Lady Gaga's wardrobe'. Look it up.) So, to say "I love fantasy novels" could make you anything from a dragon lover to an aspiring vampire. Regardless, fantasy novels stretch our heads by presenting worlds of impossibility for our entertainment. My favorites are presented below.
Alanna, the First Adventure: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce - Alanna and her twin brother are sent to school, he to be a knight and she a convent lady. Neither of them happy, they switch roles. Soon Alanna, disguised as a boy, is earning the admiration of all for her work ethic and thirst for knowledge. However, a recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil plagues her. A four part series, the adventures of Alanna are a great read for younger teens, and a good introduction to high fantasy.
Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This much-loved retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast creates a more complicated Beauty and a richer, deeper relationship with the Beast. Although the arc of the story is familiar, the depth of the characters and the bond that grows between them makes you wonder if you ever heard the story at all. This novel is a Beauty!
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb - Dead Helen attaches herself to one human host after for 130 years, until she meets James, a kindred spirit who has occupied the living body of a teenage boy whose soul has left. When he teaches Helen to do the same with the vacant body of a teen girl, the pair begin a romantic relationship that mixes old-fashioned courting and modern morals. More importantly, they begin to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Caution: the physical aspects of the romance are explicit.
The Changeover: a Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!
Charmed Life: the Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diane Wynne Jones - Chrestomanci appears to be just a dapper Englishman. However, he happens to be a nine-lived magician in charge of all the magic in all the parallel worlds. When he brings Cat and Gwendolen, a pair of orphans, to live with him, he knows that Gwendolen is a powerful witch with designs on ruling the world. The ensuing battle of magical wills between the magician and the girl is a highly entertaining mix of humor and horror. The first of an excellent series.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde - Teenager Kerry helps rescue a mysterious young man from a vigilante mob, only to learn that he is a vampire. Forced to trust him to rescue her family, she wrestles with the suspicion that she is being seduced by evil. As a romantic horror novel, this outshines the more recent "Twilight".
Coraline by Neil Gaiman - A young girl discovers an alternate version of her family through a secret door, and the new family has malevolent intentions. Although the "new" family is at first appealing, Coraline slowly recognizes the mortal danger that faces her. She must find a way of escape before losing her real family forever. Although written for young teens, it generates a great "creep-out" factor for all ages.
Dealing with Dragons: the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede - The author plunders various fairy tales in creating the story of Cimorene, princess of Linderwall. Always slighted because of her tomboy behavior, Cimorene willingly chooses to be the prisoner of a dragon rather than suffering as a second-class princess in the castle. Soon, her intelligence and compassion prove make her an invaluable ally to the mostly kind but misunderstood dragons.
Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - Ella is cursed at birth by a well-meaning fairy such that she must obey every command she is given. When her mother dies and Ella falls into the clutches of a wicked stepmother, she sets out to find the fairy to undo the curse. Along the way she encounters giants, fairies, and even a prince, and discovers the ambition and strength that lives within. A terrific twist on the Cinderella story.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty - Before the terrifying movie that had viewers vomiting in the theater came the book - one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written. Blatty fictionalizes the true story of a child's demonic possession in the 1940s. It's up to a small group of overwhelmed yet determined humans to somehow rescue Regan from this unspeakable fate. Though written in 1971, it will shock you more than anything written recently.
The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsly - Fifteen year old Corinna has the most important job in Rhysbridge. She sits in a dark cellar keeping watch on the "Folk" - the cave-dwelling gremlins who ruin food and make farm animals sick. Corinna takes pride in her job, and revels in the freedom. When summoned by Lord Merton, she learns that she is the long-lost child the nobleman has been looking for. The subsequent revelations lead her to a new view of herself, her role, and to the romance she has always missed.
Gossamer by Lois Lowry - Littlest One is an invisible spirit in training to be a dream-giver: one who blends the fragments of happy memory into peaceful dreams for those asleep. Her job is difficult, for she is opposed by the wicked Sinisteeds, who bring nightmares. At the center of Littlest One's story is her efforts to help a tormented foster child to overcome the horrific details of his father's vicious abuse. The story flows like poetry, matching the ethereal nature of the spirits involved.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - A child wanders into a graveyard after his parents' murder, where a kindly family of ghosts raise him. Under protection of the graveyard and the watchful eye of Silas, who might be a member of the undead, the boy thrives. His circumstance exposes him to a world of death, ghouls, witches, and monsters, all of which he takes in stride. When his blissful existence is threatened by the return of his parents' murderers, the boy must use his unique knowledge to survive.
Harry Potter (the entire series) by J.K. Rowling - If you have not heard of Harry Potter, you must be dead. Richly imagined tale of a boy destined to become the greatest wizard of all time - if he can survive destruction from his enemies and overcome self-doubt. Hogwarts, a Wizard boarding school, provides the rich setting for his adventures. Rowling's combination of great character development and unbridled imagination make this a classic with surprises and twists seemingly on every page. A great standalone read.
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley - Aerin is a disappointment to the kingdom: a princess whose "witchwoman" mother bewitched the king and died without leaving a male heir. Aerin upholds her poor reputation with wild behavior. Unexpectedly, though, the long-dormant powers of her mother call Aerin into duty to her homeland that she can't refuse. Rollicking action and a sympathetic protagonist move the story along.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - The granddaddy of fantasy novels follows meek Bilbo the Hobbit as he is reluctantly dragged into a dangerous adventure by a Wizard and a band of Dwarves. As he faces monsters and perils of all kinds, he earns the admiration of his fellow travelers and finds the hero in himself. Tolkien invents the elfin fantasy genre with this work, which served as the precursor to the Lord of the Rings. Oh, and why must there always be spiders?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones - In a complex and compelling fairy tale, Sophie's hopelessly mundane life is interrupted when a witch's curse turns her into an old hag to distract the girl from discovering her latent powers. Taking refuge in the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl, she is soon swept up in his madcap attempts to rid himself of his own curse. As her powers grow, so does her love for Howl, and the story grows deliciously complicated from there. The ending is wonderfully satisfying!
Into the Land of Unicorns: the Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville - I know what you are thinking. Unicorns? Well these unicorns don't exactly eat clouds and fart rainbows. Cara falls into the land of Luster with a magic amulet, which she must deliver to the unicorn queen. Accompanied by various inhabitants of the land, she makes the journey, overcoming one deadly obstacle after another, including attacks by a dragon and her deadbeat father. Coville creates very compelling characters and smooth dialogue which drive the story.
The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney - Thomas becomes apprenticed to the strange Spook, who fights witches and evil spirits. While Spook is gone, the boy is tricked by a new friend, Alice, into releasing Mother Malkin from the pit where Spook had imprisoned her. Unfortunately for Thomas, Mother Malkin is a powerful, cannibalistic, witch bent on destroying the boy. The author creates very rich characters, particularly the enigmatic Alice, and provides colorful and strong descriptions of a medieval magical world.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - Four siblings during WWII are sent to the English countryside to escape the London Blitz. There they stumble into a parallel world under the control of the malevolent White Witch. The mythical and animal inhabitants long for the return of the rightful ruler, Aslan the Lion. The children prove to be the key to his return, and soon find themselves in mortal danger from evil forces. Although part of a series, this novel is a magical standalone read.
Locked In Time by Lois Duncan - When Nore goes with her father to live with her new step-family, she quickly realizes that there is something very strange about them. Piecing together clues, Nore begins to realize an astonishing truth - that her step-family is "locked in time" - having not grown older for over 100 years. The story has everything else from mystery to romance to science fiction. Just when you think you have the mystery figured out, Duncan hits you with a surprise that you should have seen coming.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - The most detailed fantasy world ever constructed, Middle Earth is under assault from the dark lord Sauron. The task of saving every living creature falls to Frodo, a mild-mannered Hobbit. With the help of a fellowship of comrades that includes a wizard, elves, dwarves, and men, Frodo travels to Sauron's seat of power to destroy a ring that keeps Sauron alive. The many and unbelievable adventures along the way make up the richest telling of any fantasy series ever written.
The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron - Emrys can't remember who he is - only that he washed up on a beach with a woman named Branwen who claims to be his mother. When Emrys discovers that he possesses unusual powers, and that Branwen may not be his mother, he sets off on an ocean journey to discover the truth of his past. The resulting adventure lays the ground work for the development of the man who would become Merlin. Expert weaving of mythology with believable characters.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - With one of the most unforgettable opening lines of any book, 14 year old Susie Salmon tells the story from heaven of her murder by a psychopath and the devastating consequences it has on her family. Although a grim subject, the story is ultimately one of faith, redemption, and the power of a father's love. The characters are compelling, and the emotion is palpable throughout. Much more uplifting than you might think.
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - The Arthurian legend is re-told from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Gwenwhyfar (Guinevere) and Morgaine use Arthur as a puppet to promote their respective world views - Christianity vs. Faery, God vs. Goddess, progress vs. the old ways. Ms. Bradley's gift for moving dialogue and descriptive action moves the story along in a way the reader will not forget. Another reminder that men may hold the power, but women often control the men.
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - When popular Isobel is partnered with sullen goth Varen for a report on Edgar Allan Poe, her life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn. After snooping Varen's journal, she finds herself drawn into a creepy dreamworld populated by ghosts, ghouls, and other Poe characters. The remainder of this difficult-to-describe story follows Isobel's attempts to escape and save Varen, and the romance that slowly grows between them. A great read, especially for more literary readers.
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope - The year is 1558, and Kate Sutton has been exiled by Queen Mary to a remote castle known as Perilous Gard. Her initial loneliness is soon swept aside as she is caught up in a series of mysterious events that lead her to the underground world of the Fairy Folk. The cave-dwellers are no blissfully peaceful creatures, but a serious folk with ancient traditions that include human sacrifice. Read the book if for no other reason that its fantastic ending - one of the best of any novel.
Poison by Chris Wooding - Poison is a black-haired girl with violet eyes who lives in the Black Marshes, a remote human settlement on the edge of the Phaerie Realm. When the girl's baby sister is kidnapped, Poison sets out with her mentor, the elderly Fleet, to rescue her. Foul weather, nasty fairy tale creatures, and horrific situations stand between Poison and a final confrontation with the Lord of Phaerie. A relentlessly dark story that will appeal to those who love Gothic fantasy or horror.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman - Brilliantly constructed novel meant to play a joke on the reader. The story of "farm-boy" Wesley trying to liberate his true love from an impending marriage to the evil Prince Humperdink almost takes a back seat to the clever dialogue and richly imagined characters. Swordplay, giants, curses, monsters, romance - this novel has it all. Hilarious, wry, and ultimately moving - the book is an entertainment classic.
Redwall by Brian Jacques - As the rodent inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But alas!. The evil one-eyed rat warlord is bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for ownership of Redwall. This dazzling first story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, introducing the cast of characters who live there. A magical tale!
Sabriel by Garth Nix - In a mystical land, Sabriel takes up her father's duties as a necromancer who returns troubled souls back to the land of the dead. This duty requires her to travel to the realm of Death where she faces all manner of evil beings wishing to escape to the land of the living to wreak destruction. As a bonus, she finds unexpected romance along the way. The way Nix melds a recognizable modern world with one of magic sets this series apart from everything else. Read it!
Skellig by David Almond - Michael's baby sister is gravely ill and he's moved to a new, run-down house, where he finds a mysterious arthritic, winged man in his garage. Is the man an angel or some new evolutionary creature? Michael tries to unravel the mystery while dealing with his sister's illness and the lack of attention from his parents. This gothic, dark, lyrical, dream-like tale is part mythology, part fairy tale, part poem. Beautiful, simple, and sweet, it is a great book that defies description.
Sorcery and Cecilia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - This hard-to-describe novel has been described as J. K. Rowling meets Jane Austen. Two cousins, Kate and Cecilia, experience love, magic, and mystery in an alternate 1817 England where magic is an accepted force of nature. The mystery centers around an Enchanted Chocolate Pot, evil sorcerers, and a spell of irresistibility. The language of the book is so very "English", and the magical concepts are clever and innovative.
Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle - Jenny is bored to death after moving with her family to a ramshackle estate in England. The boredom is short-lived when she meets Tamsin, a ghost dead 300 years who pines for her long-lost love. Tamsin leads Jenny through a harrowing spirit world of boggarts, oakmen, and the earth mother. To save Tamsin and her love from eternal torment, Jenny must face evil personified - the demonic Judge Jeffries who was responsible for their deaths. Lyrically fantastic!
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt - The Tuck family has lived in a secluded forest for over a hundred years after discovering a fountain of youth. Young Winnie Foster, a restless girl in search of adventure, comes to their aid and is given the choice to join the Tucks in eternal life. Winnie must answer deep questions about the meaning of life before making the heavy decision - to live forever or to live for a time. Unforgettable.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - The criticisms of Twilight are many: shallow, not well written, cliché, etc. However, Meyer obviously touched a nerve in her story of a less-than-popular high school student who finds herself the love object of a teenage vampire. Edward and Bella's improbable relationship takes turns from innocent to frustrating to dangerous, culminating in Bella's realization that her love of Edward may result in her death - by him or by other means. This story hits the high mark of female fantasy - a hottie bad boy who remains barely tamed for the sake of his otherwise under-appreciated love interest.
Watership Down by Richard Adams - No, this is not a book about a submarine. Watership Down is a hill that is home to a community of rabbits. When the area is assaulted by land developers, the rabbits must flee. As the furry band searches for a new home, the reader learns about their rich emotions, relationships, culture, and mythology. When all is written, this novel is more about human nature than rabbits, more about ethics than animals - a compelling lens through which we can view our humanity.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: a Tale of Alderly by Alan Garner - Colin and Susan are school kids who find themselves suddenly thrust into magical happenings by an old witch. Rescued by a wizard from a horde of goblins, they learn that he is the keeper of a regiment of knights sleeping under ground to combat an evil spirit. However, the wizard has long ago lost the key for releasing the knights - the Weirdstone of Brisingamen. The kids must help the wizard and a crew of dwarves and elves to save the world.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin - Sparrowhawk, a resident of the land of Earthsea, desperately wants to become a sorcerer. The book follows him through his travels, his training as a Wizard, and his lust for knowledge that releases a shadow on the world. She introduces the concept of Wizard's school 25 years before Harry Potter, and imagines a world worthy of Tolkein. This epic fantasy is part 1 of a four-part series, and a landmark in the creation of fantasy worlds.
Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver - When a giant demon-possessed bear fatally wounds Torak's father, the man sends his son on a journey to find the mountain spirit that offers the only hope for defeating the powerful bear. Accompanied by an orphaned wolf cub who serves as his guide, Torak is soon captured by the Raven Clan. He is released when they believe him to be the Listener, a prophesied figure destined to defeat the Shadow, the overriding evil infiltrating the land.
Best of the Rest:
Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn
The Akhenaten Adventure: Children of the Lamp by P. B. Kerr
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Amulet of Samarkand: the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L’Engle
Arrows of the Queen: the Heralds of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey
The Bad Beginning: a Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Blue Is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Carrie by Stephen King
The Conch Bearer: Brotherhood of the Conch by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Crystal Cave: the Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart
The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice
Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan
Dragonflight: Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
East by Edith Pattou
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Eragon: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing
Firegold by Dia Calhoun
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales Edited by Deborah Noyes
The Grand Tour by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
A Great and Terrible Beauty: the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray
Gregor the Overlander: the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Jaws by Peter Benchley
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn
Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli
Magic Kingdom for Sale / Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) by Terry Brooks
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan
Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper
Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan
The Seeing Stone: the Arthur Trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The Squire’s Tale: the Squire’s Tales by Gerald Morris
A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Time Cat: the Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth by Lloyd Alexander
Tithe: a Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
Trickster’s Choice: Daughter of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
Vampire High by Douglas Rees
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
The Wind Singer: the Wind On Fire by William Nicholson
The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein
Witch Child by Celia Rees
Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
Because 'fantasy' is such a broad term, the books that populate the genre are as eclectic as Lady Gaga's wardrobe. (Yes - 'eclectic' is a word. It means 'more varied than Lady Gaga's wardrobe'. Look it up.) So, to say "I love fantasy novels" could make you anything from a dragon lover to an aspiring vampire. Regardless, fantasy novels stretch our heads by presenting worlds of impossibility for our entertainment. My favorites are presented below.
Alanna, the First Adventure: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce - Alanna and her twin brother are sent to school, he to be a knight and she a convent lady. Neither of them happy, they switch roles. Soon Alanna, disguised as a boy, is earning the admiration of all for her work ethic and thirst for knowledge. However, a recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil plagues her. A four part series, the adventures of Alanna are a great read for younger teens, and a good introduction to high fantasy.
Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This much-loved retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast creates a more complicated Beauty and a richer, deeper relationship with the Beast. Although the arc of the story is familiar, the depth of the characters and the bond that grows between them makes you wonder if you ever heard the story at all. This novel is a Beauty!
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb - Dead Helen attaches herself to one human host after for 130 years, until she meets James, a kindred spirit who has occupied the living body of a teenage boy whose soul has left. When he teaches Helen to do the same with the vacant body of a teen girl, the pair begin a romantic relationship that mixes old-fashioned courting and modern morals. More importantly, they begin to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Caution: the physical aspects of the romance are explicit.
The Changeover: a Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!
Charmed Life: the Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diane Wynne Jones - Chrestomanci appears to be just a dapper Englishman. However, he happens to be a nine-lived magician in charge of all the magic in all the parallel worlds. When he brings Cat and Gwendolen, a pair of orphans, to live with him, he knows that Gwendolen is a powerful witch with designs on ruling the world. The ensuing battle of magical wills between the magician and the girl is a highly entertaining mix of humor and horror. The first of an excellent series.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde - Teenager Kerry helps rescue a mysterious young man from a vigilante mob, only to learn that he is a vampire. Forced to trust him to rescue her family, she wrestles with the suspicion that she is being seduced by evil. As a romantic horror novel, this outshines the more recent "Twilight".
Coraline by Neil Gaiman - A young girl discovers an alternate version of her family through a secret door, and the new family has malevolent intentions. Although the "new" family is at first appealing, Coraline slowly recognizes the mortal danger that faces her. She must find a way of escape before losing her real family forever. Although written for young teens, it generates a great "creep-out" factor for all ages.
Dealing with Dragons: the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede - The author plunders various fairy tales in creating the story of Cimorene, princess of Linderwall. Always slighted because of her tomboy behavior, Cimorene willingly chooses to be the prisoner of a dragon rather than suffering as a second-class princess in the castle. Soon, her intelligence and compassion prove make her an invaluable ally to the mostly kind but misunderstood dragons.
Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - Ella is cursed at birth by a well-meaning fairy such that she must obey every command she is given. When her mother dies and Ella falls into the clutches of a wicked stepmother, she sets out to find the fairy to undo the curse. Along the way she encounters giants, fairies, and even a prince, and discovers the ambition and strength that lives within. A terrific twist on the Cinderella story.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty - Before the terrifying movie that had viewers vomiting in the theater came the book - one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written. Blatty fictionalizes the true story of a child's demonic possession in the 1940s. It's up to a small group of overwhelmed yet determined humans to somehow rescue Regan from this unspeakable fate. Though written in 1971, it will shock you more than anything written recently.
The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsly - Fifteen year old Corinna has the most important job in Rhysbridge. She sits in a dark cellar keeping watch on the "Folk" - the cave-dwelling gremlins who ruin food and make farm animals sick. Corinna takes pride in her job, and revels in the freedom. When summoned by Lord Merton, she learns that she is the long-lost child the nobleman has been looking for. The subsequent revelations lead her to a new view of herself, her role, and to the romance she has always missed.
Gossamer by Lois Lowry - Littlest One is an invisible spirit in training to be a dream-giver: one who blends the fragments of happy memory into peaceful dreams for those asleep. Her job is difficult, for she is opposed by the wicked Sinisteeds, who bring nightmares. At the center of Littlest One's story is her efforts to help a tormented foster child to overcome the horrific details of his father's vicious abuse. The story flows like poetry, matching the ethereal nature of the spirits involved.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - A child wanders into a graveyard after his parents' murder, where a kindly family of ghosts raise him. Under protection of the graveyard and the watchful eye of Silas, who might be a member of the undead, the boy thrives. His circumstance exposes him to a world of death, ghouls, witches, and monsters, all of which he takes in stride. When his blissful existence is threatened by the return of his parents' murderers, the boy must use his unique knowledge to survive.
Harry Potter (the entire series) by J.K. Rowling - If you have not heard of Harry Potter, you must be dead. Richly imagined tale of a boy destined to become the greatest wizard of all time - if he can survive destruction from his enemies and overcome self-doubt. Hogwarts, a Wizard boarding school, provides the rich setting for his adventures. Rowling's combination of great character development and unbridled imagination make this a classic with surprises and twists seemingly on every page. A great standalone read.
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley - Aerin is a disappointment to the kingdom: a princess whose "witchwoman" mother bewitched the king and died without leaving a male heir. Aerin upholds her poor reputation with wild behavior. Unexpectedly, though, the long-dormant powers of her mother call Aerin into duty to her homeland that she can't refuse. Rollicking action and a sympathetic protagonist move the story along.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - The granddaddy of fantasy novels follows meek Bilbo the Hobbit as he is reluctantly dragged into a dangerous adventure by a Wizard and a band of Dwarves. As he faces monsters and perils of all kinds, he earns the admiration of his fellow travelers and finds the hero in himself. Tolkien invents the elfin fantasy genre with this work, which served as the precursor to the Lord of the Rings. Oh, and why must there always be spiders?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones - In a complex and compelling fairy tale, Sophie's hopelessly mundane life is interrupted when a witch's curse turns her into an old hag to distract the girl from discovering her latent powers. Taking refuge in the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl, she is soon swept up in his madcap attempts to rid himself of his own curse. As her powers grow, so does her love for Howl, and the story grows deliciously complicated from there. The ending is wonderfully satisfying!
Into the Land of Unicorns: the Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville - I know what you are thinking. Unicorns? Well these unicorns don't exactly eat clouds and fart rainbows. Cara falls into the land of Luster with a magic amulet, which she must deliver to the unicorn queen. Accompanied by various inhabitants of the land, she makes the journey, overcoming one deadly obstacle after another, including attacks by a dragon and her deadbeat father. Coville creates very compelling characters and smooth dialogue which drive the story.
The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney - Thomas becomes apprenticed to the strange Spook, who fights witches and evil spirits. While Spook is gone, the boy is tricked by a new friend, Alice, into releasing Mother Malkin from the pit where Spook had imprisoned her. Unfortunately for Thomas, Mother Malkin is a powerful, cannibalistic, witch bent on destroying the boy. The author creates very rich characters, particularly the enigmatic Alice, and provides colorful and strong descriptions of a medieval magical world.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - Four siblings during WWII are sent to the English countryside to escape the London Blitz. There they stumble into a parallel world under the control of the malevolent White Witch. The mythical and animal inhabitants long for the return of the rightful ruler, Aslan the Lion. The children prove to be the key to his return, and soon find themselves in mortal danger from evil forces. Although part of a series, this novel is a magical standalone read.
Locked In Time by Lois Duncan - When Nore goes with her father to live with her new step-family, she quickly realizes that there is something very strange about them. Piecing together clues, Nore begins to realize an astonishing truth - that her step-family is "locked in time" - having not grown older for over 100 years. The story has everything else from mystery to romance to science fiction. Just when you think you have the mystery figured out, Duncan hits you with a surprise that you should have seen coming.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - The most detailed fantasy world ever constructed, Middle Earth is under assault from the dark lord Sauron. The task of saving every living creature falls to Frodo, a mild-mannered Hobbit. With the help of a fellowship of comrades that includes a wizard, elves, dwarves, and men, Frodo travels to Sauron's seat of power to destroy a ring that keeps Sauron alive. The many and unbelievable adventures along the way make up the richest telling of any fantasy series ever written.
The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron - Emrys can't remember who he is - only that he washed up on a beach with a woman named Branwen who claims to be his mother. When Emrys discovers that he possesses unusual powers, and that Branwen may not be his mother, he sets off on an ocean journey to discover the truth of his past. The resulting adventure lays the ground work for the development of the man who would become Merlin. Expert weaving of mythology with believable characters.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - With one of the most unforgettable opening lines of any book, 14 year old Susie Salmon tells the story from heaven of her murder by a psychopath and the devastating consequences it has on her family. Although a grim subject, the story is ultimately one of faith, redemption, and the power of a father's love. The characters are compelling, and the emotion is palpable throughout. Much more uplifting than you might think.
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - The Arthurian legend is re-told from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Gwenwhyfar (Guinevere) and Morgaine use Arthur as a puppet to promote their respective world views - Christianity vs. Faery, God vs. Goddess, progress vs. the old ways. Ms. Bradley's gift for moving dialogue and descriptive action moves the story along in a way the reader will not forget. Another reminder that men may hold the power, but women often control the men.
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - When popular Isobel is partnered with sullen goth Varen for a report on Edgar Allan Poe, her life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn. After snooping Varen's journal, she finds herself drawn into a creepy dreamworld populated by ghosts, ghouls, and other Poe characters. The remainder of this difficult-to-describe story follows Isobel's attempts to escape and save Varen, and the romance that slowly grows between them. A great read, especially for more literary readers.
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope - The year is 1558, and Kate Sutton has been exiled by Queen Mary to a remote castle known as Perilous Gard. Her initial loneliness is soon swept aside as she is caught up in a series of mysterious events that lead her to the underground world of the Fairy Folk. The cave-dwellers are no blissfully peaceful creatures, but a serious folk with ancient traditions that include human sacrifice. Read the book if for no other reason that its fantastic ending - one of the best of any novel.
Poison by Chris Wooding - Poison is a black-haired girl with violet eyes who lives in the Black Marshes, a remote human settlement on the edge of the Phaerie Realm. When the girl's baby sister is kidnapped, Poison sets out with her mentor, the elderly Fleet, to rescue her. Foul weather, nasty fairy tale creatures, and horrific situations stand between Poison and a final confrontation with the Lord of Phaerie. A relentlessly dark story that will appeal to those who love Gothic fantasy or horror.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman - Brilliantly constructed novel meant to play a joke on the reader. The story of "farm-boy" Wesley trying to liberate his true love from an impending marriage to the evil Prince Humperdink almost takes a back seat to the clever dialogue and richly imagined characters. Swordplay, giants, curses, monsters, romance - this novel has it all. Hilarious, wry, and ultimately moving - the book is an entertainment classic.
Redwall by Brian Jacques - As the rodent inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But alas!. The evil one-eyed rat warlord is bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for ownership of Redwall. This dazzling first story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, introducing the cast of characters who live there. A magical tale!
Sabriel by Garth Nix - In a mystical land, Sabriel takes up her father's duties as a necromancer who returns troubled souls back to the land of the dead. This duty requires her to travel to the realm of Death where she faces all manner of evil beings wishing to escape to the land of the living to wreak destruction. As a bonus, she finds unexpected romance along the way. The way Nix melds a recognizable modern world with one of magic sets this series apart from everything else. Read it!
Skellig by David Almond - Michael's baby sister is gravely ill and he's moved to a new, run-down house, where he finds a mysterious arthritic, winged man in his garage. Is the man an angel or some new evolutionary creature? Michael tries to unravel the mystery while dealing with his sister's illness and the lack of attention from his parents. This gothic, dark, lyrical, dream-like tale is part mythology, part fairy tale, part poem. Beautiful, simple, and sweet, it is a great book that defies description.
Sorcery and Cecilia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - This hard-to-describe novel has been described as J. K. Rowling meets Jane Austen. Two cousins, Kate and Cecilia, experience love, magic, and mystery in an alternate 1817 England where magic is an accepted force of nature. The mystery centers around an Enchanted Chocolate Pot, evil sorcerers, and a spell of irresistibility. The language of the book is so very "English", and the magical concepts are clever and innovative.
Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle - Jenny is bored to death after moving with her family to a ramshackle estate in England. The boredom is short-lived when she meets Tamsin, a ghost dead 300 years who pines for her long-lost love. Tamsin leads Jenny through a harrowing spirit world of boggarts, oakmen, and the earth mother. To save Tamsin and her love from eternal torment, Jenny must face evil personified - the demonic Judge Jeffries who was responsible for their deaths. Lyrically fantastic!
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt - The Tuck family has lived in a secluded forest for over a hundred years after discovering a fountain of youth. Young Winnie Foster, a restless girl in search of adventure, comes to their aid and is given the choice to join the Tucks in eternal life. Winnie must answer deep questions about the meaning of life before making the heavy decision - to live forever or to live for a time. Unforgettable.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - The criticisms of Twilight are many: shallow, not well written, cliché, etc. However, Meyer obviously touched a nerve in her story of a less-than-popular high school student who finds herself the love object of a teenage vampire. Edward and Bella's improbable relationship takes turns from innocent to frustrating to dangerous, culminating in Bella's realization that her love of Edward may result in her death - by him or by other means. This story hits the high mark of female fantasy - a hottie bad boy who remains barely tamed for the sake of his otherwise under-appreciated love interest.
Watership Down by Richard Adams - No, this is not a book about a submarine. Watership Down is a hill that is home to a community of rabbits. When the area is assaulted by land developers, the rabbits must flee. As the furry band searches for a new home, the reader learns about their rich emotions, relationships, culture, and mythology. When all is written, this novel is more about human nature than rabbits, more about ethics than animals - a compelling lens through which we can view our humanity.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: a Tale of Alderly by Alan Garner - Colin and Susan are school kids who find themselves suddenly thrust into magical happenings by an old witch. Rescued by a wizard from a horde of goblins, they learn that he is the keeper of a regiment of knights sleeping under ground to combat an evil spirit. However, the wizard has long ago lost the key for releasing the knights - the Weirdstone of Brisingamen. The kids must help the wizard and a crew of dwarves and elves to save the world.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin - Sparrowhawk, a resident of the land of Earthsea, desperately wants to become a sorcerer. The book follows him through his travels, his training as a Wizard, and his lust for knowledge that releases a shadow on the world. She introduces the concept of Wizard's school 25 years before Harry Potter, and imagines a world worthy of Tolkein. This epic fantasy is part 1 of a four-part series, and a landmark in the creation of fantasy worlds.
Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver - When a giant demon-possessed bear fatally wounds Torak's father, the man sends his son on a journey to find the mountain spirit that offers the only hope for defeating the powerful bear. Accompanied by an orphaned wolf cub who serves as his guide, Torak is soon captured by the Raven Clan. He is released when they believe him to be the Listener, a prophesied figure destined to defeat the Shadow, the overriding evil infiltrating the land.
Best of the Rest:
Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn
The Akhenaten Adventure: Children of the Lamp by P. B. Kerr
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Amulet of Samarkand: the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L’Engle
Arrows of the Queen: the Heralds of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey
The Bad Beginning: a Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Blue Is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Carrie by Stephen King
The Conch Bearer: Brotherhood of the Conch by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Crystal Cave: the Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart
The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice
Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan
Dragonflight: Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
East by Edith Pattou
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Eragon: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing
Firegold by Dia Calhoun
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales Edited by Deborah Noyes
The Grand Tour by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
A Great and Terrible Beauty: the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray
Gregor the Overlander: the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Jaws by Peter Benchley
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn
Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli
Magic Kingdom for Sale / Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) by Terry Brooks
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan
Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper
Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan
The Seeing Stone: the Arthur Trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The Squire’s Tale: the Squire’s Tales by Gerald Morris
A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Time Cat: the Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth by Lloyd Alexander
Tithe: a Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
Trickster’s Choice: Daughter of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
Vampire High by Douglas Rees
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
The Wind Singer: the Wind On Fire by William Nicholson
The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein
Witch Child by Celia Rees
Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
What Are the Best Non-Fiction Novels for Teens?
Non-fiction novels are supposed to be true. In the age of Internet, "supposed to be true" has taken on a strange new meaning. Many writings that purport to be true are in fact shaded truth, incomplete truth, exaggerated truth, or plain untruth. Technically, any of these would be disqualified as "non-fiction". The best example of this was the novel "A Million Little Pieces", the supposed autobiography of a drug addict that Oprah Winfrey lauded on national television. When the novel was revealed to be a fabrication, Oprah cried (on national TV), and then dragged the author across a bed of hot coals.
These are the best non-fiction novels for teens. To my knowledge, they are all completely true and non-fictional. If not, then you can help me shove the author toward Oprah's bed of hot coals.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton - Bouton's personal account of one year in the the Major Leagues was so revealing of baseball's seedy side that he was black-balled from the game by his peers. However, he so accurately captures the personalities around him and so deftly describes the life of baseball that this book is still widely considered the best sports book ever written. A must-read for sports fans.
The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll - Many books have been written about teen drug use, but Carroll's does perhaps the best job of describing the entire arc of the decline. Humorous at first, the story grows ever more dismal as the protagonist journeys from his first sniff of glue to his complete destruction under the influence of heavy narcotics. Carroll's mastery of emotional narrative will leave you profoundly affected by the character's fall from innocence.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Poet Sylvia Plath committed suicide in 1963, but left behind this largely autobiographical novel about her battle with depression that carries her to the edge of insanity. No author has yet matched Ms. Path's description of coping with depression. This novel provides confirmation for those who battle depression, and deep insight into depression for those who don't. Sad, honest, and unforgettable.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown - The story of the conquest of the American West as told through the eyes of the American Indians who fell before the wave of settlers. Published in 1970, this novel changed the way Americans viewed Indians - not as savages but as reasoned, eloquent people who fell victim to broken promises, illness, and greed. Heart-wrenching.
A Child Called "It" by David Pelzer - Horrifying memoir of young David, a boy systematically and sadistically abused by his alcoholic mother while his father turned a blind eye. The various torments he endures are often difficult to read, let alone forget. Only an alert schoolteacher stands between David and the hell of his life. Not the best writing, but the true story is incredible.
Diary of Ann Frank by Anne Frank - Actual diary of a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis in occupied France during World War II. The mix of mundane situation and heart-pounding fear leaves the reader breathless. Incredible coming of age narrative written by a teen. Found after the war (and after Anne's death at the hands of the Nazis), this has become the standard by which other teenage memoirs are measured. Long live Anne Frank!
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing - The incredible true story of Shackleton's 1914 trip to the South Pole. When the ship is trapped by pack ice and eventually crushed, Shackleton and his men come to a bitter conclusion: no help is coming, and they must rescue themselves or die. Dragging life boats at first, and later floating north on a floe, the expedition finds rescue after two years on the ice, and without losing a single man. You can't make this stuff up.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - Watershed 1963 essay where the African-American author calls for an end to the "racial nightmare" in America. He explores his claim that America will fall as long as it remains a multi-racial society, and will only move forward when the majority embrace the minorities as extensions of themselves. Although written a half-century ago, his words ring truer than ever. For all of America's progress, Baldwin's essay shows that some things have not changed.
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer - The author recounts the horror of WWII on the Eastern Front, experienced as a teenage foot soldier in the German Army. At first the adventure of a lifetime, Mr. Sajer's service slowly devolves into a desperate battle of survival against starvation, crushing cold, and relentless Russian artillery. His matter of fact narrative as stumbles through one major battle after another will pull you along with a leaden heart. Maybe the best book about WWII, and always haunting.
Getting Away With Murder: the True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe - The true story of the event that helped spawn the American civil rights movement in the 1950s. Emmett Till was an African-American teenager murdered by two white men. Tried and acquitted, the men gave an interview to media where they confessed to the crime. This event helped galvanize most Americans against the injustice of racial segregation. Crowe takes a detailed view of the murder, the case, and the national reaction to a crime that should never be forgotten.
Ghost Soldiers: the Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides - The true story of a group of Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas who undertake a daring mission to rescue the brutally mistreated soldiers captured by the Japanese during the first days of WWII. Penetrating far behind enemy lines, the determined force liberates hundreds of prisoners and shepherds them to safety with the Japanese army in hot pursuit. The account of the escape will leave you breathless, and remind you that truth is often stranger than fiction.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - Capote practically invents the "true crime" genre where the reporter goes so far inside the story that the events are recounted through his eyes as if he were there. The story follows a pair of Kansas criminals through a heist that goes horribly wrong, ending in a murder spree. Although his style has been imitated by countless "true crime" authors, none have done it better than Capote, largely due to his painstaking attention to detail.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - In this accurate account of the Battle of Gettysburg, Shaara tells the events of the pivotal battle through the eyes of commanders on each side of the conflict, including Col. Chamberlain, whose heroic 20th Maine regiment turned the tide of the battle. Tremendous characterizations, accurate detail, and an unparalleled description of men persevering through the fog of war make this one of the best non-fiction books available. The author brings history alive like no other.
Marley and Me by John Grogan - Its an old story: man meets dog, dog wreaks havoc on man's life, but capture man's heart in the process. This true account of a newspaper columnist and his wife raising a very free-spirited Labrador retriever, Grogan, in the midst of a growing family rocks with humorous, tearful, and triumphant moments. Dog lovers will find great recognition in Grogan, while non-dog lovers will consider what they may be missing.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - While enduring 5 years in Nazi concentration camps, Mr. Frankl wrestled daily with the question of "why go on living?" As a result, he pioneered a new psycho-therapeutic method in the years following his rescue. While earlier psychotherapists argued that man was driven by urges, Frankl believed that man is driven by a search for meaning and purpose. The result is a masterpiece blending psychotherapy with western theology, told against the backdrop of the Holocaust.
My Dog Skip by Willie Morris - Everyone thinks their dog is special, and the author is no exception. However, his dog clearly is. He recounts the tale of growing up with a fox-terrier named Skip who could seemingly do anything, including playing football and driving cars. Much like a Venus fly trap, this book lulls you with pleasant snapshots of the relationship between boy and dog until, suddenly, you are ensnared in the story. I dare you not to shed a tear when Skip dies of old age.
Night by Elie Wiesel - A scholarly, pious teenager is wracked with guilt at having survived the horror of the Holocaust that consumed his family. His memories of the nightmare world of the death camps present him with an intolerable question: how can the God he once so fervently believed in have allowed these monstrous events to occur? There are no easy answers in this harrowing book, which probes life's essential riddles with the lucid anguish only great literature achieves.
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord - Forget the James Cameron film - this 1955 book tells the real story of the most famous shipwreck in modern times. Lord interviewed scores of survivors to assemble a you-are-there account of the disaster. He expertly renders scene after scene that pound the reader like a relentless hammer, interspersed with moments of hope, wonder, and humor. The author's ruthless exposure of the role of class prejudice in the survival rate is first class, unlike most of the dead.
Rocket Boys (October Sky) by Homer Hickam - Inspired by the American mission to place a man on the moon, 14-year old Homer decides to build rockets. Encouraged by his mother and a female science teacher, who saw in Homer the ability to use his mind to escape his dead-end coal mining town, the boy follows his vision all the way to a gold medal in the 1960 National Science Fair. As much as the story is about a boy's dream and triumph, it shines through its sentimental portrayal of life in a tight-knit community.
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold - As a young ranger, Leopold shot a wolf, and came upon her "in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes." This proved a cathartic moment for Leopold, who came to embrace his "land ethic", which posits that nothing that disturbs the balance of nature is right, and that it is mankind's duty to preserve what he can. The quiet elegance of his writing mesmerizes the reader, and touches the soul.
Seabiscuit by Lauren Hillenbrand - The pleasant true story of one of America's greatest racehorses, Seabiscuit, who captured the imagination of the nation by winning despite his small stature. More compelling than the horse are the trio of broken men who own, train, and ride him. From a humble beginning and through great challenges, Seabiscuit and his team rise above all to face the greatest thoroughbred in the world, War Admiral, in a winner-take-all race. I dare you not to cheer.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien - A series of stories, some memoir and some fiction, about the Vietnam experiences of the author and other veterans make up this masterpiece that transcends the war genre. Most of the vignettes stand alone as tremendous short stories, so the novel can be ingested in bite-sized chunks. Powerful, funny, surreal, and moving, this book may profoundly affect the reader's view of the cost of waging war, and the affect on those who are called to wage it.
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer - In one of the best historical books about the American Revolution, Fischer describes the events surrounding the pivotal battle of Trenton. This battle was a turning point for the rebels, proving that they could apply a uniquely American style of warfare to defeat a vastly superior opponent. Fischer expertly analyzes the character of each army, with especially insightful views of the British troops, who fought for ideals just as lofty as those of the rebels.
Winterdance: the Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen - The true tale of well-known young adult author Gary Paulsen's entry in the 1200 mile Iditarod sled dog race between Anchorage and Nome. Ill prepared but incredibly determined, Paulsen battles his way for seventeen days through the elements and his own doubts to complete the course. This compelling book is an honest, straightforward, and insightful telling of that journey.
Best of the Rest:
1776 by David McCullough
An American Plague: the True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
Angela’s Ashes: a Memoir by Frank McCourt
Behind the Mask: the Life Queen Elizabeth I by Jane Resh Thomas
Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc by Polly S. Brooks
Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl
Bringing Down the House: the Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich
The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jimenez
Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman
Fast Food Nation: the Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72 by Hunter S. Thompson
Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis
Funny in Farsi: a Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas
Good Brother, Bad Brother: the Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin
Growing Up by Russell Baker
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth by Elizabeth Partridge
King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Left for Dead: a Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson
The Life and Death of Adolph Hitler by James Cross Giblin
A Long Way: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Gone by Ishmael Beah
Lucky: a Memoir by Alice Sebold
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feelings
Mosque by David MacAulay
Never Cry Wolf: the Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves by Farley Mowat
No Pretty Pictures: a Child of War by Anita Lobel
Old School by Tobias Wolff
The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party by Marian Calabro
Phineas Gage: a Gruesome But True Story about Brain Science by John Fleischman
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong
Sickened: the True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory
Standing Like a Stone Wall by James I. Robertson, Jr.
Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Stop-Time: a Memoir by Frank Conroy
This Boy’s Life: a Memoir by Tobias Wolff
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose
Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly
The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman
These are the best non-fiction novels for teens. To my knowledge, they are all completely true and non-fictional. If not, then you can help me shove the author toward Oprah's bed of hot coals.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton - Bouton's personal account of one year in the the Major Leagues was so revealing of baseball's seedy side that he was black-balled from the game by his peers. However, he so accurately captures the personalities around him and so deftly describes the life of baseball that this book is still widely considered the best sports book ever written. A must-read for sports fans.
The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll - Many books have been written about teen drug use, but Carroll's does perhaps the best job of describing the entire arc of the decline. Humorous at first, the story grows ever more dismal as the protagonist journeys from his first sniff of glue to his complete destruction under the influence of heavy narcotics. Carroll's mastery of emotional narrative will leave you profoundly affected by the character's fall from innocence.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Poet Sylvia Plath committed suicide in 1963, but left behind this largely autobiographical novel about her battle with depression that carries her to the edge of insanity. No author has yet matched Ms. Path's description of coping with depression. This novel provides confirmation for those who battle depression, and deep insight into depression for those who don't. Sad, honest, and unforgettable.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown - The story of the conquest of the American West as told through the eyes of the American Indians who fell before the wave of settlers. Published in 1970, this novel changed the way Americans viewed Indians - not as savages but as reasoned, eloquent people who fell victim to broken promises, illness, and greed. Heart-wrenching.
A Child Called "It" by David Pelzer - Horrifying memoir of young David, a boy systematically and sadistically abused by his alcoholic mother while his father turned a blind eye. The various torments he endures are often difficult to read, let alone forget. Only an alert schoolteacher stands between David and the hell of his life. Not the best writing, but the true story is incredible.
Diary of Ann Frank by Anne Frank - Actual diary of a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis in occupied France during World War II. The mix of mundane situation and heart-pounding fear leaves the reader breathless. Incredible coming of age narrative written by a teen. Found after the war (and after Anne's death at the hands of the Nazis), this has become the standard by which other teenage memoirs are measured. Long live Anne Frank!
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing - The incredible true story of Shackleton's 1914 trip to the South Pole. When the ship is trapped by pack ice and eventually crushed, Shackleton and his men come to a bitter conclusion: no help is coming, and they must rescue themselves or die. Dragging life boats at first, and later floating north on a floe, the expedition finds rescue after two years on the ice, and without losing a single man. You can't make this stuff up.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - Watershed 1963 essay where the African-American author calls for an end to the "racial nightmare" in America. He explores his claim that America will fall as long as it remains a multi-racial society, and will only move forward when the majority embrace the minorities as extensions of themselves. Although written a half-century ago, his words ring truer than ever. For all of America's progress, Baldwin's essay shows that some things have not changed.
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer - The author recounts the horror of WWII on the Eastern Front, experienced as a teenage foot soldier in the German Army. At first the adventure of a lifetime, Mr. Sajer's service slowly devolves into a desperate battle of survival against starvation, crushing cold, and relentless Russian artillery. His matter of fact narrative as stumbles through one major battle after another will pull you along with a leaden heart. Maybe the best book about WWII, and always haunting.
Getting Away With Murder: the True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe - The true story of the event that helped spawn the American civil rights movement in the 1950s. Emmett Till was an African-American teenager murdered by two white men. Tried and acquitted, the men gave an interview to media where they confessed to the crime. This event helped galvanize most Americans against the injustice of racial segregation. Crowe takes a detailed view of the murder, the case, and the national reaction to a crime that should never be forgotten.
Ghost Soldiers: the Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides - The true story of a group of Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas who undertake a daring mission to rescue the brutally mistreated soldiers captured by the Japanese during the first days of WWII. Penetrating far behind enemy lines, the determined force liberates hundreds of prisoners and shepherds them to safety with the Japanese army in hot pursuit. The account of the escape will leave you breathless, and remind you that truth is often stranger than fiction.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - Capote practically invents the "true crime" genre where the reporter goes so far inside the story that the events are recounted through his eyes as if he were there. The story follows a pair of Kansas criminals through a heist that goes horribly wrong, ending in a murder spree. Although his style has been imitated by countless "true crime" authors, none have done it better than Capote, largely due to his painstaking attention to detail.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - In this accurate account of the Battle of Gettysburg, Shaara tells the events of the pivotal battle through the eyes of commanders on each side of the conflict, including Col. Chamberlain, whose heroic 20th Maine regiment turned the tide of the battle. Tremendous characterizations, accurate detail, and an unparalleled description of men persevering through the fog of war make this one of the best non-fiction books available. The author brings history alive like no other.
Marley and Me by John Grogan - Its an old story: man meets dog, dog wreaks havoc on man's life, but capture man's heart in the process. This true account of a newspaper columnist and his wife raising a very free-spirited Labrador retriever, Grogan, in the midst of a growing family rocks with humorous, tearful, and triumphant moments. Dog lovers will find great recognition in Grogan, while non-dog lovers will consider what they may be missing.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - While enduring 5 years in Nazi concentration camps, Mr. Frankl wrestled daily with the question of "why go on living?" As a result, he pioneered a new psycho-therapeutic method in the years following his rescue. While earlier psychotherapists argued that man was driven by urges, Frankl believed that man is driven by a search for meaning and purpose. The result is a masterpiece blending psychotherapy with western theology, told against the backdrop of the Holocaust.
My Dog Skip by Willie Morris - Everyone thinks their dog is special, and the author is no exception. However, his dog clearly is. He recounts the tale of growing up with a fox-terrier named Skip who could seemingly do anything, including playing football and driving cars. Much like a Venus fly trap, this book lulls you with pleasant snapshots of the relationship between boy and dog until, suddenly, you are ensnared in the story. I dare you not to shed a tear when Skip dies of old age.
Night by Elie Wiesel - A scholarly, pious teenager is wracked with guilt at having survived the horror of the Holocaust that consumed his family. His memories of the nightmare world of the death camps present him with an intolerable question: how can the God he once so fervently believed in have allowed these monstrous events to occur? There are no easy answers in this harrowing book, which probes life's essential riddles with the lucid anguish only great literature achieves.
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord - Forget the James Cameron film - this 1955 book tells the real story of the most famous shipwreck in modern times. Lord interviewed scores of survivors to assemble a you-are-there account of the disaster. He expertly renders scene after scene that pound the reader like a relentless hammer, interspersed with moments of hope, wonder, and humor. The author's ruthless exposure of the role of class prejudice in the survival rate is first class, unlike most of the dead.
Rocket Boys (October Sky) by Homer Hickam - Inspired by the American mission to place a man on the moon, 14-year old Homer decides to build rockets. Encouraged by his mother and a female science teacher, who saw in Homer the ability to use his mind to escape his dead-end coal mining town, the boy follows his vision all the way to a gold medal in the 1960 National Science Fair. As much as the story is about a boy's dream and triumph, it shines through its sentimental portrayal of life in a tight-knit community.
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold - As a young ranger, Leopold shot a wolf, and came upon her "in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes." This proved a cathartic moment for Leopold, who came to embrace his "land ethic", which posits that nothing that disturbs the balance of nature is right, and that it is mankind's duty to preserve what he can. The quiet elegance of his writing mesmerizes the reader, and touches the soul.
Seabiscuit by Lauren Hillenbrand - The pleasant true story of one of America's greatest racehorses, Seabiscuit, who captured the imagination of the nation by winning despite his small stature. More compelling than the horse are the trio of broken men who own, train, and ride him. From a humble beginning and through great challenges, Seabiscuit and his team rise above all to face the greatest thoroughbred in the world, War Admiral, in a winner-take-all race. I dare you not to cheer.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien - A series of stories, some memoir and some fiction, about the Vietnam experiences of the author and other veterans make up this masterpiece that transcends the war genre. Most of the vignettes stand alone as tremendous short stories, so the novel can be ingested in bite-sized chunks. Powerful, funny, surreal, and moving, this book may profoundly affect the reader's view of the cost of waging war, and the affect on those who are called to wage it.
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer - In one of the best historical books about the American Revolution, Fischer describes the events surrounding the pivotal battle of Trenton. This battle was a turning point for the rebels, proving that they could apply a uniquely American style of warfare to defeat a vastly superior opponent. Fischer expertly analyzes the character of each army, with especially insightful views of the British troops, who fought for ideals just as lofty as those of the rebels.
Winterdance: the Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen - The true tale of well-known young adult author Gary Paulsen's entry in the 1200 mile Iditarod sled dog race between Anchorage and Nome. Ill prepared but incredibly determined, Paulsen battles his way for seventeen days through the elements and his own doubts to complete the course. This compelling book is an honest, straightforward, and insightful telling of that journey.
Best of the Rest:
1776 by David McCullough
An American Plague: the True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
Angela’s Ashes: a Memoir by Frank McCourt
Behind the Mask: the Life Queen Elizabeth I by Jane Resh Thomas
Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc by Polly S. Brooks
Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl
Bringing Down the House: the Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich
The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jimenez
Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman
Fast Food Nation: the Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72 by Hunter S. Thompson
Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis
Funny in Farsi: a Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas
Good Brother, Bad Brother: the Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin
Growing Up by Russell Baker
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth by Elizabeth Partridge
King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Left for Dead: a Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson
The Life and Death of Adolph Hitler by James Cross Giblin
A Long Way: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Gone by Ishmael Beah
Lucky: a Memoir by Alice Sebold
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feelings
Mosque by David MacAulay
Never Cry Wolf: the Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves by Farley Mowat
No Pretty Pictures: a Child of War by Anita Lobel
Old School by Tobias Wolff
The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party by Marian Calabro
Phineas Gage: a Gruesome But True Story about Brain Science by John Fleischman
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong
Sickened: the True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory
Standing Like a Stone Wall by James I. Robertson, Jr.
Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Stop-Time: a Memoir by Frank Conroy
This Boy’s Life: a Memoir by Tobias Wolff
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose
Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly
The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman
What Are Some Other Great Novels for Teens?
A substantial portion of fiction does not fit neatly into a particular category - kind of like a platypus. Is it an amphibious rodent? Is it a furry duck? I don't know, but it is very cool, and I want one as a pet. Many great novels are that way. When asked what genre it belongs to, you have no idea. When asked what it's about, you struggle to describe it, usually followed by a "You Just Have To Read It!"
A great example is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I still can't tell you what its about. See, it starts with Death. But it's not really about Death. It's really about a girl. She lives in Nazi Germany during World War II. But it's not about Nazis or World War II. And she steals things, but she isn't really a thief. And there is this guy in her basement, and her stepmother looks like a wardrobe. And ... uh... You Just Have To Read It!
These are my favorite "other" novels, with tags that help categorize them: historical, humor, sports, spiritual, plays, and classics.
5 Novels: Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars; Slaves of Spiegel; The Last Guru; Young Adult Novel; The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death by Daniel Pinkwater [Humor] - Besides having a run-on sentence for a title, this collection of stories stands out for its off the wall humor. Each story is absurd, outrageous, and sheer comic genius. Pinkwater has a way of spinning yarns that appear to be utter goofy chaos until they congeal in an unforeseen way that will make you say "Wow!" - after you stop laughing your head off. Treat yourself to a guilty pleasure and read this novel!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [Humor] - Arnold Spirit, a bright but homely Spokane Indian, transfers to a wealthy white school to escape the poverty of the reservation. While he is a celebrity at his new school, he becomes an outcast at home. Funny, tragic, and insightful, with terrific character development.
Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor [Historical, Classic] - Gut-wrenching fictional account of Andersonville, the most notorious prison camp of the civil war. The author won a Pulitzer for his portrayal of the best and worst of humanity co-existing in the squalid hell of the camp. Some passages will leave you stunned. One of the best pieces of historical fiction ever written.
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging: the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison [Humor] - Hilariously written account of the life of Georgia Nicolson as told through the girl's diary. Everyday events become momentous occasions that are fertile fields for laugh-out-loud comedy, complete with a psychotic cat and disastrous little sister. Snogging (kissing, for the non-British) will never seem the same!
Animal Farm by George Orwell - Classic allegory about communism and the corruption of power but set on a farm with animals as the principle actors. Marginally interesting until you study the history of the 20th century, and then it becomes fascinating. If you don't fall in love with Boxer, the horse, you have a heart of stone indeed.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - Enzo is a dog, but that doesn't stop him from relating the story of life with his master, race car driver Denny Swift. Enzo proves to be up to the challenge, telling the story with a mix of grace, philosophy, and hilarity. As master Denny struggles through one disaster after another, Enzo remains his silent but steadfast support and friend. Dogs rule, especially those who rue the lack of opposable thumbs.
Ball Don't Lie by Matt De La Pena [Sports] - Sticky is a skinny white kid in the poorest part of L.A. who has been abused by pimps living with his prostitute mother, and shuffled between foster homes for most of his life. However, his incredible basketball skills earn him the respect of his black peers, and may pave the road of his escape from poverty - if only he doesn't keep screwing up.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton [Sports] - Bouton's personal account of one year in the the Major Leagues was so revealing of baseball's seedy side that he was black-balled from the game by his peers. However, he so accurately captures the personalities around him and so deftly describes the life of baseball that this book is still widely considered the best sports book ever written. A must-read for sports fans.
A Bell for Adano by John Hersey [Classic] - Pulitzer-prize winning novel of the Italian-American commander of an American force occupying a Silician town during WWII who wins the hearts of the locals with his efforts to replace the 700-year-old town bell that the Facists melted for ammunition.
Black Jack by Leon Garfield [Historical] - Bartholomew Dorking is an average kid living in 19th century London - until he finds himself tied to the murderous Black Jack. The villain was supposed to have hung from the gallows, but now seems to be back from the dead. This often overlooked but chilling thriller will leave your head spinning.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Remarkable story as told by Death, about the young girl Liesel's life through the World War II years. Her family dead or missing, Liesel lives with foster parents in Germany. Stealing books and food provides Liesel an escape from her grim reality, but also leads her to many friendships. Death's narrative adopts a darkly humorous manner that keeps the reader spellbound. The last line of the book is fantastic, but don't peek.
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare [Historical, spiritual] - The tale of a young Jewish rebel in the time of Jesus committed to repulsing the occupying from his homeland. Taken away from his rebel band to care for his ailing sister, he is drawn to the teachings of a young Rabbi. Is Jesus the one who will lead the rebellion, or is he something more? Although not a religious book, the gentle narrative and the transformation of the protagonist mirror Christian themes.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis - A perfectly worded story of 10-year old Bud, an African-American orphan in Depression-era Michigan, searching for the jazz musician he believes to be his father. From his escape from abusive foster parents to the rejection of the musician, Bud suffers many painful adventures along the way. However, the humor and hope that fills the telling of Bud's story masks the genuine heartache and leaves the reader cheering for the young boy.
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey [Humor] - Comical tale of life in the Gilbreth household, complete with 12 red-headed children. Dad is an efficiency expert who thinks a family can be run like a factory, but nothing ever goes as planned. A classic for decades, and a funny but revealing view into how large families survive financially - through sacrifice and an all-for-one spirit.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier [Historical] - In a pseudo-retelling of Homer's Odyssey, wounded American Civil War soldier Inman decides to desert to return to his Blue Ridge Mountains home and his love, Ada. Inman's journey runs a gauntlet of physical and emotional challenges against marauders, bounty hunters, and witches. Meanwhile Ada tries to maintain her father's farm in a world gone mad. This powerful and moving epic will weigh on the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole [Humor] - Brilliantly hilarious account of hefty Ignatius who wages a one man war against vice, ignorance, and modernity in 1960's New Orleans. Shot full of laugh-out-loud dialogue and colorful but believable characters, the plot follows a series of episodes in Ignatius' crusade. This novel is destined to be an enduring classic, especially in light of the author having committed suicide because no one would publish his book.
Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper [Historical] - This searing novel follows the story Amari, a 15 year old girl kidnapped from her African village and sold into American slavery, where she is bought by a rice plantation owner for the sexual enjoyment of his teenage son. Interspersed with Amari's story is that of Polly, a white indentured servant living on the plantation. Draper pulls no punches in describing the abject horror of Amari's slavery, and creates a strong character who survives through sheer force of will.
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - When their parents die in an auto accident, the four Morrison siblings struggle to stay together on their parents' Canadian land. Seven year old Kate tells the story in flashback as her teenage brothers fight the odds. Central to the story is Kate's struggle to come to terms with a tragic incident involving one of the brothers. A beautifully told story that grabs the reader's soul until the final page.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller [Play, Historical] - Examines the destructive power of a society waging war against those it falsely believes have corrupted its morals. The backdrop of the Salem witch trials serves as an allegory for modern oppression, betrayal, and righteous defiance. The unfairness of it all will anger you! Miller wrote the play as a social protest against the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950's, and ended up the target of the witch hunt in the process. How's that for irony?
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens [Classic] - In arguably Dicken's best work, he weaves the tale of a young man who journeys from the poverty and misfortune of his childhood to an ultimately successful life as a novelist. Dicken's drew on his own life to create the story, and the strength of the telling is in the numerous very realistic characters that inhabit the pages of the novel. If you read one Dicken's book, make it this one.
The Elephant Man: A Play by Bernard Pomerance [Play] - The true story of John Merrick, who gained recent fame when Michael Jackson bought his bones. He is a horribly deformed outcast living in a circus cage until a sympathetic doctor rescues him. Merrick's relationships with the doctor and a bold actress illuminate his brilliant mind and deep ambitions. The irony of Merrick's desire to be like everyone else is displayed clearly by supporting characters' hypocrisy and cynicism.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan - Born to a life of privilege in 1930s Mexico, 13 year old Esperanza's life is shattered when her father is murdered and her step-brothers take what remains. Esperanza and her mother move to the Depression-era United States to start over. Ezperanza struggles with her fall from princess to alien worker, but re-makes herself in the new reality. The reader will cheer Esperanza's rise to new status.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - Charlie tells his story as he progresses from a simpleton to a genius and back to simpleton as a result of an experimental brain operation. The unexpected and devastating side effects of the operation are captured in heart wrenching manner in Charlie's own words. The character of Charlie stands as a great example of quiet courage that will inspire the reader, and generate sympathy and admiration for those with mental handicaps.
The Foreigner by Larry Shue [Play] - Charlie Baker is an ever-so-boring and terribly shy Englishman working as a proof reader. While visiting a fishing lodge in Georgia, he pretends to be a foreigner who speaks no English. When others begin to speak freely around him, he not only becomes privy to secrets both dangerous and frivolous, he also discovers an adventurous extrovert within himself. A great farce!
Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagdasarian [Historical] - Riveting story of an Armenian teen on the run from genocide in Turkey during WWI. Born to privilege, Vahan's life is destroyed when the Turks begin exterminating Armenians within their borders. His family brutally murdered, Vahan endures three years of running and hiding, growing close to people only to see them violently killed. The heart of the account is the boy's unbelievable perseverance through unspeakable horror that ultimately leads him to a safe haven.
Girls for Breakfast by David Yoo [Humor] - Nick, a Korean-American, feel racially isolated in his Connecticut high school. His narrative strives to place blame for his lack of female attention, understand the mystery of popularity, and make sense of his alien family. You will laugh, and sometimes feel sorry for Nick as he traces his life. His thoughts often return to sexual imaginings and vulgarity. However, the overall effect is one of revealing an uncertain soul, whose emotional struggles we recognize as our own.
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian [Historical] - A miraculous little book about Willie, an abused child of a single mother evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII. Terrified at first, young Willie discovers from his caretaker, Mr. Tom, a world he never knew existed: one with affection and hope instead of despair and daily beatings. His new life collapses with the arrival of a telegram calling the boy back to London. When Mr. Tom hears no word for several weeks, he travels in search of the boy. Beautifully told.
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer [Historical] - Set in Victorian England, young but energetic Sophy is taken in by her aunt Lady Ombersley. She soon discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right. One step at a time she fixes the family messes, wins their hearts, and finds love everlasting. A joyous story with a strong romantic thread.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Considered one of the greatest American novels, The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an impoverished young man who rises to great wealth and power through blind ambition and devotion to a former lover. His unchecked ambition ultimately leads to his destruction. Though written in 1922, the reader will find the shallow materialism and greed that drives the characters all too familiar. Fitzgerald's simple but brilliant telling seems to have foretold the society of today.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams [Humor] - Dryly hilarious tale of Arthur Dent and his companions roaming the galaxy after the destruction of Earth. Arthur's many adventures are bound by the thread of a common question - "what is the meaning of life?" The narrative is aided by an acidly funny robot and the satirical informational entries from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. British satire at its best.
Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky [Sports] - The book adaptation of the film nearly outshines its source. It chronicles five years in the lives of Arthur Agee and William Gates, amateur basketball players who travel from the playground to high school glory to college recruitment. The author brings subtlety and richness to the story that the film could not. A terrific look at the toll pressure and expectations take on the young and talented.
In Lane Three, Alex Archer by Tessa Duder [Sports] - Alex is a 15 year old stand-out swimmer, and has a huge dream: to represent New Zealand in the 1960 Olympics. The dream becomes complicated when uber-dedicated Maggie arrives to train at the same pool, and Alex' over-involvement at school and family issues begin to take a toll. Written decades ago, this novel demonstrates that life for teens has always been difficult. Very well drawn characters with realistic emotions make this a tear-jerking must-read.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler [Historical] - Dana, a young modern African-American woman, is repeatedly drawn back in time to protect a racist slave owner who might be her ancestor. Each trip proves longer and more destructive, stripping Dana of her soul and body little by little. This eye-opening view of the horrors of racism and slavery shows how easily one can become racist or a willing victim of it. Because the author is African-American, she brings a credible voice of barely suppressed rage to the story.
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander [Historical] - Fictional account of a real-life attendant to the last royal family of Russia. Leonka, a kitchen boy, is sent with the Romanovs into Siberian exile. Because of his lowly position, he is privy to many secret conversations. Even though the Romanov family's eventual murder is well known, the reader will continue hoping for a different outcome. The mounting intrigue and a terrific twist at the end make a very good historical piece a highly entertaining read.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - Two boys in 1970's Afghanistan live an idyllic boyhood of kite flying and story telling. When politics turns sour, Amir and his father flee to America, where Amir is haunted into adulthood by the memory of a horrible act of disloyalty to Hassan. when Amir hears that Hassan and his wife have been killed by the Taliban, he returns to Afghanistan to rescue their orphaned son, and lay to rest the ghost of his past sin. Unbelievably real characters populate this masterpiece of fiction.
Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger [Humor] - Joey's smart-aleck mouth has earned him multiple beatings from his Brooklyn peers. When he claims that NY Giants 3rd baseman is his best buddy, the local bullies demand proof. To save his skin, Joey writes Banks requesting a home run. The unlikely friendship that develops between Joey and the baseball star is told through a series of letters between them. Covering seven years, the letters show that Joey and Banks are peas in a pod, and just what each other needed.
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel [Spiritual] - After the sinking of a zoo ship, Pi finds himself trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger and a few other animals. After the tiger quickly dispatches the other passengers, Pi must find a way to survive. The 227 day journey moves effortlessly from danger to absurdity to self discovery, leaving the reader to ponder the many meanings beneath the surface. You will ask the question: what was real and what was imagined? Although a recent work, this book is destined to be a classic.
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt [Historical] - When Turner's family moves from Boston a backwater Maine town, he feels isolated and alone. Then he meets Lizzie, resident of a poor island community founded by former slaves, and the two become unlikely but deep friends. When the town elders force Lizzie's people of the island, Turner tries to stand up for them, but learns that he is powerless. Based loosely on actual unfortunate events, this novel is not for the faint-hearted. The climax is both moving and tragic.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry [Historical] - In The Great American Western Novel, the author tackles a subject that has been rendered to cliche: Cowboys on a cattle drive. Slow at first, the story picks up as he peers into the souls of the protagonists, a pair of former Texas Rangers turned horse rustlers. In doing so he creates the most memorably heroic anti-heroes in modern literature. Knowing these characters will make you want to be a better person, and to eat more beef.
Mary, Bloody Mary: a Young Royals Book by Carolyn Meyer [Historical] - This outstanding novel follows Mary, daughter of Henry VIII of England, through her teen years. Her betrothal to the middle-aged king of France at age 11 is followed by a riches-to-rags fall when Henry tries to divorce Mary's mother. Mary, however, is a survivor. The story of her teen years explains clearly the events and environment that gave her the strength and resolve to rule a nation. A fascinating look at England on the eve of the Renaissance, and one of its great queens.
The Miracle Worker by John Grogan [Play] - Fictionalized version of the true story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Blind and deaf since age two, Helen has become so disorderly that her family brings Annie in to make her manageable. Annie, however, has grander designs - to teach Helen to communicate and to understand the world around her. The touching story and uplifting conclusion is heart-stirring, and a testimony to patient love.
The Nerd by Larry Shue [Play] - Willum is a successful architect and Vietnam war veteran who owes his life to Rick Steadman. When Rick comes to stay with Willum, he proves to be one of the most obnoxious houseguests ever: tactless, nosy, and socially inept. Shue shows his comedic brilliance with well-placed humor that is hilarious, biting, and great social commentary. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Shue hits you with a surprise ending that makes a great play a classic.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - An alumna of a school for "special" children recounts her days growing up there. The dark secret about what makes the students special is hidden behind contradictions: they are excellently cared for but shunned by outsiders; they have an easy life, but no family to share it with; they have the run of the grounds, but no freedom outside. The reader may guess what the secret is long before its revelation, but will not mind because of the remarkably pitch-perfect telling of the story.
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord [Classic] - Forget the James Cameron film - this 1955 book tells the real story of the most famous shipwreck in modern times. Lord interviewed scores of survivors to assemble a you-are-there account of the disaster. He expertly renders scene after scene that pound the reader like a relentless hammer, interspersed with moments of hope, wonder, and humor. The author's ruthless exposure of the role of class prejudice in the survival rate is first class, unlike most of the dead.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry [Historical] - Fictionalized telling of the true story of the Jewish evacuation from Denmark during WWII. Upon learning that Danish Jews are to be detained and sent to death camps, the Danish resistance organizes a flotilla to take 7000 Jews to Sweden. The story is told through the eyes of 10 year old Annemarie, whose family hides the family of her best friend, and then participates in the escape. Told for younger teens, but a very quick and satisfying read for older teens.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - The unforgettable story of a mental ward and its inhabitants, especially the tyrannical Big Nurse Ratched and Randle Patrick McMurphy, the brawling, fun-loving new inmate who resolves to oppose her. We see the struggle through the eyes of Chief Bromden, the seemingly mute half-Indian patient who witnesses and understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the awesome powers that keep them all imprisoned. One of the great novels of the 1960's.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Fire and brimstone Baptist preacher, Nathan Price, hauls his wife and five daughters on an ill-planned mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Part one of the story examines the preacher's clumsy attempt to force his fundamentalist views on African culture and his families attempts to mold their lives to Africa. Part two examines how the family is marked by sometimes traffic events. A tough read, but well worth it.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant [Historical] - The story of Dinah, the daughter and sister of famous biblical characters who inhabit the Mesopotamian plain 4000 years ago. The author paints a detailed and engrossing picture of an ancient nomadic culture where women held more power than nomadic counterparts of today. The reader need not have Bible knowledge to thoroughly enjoy this novel. Caution: Contains some graphic content, just like the Bible does.
Rent by Jonathan Larson [Play] - The premise of this play is simple. A group of friends living on the Lower East Side of New York City struggle day to day through issues physical, emotional, and financial. The brilliance of the script is so obvious that it won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as four Tony Awards. The underlying message of the play speaks to the heart of the younger generation - that there is "no day but today."
Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith [Historical] - Jeff Bussey enters the Civil War at age 16 with dreams of glory and adventure. His dreams give way to fear and disillusionment as he encounters the absolute horror and misery of a bitter war. The teenager slowly morphs into just another battle-hardened, cold-hearted soldier, trying to survive day to day. When Jeff is recruited for a hazardous mission behind enemy lines, he discovers that the men he fights are no different than he - tired of war and ready to go home.
Roots by Alex Haley [Historical] - One of the most ground-breaking novels of the past 50 years, Roots in the mostly factual telling of author Alex Haley's family tree. Starting with ancestor Kunte Kinte, who was kidnapped as a young man from Africa and sold into American slavery, the novel follows the family through subjugation, emancipation, and racial oppression. Whether or not the story is entirely factual is immaterial, because the story represents the true experience of generations of African Americans.
The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman [Humor] - When Anthony and his friends meet Calvin Schwa, they are amazed at the boy's ability to seemingly appear and disappear before their eyes. After concocting a scheme to use Calvin's talent for financial gain, the group is soon caught by the town's mean millionaire, Mr. Crawley, and forced into community service serving Crawley hand and foot. Although the concept is zany, the richness of the characters and the depth of the plot make for a compelling and humorous story.
Sign of the Raven by Julie Hearn [Historical] - While visiting his grandmother's house, Tom starts hearing voices in the basement that belong to residents of an 18th-century freak show. Entering the time portal, Tom finds himself part of their dark and unseemly world. Using modern technology, Tom attempts to free his new friends from their virtual slavery. Although the arc of the story is quite good, the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the freak show residents is particularly riveting. Good and dark!
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer [Historical] - Victorian era novel about a powerful Duke, Justin, who rescues a starving waif from an abusive guardian and makes the boy his page. Because of the boy's resemblance to an enemy, Justin hopes to use the child to bring shame to his foe. However, the tables turn when the "boy" turns out to be a teenage girl with a strong personality and a timeless beauty. As Justin's plans progress, he barely realizes that he is falling for the young woman until she has captured him completely.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - Hosseini follows Mariam as she survives thirty years of Afghan chaos, from the Soviet invasion to civil war to the iron rule of the Taliban. Illegitimate and orphaned, Mariam is married to an abusive older man at age 15, and battles through one heartbreak after another. The strength of the story is Mariam's psychological growth as she slowly begins to challenge those who would silence her, and stands up for others just as oppressed. A painfully gorgeous book.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - An American classic told through the eyes of Scout, a young girl living in the rural South in the days of segregation. Here attorney father, Atticus, agrees to defend a black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. Scout bears witness to the fear and hatred in the town as well as the honor and dignity of her father and the accused man. Scout's father, Atticus Finch, still stands as one of the most honorable and courageous protagonists in literature. A must read.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - Written over 50 years ago, this book still resonates with grittiness and sensitivity. Francie lives in squalor with her family in turn of the century Brooklyn, deeply acquainted with hunger and the value of a penny. What sets the story apart from later novels of families in crisis is the tremendous humor and tender emotion that bind the story and the characters together. An enduring classic.
Water for the Elephants by Sara Gruen - When Jacob's parents die and leave him penniless, he drops out of Cornell vet school and joins the Benzini Brothers circus traveling Depression-era America. He parlays his vet skills into a position caring for the underfed and abused animals of the circus, with special attention to the elephants. Greun spares no punches when describing the squalid brutality of the traveling show, but at the same time humanizes all of its inhabitants. Fantastic attention to detail.
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher [Sports] - T. J., a refugee from a crack-addicted slum, lives with kindly adoptive parents. Witnessing the bullying of a brain damaged boy for wearing his dead brother's letter jacket drives T. J. to start a swim team in hopes that all participants can earn one of the jackets. The story follows the unlikely group of misfits in their quest for respectability, and the sacrifice and camaraderie that is part of it. The heart of the story is in the long bus rides to and from swim meets. The group shares the hurts and hopes that have shaped them in a way that will make you feel part of the team.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls [Historical] - The classic tale of a boy and his dogs living in depression era Oklahoma. After earning the money to buy a pair of bluetick hounds, young Billy raises them and trains them to hunt raccoons. The trio share many adventures, some funny, some exciting, and a couple abruptly horrifying. The result is a story littered with analysis of human nature, and of the nature of love. Two things to know: it is much better than the film, and it will make even the most macho of men cry.
White Fang by Jack London [Classic] - One of the first stories told from an animal's viewpoint follows White Fang, who is one-quarter dog and three-quarters wolf, from his birth in the wild to captivity by humans. He suffers the harshness of life as a sled dog, only to be sold to a cruel man for dog fighting. When rescued by a kind man, White Fang begins to learn about human kindness, and recaptures the sense of belonging that he had forgotten. For anyone who loves dogs or the outdoors, this is a must.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare [Historical] - Kit, a free-spirited island girl from the West Indies of the 1600s finds herself consigned to live with relatives in Puritan New England. Her strange and independent ways soon draw the ire of most of the townspeople, who suspect her to be a witch. Nevertheless, she wins the admiration of some through her kindness and sincerity. Will it be enough to save her?
You Can't Take It With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman [Play] - Alice's family is a bizarre as they come - pet snakes, fireworks, and everyone aspiring to the arts; daily life in her family is crazy and unpredictable. When Alice begins dating a young man, her family immediately makes him welcome in their home. However, the young man's appalled parents are not nearly so accepting. The battle of styles that ensues is both hilarious and revealing, sending a powerful message about what is important in a family and in a relationship.
Best of the Rest:
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Child of the Owl by Laurence Yep
Children of the River by Linda Crew
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
El Bronx Remembered by Nicholasa Mohr
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Home Before Dark by Sue Ellen Bridgers
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
The Lightkeeper’s Daughter by Iain Lawrence
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Maya Running by Anjali Banerjee
Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock
Middle Passage by Charles Johnson
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse
My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
My Sister’s Keeper by Judi Picoult
Native Son by Richard Wright
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Seek by Paul Fleischman
Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori
The Star Fisher by Laurence Yep
A Step from Heaven by An Na
Takeoffs and Landings by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
True Confessions of a Heartless Girl by Martha Brooks
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
When She Was Good by Norma Fox Mazer
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris
Historical:
The Abduction by Mette Newth
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich
Gentlehands by M. E. Kerr
Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen & Robert J. Harris
Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Jubilee by Margaret Walker
Kit’s Law by Donna Morrissey
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter
A Long Way from Chicago: a Novel in Stories by Richard Peck
Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
The Man from the Other Side by Uri Orlev
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln & Christopher Collier
No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt
No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Postcards from No Man’s Land by Aidan Chambers
The River Between Us by Richard Peck
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Samurai’s Tale by Erik C. Haugaard
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
Shane by Jack Schaefer
Smith by Leon Garfield
So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
Taking Liberty: the Story of Oney Judge by Ann Rinaldi
True Grit by Charles Portis
Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Zazoo by Richard Mosher
Humor:
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
Buffalo Brenda by Jill Pinkwater
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
The Education of Robert Nifkin by Daniel Pinkwater
The Fall of Fergal: the First Unlikely Exploit by Philip Ardagh
Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going
A Fate Totally Worse Than Death by Paul Fleischman
Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Harris and Me: a Summer Remembered by Gary Paulsen
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Indigo’s Star by Hilary McKay
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
Oddballs by William Sleator
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger
Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer
Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Squashed by Joan Bauer
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
The Teacher’s Funeral by Richard Peck
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut
The World According to Garp by John Irving
Worst Enemies/Best Friends by Annie Bryant
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
Sports:
Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter
The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Crackback by John Coy
Danger Zone by David Klass
Farm Team by Will Weaver
Hard Ball by Will Weaver
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks
On the Devil’s Court by Carl Deuker
Painting the Black by Carl Deuker
Roughnecks by Thomas Cohran
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella
Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Stotan! by Chris Crutcher
Taking Sides by Gary Soto
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Travel Team by Mike Lupica
Vision Quest by Terry Davis
Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace
Spiritual:
The Alchemist by Pauolo Cohelo
Archangel by Sharon Shinn
Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
Godless by Pete Hautman
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Snow in August by Pete Hamill
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
When We Were Saints by Han Nolan
Plays:
1776 by Peter Stone & Sherman Edwards
Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon
Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley
The Diviners by Jim Leonard
The Effect of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel
The Exact Center of the Universe by Joan Vail Thorne
The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon
"Master Harold"…and the Boys by Athol Fugard
Our Town: a Play in Three Acts by Thornton Wilder
Proof by David Auburn
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story by William Shakespeare, Arthur Laurents, & Stephen Sondheim
The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney
Classics:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Black Boy by Richard Wright
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dracula by Bram Stoker
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Emma by Jane Austen
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Miss Lonelyhearts and the Day of the Locust by Nathanael West
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
The Once and Future King by T. H. White
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Novels by Henry James
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
A great example is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I still can't tell you what its about. See, it starts with Death. But it's not really about Death. It's really about a girl. She lives in Nazi Germany during World War II. But it's not about Nazis or World War II. And she steals things, but she isn't really a thief. And there is this guy in her basement, and her stepmother looks like a wardrobe. And ... uh... You Just Have To Read It!
These are my favorite "other" novels, with tags that help categorize them: historical, humor, sports, spiritual, plays, and classics.
5 Novels: Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars; Slaves of Spiegel; The Last Guru; Young Adult Novel; The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death by Daniel Pinkwater [Humor] - Besides having a run-on sentence for a title, this collection of stories stands out for its off the wall humor. Each story is absurd, outrageous, and sheer comic genius. Pinkwater has a way of spinning yarns that appear to be utter goofy chaos until they congeal in an unforeseen way that will make you say "Wow!" - after you stop laughing your head off. Treat yourself to a guilty pleasure and read this novel!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [Humor] - Arnold Spirit, a bright but homely Spokane Indian, transfers to a wealthy white school to escape the poverty of the reservation. While he is a celebrity at his new school, he becomes an outcast at home. Funny, tragic, and insightful, with terrific character development.
Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor [Historical, Classic] - Gut-wrenching fictional account of Andersonville, the most notorious prison camp of the civil war. The author won a Pulitzer for his portrayal of the best and worst of humanity co-existing in the squalid hell of the camp. Some passages will leave you stunned. One of the best pieces of historical fiction ever written.
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging: the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison [Humor] - Hilariously written account of the life of Georgia Nicolson as told through the girl's diary. Everyday events become momentous occasions that are fertile fields for laugh-out-loud comedy, complete with a psychotic cat and disastrous little sister. Snogging (kissing, for the non-British) will never seem the same!
Animal Farm by George Orwell - Classic allegory about communism and the corruption of power but set on a farm with animals as the principle actors. Marginally interesting until you study the history of the 20th century, and then it becomes fascinating. If you don't fall in love with Boxer, the horse, you have a heart of stone indeed.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - Enzo is a dog, but that doesn't stop him from relating the story of life with his master, race car driver Denny Swift. Enzo proves to be up to the challenge, telling the story with a mix of grace, philosophy, and hilarity. As master Denny struggles through one disaster after another, Enzo remains his silent but steadfast support and friend. Dogs rule, especially those who rue the lack of opposable thumbs.
Ball Don't Lie by Matt De La Pena [Sports] - Sticky is a skinny white kid in the poorest part of L.A. who has been abused by pimps living with his prostitute mother, and shuffled between foster homes for most of his life. However, his incredible basketball skills earn him the respect of his black peers, and may pave the road of his escape from poverty - if only he doesn't keep screwing up.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton [Sports] - Bouton's personal account of one year in the the Major Leagues was so revealing of baseball's seedy side that he was black-balled from the game by his peers. However, he so accurately captures the personalities around him and so deftly describes the life of baseball that this book is still widely considered the best sports book ever written. A must-read for sports fans.
A Bell for Adano by John Hersey [Classic] - Pulitzer-prize winning novel of the Italian-American commander of an American force occupying a Silician town during WWII who wins the hearts of the locals with his efforts to replace the 700-year-old town bell that the Facists melted for ammunition.
Black Jack by Leon Garfield [Historical] - Bartholomew Dorking is an average kid living in 19th century London - until he finds himself tied to the murderous Black Jack. The villain was supposed to have hung from the gallows, but now seems to be back from the dead. This often overlooked but chilling thriller will leave your head spinning.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Remarkable story as told by Death, about the young girl Liesel's life through the World War II years. Her family dead or missing, Liesel lives with foster parents in Germany. Stealing books and food provides Liesel an escape from her grim reality, but also leads her to many friendships. Death's narrative adopts a darkly humorous manner that keeps the reader spellbound. The last line of the book is fantastic, but don't peek.
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare [Historical, spiritual] - The tale of a young Jewish rebel in the time of Jesus committed to repulsing the occupying from his homeland. Taken away from his rebel band to care for his ailing sister, he is drawn to the teachings of a young Rabbi. Is Jesus the one who will lead the rebellion, or is he something more? Although not a religious book, the gentle narrative and the transformation of the protagonist mirror Christian themes.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis - A perfectly worded story of 10-year old Bud, an African-American orphan in Depression-era Michigan, searching for the jazz musician he believes to be his father. From his escape from abusive foster parents to the rejection of the musician, Bud suffers many painful adventures along the way. However, the humor and hope that fills the telling of Bud's story masks the genuine heartache and leaves the reader cheering for the young boy.
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey [Humor] - Comical tale of life in the Gilbreth household, complete with 12 red-headed children. Dad is an efficiency expert who thinks a family can be run like a factory, but nothing ever goes as planned. A classic for decades, and a funny but revealing view into how large families survive financially - through sacrifice and an all-for-one spirit.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier [Historical] - In a pseudo-retelling of Homer's Odyssey, wounded American Civil War soldier Inman decides to desert to return to his Blue Ridge Mountains home and his love, Ada. Inman's journey runs a gauntlet of physical and emotional challenges against marauders, bounty hunters, and witches. Meanwhile Ada tries to maintain her father's farm in a world gone mad. This powerful and moving epic will weigh on the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole [Humor] - Brilliantly hilarious account of hefty Ignatius who wages a one man war against vice, ignorance, and modernity in 1960's New Orleans. Shot full of laugh-out-loud dialogue and colorful but believable characters, the plot follows a series of episodes in Ignatius' crusade. This novel is destined to be an enduring classic, especially in light of the author having committed suicide because no one would publish his book.
Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper [Historical] - This searing novel follows the story Amari, a 15 year old girl kidnapped from her African village and sold into American slavery, where she is bought by a rice plantation owner for the sexual enjoyment of his teenage son. Interspersed with Amari's story is that of Polly, a white indentured servant living on the plantation. Draper pulls no punches in describing the abject horror of Amari's slavery, and creates a strong character who survives through sheer force of will.
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - When their parents die in an auto accident, the four Morrison siblings struggle to stay together on their parents' Canadian land. Seven year old Kate tells the story in flashback as her teenage brothers fight the odds. Central to the story is Kate's struggle to come to terms with a tragic incident involving one of the brothers. A beautifully told story that grabs the reader's soul until the final page.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller [Play, Historical] - Examines the destructive power of a society waging war against those it falsely believes have corrupted its morals. The backdrop of the Salem witch trials serves as an allegory for modern oppression, betrayal, and righteous defiance. The unfairness of it all will anger you! Miller wrote the play as a social protest against the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950's, and ended up the target of the witch hunt in the process. How's that for irony?
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens [Classic] - In arguably Dicken's best work, he weaves the tale of a young man who journeys from the poverty and misfortune of his childhood to an ultimately successful life as a novelist. Dicken's drew on his own life to create the story, and the strength of the telling is in the numerous very realistic characters that inhabit the pages of the novel. If you read one Dicken's book, make it this one.
The Elephant Man: A Play by Bernard Pomerance [Play] - The true story of John Merrick, who gained recent fame when Michael Jackson bought his bones. He is a horribly deformed outcast living in a circus cage until a sympathetic doctor rescues him. Merrick's relationships with the doctor and a bold actress illuminate his brilliant mind and deep ambitions. The irony of Merrick's desire to be like everyone else is displayed clearly by supporting characters' hypocrisy and cynicism.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan - Born to a life of privilege in 1930s Mexico, 13 year old Esperanza's life is shattered when her father is murdered and her step-brothers take what remains. Esperanza and her mother move to the Depression-era United States to start over. Ezperanza struggles with her fall from princess to alien worker, but re-makes herself in the new reality. The reader will cheer Esperanza's rise to new status.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - Charlie tells his story as he progresses from a simpleton to a genius and back to simpleton as a result of an experimental brain operation. The unexpected and devastating side effects of the operation are captured in heart wrenching manner in Charlie's own words. The character of Charlie stands as a great example of quiet courage that will inspire the reader, and generate sympathy and admiration for those with mental handicaps.
The Foreigner by Larry Shue [Play] - Charlie Baker is an ever-so-boring and terribly shy Englishman working as a proof reader. While visiting a fishing lodge in Georgia, he pretends to be a foreigner who speaks no English. When others begin to speak freely around him, he not only becomes privy to secrets both dangerous and frivolous, he also discovers an adventurous extrovert within himself. A great farce!
Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagdasarian [Historical] - Riveting story of an Armenian teen on the run from genocide in Turkey during WWI. Born to privilege, Vahan's life is destroyed when the Turks begin exterminating Armenians within their borders. His family brutally murdered, Vahan endures three years of running and hiding, growing close to people only to see them violently killed. The heart of the account is the boy's unbelievable perseverance through unspeakable horror that ultimately leads him to a safe haven.
Girls for Breakfast by David Yoo [Humor] - Nick, a Korean-American, feel racially isolated in his Connecticut high school. His narrative strives to place blame for his lack of female attention, understand the mystery of popularity, and make sense of his alien family. You will laugh, and sometimes feel sorry for Nick as he traces his life. His thoughts often return to sexual imaginings and vulgarity. However, the overall effect is one of revealing an uncertain soul, whose emotional struggles we recognize as our own.
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian [Historical] - A miraculous little book about Willie, an abused child of a single mother evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII. Terrified at first, young Willie discovers from his caretaker, Mr. Tom, a world he never knew existed: one with affection and hope instead of despair and daily beatings. His new life collapses with the arrival of a telegram calling the boy back to London. When Mr. Tom hears no word for several weeks, he travels in search of the boy. Beautifully told.
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer [Historical] - Set in Victorian England, young but energetic Sophy is taken in by her aunt Lady Ombersley. She soon discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right. One step at a time she fixes the family messes, wins their hearts, and finds love everlasting. A joyous story with a strong romantic thread.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Considered one of the greatest American novels, The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an impoverished young man who rises to great wealth and power through blind ambition and devotion to a former lover. His unchecked ambition ultimately leads to his destruction. Though written in 1922, the reader will find the shallow materialism and greed that drives the characters all too familiar. Fitzgerald's simple but brilliant telling seems to have foretold the society of today.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams [Humor] - Dryly hilarious tale of Arthur Dent and his companions roaming the galaxy after the destruction of Earth. Arthur's many adventures are bound by the thread of a common question - "what is the meaning of life?" The narrative is aided by an acidly funny robot and the satirical informational entries from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. British satire at its best.
Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky [Sports] - The book adaptation of the film nearly outshines its source. It chronicles five years in the lives of Arthur Agee and William Gates, amateur basketball players who travel from the playground to high school glory to college recruitment. The author brings subtlety and richness to the story that the film could not. A terrific look at the toll pressure and expectations take on the young and talented.
In Lane Three, Alex Archer by Tessa Duder [Sports] - Alex is a 15 year old stand-out swimmer, and has a huge dream: to represent New Zealand in the 1960 Olympics. The dream becomes complicated when uber-dedicated Maggie arrives to train at the same pool, and Alex' over-involvement at school and family issues begin to take a toll. Written decades ago, this novel demonstrates that life for teens has always been difficult. Very well drawn characters with realistic emotions make this a tear-jerking must-read.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler [Historical] - Dana, a young modern African-American woman, is repeatedly drawn back in time to protect a racist slave owner who might be her ancestor. Each trip proves longer and more destructive, stripping Dana of her soul and body little by little. This eye-opening view of the horrors of racism and slavery shows how easily one can become racist or a willing victim of it. Because the author is African-American, she brings a credible voice of barely suppressed rage to the story.
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander [Historical] - Fictional account of a real-life attendant to the last royal family of Russia. Leonka, a kitchen boy, is sent with the Romanovs into Siberian exile. Because of his lowly position, he is privy to many secret conversations. Even though the Romanov family's eventual murder is well known, the reader will continue hoping for a different outcome. The mounting intrigue and a terrific twist at the end make a very good historical piece a highly entertaining read.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - Two boys in 1970's Afghanistan live an idyllic boyhood of kite flying and story telling. When politics turns sour, Amir and his father flee to America, where Amir is haunted into adulthood by the memory of a horrible act of disloyalty to Hassan. when Amir hears that Hassan and his wife have been killed by the Taliban, he returns to Afghanistan to rescue their orphaned son, and lay to rest the ghost of his past sin. Unbelievably real characters populate this masterpiece of fiction.
Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger [Humor] - Joey's smart-aleck mouth has earned him multiple beatings from his Brooklyn peers. When he claims that NY Giants 3rd baseman is his best buddy, the local bullies demand proof. To save his skin, Joey writes Banks requesting a home run. The unlikely friendship that develops between Joey and the baseball star is told through a series of letters between them. Covering seven years, the letters show that Joey and Banks are peas in a pod, and just what each other needed.
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel [Spiritual] - After the sinking of a zoo ship, Pi finds himself trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger and a few other animals. After the tiger quickly dispatches the other passengers, Pi must find a way to survive. The 227 day journey moves effortlessly from danger to absurdity to self discovery, leaving the reader to ponder the many meanings beneath the surface. You will ask the question: what was real and what was imagined? Although a recent work, this book is destined to be a classic.
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt [Historical] - When Turner's family moves from Boston a backwater Maine town, he feels isolated and alone. Then he meets Lizzie, resident of a poor island community founded by former slaves, and the two become unlikely but deep friends. When the town elders force Lizzie's people of the island, Turner tries to stand up for them, but learns that he is powerless. Based loosely on actual unfortunate events, this novel is not for the faint-hearted. The climax is both moving and tragic.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry [Historical] - In The Great American Western Novel, the author tackles a subject that has been rendered to cliche: Cowboys on a cattle drive. Slow at first, the story picks up as he peers into the souls of the protagonists, a pair of former Texas Rangers turned horse rustlers. In doing so he creates the most memorably heroic anti-heroes in modern literature. Knowing these characters will make you want to be a better person, and to eat more beef.
Mary, Bloody Mary: a Young Royals Book by Carolyn Meyer [Historical] - This outstanding novel follows Mary, daughter of Henry VIII of England, through her teen years. Her betrothal to the middle-aged king of France at age 11 is followed by a riches-to-rags fall when Henry tries to divorce Mary's mother. Mary, however, is a survivor. The story of her teen years explains clearly the events and environment that gave her the strength and resolve to rule a nation. A fascinating look at England on the eve of the Renaissance, and one of its great queens.
The Miracle Worker by John Grogan [Play] - Fictionalized version of the true story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Blind and deaf since age two, Helen has become so disorderly that her family brings Annie in to make her manageable. Annie, however, has grander designs - to teach Helen to communicate and to understand the world around her. The touching story and uplifting conclusion is heart-stirring, and a testimony to patient love.
The Nerd by Larry Shue [Play] - Willum is a successful architect and Vietnam war veteran who owes his life to Rick Steadman. When Rick comes to stay with Willum, he proves to be one of the most obnoxious houseguests ever: tactless, nosy, and socially inept. Shue shows his comedic brilliance with well-placed humor that is hilarious, biting, and great social commentary. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Shue hits you with a surprise ending that makes a great play a classic.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - An alumna of a school for "special" children recounts her days growing up there. The dark secret about what makes the students special is hidden behind contradictions: they are excellently cared for but shunned by outsiders; they have an easy life, but no family to share it with; they have the run of the grounds, but no freedom outside. The reader may guess what the secret is long before its revelation, but will not mind because of the remarkably pitch-perfect telling of the story.
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord [Classic] - Forget the James Cameron film - this 1955 book tells the real story of the most famous shipwreck in modern times. Lord interviewed scores of survivors to assemble a you-are-there account of the disaster. He expertly renders scene after scene that pound the reader like a relentless hammer, interspersed with moments of hope, wonder, and humor. The author's ruthless exposure of the role of class prejudice in the survival rate is first class, unlike most of the dead.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry [Historical] - Fictionalized telling of the true story of the Jewish evacuation from Denmark during WWII. Upon learning that Danish Jews are to be detained and sent to death camps, the Danish resistance organizes a flotilla to take 7000 Jews to Sweden. The story is told through the eyes of 10 year old Annemarie, whose family hides the family of her best friend, and then participates in the escape. Told for younger teens, but a very quick and satisfying read for older teens.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - The unforgettable story of a mental ward and its inhabitants, especially the tyrannical Big Nurse Ratched and Randle Patrick McMurphy, the brawling, fun-loving new inmate who resolves to oppose her. We see the struggle through the eyes of Chief Bromden, the seemingly mute half-Indian patient who witnesses and understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the awesome powers that keep them all imprisoned. One of the great novels of the 1960's.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Fire and brimstone Baptist preacher, Nathan Price, hauls his wife and five daughters on an ill-planned mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Part one of the story examines the preacher's clumsy attempt to force his fundamentalist views on African culture and his families attempts to mold their lives to Africa. Part two examines how the family is marked by sometimes traffic events. A tough read, but well worth it.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant [Historical] - The story of Dinah, the daughter and sister of famous biblical characters who inhabit the Mesopotamian plain 4000 years ago. The author paints a detailed and engrossing picture of an ancient nomadic culture where women held more power than nomadic counterparts of today. The reader need not have Bible knowledge to thoroughly enjoy this novel. Caution: Contains some graphic content, just like the Bible does.
Rent by Jonathan Larson [Play] - The premise of this play is simple. A group of friends living on the Lower East Side of New York City struggle day to day through issues physical, emotional, and financial. The brilliance of the script is so obvious that it won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as four Tony Awards. The underlying message of the play speaks to the heart of the younger generation - that there is "no day but today."
Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith [Historical] - Jeff Bussey enters the Civil War at age 16 with dreams of glory and adventure. His dreams give way to fear and disillusionment as he encounters the absolute horror and misery of a bitter war. The teenager slowly morphs into just another battle-hardened, cold-hearted soldier, trying to survive day to day. When Jeff is recruited for a hazardous mission behind enemy lines, he discovers that the men he fights are no different than he - tired of war and ready to go home.
Roots by Alex Haley [Historical] - One of the most ground-breaking novels of the past 50 years, Roots in the mostly factual telling of author Alex Haley's family tree. Starting with ancestor Kunte Kinte, who was kidnapped as a young man from Africa and sold into American slavery, the novel follows the family through subjugation, emancipation, and racial oppression. Whether or not the story is entirely factual is immaterial, because the story represents the true experience of generations of African Americans.
The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman [Humor] - When Anthony and his friends meet Calvin Schwa, they are amazed at the boy's ability to seemingly appear and disappear before their eyes. After concocting a scheme to use Calvin's talent for financial gain, the group is soon caught by the town's mean millionaire, Mr. Crawley, and forced into community service serving Crawley hand and foot. Although the concept is zany, the richness of the characters and the depth of the plot make for a compelling and humorous story.
Sign of the Raven by Julie Hearn [Historical] - While visiting his grandmother's house, Tom starts hearing voices in the basement that belong to residents of an 18th-century freak show. Entering the time portal, Tom finds himself part of their dark and unseemly world. Using modern technology, Tom attempts to free his new friends from their virtual slavery. Although the arc of the story is quite good, the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the freak show residents is particularly riveting. Good and dark!
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer [Historical] - Victorian era novel about a powerful Duke, Justin, who rescues a starving waif from an abusive guardian and makes the boy his page. Because of the boy's resemblance to an enemy, Justin hopes to use the child to bring shame to his foe. However, the tables turn when the "boy" turns out to be a teenage girl with a strong personality and a timeless beauty. As Justin's plans progress, he barely realizes that he is falling for the young woman until she has captured him completely.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - Hosseini follows Mariam as she survives thirty years of Afghan chaos, from the Soviet invasion to civil war to the iron rule of the Taliban. Illegitimate and orphaned, Mariam is married to an abusive older man at age 15, and battles through one heartbreak after another. The strength of the story is Mariam's psychological growth as she slowly begins to challenge those who would silence her, and stands up for others just as oppressed. A painfully gorgeous book.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - An American classic told through the eyes of Scout, a young girl living in the rural South in the days of segregation. Here attorney father, Atticus, agrees to defend a black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. Scout bears witness to the fear and hatred in the town as well as the honor and dignity of her father and the accused man. Scout's father, Atticus Finch, still stands as one of the most honorable and courageous protagonists in literature. A must read.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - Written over 50 years ago, this book still resonates with grittiness and sensitivity. Francie lives in squalor with her family in turn of the century Brooklyn, deeply acquainted with hunger and the value of a penny. What sets the story apart from later novels of families in crisis is the tremendous humor and tender emotion that bind the story and the characters together. An enduring classic.
Water for the Elephants by Sara Gruen - When Jacob's parents die and leave him penniless, he drops out of Cornell vet school and joins the Benzini Brothers circus traveling Depression-era America. He parlays his vet skills into a position caring for the underfed and abused animals of the circus, with special attention to the elephants. Greun spares no punches when describing the squalid brutality of the traveling show, but at the same time humanizes all of its inhabitants. Fantastic attention to detail.
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher [Sports] - T. J., a refugee from a crack-addicted slum, lives with kindly adoptive parents. Witnessing the bullying of a brain damaged boy for wearing his dead brother's letter jacket drives T. J. to start a swim team in hopes that all participants can earn one of the jackets. The story follows the unlikely group of misfits in their quest for respectability, and the sacrifice and camaraderie that is part of it. The heart of the story is in the long bus rides to and from swim meets. The group shares the hurts and hopes that have shaped them in a way that will make you feel part of the team.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls [Historical] - The classic tale of a boy and his dogs living in depression era Oklahoma. After earning the money to buy a pair of bluetick hounds, young Billy raises them and trains them to hunt raccoons. The trio share many adventures, some funny, some exciting, and a couple abruptly horrifying. The result is a story littered with analysis of human nature, and of the nature of love. Two things to know: it is much better than the film, and it will make even the most macho of men cry.
White Fang by Jack London [Classic] - One of the first stories told from an animal's viewpoint follows White Fang, who is one-quarter dog and three-quarters wolf, from his birth in the wild to captivity by humans. He suffers the harshness of life as a sled dog, only to be sold to a cruel man for dog fighting. When rescued by a kind man, White Fang begins to learn about human kindness, and recaptures the sense of belonging that he had forgotten. For anyone who loves dogs or the outdoors, this is a must.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare [Historical] - Kit, a free-spirited island girl from the West Indies of the 1600s finds herself consigned to live with relatives in Puritan New England. Her strange and independent ways soon draw the ire of most of the townspeople, who suspect her to be a witch. Nevertheless, she wins the admiration of some through her kindness and sincerity. Will it be enough to save her?
You Can't Take It With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman [Play] - Alice's family is a bizarre as they come - pet snakes, fireworks, and everyone aspiring to the arts; daily life in her family is crazy and unpredictable. When Alice begins dating a young man, her family immediately makes him welcome in their home. However, the young man's appalled parents are not nearly so accepting. The battle of styles that ensues is both hilarious and revealing, sending a powerful message about what is important in a family and in a relationship.
Best of the Rest:
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Child of the Owl by Laurence Yep
Children of the River by Linda Crew
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
El Bronx Remembered by Nicholasa Mohr
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Home Before Dark by Sue Ellen Bridgers
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
The Lightkeeper’s Daughter by Iain Lawrence
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Maya Running by Anjali Banerjee
Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock
Middle Passage by Charles Johnson
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse
My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
My Sister’s Keeper by Judi Picoult
Native Son by Richard Wright
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Seek by Paul Fleischman
Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori
The Star Fisher by Laurence Yep
A Step from Heaven by An Na
Takeoffs and Landings by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
True Confessions of a Heartless Girl by Martha Brooks
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
When She Was Good by Norma Fox Mazer
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris
Historical:
The Abduction by Mette Newth
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich
Gentlehands by M. E. Kerr
Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen & Robert J. Harris
Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Jubilee by Margaret Walker
Kit’s Law by Donna Morrissey
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter
A Long Way from Chicago: a Novel in Stories by Richard Peck
Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
The Man from the Other Side by Uri Orlev
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln & Christopher Collier
No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt
No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Postcards from No Man’s Land by Aidan Chambers
The River Between Us by Richard Peck
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Samurai’s Tale by Erik C. Haugaard
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
Shane by Jack Schaefer
Smith by Leon Garfield
So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
Taking Liberty: the Story of Oney Judge by Ann Rinaldi
True Grit by Charles Portis
Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Zazoo by Richard Mosher
Humor:
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
Buffalo Brenda by Jill Pinkwater
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
The Education of Robert Nifkin by Daniel Pinkwater
The Fall of Fergal: the First Unlikely Exploit by Philip Ardagh
Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going
A Fate Totally Worse Than Death by Paul Fleischman
Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Harris and Me: a Summer Remembered by Gary Paulsen
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Indigo’s Star by Hilary McKay
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
Oddballs by William Sleator
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger
Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer
Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Squashed by Joan Bauer
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
The Teacher’s Funeral by Richard Peck
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut
The World According to Garp by John Irving
Worst Enemies/Best Friends by Annie Bryant
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
Sports:
Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter
The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Crackback by John Coy
Danger Zone by David Klass
Farm Team by Will Weaver
Hard Ball by Will Weaver
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks
On the Devil’s Court by Carl Deuker
Painting the Black by Carl Deuker
Roughnecks by Thomas Cohran
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella
Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Stotan! by Chris Crutcher
Taking Sides by Gary Soto
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Travel Team by Mike Lupica
Vision Quest by Terry Davis
Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace
Spiritual:
The Alchemist by Pauolo Cohelo
Archangel by Sharon Shinn
Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
Godless by Pete Hautman
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Snow in August by Pete Hamill
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
When We Were Saints by Han Nolan
Plays:
1776 by Peter Stone & Sherman Edwards
Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon
Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley
The Diviners by Jim Leonard
The Effect of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel
The Exact Center of the Universe by Joan Vail Thorne
The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon
"Master Harold"…and the Boys by Athol Fugard
Our Town: a Play in Three Acts by Thornton Wilder
Proof by David Auburn
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story by William Shakespeare, Arthur Laurents, & Stephen Sondheim
The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney
Classics:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Black Boy by Richard Wright
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dracula by Bram Stoker
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Emma by Jane Austen
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Miss Lonelyhearts and the Day of the Locust by Nathanael West
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
The Once and Future King by T. H. White
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Novels by Henry James
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
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