tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87293111447936420362024-03-08T17:34:06.022-06:00Yawestruck!Young Adult Writing ExtraordinaireDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-71113755161705854952013-05-31T22:32:00.000-05:002013-05-31T10:27:50.582-05:00What Are the Best Books for Teens?What are the best books for teens and young adults?<br />
<br />
This is the third most asked question by teenagers, behind "Who cares?" and "Seriously?" I have this on good authority from a guy who lives in his mom's basement and plays Pokemon professionally. I believe him. Seriously.<br />
<br />
Actually, this is a common question from teens, and from mothers who wish to coerce their teen into a reading habit by introducing them to "the best book ever." Well, fear not, seekers of teen literary wisdom. This blog attempts to answer that question by introducing you to the best of the best teen books, from all categories. Some are older (but still awesome). Some are more recent (and also awesome). Some are so new that the paint on the cover has not yet dried (oh, and awesome).<br />
<br />
This blog will also answer other questions relevant to teen literature, questions of great importance with answers of even greater wisdom. Or my lame opinions - one or the other. Either way, I will try to keep it entertaining. My credentials you ask? I'm an independent author of young adult novels with a reading habit of about twenty young adult books per year. Which puts me somewhere between clueless and "okay, maybe." As with all free thinkers, that is for you to decide.<br />
<br />
Click the tabs below the blog title to see a list by genre, with summaries of each novel. See book reviews and other information in the blog list to your right, along with other good YA list sites and links to my novels.<br />
<br />
Keep reading! David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-5421790326626134882013-05-31T10:08:00.000-05:002013-05-31T10:25:06.266-05:00What's the Difference Between Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Literature?My favorite sci-fi sub-genre is post-apocalyptic science fiction, with
dystopian literature coming in a respectable but distant second.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Because
I'm fascinated by the behavior of people when the thin veneer of
civilization is stripped away, and all hope is lost. What remains is a
true glimpse of humanity at its worst and best, and the question "what
makes us human" leaps to the forefront of existence.<br />
<br />
For the past
several years, dystopian literature has been hot, especially with young
adults. Many readers remain confused about the subtle difference
between dystopian literature and post-apocalyptic literature. Allow me
to explain my interpretation of the difference.<br />
<br />
A dystopia is a
society where societal perfection or societal transcendence is obtained
at the expense of something else. That "something else" could be a
devalued class of people, the loss of a fundamental freedom, or the
surrender of some aspect of human nature. Literary dystopias often arise
through a slow process of societal change, or more abruptly as the
result of some cataclysm. In either case, the dystopia represents
society in a stable state, albeit a state most of us find appalling in
some manner.<br />
<br />
Post-apocalyptic literature, on the other hand,
focuses on the instability during and/or following a cataclysmic event
that shatters society both in form and headcount. During the story,
whatever society exists is typically small, isolated, and highly
threatened. Often there is little or no hope for any meaningful future.
Although it is true that post-apocalyptic events can lead to the
formation of dystopian societies, it is the immediately endangered
nature of the society that interests me as a reader.<br />
<br />
For example,
I picked up Hunger Games in an airport years ago before it became a
global phenomenon, because it is exactly the type of story that grabs my
attention. Hunger Games is a dystopian story because it describes a
stable but imperfect society that has sacrificed morality and most of
the population for the comfort of a few. However, as a lover of
post-apocalyptic stories, I wanted to know "how." How did this society
emerge? What happened to create such a place? The story offers few
clues, other than hints of a war.<br />
<br />
I preferred the very
poetic Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. The survivors of a
zombie-plague apocalypse huddle together in a small community surrounded
by a chain-link fence, unaware of other survivors. Pretty hopeless,
right? Despite that hopelessness, a small band of teenagers venture into
the unknown with a vague hope that there must be something better "out
there."<br />
<br />
So ... it may come as no surprise that I wrote a pair of
post-apocalyptic novels. Write what you like; write what you know -
right? My other stories are not of that sub-genre, but I suspect that I
will revisit it later. My current PA novels are found at the link below.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Shore+of+Monsters+Nix" target="_blank">The Shore of Monsters (1 and 2)</a></div>
<br />
I'll leave you with this. The best
example, in my opinion, of an utterly hopeless situation where survivors
soldier on is the short story "A Pail of Air" by Fritz Leiber. It's
available free on-line by the original publisher, Baen books. If your
tastes mirror mine, then do yourself a favor and read it at the link below.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.baenebooks.com/chapters/0743498747/0743498747___6.htm" target="_blank">A Pail of Air by Fritz Leiber</a> </div>
<br />
(Note
- there is a short Preface, but the story starts at the line "Pa had
sent me out to get an extra pail of air." Good opening line!)David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-48510306677304057382013-04-17T19:18:00.000-05:002013-05-31T09:49:33.091-05:00What Do I Read Next? My Faves: Every Day by David LevithanSome novels grow on me over time. Some draw me in during the first few pages. Some have me at "Hello." The novel, Every Day, falls squarely into category number three. With one of the more intriguing premises I've ever heard, the story follows "A", a disembodied entity who wakes up in a new body every morning. He/she spends one day living as the invaded person, and one day only, before waking up in a fresh body the next morning. A doesn't have a past, just memories of the borrowed lives. How mysterious!<br />
<br />
After sixteen years of inhabiting progressively older bodies, A has developed a code of survival. The rules are simple: don't get too attached to the host, don't do anything out of the ordinary, and leave no trace behind. All that changes the day he wakes up as sixteen-year-old Jason, and meets the boy's girlfriend, Rhiannon. The girl possesses a depth of character and vulnerability of spirit that immediately draws A to her. By evening, A reaches a fateful decision. A wants to be with Rhiannon for more than just one day. In fact, A wants to be with her every day thereafter. Unable to stay in Jason's body, A must find creative ways to be with Rhiannon no matter whose body he/she inhabits over the ensuing weeks. These attempts begin to expose his/her existence to others, and puts both A and Rhiannon in peril.<br />
<br />
The strength of the story is A's description of the inhabited lives, and of the insight into the problems and flaws of the unsuspecting hosts. In full disclosure of my prudishness, I must confess that some of the romantic liaisons make me uncomfortable, particularly those of a homosexual or bisexual nature. This story is not for everyone! However, my discomfort forced me to look deeper at the characters of the novel - past the labels that I or society would place on them. There I found the tender souls of the characters so poetically described by the author, and that is what remained as I turned the last page.<br />
<br />
I recommend this novel not just for the ingenious premise, but for the journey it promises the reader in terms of seeing through the eyes of many others.David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-37656678087998059632013-01-21T12:57:00.003-06:002013-05-31T09:50:00.399-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Unwind<b>Unwind </b>by Neil Shusterman<br />
<br />
Mr. Shusterman is one of the most diverse authors of Young Adult
literature, having written highly acclaimed novels in the humor,
fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. <i>Unwind </i>represents his bold foray into the dystopian genre, and he does not disappoint.<br />
<br />
The novel takes place in an America a generation from now, but very
recognizable in most ways. However, this America exists in the aftermath
of a second civil war, which was fought to determine when life begins,
and whether abortion of any kind is acceptable. A stalemate resulted in a
horrific compromise where everybody lost. Abortions were disallowed,
but a parent could remand any child under the age of 18 to the state for
unwinding - a process where every part of the child's body is harvested
and donated to those in need of a new organ, a new limb, or even new
hair. The story follows a trio of 'unwinds' who escape the system and
attempt to remain hidden until their respective 18th birthdays. Connor
is a rebellious teen sent for unwinding by his parents because of his
repeated trouble-making. Risa is an orphan whose talents are not
sufficient to save her from unwinding. Most heart-breaking is Lev - a
child raised from birth for the sole purpose of unwinding as an offering
by his parents to God.<br />
<br />
The fascination of Shusterman's story is not so much what happens to the
teens on their journey toward freedom, but rather the presentation of a
society that has become the ultimate paradox: one that saves unborn
babies only to sacrifice them as teens; one that forces a child to
become expendable so that others might live fuller and longer lives.
When embarking upon the reading of this novel, I felt that the idea of
such a society and such a terrible compromise was a bit far-fetched. I
still do - perhaps I have too much faith in humanity. However, despite
my feelings, I found myself genuinely aching for the characters as
expendable members of society. More chillingly, I recognized the traits,
thought processes, and behaviors of those defending and participating
in the unwinding process - I have seen those traits and mindsets in
people I know. Far-fetched or not, the novel demonstrated powerfully a
weakness of human nature - our ability to rationalize evil behavior and
accept it as status quo. Recent history shows that entire nations can
adopt this mindset with terrible consequences, such as child slavery,
female suppression, and genocide.<br />
<br />
The most powerful scene of the novel is when the author takes us into
the secret unwinding room, and follows the unwinding of a character we
have come to know. Because the victim is forced to be awake for the
entire procedure, the reader experiences the physical and emotional
horror of unwinding through the thoughts and senses of the character.
That scene alone sets this novel apart from any other I have read. I
highly recommend this novel to anyone willing to face questions of deep
moral ambiguity. I guarantee that you will think about this one long
after reading the final page.David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-43457019695946883112013-01-21T12:56:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:50:24.263-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Incarceron<b>Incarceron</b> by Catherine Fisher<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Although a
captive in Incarceron prison, Flinn adamantly believes that he is there by
mistake. Incarceron is more than a prison: it is a structure so vast and
timeless that millions of prisoners reside within its dark interior for
generation upon generation. Unlike the others who have been residents since
birth, Flinn has no memories of his past in prison, but in fact indistinct
memories of another place.</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Claudia is
the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and heir to the privileges of that
position. Despite her lofty status, she feels out of place and dissatisfied
with the role she has been asked to accept, which includes an impending
marriage to the despicable prince of the kingdom. Both Flinn and Claudia appear
fated to their bleak futures until a mysterious pair of devices bring them into
verbal contact. Together they work to escape their prisons, his physical and
hers psychological, and unlock the mystery that is Incarceron.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ms. Fisher
creates an extraordinary world both inside and outside the prison, dripping
with atmosphere and renaissance culture. He creates highly believable
characters complete with flaws and virtues, and crafts genuine relationships
amongst them. This terrific novel is part one of a continuing series, but is
highly entertaining as a standalone work.</span></div>
David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-32040304246184363762013-01-21T12:54:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:50:53.243-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Maze Runner<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b>Maze Runner</b> by James Dashner</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have you ever
awakened in a strange place and lay wondering for a moment "Where am
I" before remembering? What if you didn't remember where you were, or who
you were, or anything about yourself other than your first name? This is the
opening premise of "The Maze Runner", and the mystery only deepens
from there.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Teenager
Thomas finds himself in a glade surrounded by a massive maze, and in the
company of dozens of other teenage boys who share the same memory loss. The
boys work together to survive in the glade while searching for a way of escape
without falling prey to the murderous Grievers. The arrival of a teenage girl
signals a game change, forcing desperate decisions by Thomas and the others to
escape before the Grievers take them all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The book is constructed in the style of game-playing
mysteries. The teens find themselves part of a diabolical game, and to survive
they must determine both the rules and a way to win the game. Although the
character relationships are a bit simplistic, the friendship between Thomas and
the hapless Chuck is touching. Nevertheless, it is not the characters that
drive the story, but rather the mystery and the inevitable action that follows.</span>David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-28106361170811753472013-01-06T10:14:00.000-06:002013-05-31T10:15:36.166-05:00The Best Post-Apocalyptic Short Story - Ever!A Pail of Air by Fritz Lieber. With a claim like that, it better be
good. It is. Written in 1951, the story starts with a startling premise: Earth
has been ripped away from the sun by a 'dark star', the atmosphere lies
in frozen layers on the ground, and everyone is dead. Well, not quite
everyone. The tale is narrated by a boy who survives with his small
family in a hand-built dwelling, valiantly staving off human extinction.
The story owes its title to one of the boy's daily chores: donning a
suit, going outside, and retrieving a pail of frozen air. The fire
inside warms the air, it turns to gas, and thus sustains the family.<br />
<br />
Why
is this the best short story ever? Because, there is no hope, but the
characters hope anyway, and fight on. It is this quirk of the human
spirit that makes every post-apocalyptic story so compelling, and
inspires me. It was stories like this one that drew me to the genre, and
keeps me coming back.<br />
<br />
You can read the story for free at the following link posted by the original publisher.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.baenebooks.com/chapters/0743498747/0743498747___6.htm" target="_blank">A Pail of Air by Fritz Leiber</a><br />
<br />
There
is a short introduction, so just skip to the first line "Pa had sent me
out to get an extra pail of air." Yep - still gives me chills.David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-28800421160897691512013-01-01T10:04:00.000-06:002013-05-31T10:05:00.165-05:00What to Read After the End of the WorldHey, campers! We all survived the End-of-the-World, AKA The Mayan
Apocalypse. That's good news, unless you gave all your stuff away or ran
up your credit card debt.<br />
<br />
Back to literature. You
might have noticed that there are two types of apocalyptic novels:
Apocalyptic, and Post-Apocalyptic. The first deals mostly with "How the
world ends". The second deals mostly with "What people do to survive and
rebuild after the world ends". Some are hybrids, dealing with both the
end and the aftermath. Different readers may prefer one type over the
other. In that vein, I've listed below my favorites by type.<br />
<br />
You'll
notice very few straight up end-of-the-world novels. Readers want hope,
generally. But sometimes we love to wallow in the misery of a hopeless
story. I recently watched the movie "Melancholia". Without spoiling it,
the movie was utterly hopeless to the bitter end, so much so that it
literally depressed me for a couple of days afterward. However, my main
criteria for any "great" story is that it touches me deeply. In that
sense, Melancholia was a great story.<br />
<br />
<b>End of the World:</b><br />
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy<br />
- I Am Legend by Richard Matheson<br />
- On the Beach by Nevil Shute<br />
<br />
<b>After the End of the World:</b><br />
- Shore of Monsters by David Nix (that's me)<br />
- Blood Red by Moira Young<br />
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau<br />
- Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan<br />
- Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt<br />
- A Gift Upon the Shore by M. K. Wren<br />
- The Postman by David Brin<br />
- Through Darkest America by Neal Barrett Jr.<br />
- Z for Zechariah by Robert C. O'Brien<br />
- Daybreak 2250 A.D. (Star Man's Son) by Andre Norton<br />
<br />
<b>End of the World and What Comes After:</b><br />
- The Passage by Justin Cronin (reading this right now, in fact)<br />
- Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle<br />
-
A Canticle for Liebowitz by Walter M. Miller (although this is harder
to place; more like what comes after, and then the end of the world
again)<br />
- The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham<br />
- The Death of Grass (No Blade of Grass) by John Christopher<br />
- Earth Abides by George Stewart<br />
- The Tripods by John Christopher<br />
- Vault of Ages by Poul AndersonDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-21406502921886462802012-03-04T09:19:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:51:14.044-05:00Why You Should See the Movie "John Carter"Do you love science fiction? Or epic stories? Or great romances? Yes? Well, perhaps you have seen the trailer for the upcoming Disney film "John Carter" and thought, "What is that?" Maybe you are thinking it is a cheesy knock-off of "Avatar". Maybe you are thinking that you've seen all of that in Star Wars, or Aliens, or Raiders of the Lost Ark. Right?<br />
<br />
Then hold on, and check this this out. The movie "John Carter" is based on a book called "A Princess of Mars". The first parts of it appeared in pulp magazines in 1912 - exactly 100 years ago. The guy who wrote it - Edgar Rice Burroughs - also invented another character you know and love: Tarzan. When Burroughs wrote the character of John Carter, nothing like him had ever existed before in literature. In short, Carter is a normal guy from Earth transported to Mars, where the low gravity makes him super-strong and agile. As a result of John Carter, a whole new genre was born: modern science fiction as we know it. Most great science fiction written in the past century, Star Wars and Avatar included, are knock-offs of John Carter, not vice-versa. Lone warrior underdog taking on the evil empire against all odds, and he gets the princess along the way. Heard of it? John Carter, in a nutshell.<br />
<br />
So, go see "John Carter". It is the original template from which all modern science fiction is made. And if you have time, go read "A Princess of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. That way, when the movie becomes the blockbuster of the year, you can say, "Oh yes, I loved the book!" Bragging rights are worth something.<br />
<br />
Addendum, January 21, 2013: Okay, so it didn't become a blockbuster. In fact, the movie has been hailed as one of the all-time great flops. This is why I don't bet at the racetrack. It's still an good movie, especially for sci-fi nerds like me. David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-23437376692802675012012-02-10T15:08:00.001-06:002013-05-31T09:51:29.495-05:00Don't Be a Hater (or Why do you hate The Hunger Games?)During the past ten years, at any given point in time there was "The Big Teen Novel". The Big Teen Novel was a particular work that most teens were reading, talking about, and obsessing over. Today that novel is The Hunger Games. Yesterday it was Twilight, and Harry Potter before that. With the arrival of every Big Teen Novel, there also appears The Haters of The Big Teen Novel. They arise from darkness like a band of flesh-eating zombies, wildly slashing at The Big Teen Novel and all of its loyal minions. Their contorted faces emit condescending moans that sound something like "must ... hate ... twilight!" or "die ... conformist ... morons!" The loyal minions respond with baffled astonishment, tearfully shouting, "how can you hate that which i find to be awesome beyond belief?"<br />
<br />
This cycle repeats every few years or so, much to the amusement of more neutral bystanders. We watch with a self-satisfied shake of our heads as the haters and minions duel to the death - or until the next Big Teen Novel appears, whichever comes first.<br />
<br />
So can I just say one thing? Just one little thing? Here, come a little closer, because I don't wish to shout. Are you listening now? Good.<br />
<br />
JUST STOP IT!<br />
<br />
For you loyal minions, you need to understand something about the haters. Most of them haven't even read your awesome novel, so any professions of hatred are not really intended for the story. What they really hate is conformity. They see you as a mindless addict to some prophet of literature who fills your mind with numbing words, rendering you blind and stupid. The sad news is that occasionally the haters are right. But mostly they are bitter because nobody worships their brilliance, and so demonstrate intellect by bashing you of the lower order brain. But here is the good news: popularity does not equal stupidity. Breathing is very popular and quite highly regarded. That does not make it a bad behavior exercised only by those who aren't independent enough to stop breathing. So forgive the haters, for they are slaves to something far more damaging than a book.<br />
<br />
For you that hate: go find another game to play. Don't exercise your intellectual independence by squashing the literary preferences of others. Please find another outlet for your intellectual superiority. Otherwise, the rest of us will be forced to round up all of you, put you in a cage, and let you fight to the death. Now that would make for an interesting novel.David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-85625908439641093592011-12-09T22:51:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:51:48.817-05:00Ten Books on a Desert Island (Or, "What Are Your Top 10 Teen Novels?")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.<br />
<br />
Wait - is that a ship on the horizon? Dang. Just a fat albatross.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Look - is that a naval buoy? Nope. Just a Wilson volleyball. How'd that get here?<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
Here is my list, in no particular order:<br />
<br />
- Kindred by Octavia E. Butler<br />
- The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke<br />
- Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Deaver<br />
- Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta<br />
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee<br />
- The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare<br />
- Harry Potter, Volume 1 by J.K. Rowling<br />
- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card<br />
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie<br />
- The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer<br />
- Sabriel by Garth Nix<br />
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak<br />
- Alive by Piers Paul Read<br />
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy<br />
- Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk<br />
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold<br />
- The Graveyard Book by Neil GaimanDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-5922104604771915512011-12-09T22:50:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:52:14.633-05:00Does 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?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Argument 1 - The story is cliche; nothing about the story line is new.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
Conclusion: True. Twilight is a mish-mash of cliches.<br />
<br />
Argument 2 - The story is not well written.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
Conclusion: True, depending on what you compare it to. Meaning, almost anything.<br />
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3. The characters are flat. And I mean, paper flat.<br />
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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.<br />
Conclusion: Yep - looks true.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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So, does Twilight suck? Yes. Is it a good book? Yes. And I like the toilet paper to hang away from the wall.David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-91672906462385806182011-12-09T22:49:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:52:44.580-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Road<b>The Road</b> by Cormac McCarthy<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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One of my faves!David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-79889409318672737682011-12-09T22:48:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:53:47.724-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Hunger Games<b>The Hunger Games</b> by Suzanne Collins<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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One of my faves!David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-28728624135408295762011-12-09T22:47:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:54:29.183-05:00What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Graveyard Book<b>The Graveyard Book</b> by Neil Gaiman<br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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One of my faves!David Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-78951771482109718202011-12-09T22:46:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:54:56.047-05:00What 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Certain Slant of Light</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The China Garden</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cold Mountain</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Companions of the Night</span> 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".<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Corelli's Mandolin</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dairy Queen</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Down the Dead Road</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dustlands</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Going Too Far</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Grand Sophy</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Howl's Moving Castle</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">I Capture the Castle</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jellicoe Road</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mrs. Mike</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nevermore</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Noughts and Crosses</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pride and Prejudice</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Scribbler of Dreams</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Shore of Monsters</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Stargirl</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Summer of My German Soldier</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">These Old Shades</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Truth About Forever</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Twenty Boy Summer</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Twilight</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman</span> 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.<br />
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The Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>Beast</b> by Donna Jo Napoli<br />
<b>The Catalogue of the Universe</b> by Margaret Mahy<br />
<b>Cold Sassy Tree</b> by Olive Ann Burns<br />
<b>Dear John</b> by Nicholas Sparks<br />
<b>Dreamland</b> by Sarah Dessen<br />
<b>Flipped</b> by Wendelin Van Draanen<br />
<b>Forever …</b> by Judy Blume<br />
<b>If You Come Softly</b> by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
<b>Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking An Ashtray?</b> by Randy Powell<br />
<b>My Heartbeat</b> by Garret Freymann-Weyr<br />
<b>North of Beautiful</b> by Justina Chen Headley<br />
<b>The Notebook</b> by Nicholas Sparks<br />
<b>Owl in Love</b> by Patrice Kindl<br />
<b>Perfect Chemistry</b> by Simone Elkeles<br />
<b>Seventeenth Summer</b> by Maureen Daly<br />
<b>The Shadow of the Wind</b> by Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br />
<b>The Sherwood Ring</b> by Elizabeth Marie Pope<br />
<b>Someone Like You</b> by Sarah Dessen<br />
<b>The Summer I Turned Pretty</b> by Jenny Han<br />
<b>Sweethearts</b> by Sara Zarr<br />
<b>Things Not Seen</b> by Andrew Clements<br />
<b>This Lullaby</b> by Sarah Dessen<br />
<b>The Time Traveler’s Wife</b> by Audrey Niffennegger<br />
<b>To Say Nothing of the Dog</b> by Connie Willis<br />
<b>Zel</b> by Donna Jo NapoliDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-24572803492280268072011-12-09T22:45:00.005-06:002013-05-31T09:55:30.602-05:00What 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.<br />
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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.!<br />
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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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">1984</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Anthem</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brief History of the Dead</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The City and the Stars</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The City of Ember</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Clockwork Orange</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Dark Side of Nowhere</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dune</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dustlands</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Enchantress from the Stars</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ender's Game</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Forest of Hands and Teeth</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Giver</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Handmaid's Tale</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The House of Scorpion</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">How I Live Now</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hunger Games (Trilogy)</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jurassic Park</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Kindred</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Long Walk</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Necessary Beggar</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Noughts and Crosses</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Road</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Shipbreaker</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Shore of Monsters</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fall of Darkness</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sign of the Raven</span> 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! <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Stand</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tomorrow When the War Began</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Transall Saga</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Uglies</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Wrinkle in Time</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Z for Zechariah</span> 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.<br />
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Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>2001: a Space Odyssey</b> by Arthur C. Clarke<br />
<b>Among the Hidden</b> by Margaret Peterson Haddix<br />
<b>Brave New World</b> by Aldous Huxley<br />
<b>A Canticle for Leibowitz</b> by Walter M. Miller, Jr.<br />
<b>Childhood’s End</b> by Arthur C. Clarke<br />
<b>Citizen of the Galaxy</b> by Robert Heinlein<br />
<b>The Diamond Age</b> by Neal Stephenson<br />
<b>Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?</b> by Philip K. Dick<br />
<b>The Doomsday Book</b> by Connie Willis<br />
<b>The Duplicate</b> by William Sleator<br />
<b>The Ear, the Eye and the Arm</b> by Nancy Farmer<br />
<b>The Eyre Affair</b> by Jasper Fforde<br />
<b>Fade</b> by Robert Cormier<br />
<b>Fahrenheit 451</b> by Ray Bradbury<br />
<b>Feed</b> by M. T. Anderson<br />
<b>The Foundation Series</b> by Isaac Asimov<br />
<b>Gathering Blue</b> by Lois Lowry<br />
<b>The Guns of the South</b> by Harry Turtledove<br />
<b>The Hour of the Horde</b> by Gordon R. Dickson<br />
<b>House of Stairs</b> by William Sleator<br />
<b>I, Robot</b> by Isaac Asimov<br />
<b>Interstellar Pig</b> by William Sleator<br />
<b>The Last Book in the Universe</b> by Rodman Philbrick<br />
<b>The Lathe of Heaven</b> by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<b>The Left Hand of Darkness</b> by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<b>The Martian Chronicles</b> by Ray Bradbury<br />
<b>Mortal Engines</b> by Philip Reeve<br />
<b>The Postman</b> by David Brin<br />
<b>Running Out of Time</b> by Margaret Peterson Haddix<br />
<b>Starship Troopers</b> by Robert Heinlein<br />
<b>Stranger in a Strange Land</b> by Robert a. Heinlein<br />
<b>The White Mountains</b> by John Christopher<br />
<b>The Year of the Hangman</b> by Gary BlackwoodDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-44443488531451063092011-12-09T22:43:00.001-06:002013-05-31T09:56:06.887-05:00What 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Alanna, the First Adventure: Song of the Lioness</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Certain Slant of Light</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Changeover: a Supernatural Romance</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Charmed Life: the Chronicles of Chrestomanci</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Companions of the Night</span> 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".<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Coraline</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dealing with Dragons: the Enchanted Forest Chronicles</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Down the Dead Road</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ella Enchanted</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Exorcist</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Folk Keeper</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Gossamer</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Graveyard Book</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Harry Potter (the entire series)</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hero and the Crown</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hobbit</span> 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?<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Howl's Moving Castle</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Into the Land of Unicorns: the Unicorn Chronicles</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Locked In Time</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lord of the Rings</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lost Years of Merlin</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lovely Bones</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Mists of Avalon</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nevermore</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Perilous Gard</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Poison</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Princess Bride</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Redwall</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sabriel</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Skellig</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sorcery and Cecilia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tamsin</span> 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!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuck Everlasting</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Twilight</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Watership Down</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: a Tale of Alderly</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Wizard of Earthsea</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness</span> 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.<br />
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Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori</b> by Lian Hearn<br />
<b>The Akhenaten Adventure: Children of the Lamp</b> by P. B. Kerr<br />
<b>The Alienist</b> by Caleb Carr<br />
<b>American Gods</b> by Neil Gaiman<br />
<b>The Amulet of Samarkand: the Bartimaeus Trilogy</b> by Jonathan Stroud<br />
<b>Anansi Boys</b> by Neil Gaiman<br />
<b>The Arm of the Starfish</b> by Madeleine L’Engle<br />
<b>Arrows of the Queen: the Heralds of Valdemar</b> by Mercedes Lackey<br />
<b>The Bad Beginning: a Series of Unfortunate Events</b> by Lemony Snicket<br />
<b>Birdwing</b> by Rafe Martin<br />
<b>Blood and Chocolate</b> by Annette Curtis Klause<br />
<b>Blue Is for Nightmares</b> by Laurie Faria Stolarz<br />
<b>Carrie</b> by Stephen King<br />
<b>The Conch Bearer: Brotherhood of the Conch</b> by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni<br />
<b>The Crystal Cave: the Arthurian Saga</b> by Mary Stewart<br />
<b>The Darkangel</b> by Meredith Ann Pierce<br />
<b>A Density of Souls</b> by Christopher Rice<br />
<b>Down a Dark Hall</b> by Lois Duncan<br />
<b>Dragonflight: Dragonriders of Pern</b> by Anne McCaffrey<br />
<b>East</b> by Edith Pattou<br />
<b>Elsewhere</b> by Gabrielle Zevin<br />
<b>Eragon: Inheritance</b> by Christopher Paolini<br />
<b>The Fifth Child</b> by Doris Lessing<br />
<b>Firegold</b> by Dia Calhoun<br />
<b>Gifts</b> by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<b>The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials</b> by Philip Pullman<br />
<b>Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales</b> Edited by Deborah Noyes<br />
<b>The Grand Tour</b> by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer<br />
<b>A Great and Terrible Beauty: the Gemma Doyle Trilogy</b> by Libba Bray<br />
<b>Gregor the Overlander: the Underland Chronicles</b> by Suzanne Collins<br />
<b>Haroun and the Sea of Stories</b> by Salman Rushdie<br />
<b>The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray</b> by Chris Wooding<br />
<b>The Haunting of Hill House</b> by Shirley Jackson<br />
<b>The Historian</b> by Elizabeth Kostova<br />
<b>Impossible</b> by Nancy Werlin<br />
<b>Inkheart</b> by Cornelia Funke<br />
<b>Interview with the Vampire</b> by Anne Rice<br />
<b>Jaws</b> by Peter Benchley<br />
<b>The Little Prince</b> by Antoine De Saint-Exupery<br />
<b>Look for Me by Moonlight</b> by Mary Downing Hahn<br />
<b>Magic Circle</b> by Donna Jo Napoli<br />
<b>Magic Kingdom for Sale / Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover)</b> by Terry Brooks<br />
<b>The Neverending Story</b> by Michael Ende<br />
<b>Neverwhere</b> by Neil Gaiman<br />
<b>The Night Country</b> by Stewart O’Nan<br />
<b>Queen of the Damned</b> by Anne Rice<br />
<b>Rebecca</b> by Daphne Du Maurier<br />
<b>The Riddle-Master of Hed</b> by Patricia McKillip<br />
<b>The Ropemaker</b> by Peter Dickinson<br />
<b>Runemarks</b> by Joanne Harris<br />
<b>The Sea of Trolls</b> by Nancy Farmer<br />
<b>The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney</b> by Suzanne Harper<br />
<b>Secret Sacrament</b> by Sherryl Jordan<br />
<b>The Seeing Stone: the Arthur Trilogy</b> by Kevin Crossley-Holland<br />
<b>The Silver Kiss</b> by Annette Curtis Klause<br />
<b>Something Wicked This Way Comes</b> by Ray Bradbury<br />
<b>The Squire’s Tale: the Squire’s Tales</b> by Gerald Morris<br />
<b>A Stir of Bones</b> by Nina Kiriki Hoffman<br />
<b>Sweetblood</b> by Pete Hautman<br />
<b>The Thief Lord</b> by Cornelia Funke<br />
<b>Time Cat: the Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth</b> by Lloyd Alexander<br />
<b>Tithe: a Modern Faerie Tale</b> by Holly Black<br />
<b>Trickster’s Choice: Daughter of the Lioness</b> by Tamora Pierce<br />
<b>Vampire High</b> by Douglas Rees<br />
<b>The Vampire Lestat</b> by Anne Rice<br />
<b>Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West</b> by Gregory Maguire<br />
<b>The Wind Singer: the Wind On Fire</b> by William Nicholson<br />
<b>The Winter Prince</b> by Elizabeth E. Wein<br />
<b>Witch Child</b> by Celia Rees<br />
<b>Wringer</b> by Jerry SpinelliDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-63079407970884804122011-12-09T22:41:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:56:36.893-05:00What 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<b>Ball Four</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Basketball Diaries</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Bell Jar</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Child Called "It"</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Diary of Ann Frank</b> 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!<br />
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<b>Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Fire Next Time</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Forgotten Soldier</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Getting Away With Murder: the True Story of the Emmett Till Case</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Ghost Soldiers: the Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission</b> 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.<br />
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<b>In Cold Blood</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Killer Angels</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Marley and Me</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Man's Search for Meaning</b> 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.<br />
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<b>My Dog Skip</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Night</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Night to Remember</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Rocket Boys (October Sky)</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Sand County Almanac</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Seabiscuit</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Things They Carried</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Washington's Crossing</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Winterdance: the Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod</b> 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.<br />
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Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>1776</b> by David McCullough<br />
<b>An American Plague: the True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793</b> by Jim Murphy<br />
<b>Angela’s Ashes: a Memoir</b> by Frank McCourt<br />
<b>Behind the Mask: the Life Queen Elizabeth I</b> by Jane Resh Thomas<br />
<b>Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc</b> by Polly S. Brooks<br />
<b>Boy: Tales of Childhood</b> by Roald Dahl<br />
<b>Bringing Down the House: the Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions</b> by Ben Mezrich<br />
<b>The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child</b> by Francisco Jimenez<br />
<b>Coming of Age in Mississippi</b> by Anne Moody<br />
<b>The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America</b> by Erik Larson<br />
<b>A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century</b> by Barbara W. Tuchman<br />
<b>Fast Food Nation: the Dark Side of the All-American Meal</b> by Eric Schlosser<br />
<b>Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72</b> by Hunter S. Thompson<br />
<b>Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation</b> by Joseph J. Ellis<br />
<b>Funny in Farsi: a Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America</b> by Firoozeh Dumas<br />
<b>Good Brother, Bad Brother: the Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth</b> by James Cross Giblin<br />
<b>Growing Up</b> by Russell Baker<br />
<b>Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies</b> by Jared Diamond<br />
<b>Hitler Youth</b> by Susan Campbell Bartoletti<br />
<b>Hole in My Life</b> by Jack Gantos<br />
<b>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</b> by Maya Angelou<br />
<b>John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth</b> by Elizabeth Partridge<br />
<b>King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography</b> by Chris Crutcher<br />
<b>The Last Lecture</b> by Randy Pausch<br />
<b>Left for Dead: a Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis</b> by Pete Nelson<br />
<b>The Life and Death of Adolph Hitler</b> by James Cross Giblin<br />
<b>A Long Way: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Gone</b> by Ishmael Beah<br />
<b>Lucky: a Memoir</b> by Alice Sebold<br />
<b>Me Talk Pretty One Day</b> by David Sedaris<br />
<b>The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo</b> by Tom Feelings<br />
<b>Mosque</b> by David MacAulay<br />
<b>Never Cry Wolf: the Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves</b> by Farley Mowat<br />
<b>No Pretty Pictures: a Child of War</b> by Anita Lobel<br />
<b>Old School</b> by Tobias Wolff<br />
<b>The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party</b> by Marian Calabro<br />
<b>Phineas Gage: a Gruesome But True Story about Brain Science</b> by John Fleischman<br />
<b>Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World</b> by Jennifer Armstrong<br />
<b>Sickened: the True Story of a Lost Childhood</b> by Julie Gregory<br />
<b>Standing Like a Stone Wall</b> by James I. Robertson, Jr.<br />
<b>Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers</b> by Mary Roach<br />
<b>Stop-Time: a Memoir</b> by Frank Conroy<br />
<b>This Boy’s Life: a Memoir</b> by Tobias Wolff<br />
<b>Tuesdays with Morrie</b> by Mitch Albom<br />
<b>Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West</b> by Stephen E. Ambrose<br />
<b>Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates</b> by David Cordingly<br />
<b>The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights</b> by Russell FreedmanDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-45848920990234499142011-12-09T22:40:00.000-06:002013-05-31T09:57:22.359-05:00What 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!"<br />
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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!<br />
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These are my favorite "other" novels, with tags that help categorize them: historical, humor, sports, spiritual, plays, and classics.<br />
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<b>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</b> 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!<br />
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<b>The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Andersonville</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging: the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson</b> 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!<br />
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<b>Animal Farm</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Art of Racing in the Rain</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Ball Don't Lie</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Ball Four</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Bell for Adano</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Black Jack</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Book Thief</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Bronze Bow</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Bud, Not Buddy</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Cheaper by the Dozen</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Cold Mountain</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Confederacy of Dunces</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Copper Sun</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Crow Lake</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Crucible</b> 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?<br />
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<b>David Copperfield</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Elephant Man: A Play</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Esperanza Rising</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Flowers for Algernon</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Foreigner</b> 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!<br />
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<b>Forgotten Fire</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Girls for Breakfast</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Good Night, Mr. Tom</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Grand Sophy</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Great Gatsby</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Hoop Dreams</b> 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.<br />
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<b>In Lane Three, Alex Archer</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Kindred</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Kitchen Boy</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Kite Runner</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Last Days of Summer</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Life of Pi</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Lonesome Dove</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Mary, Bloody Mary: a Young Royals Book</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Miracle Worker</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Nerd</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Never Let Me Go</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Night to Remember</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Number the Stars</b> 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.<br />
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<b>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Poisonwood Bible</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Red Tent</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Rent</b> 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."<br />
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<b>Rifles for Watie</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Roots</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Schwa Was Here</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Sign of the Raven</b> 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!<br />
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<b>These Old Shades</b> 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. <br />
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<b>A Thousand Splendid Suns</b> 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.<br />
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<b>To Kill a Mockingbird</b> 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.<br />
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<b>A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Water for the Elephants</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Whale Talk</b> 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.<br />
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<b>Where the Red Fern Grows</b> 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.<br />
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<b>White Fang</b> 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.<br />
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<b>The Witch of Blackbird Pond</b> 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?<br />
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<b>You Can't Take It With You</b> 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.<br />
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Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>All the Pretty Horses</b> by Cormac McCarthy<br />
<b>Big Fish</b> by Daniel Wallace<br />
<b>Bless Me, Ultima</b> by Rudolfo Anaya<br />
<b>The Blood of Flowers</b> by Anita Amirrezvani<br />
<b>The Boy in the Striped Pajamas</b> by John Boyne<br />
<b>The Breadwinner</b> by Deborah Ellis<br />
<b>Child of the Owl</b> by Laurence Yep<br />
<b>Children of the River</b> by Linda Crew<br />
<b>The Color Purple</b> by Alice Walker<br />
<b>A Corner of the Universe</b> by Ann M. Martin<br />
<b>Cuba 15</b> by Nancy Osa<br />
<b>El Bronx Remembered</b> by Nicholasa Mohr<br />
<b>Ellen Foster</b> by Kaye Gibbons<br />
<b>Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close</b> by Jonathan Safran Foer<br />
<b>Home Before Dark</b> by Sue Ellen Bridgers<br />
<b>Homeless Bird</b> by Gloria Whelan<br />
<b>I Am the Messenger</b> by Markus Zusak<br />
<b>In the Time of the Butterflies</b> by Julia Alvarez<br />
<b>Invisible Man</b> by Ralph Ellison<br />
<b>The Joy Luck Club</b> by Amy Tan<br />
<b>Light on Snow</b> by Anita Shreve<br />
<b>The Lightkeeper’s Daughter</b> by Iain Lawrence<br />
<b>Like Water for Chocolate</b> by Laura Esquivel<br />
<b>Maya Running</b> by Anjali Banerjee<br />
<b>Me and Emma</b> by Elizabeth Flock<br />
<b>Middle Passage</b> by Charles Johnson<br />
<b>Middlesex</b> by Jeffrey Eugenides<br />
<b>The Music of Dolphins</b> by Karen Hesse<br />
<b>My Friend Flicka</b> by Mary O’Hara<br />
<b>My Sister’s Keeper</b> by Judi Picoult<br />
<b>Native Son</b> by Richard Wright<br />
<b>One Hundred Years of Solitude</b> by Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br />
<b>The Other Side of Truth</b> by Beverly Naidoo<br />
<b>Plainsong</b> by Kent Haruf<br />
<b>Seek</b> by Paul Fleischman<br />
<b>Shizuko’s Daughter</b> by Kyoko Mori<br />
<b>The Star Fisher</b> by Laurence Yep<br />
<b>A Step from Heaven</b> by An Na<br />
<b>Takeoffs and Landings</b> by Margaret Peterson Haddix<br />
<b>Their Eyes Were Watching God</b> by Zora Neale Hurston<br />
<b>True Confessions of a Heartless Girl</b> by Martha Brooks<br />
<b>Weetzie Bat</b> by Francesca Lia Block<br />
<b>What I Saw and How I Lied</b> by Judy Blundell<br />
<b>When She Was Good</b> by Norma Fox Mazer<br />
<b>White Oleander</b> by Janet Fitch<br />
<b>The Whale Rider</b> by Witi Ihimaera<br />
<b>When I Was Puerto Rican</b> by Esmeralda Santiago<br />
<b>A Yellow Raft in Blue Water</b> by Michael Dorris<br />
<br />
Historical:<br />
<b>The Abduction</b> by Mette Newth<br />
<b>Al Capone Does My Shirts</b> by Gennifer Choldenko<br />
<b>The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay</b> by Michael Chabon<br />
<b>Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress</b> by Dai Sijie<br />
<b>Beloved</b> by Toni Morrison<br />
<b>The Birchbark House</b> by Louise Erdrich<br />
<b>Breath by Donna</b> Jo Napoli<br />
<b>Briar Rose</b> by Jane Yolen<br />
<b>Catherine, Called Birdy</b> by Karen Cushman<br />
<b>The Devil’s Arithmetic</b> by Jane Yolen<br />
<b>The Doomsday Book</b> by Connie Willis<br />
<b>Fever 1793</b> by Laurie Halse Anderson<br />
<b>The Game of Silence</b> by Louise Erdrich<br />
<b>Gentlehands</b> by M. E. Kerr<br />
<b>Girl in a Cage</b> by Jane Yolen & Robert J. Harris<br />
<b>Girl in Blue</b> by Ann Rinaldi<br />
<b>Girl with a Pearl Earring</b> by Tracy Chevalier<br />
<b>The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter</b> by Carson McCullers<br />
<b>Johnny Tremain</b> by Esther Forbes<br />
<b>Jubilee</b> by Margaret Walker<br />
<b>Kit’s Law</b> by Donna Morrissey<br />
<b>A Lesson Before Dying</b> by Ernest J. Gaines<br />
<b>The Light in the Forest</b> by Conrad Richter<br />
<b>A Long Way from Chicago: a Novel in Stories</b> by Richard Peck<br />
<b>Lyddie</b> by Katherine Paterson<br />
<b>The Man from the Other Side</b> by Uri Orlev<br />
<b>Memoirs of a Geisha</b> by Arthur Golden<br />
<b>The Minister’s Daughter</b> by Julie Hearn<br />
<b>Montana 1948</b> by Larry Watson<br />
<b>My Brother Sam Is Dead</b> by James Lincoln & Christopher Collier<br />
<b>No Promises in the Wind</b> by Irene Hunt<br />
<b>No Shame, No Fear</b> by Ann Turnbull<br />
<b>A Northern Light</b> by Jennifer Donnelly<br />
<b>Postcards from No Man’s Land</b> by Aidan Chambers<br />
<b>The River Between Us</b> by Richard Peck<br />
<b>Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry</b> by Mildred D. Taylor<br />
<b>The Samurai’s Tale</b> by Erik C. Haugaard<br />
<b>The Shakespeare Stealer</b> by Gary Blackwood<br />
<b>Shane</b> by Jack Schaefer<br />
<b>Smith</b> by Leon Garfield<br />
<b>So Far from the Bamboo Grove</b> by Yoko Kawashima Watkins<br />
<b>Stop the Train</b> by Geraldine McCaughrean<br />
<b>Taking Liberty: the Story of Oney Judge</b> by Ann Rinaldi<br />
<b>True Grit</b> by Charles Portis<br />
<b>Under the Blood-Red Sun</b> by Graham Salisbury<br />
<b>The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963</b> by Christopher Paul Curtis<br />
<b>When My Name Was Keoko</b> by Linda Sue Park<br />
<b>When the Emperor Was Divine</b> by Julie Otsuka<br />
<b>The Widow of the South</b> by Robert Hicks<br />
<b>Year Down Yonder</b> by Richard Peck<br />
<b>Year of Wonders</b> by Geraldine Brooks<br />
<b>The Yearling</b> by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings<br />
<b>Zazoo</b> by Richard Mosher<br />
<br />
Humor:<br />
<b>The BFG</b> by Roald Dahl<br />
<b>Breakfast of Champions</b> by Kurt Vonnegut<br />
<b>Buffalo Brenda</b> by Jill Pinkwater<br />
<b>Catch 22</b> by Joseph Heller<br />
<b>Cat’s Cradle</b> by Kurt Vonnegut<br />
<b>Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen</b> by Dyan Sheldon<br />
<b>The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things</b> by Carolyn Mackler<br />
<b>The Education of Robert Nifkin</b> by Daniel Pinkwater<br />
<b>The Fall of Fergal: the First Unlikely Exploit</b> by Philip Ardagh<br />
<b>Fat Kid Rules the World</b> by K. L. Going<br />
<b>A Fate Totally Worse Than Death</b> by Paul Fleischman<br />
<b>Freaky Friday</b> by Mary Rodgers<br />
<b>Frindle</b> by Andrew Clements<br />
<b>Harris and Me: a Summer Remembered</b> by Gary Paulsen<br />
<b>Hope Was Here</b> by Joan Bauer<br />
<b>Indigo’s Star</b> by Hilary McKay<br />
<b>Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key</b> by Jack Gantos<br />
<b>No More Dead Dogs</b> by Gordon Korman<br />
<b>Oddballs</b> by William Sleator<br />
<b>The Princess Diaries</b> by Meg Cabot<br />
<b>Remember Me to Harold Square</b> by Paula Danziger<br />
<b>Rules of the Road</b> by Joan Bauer<br />
<b>Saffy’s Angel</b> by Hilary McKay<br />
<b>The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4</b> by Sue Townsend<br />
<b>Skinny Legs and All</b> by Tom Robbins<br />
<b>Son of the Mob</b> by Gordon Korman<br />
<b>Squashed</b> by Joan Bauer<br />
<b>Surviving the Applewhites</b> by Stephanie S. Tolan<br />
<b>The Teacher’s Funeral</b> by Richard Peck<br />
<b>A Walk in the Woods</b> by Bill Bryson<br />
<b>The Wee Free Men</b> by Terry Pratchett<br />
<b>Welcome to the Monkey House</b> by Kurt Vonnegut<br />
<b>The World According to Garp</b> by John Irving<br />
<b>Worst Enemies/Best Friends</b> by Annie Bryant<br />
<b>The Year of Secret Assignments</b> by Jaclyn Moriarty<br />
<br />
Sports:<br />
<b>Bat 6</b> by Virginia Euwer Wolff<br />
<b>The Boy Who Saved Baseball</b> by John H. Ritter<br />
<b>The Contender</b> by Robert Lipsyte<br />
<b>Crackback</b> by John Coy<br />
<b>Danger Zone</b> by David Klass<br />
<b>Farm Team</b> by Will Weaver<br />
<b>Hard Ball</b> by Will Weaver<br />
<b>Hoops</b> by Walter Dean Myers<br />
<b>Ironman</b> by Chris Crutcher<br />
<b>The Moves Make the Man</b> by Bruce Brooks<br />
<b>On the Devil’s Court</b> by Carl Deuker<br />
<b>Painting the Black</b> by Carl Deuker<br />
<b>Roughnecks</b> by Thomas Cohran<br />
<b>Running Loose</b> by Chris Crutcher<br />
<b>Shoeless Joe</b> by W. P. Kinsella<br />
<b>Slam!</b> by Walter Dean Myers<br />
<b>Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes</b> by Chris Crutcher<br />
<b>Stotan!</b> by Chris Crutcher<br />
<b>Taking Sides</b> by Gary Soto<br />
<b>Tangerine</b> by Edward Bloor<br />
<b>Travel Team</b> by Mike Lupica<br />
<b>Vision Quest</b> by Terry Davis<br />
<b>Wrestling Sturbridge</b> by Rich Wallace<br />
<br />
Spiritual:<br />
<b>The Alchemist</b> by Pauolo Cohelo<br />
<b>Archangel</b> by Sharon Shinn<br />
<b>Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality</b> by Donald Miller<br />
<b>The Five People You Meet In Heaven</b> by Mitch Albom<br />
<b>Godless</b> by Pete Hautman<br />
<b>Peace Like a River</b> by Leif Enger<br />
<b>A Prayer for Owen Meany</b> by John Irving<br />
<b>Snow in August</b> by Pete Hamill<br />
<b>The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down</b> by Anne Fadiman<br />
<b>Touching Spirit Bear</b> by Ben Mikaelsen<br />
<b>When We Were Saints</b> by Han Nolan<br />
<br />
Plays:<br />
<b>1776</b> by Peter Stone & Sherman Edwards<br />
<b>Brighton Beach Memoirs</b> by Neil Simon<br />
<b>Crimes of the Heart</b> by Beth Henley<br />
<b>The Diviners</b> by Jim Leonard<br />
<b>The Effect of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds</b> by Paul Zindel<br />
<b>The Exact Center of the Universe</b> by Joan Vail Thorne<br />
<b>The Last Night of Ballyhoo</b> by Alfred Uhry<br />
<b>Lost in Yonkers</b> by Neil Simon<br />
<b>"Master Harold"…and the Boys</b> by Athol Fugard<br />
<b>Our Town: a Play in Three Acts</b> by Thornton Wilder<br />
<b>Proof</b> by David Auburn<br />
<b>A Raisin in the Sun</b> by Lorraine Hansberry<br />
<b>Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story</b> by William Shakespeare, Arthur Laurents, & Stephen Sondheim<br />
<b>The Skin of Our Teeth</b> by Thornton Wilder<br />
<b>A Taste of Honey</b> by Shelagh Delaney<br />
<br />
Classics:<br />
<b>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</b> by Mark Twain<br />
<b>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</b> by Mark Twain<br />
<b>Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass</b> by Lewis Carroll<br />
<b>Around the World in 80 Days</b> by Jules Verne<br />
<b>Atlas Shrugged</b> by Ayn Rand<br />
<b>The Awakening</b> by Kate Chopin<br />
<b>Black Boy</b> by Richard Wright<br />
<b>The Call of the Wild</b> by Jack London<br />
<b>A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court</b> by Mark Twain<br />
<b>Crime and Punishment</b> by Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br />
<b>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</b> by Robert Louis Stevenson<br />
<b>Dracula</b> by Bram Stoker<br />
<b>East of Eden</b> by John Steinbeck<br />
<b>Emma</b> by Jane Austen<br />
<b>A Farewell to Arms</b> by Ernest Hemingway<br />
<b>The Fountainhead</b> by Ayn Rand<br />
<b>Frankenstein</b> by Mary Shelley<br />
<b>Gone With the Wind</b> by Margaret Mitchell<br />
<b>The Good Earth</b> by Pearl S. Buck<br />
<b>The Grapes of Wrath</b> by John Steinbeck<br />
<b>The House of Mirth</b> by Edith Wharton<br />
<b>Jane Eyre</b> by Charlotte Bronte<br />
<b>The Jungle Book</b> by Rudyard Kipling<br />
<b>Kim</b> by Rudyard Kipling<br />
<b>Les Miserables</b> by Victor Hugo<br />
<b>Little Women</b> by Louisa May Alcott<br />
<b>Miss Lonelyhearts and the Day of the Locust</b> by Nathanael West<br />
<b>Moby-Dick</b> by Herman Melville<br />
<b>My Antonia</b> by Willa Cather<br />
<b>Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes</b> by Edith Hamilton<br />
<b>O Pioneers!</b> by Willa Cather<br />
<b>Of Mice and Men</b> by John Steinbeck<br />
<b>The Old Man and the Sea</b> by Ernest Hemingway<br />
<b>Oliver Twist</b> by Charles Dickens<br />
<b>On the Road</b> by Jack Kerouac<br />
<b>The Once and Future King</b> by T. H. White<br />
<b>The Prince</b> by Niccolo Machiavelli<br />
<b>Sense and Sensibility</b> by Jane Austen<br />
<b>The Sun Also Rises</b> by Ernest Hemingway<br />
<b>A Tale of Two Cities</b> by Charles Dickens<br />
<b>The Three Musketeers</b> by Alexander Dumas<br />
<b>The Time Machine</b> by H. G. Wells<br />
<b>Treasure Island</b> by Robert Louis Stevenson<br />
<b>The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Novels</b> by Henry James<br />
<b>Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea</b> by Jules Verne<br />
<b>Two Years Before the Mast</b> by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.<br />
<b>Uncle Tom’s Cabin</b> by Harriet Beecher Stowe<br />
<b>The War of the Worlds</b> by H. G. Wells<br />
<b>Wuthering Heights</b> by Emily BronteDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-81072213847898711932011-12-09T22:38:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:57:50.581-05:00What Are the Best Teen Life Novels?What in the world is a "teen life" novel, you ask? When I was 11 years old, several of the boys in my neighborhood formed a secret club centered around a big dirt pit that we rode our bikes in, ala Evil Knievel. The club included secret code words, a hidden stash of candy, and inside jokes nobody else would understand. Well, being a teenager is kind of like that. You live in a club that children can't yet understand, and that adults think they understand because they used to be in the club, but no longer know the inside jokes.<br />
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Teen life novels are those written for teens about teens, and make liberal use of the inside knowledge that adults can't hope to appreciate. Oddly, these are some of the best books for us old fogies, because they remind us how wonderful and horrible it was to be in that club. Below are my favorite teen life novels.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">3 NBs of Julian Drew</span> by James M. Deem - Julian's story unfolds through entries in his notebook diaries. Told in code at first difficult to follow, the reader soon learns that Julian's father and stepmother severely abuse him. He is imprisoned in a cold garage, starved for days, and emotionally tormented. As Julian slowly comes to grips with the loss of his mother and his horrid life, the code slowly melts, revealing a troubled but hopeful soul. Out of the darkness comes an uplifting ending that you won't see coming.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian</span> by Sherman Alexie - 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Babylon Boyz</span> by Jess Mowry - What happens when you have a chance to do a great good by committing a great evil? This is the question at the center of Mowry's novel. Three inner-city teens, one of them with a heart defect, find an invaluable package of cocaine. Selling the cocaine could provide them with enough money for the operation, but at what cost? Told in a raw manner worthy of street life, this novel will make you ponder deeply the choices we have in life.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Breathing Underwater</span> by Alex Flinn - A revealing and honest look at the thought process of an abusive teen boyfriend. Nick has hit his girlfriend before, but the latest slap has resulted in a restraining order and his sentencing to a family violence glass with six other abusers. Nick's subsequent journal tells the story. The journal follows Nick from his callous and self-righteous physical abuse of this girlfriend through his gradual acceptance that what he has done is wrong.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bridge to Terabithia</span> by Katherine Paterson - Jess and Leslie are first rivals, and then soul mates who create an imaginary kingdom in the forest behind their house. A tragic accident rends them apart and leaves a lump in the reader's throat. Although the kids are only fifth grade, the questions addressed by the author are meant for any age. Grab a box of Kleenex first.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Catcher in the Rye</span> by J. D. Salinger - Watershed novel of teenage alienation written in 1951. The would-be assassin of President Reagan used this book as inspiration, but don't let that scare you. It covers two days in the life of 16-year old Holden Caulfield after he is expelled from prep school, as he searches for truth against "adult phoniness" and eventually suffers a breakdown. Narrated by the teenager, the dialogue is edgy and honest even by today's standards.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Chocolate War</span> by Charles Cormier - Edgy story about high-schooler Jerry, whose refusal to sell chocolates for a fundraiser causes civil war at his high school and may threaten his life. Examines how far you should go and what you must be willing to sacrifice to stand by your beliefs. Cormier doesn't go for tidy endings, so be warned.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Chosen One</span> by Carol Lynch Williams - Kyra lives with her father, three mothers, and twenty siblings in a polygamist compound run by an iron-fisted prophet. When the prophet decrees that 14year old Kyra must marry her 60 year old uncle, she finds the idea abhorrent. Her knowledge of the world outside, her secret relationship with one of the boys in the compound, and her natural yearning for freedom lead her to make a bitter choice - leave everything she knows behind for a chance at a life of her choosing.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Clockwork Orange</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Fight Club</span> by Chuck Plahniuk - A bored young man falls in with a destructive man with whom the he starts a fight club, a secret society that offers young professionals the chance to beat one another to a bloody pulp. Mayhem ensues, featuring gut-wrenching turns and lots of explosions. Palahniuk is a risky writer unafraid to offend anyone, and so he does so liberally. The twist near the end of the book is absolutely wicked.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Girls for Breakfast</span> by David Yoo - 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Go Ask Alice</span> by Anonymous - Readers have long speculated: is this anonymous diary of an addicted teen truth or fiction? The answer: it doesn't matter. The unknown writer so expertly captures the utter hell of adolescence that the story rings true. Pressure from her parents and social awkwardness propel the writer into the inescapable darkness of drug addiction and self-loathing. Although some of the slang is outdated, the palpable feelings of the writer are as vividly real as ever.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Holes</span> by Louis Sachar - Cursed teenager Stanley Yelnats is sent to a work farm for a petty crime he did not commit. The sadistic warden works the boys mercilessly in search of a hidden treasure. Stanley must find his inner strength to survive, but will it be enough to break the family curse? Sachar seamlessly weaves in the tale of doomed lovers one-hundred years earlier, and brings the two narratives into jarring collision. The outstanding final twist will make the reader cheer.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">How I Live Now</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">If I Stay</span> by Gayle Forman - A powerful novel that explores the question "is life worth living?" After a horrific car accident kills her parents and leaves her comatose, Mia hovers by her unconscious body with a decision to make: should she fight to live. Through flashbacks and scenes at the hospital, Mia explores her life and relationships, hoping to make the appropriate choice. Magnificently moving, the novel will invite you to consider the people and passions that make life worth living.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Imani All Mine</span> by Connie Porter - Tasha, a 15 year old African-American mother, takes care of her baby boy, Imani. Although her daily life includes one horror after another, Tasha perseveres, despite pushing away attempts of well-meaning adults to help. The strength of the story is its believable descriptions of complex adults and the complexity of relationships. This proves ironic because of Tasha's consistent misreading of these complexities. The ending will stun you, not once, but twice; just be ready.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jacob Have I Loved</span> by Katherine Paterson - Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister who seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future. For once Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is, and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking for Alaska</span> by John Green - Miles tells the story of his transformation from a boring non-entity to a life-loving adventurer when he moves to a new boarding school. Christened into his new life by his dirt-poor but genius friend, Chip, and the beautiful, wonderful, and self-destructive Alaska Young, Miles is challenged to analyze his understanding of the world. The story is told in events that are "Before" and "After", with the seminal event being the suicide of Alaska. Realistic, sophisticated, and moving. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking for Alibrandi</span> by Melina Marchetta - Josie is on scholarship at a high-brow Catholic girls' school, but could not be more different from her affluent classmates: she is illegitimate and from an immigrant community. The result is a rebellious streak that complicates her life and holds her at arm's length from her classmates. However, the arrival of her Senior year signals a change in her romantic fortunes when two boys compete for her affection, and her long-lost father shows up. Very well told.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones</span> by Ann Head - Written fifty years ago on the subject of teen pregnancy, you might think this novel would be outdated. You would be incorrect. The author takes an authentic look at the consequences of teen pregnancy without romanticizing or preaching. The decisions the couple must make are treated in a matter-of-fact and respectful way, and the changing nature of the relationship between the teens as the baby grows is well drawn. Groundbreaking for its day, and still very good. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Outsiders</span> by S.E. Hinton - Written by a 16-year old, this classic tells the story of high school class conflict between the haves and have-nots as seen through the eyes of Ponyboy, a have-not living with his slightly older brother. The gut-wrenching events of the lives of Ponyboy and his friends leave the reader with a heavy heart. Despite its age, the Outsiders still deftly captures the acid feelings of inadequacy and non-acceptance experienced by nearly all teenagers. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower</span> by Stephen Chbosky - To the super-sensitive Charlie, high school is a mine field of incomprehensible emotions and bewildering peer behavior. His story takes the form of letters from Charlie to an unnamed friend, which contributes heavily to the earnestness of the telling. In this touching and often painful story, Charlie considers the challenges that impede his journey through 10th grade. The overall result is very real, and you will wallow in the aftermath for days after you finish.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Runner</span> by Carl Deuker - Chance has a sad life. He is nearly invisible at school, his alcoholic father can't hold a job, and the pair are in danger of losing the battered sailboat that is their home. Chance sees a way out when a dock worker offers him a job "running" mysterious packages, even though the boy suspects that the contents are illegal. When an unexpected friendship blossoms with a girl at school, Chance begins to question his involvement in the unseemly operation. Incredible ending!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Say Goodnight, Gracie</span> by Julie Reece Deaver - When Morgan's best friend since birth, Jimmy, is killed by a drunk driver, Morgan struggles to overcome the grief. The novel starts with the accident, then flashes back to the events leading up to and following the tragedy. The poignancy of the telling, coupled with Deaver's incredible gift for heartfelt dialogue, make for compelling reading. Morgan's journey through grief and maturity are as realistic as any portrayed in young adult fiction. An achingly beautiful read<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Secret Life of Bees</span> by Sue Monk Kidd - In 1964, 14-year old Lily is left alone with an abusive father after her mother is killed. When Lily's nanny is thrown into jail after standing up to town racists, Lily helps her escape. The two run away to Tiburon, South Carolina, where Lily discovers her mother's secret and surprising past. The pair are taken in by three African-American beekeeping sisters and welcomed into the world of bees and honey. More importantly, Lily discovers the true meaning of family and self.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sex Education</span> by Jennie Davis - What happens when best intentions go horribly wrong? Livvie tells just a story, and because she resides in an insane asylum, you fear the worst. She recounts the story of her and classmate, David, whose term project in a sex education class leads them to care for a lonely, pregnant neighbor for a semester. The task quickly proves far more difficult than anticipated, due in large part to the neighbor's abusive husband. A tear-jerker, but a gem of a story that will haunt you.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants</span> by Ann Brashares - Four best friends find a pair of "magical" pants that fit each of the girls perfectly despite their differing physiques. When the girls separate for the summer before their junior year, they vow to take turns wearing the magical jeans. The novel follows the experiences of the girls, with the pants playing a symbolic role for each. The characters are realistic, and the stories are expertly interwoven to produce a quartet of heartfelt coming of age stories that speak particularly to girls.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sloppy Firsts: a Jessica Darling Novel</span> by Megan McCafferty - Jessica Darling's barely tolerable life crashes to the floor when her best friend, and the only person who understands her, moves away. Sounds sad, right? Think again. McCafferty gives a very fresh and funny account of a "lost" girl forced to find her way both at school and at home. You will see Jessica's salvation coming long before she does - in the form of a strange boy that creates ambiguous feelings within Jessica.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Speak</span> by Laurie Halse Anderson - Melinda drifts through her 9th grade year, rarely speaking to anyone, from peers to teachers to family. Baffled why an outgoing middle schooler has transformed suddenly into a lonely outsider, her parents and teachers try futilely to reach Melinda. What they don't know is that Melinda harbors a secret - one that has driven her to silence to hide from the pain. This book will speak especially to girls, particularly those that share the soul-numbing experience that silenced her.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Stargirl</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tears of a Tiger</span> by Sharon M. Draper - The brutal tale of an African-American teen who kills his best friend while driving drunk. Wracked with guilt, Andy fails to respond to help from friends, family, and counselors. His life unravels, eventually leading to his suicide. Although the subject is grim, the portrayal of the disintegration of a young life is very well executed. The story is not told in narrative form, but rather through English class assignments that include letters, essay, and poetry - a novelty that works very well. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Thirteen Reasons Why</span> by Jay Asher - When Clay receives a tape made by dead classmate Hannah Baker, he is surprised to learn that he is one of thirteen reasons why she committed suicide. Hannah's narrative illuminates betrayals and secrets that demonstrate the consequences of even small actions. Hannah is not free from guilt, having unintentionally played a part in an accidental auto death and a rape. The message about how we treat one another makes for compelling reading.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Time for Dancing</span> by Davida Wills Hurwin - Best friends and dance partners, Jules and Samantha, are rocked when Jules is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The ensuing events are told in alternating chapters by the two - Jules trying to cope with her impending death and Sam struggling with how to keep living while staying true to her friend. The impact of the illness and its affect on the various characters of the novel is well drawn. The ending is a heart-wringer infused with an unexpected spark of triumph.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">You Don't Know Me</span> by David Klass - John narrates his difficult but always entertaining life. He has all the struggles of a typical 14-year-old: longing after his dream girl while completely missing the attentions of the girl in band who really likes him, and wrestling with feelings of alienation. However, it is his mother's intentions to marry her boyfriend that disturbs John the most, for the boyfriend abuses him when mom is not around. An excellent take on what teens want most: acceptance, love, and peace. <br />
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The Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>The Adventures of the Blue Avenger</b> by Norma Howe<br />
<b>After the Rain</b> by Norma Fox Mazer<br />
<b>The Agony of Alice</b> by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor<br />
<b>America</b> by E. R. Frank<br />
<b>An Abundance of Katherines</b> by John Green<br />
<b>Autobiography of My Dead Brother</b> by Walter Dean Myers<br />
<b>Breakout</b> by Paul Fleischman<br />
<b>Buried Onions</b> by Gary Soto<br />
<b>Cut</b> by Patricia McCormick<br />
<b>Damage</b> by A. M. Jenkins<br />
<b>Dancing On the Edge</b> by Han Nolan<br />
<b>The Dear One</b> by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
<b>Durable Goods</b> by Elizabeth Berg<br />
<b>The Facts Speak for Themselves</b> by Brock Cole<br />
<b>Feeling Sorry for Celia</b> by Jaclyn Moriarty<br />
<b>The First Part Last</b> by Angela Johnson<br />
<b>Flyy Girl</b> by Omar Tyree<br />
<b>Freak the Mighty</b> by Rodman Philbrick<br />
<b>The Friends</b> by Rosa Guy<br />
<b>From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun</b> by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
<b>Gingerbread</b> by Rachel Cohn<br />
<b>The Gospel According to Larry</b> by Janet Tashjian<br />
<b>The Great Santini</b> by Pat Conroy<br />
<b>A Hero Ain’t Nothing But a Sandwich</b> by Alice Childress<br />
<b>Hoot</b> by Carl Hiassen<br />
<b>How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents</b> by Julia Alvarez<br />
<b>I Never Promised You a Rose Garden</b> by Joanne Greenberg<br />
<b>Invisible</b> by Pete Hautman<br />
<b>Jack</b> by A. M. Homes<br />
<b>Kit’s Wilderness</b> by David Almond<br />
<b>Letters from the Inside</b> by John Marsden<br />
<b>Like Sisters on the Homefront</b> by Rita Williams-Garcia<br />
<b>Many Stones</b> by Carolyn Coman<br />
<b>Monster</b> by Walter Dean Myers<br />
<b>Nothing but the Truth</b> by Avi<br />
<b>Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida</b> by Victor Martinez<br />
<b>The Pigman</b> by Paul Zindel<br />
<b>Rats Saw God</b> by Rob Thomas<br />
<b>A Room on Lorelei Street</b> by Mary E. Pearson<br />
<b>Rule of the Bone</b> by Russell Banks<br />
<b>St. Ursula’s Girls Against the Atomic Bomb</b> by Valerie Hurley<br />
<b>A Separate Peace</b> by John Knowles<br />
<b>The Skin I’m In</b> by Sharon G. Flake<br />
<b>Stuck in Neutral</b> by Terry Trueman<br />
<b>Ttyl</b> by Lauren Myracle<br />
<b>Under the Wolf, Under the Dog</b> by Adam Rapp<br />
<b>Way Past Cool</b> by Jess Mowry <br />
<b>When Zachary Beaver Came to Town</b> by Kimberly Willis Holt<br />
<b>Whirligig</b> by Paul FleischmanDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-41012708023317806712011-12-09T22:35:00.002-06:002013-05-31T09:58:27.809-05:00What Are the Best Adventure Novels for Teens?The term 'adventure' is a code word meaning 'for guys', just like 'romance' means 'for girls'. That doesn't mean there aren't girls who enjoy a good adventure novel, and that there are no guys who shed a tear of joy for a good romance. I'm just going with the numbers, here. Most adventure novels speak directly to testosterone. Estrogen need not apply.<br />
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In that context, it is not surprising that most adventure novels center on war or survival, or war and survival if you are lucky. They tend to act out on written page every boyhood fantasy of gut-wrenching action resulting in mounds of glory (and often the admiration of women everywhere). The best novels, however, show the dark side of that fantasy, and the price that must be paid for said glory. Below is a list of my favorite adventure novels.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Airborn</span> by Kenneth Oppel - Oppel's stories have two things in common - they focus on flight, and they are completely imaginative. Matt is cabin boy aboard a luxury passenger airship. When the ship is attacked by air pirates, it grounds on an undiscovered island abounding with mysterious flying cats - and it also happens to be the pirate lair. Matt and the other passengers' race to escape will leave you breathless. The sequel, Skybreaker, is possibly better even than original. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Alive</span> by Piers Paul Read - Incredible true story of the Uruguayan rugby team's 72-day survival and self-rescue after crashing high in the Andes Mountains, including the horrific decision to eat their dead to survive, and their effort to save themselves. Gives new meaning to the phrase "take one for the team." Hard to put down, and impossible to forget.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">All Quiet on the Western Front</span> by Erich Maria Remarque - Saga of a German teenage soldier in the battle trenches of World War I as he discovers the horror of war, the shallowness of glory, and meaning of brotherhood. Although written decades ago, the message is timeless - that war is hell, especially for the young. The last scene will haunt you.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Band of Brothers</span> by Stephen E. Ambrose - Classic documentary that follows the men of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, as they fight through Europe during World War II. Told in anecdotal style, the story sucks you into a relationship with the men such that you experience every victory and every tragedy as if you were there.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Black Hawk Down: a Story of Modern War</span> by Mark Bowden - A gritty, detailed account of the doomed American mission to capture a pair of Somali warlords in Mogadishu in 1993. The power of the story lies in the telling: picture after picture of destruction, demolition, and death. Very few non-fiction novels have so completely captured the horrific chaos of war.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage</span> 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima</span> by James Bradley with Ron Powers - The raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima is one of the most famous pictures ever taken. The son of one of the flag-raisers recounts the sometimes tragic life stories of the six men who raised the flag that February day in 1945 while fighting still raged. Told in a very "you are there" style, Bradley takes you through one of the most vicious battles of WWII where 48,000 men fell, and through the aftermath that affected each man's life.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Forgotten Soldier</span> 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 he stumbles through one major battle after another will pull you along with a leaden heart. Maybe the best book about WWII, and always haunting.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Soldiers: the Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission</span> by Hampton Sides - The true story of a group of Army Rangers and Filipino guerillas 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. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hatchet</span> by Gary Paulsen - Young teen Brian is the only survivor of a small plane crash in the remote Canadian wilderness, and must survive on his own. The story follows his ingenuity and luck as he surmounts the many challenges of finding food, shelter, and safety. The author deftly balances the mix of machismo and insecurity that appeals especially to young teen boys. This is the best in class of survival novels.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Island of the Blue Dolphins</span> by Scott O'Dell - Based on actual events, this book tells the story of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island. When her entire tribe is evacuated from the island, a young girl is accidentally left behind with her younger brother. When the boy tragically dies, she must find a way to survive in solitude while awaiting rescue that may never come. A favorite of English teachers everywhere.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Mission</span> by Harry Mazer - Toward the end of WWII, 15 year old Jack lies his way into the U. S. Air Force. His head filled with visions of glory, Jack joins a squadron in England that flies hazardous bombing missions over Europe. As the war nears its end, Jack's plane is shot down in Germany behind enemy lines. Captured and taken to a POW camp, Jack experiences events far more terrifying than any bombing mission, effectively shattering his delusions of grandeur. Will he survive the war? <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Machine Gunners</span> by Robert Westall - When a German airplane crashes on the beach, Chas and his friends find the mother of all war souvenirs: a functional machine gun. After firing the machine gun at a German fighter plane, the plane crashes and the gun jams. When the pilot of the downed plane stumbles into their hideout, the group strike a devil's bargain with him: if the German repairs the gun, they will help him escape across the channel. Emotional and physical mayhem ensue in this fantastic story.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Private Peaceful</span> by Michael Morpurgo - Waiting for a brutal dawn attack, Thomas reminisces about the events that led him to the trenches of WWI France. From his youth in a poor but loving farm family, to his relationship with his beloved older brother Charlie and brain-damaged brother Joe, Thomas describes his life with a flowing terseness that borders on pure poetry. True to the horror that was WWI, the ending is downright shocking, but absolutely what it needs to be. This is an unforgettable novel.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rifles for Watie</span> by Harold Keith - 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Soldier Boys</span> by Dean Hughes - Spence and Dieter are farm boys on different sides of WWII who follow complex feelings of patriotism and insecurity to join the fight. Parallel stories follow the teens from the idealism of basic training through gradual disillusionment. Their worlds collide violently at the pivotal Battle of the Bulge, when both must survive numbing cold and desperate combat to survive. Hughes realistic description of the violence of war is first rate, and the characters rise above cliche.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Soldier X</span> by Don Wulffson - Based on a true story, 16-year-old Erik is drafted into the German army during WWII. Because he speaks Russian, he is sent east to fight the Russians in bitter cold and food deprived conditions. After a first horrific battle, Erik decides to take the uniform of a dead Russian solider and impersonate him for the duration of the war. Claiming amnesia, he is sent to a field hospital. When the hospital is attacked, he escapes with his new love, a nurse, to hopefully eventual freedom.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle</span> by Avi - In the year 1832, 13 year old Charlotte Doyle finds herself the only passenger on a sailing ship bound for America from England. Her discomfort at being alone amongst a group of sailors is swept aside as she inadvertently becomes embroiled in an attempted mutiny. When the ship docks, she is arrested and found guilty of murder. Only her ability to convincingly convey the actual truth of the mutiny stands between her and the gallows.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Under a War-Torn Sky</span> by L.M. Elliot - American Henry Forester is a young flier for the British Royal Air Force during the early days of WWII. Although brave on the outside, Henry is a psychological mess, largely due to his punitive father. When he is shot down during his 13th mission, he must journey back through Nazi-controlled France to safety. Receiving aid from the French Resistance, he survives one perilous scrape after another. The details of the story lend great authenticity to the telling.<br />
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The Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>After the First Death</b> by Robert Cormier<br />
<b>B for Buster</b> by Iain Lawrence<br />
<b>A Boy at War: a Novel of Pearl Harbor</b> by Harry Mazer<br />
<b>Boy Kills Man</b> by Matt Whyman<br />
<b>Bull Run</b> by Paul Fleischman<br />
<b>Call It Courage</b> by Armstrong Sperry<br />
<b>Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi</b> by David Chotjewitz<br />
<b>Deathwatch</b> by Robb White<br />
<b>Downriver</b> by Will Hobbs<br />
<b>The Goats</b> by Brock Cole<br />
<b>Homecoming</b> by Cynthia Voigt<br />
<b>I Am the Cheese</b> by Robert Cormier<br />
<b>In Pharaoh’s Army: Memories of the Lost War</b> by Tobias Wolff<br />
<b>In the Company of Men: a Woman at the Citadel</b> by Nancy Mace & Mary Jane Ross<br />
<b>Incident at Hawk’s Hill</b> by Allan W. Eckert<br />
<b>Into Thin Air</b> by Jon Krakauer<br />
<b>Julie of the Wolves</b> by Jean Craighead George<br />
<b>Light Years</b> by Tammar Stein<br />
<b>The Long Walk</b> by Slavomir Rawicz<br />
<b>Lord of the Flies</b> by William Golding<br />
<b>Lord of the Nutcracker Men</b> by Iain Lawrence<br />
<b>Master and Commander</b> by Patrick O’Brian<br />
<b>My Side of the Mountain</b> by Jean Craighead George<br />
<b>Pagan’s Crusade: the Pagan Chronicles</b> by Catherine Jinks<br />
<b>The Perfect Storm</b> by Sebastian Junger<br />
<b>The Red Badge of Courage</b> by Stephen Crane<br />
<b>Real Time</b> by Pnina Moed Kass<br />
<b>Shackleton’s Stowaway</b> by Victoria McKernan<br />
<b>The Shining Company</b> by Rosemary Sutcliff<br />
<b>Shooter</b> by Walter Dean Myers<br />
<b>Skybreaker</b> by Kenneth Oppel<br />
<b>Slaughterhouse-Five; Or, the Children’s Crusade</b> by Kurt Vonnegut<br />
<b>Touching the Void</b> by Joe Simpson<br />
<b>The Wreckers</b> by Iain Lawrence<br />
<b>Young Men and Fire</b> by Norman MaCleanDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729311144793642036.post-4500482904836774782011-12-09T22:33:00.003-06:002013-05-31T09:59:01.171-05:00What Are the Best Mystery Novels for Teens?The term 'mystery' when referring to literature is a bit odd. Does it mean that nobody knows what kind of book it is? Kind of like when they serve "mystery meat" in the school cafeteria? Or does it encompass nearly everything, because most of the novels ever written have some element of mystery or discovery about them? The answer is "D. None of the above". When in doubt, always choose answer 'D', by the way.<br />
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As it turns out, the "mystery" genre is actually one of the narrowest of all story types (sometimes called 'thrillers' or 'suspense' for obvious reasons). It refers to novels where the central theme is the solving of a mystery, usually with life and death at stake. The protagonist(s) spends the story trying to answer The One Big Question, and does so usually in the final few pages. The more twists and turns along the way, the better. If the answer to The One Big Question is a twist, then you have a classic. Below are my favorite mystery novels for teens.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">And Then There Were None</span> by Agathie Christie - The best who-done-it novel ever; one of the best twists of any story yet written. Ten people on an island retreat start to die one by one, and must determine who the murderer is before they all fall victim. Christie is the master of the twist! Even if you know the twist ahead of time, it will still surprise you. This is the standard by which all other mystery novels are judged.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Black Jack</span> by Leon Garfield - 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Body of Christopher Creed</span> by Carol Plum Ucci - Soul-searing story of popular Torey and a pair of social bottom-dwellers whose search for a missing outcast implicate them in the boys disappearance. Is the boy a runaway, suicidal, or a victim of crime? Told in flashback, the novel ultimately sounds the message that all people deserve compassion, regardless of their strangeness.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Boy in the Burning House</span> by Tim Wynne-Jones - Jim Hawkin's father has disappeared. When "crazy" Ruth insists that her step-father murdered the man, Jim digs into the old mystery of a childhood friend of his missing father and the accused murderer who died in a burning house. This proves to be only the top layer of a series of mysteries that careen the novel into an ever-darkening place. These mysteries will keep you turning the pages, making this novel difficult to put down. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</span> by Mark Haddon - Christopher Boone is gifted in logic, but his autism leaves him unable comprehend the actions of others. When he is falsely accused of murdering a neighbor's dog, Christopher determines to solve the mystery. The book is a journal written in Christopher's voice with sometimes hilarious irony. This complex premise is handled expertly by the author, who maintains Christopher as a rich personality rather than assigning to him easy stereotypes of the autistic.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Death on the Nile</span> by Agathie Christie - One of the great detectives of literary creation is Hercule Poirot, and in this novel he is at his intuitive best. While vacationing in Africa on a Nile boat trip, he meets a pair of newlyweds. When the wife is murdered, Poirot must call upon all of his intellectual powers to find the murderer before another person dies.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jellicoe Road</span> 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.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore</span> by Joan Lowry Nixon - In a classic story of "out of the frying pan and into the fire", Christina is kidnapped by a masked man and held for ransom. When her family pays, Christina thinks the ordeal is over. However, she gets thrown into the fire when her family believes that she helped stage the kidnapping to get money. Did she? And if not, how can she prove her innocence? The story keeps you guessing to the end.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Listening Woman</span> by Tony Hillerman - Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police is investigating the brutal murder of a teen girl and old man. Although he is looking for a human murderer, the blind shaman called Listening Woman insinuates that the deaths are the work of supernatural evil. As he digs into the old man's secrets and events of one hundred years past, he is led away from normal detective conclusions and closer to a belief that the evil at work may be more than human.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Thief in the House of Memory</span> by Tim Wynne-Jones - After Dec's mother disappeared six years earlier, his family moves from the family manor to a smaller house on the grounds, leaving the old house in a museum-like state. Dec's father refuses to talk about his wife, much to the boy's dismay. When an intruder dies violently in the old house, Dec begins having a series of remembrance visions featuring his mother. As he pieces the memories together, the surprising truth of his mother begins to unfold.<br />
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Best of the Rest:<br />
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<b>Acceleration</b> by Graham McNamee<br />
<b>Angels and Demons</b> by Dan Brown<br />
<b>The Beekeeper’s Apprentice</b> by Laurie R. King<br />
<b>The Big Sleep</b> by Raymond Chandler<br />
<b>The Da Vinci Code</b> by Dan Brown<br />
<b>A Deadly Game of Magic</b> by Joan Lowry Nixon<br />
<b>The Face on the Milk Carton</b> by Caroline B. Cooney<br />
<b>A Fast and Brutal Wing</b> by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson<br />
<b>The Books of Fell</b> by M. E. Kerr<br />
<b>Ghost Riders</b> by Sharyn McCrumb<br />
<b>The Great Train Robbery</b> by Michael Crichton<br />
<b>The Hound of the Baskervilles</b> by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle<br />
<b>The House of Dies Drear</b> by Virginia Hamilton<br />
<b>I Know What You Did Last Summer</b> by Lois Duncan<br />
<b>Killer’s Cousin</b> by Nancy Werlin<br />
<b>Killing Mr. Griffin</b> by Lois Duncan<br />
<b>Lucas</b> by Kevin Brooks<br />
<b>Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman</b> by Eleanor Updale<br />
<b>Murder on the Orient Express</b> by Agatha Christie<br />
<b>The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency</b> by Alexander Mccall Smith<br />
<b>Playing in Traffic</b> by Gail Giles<br />
<b>The Rag and Bone Shop</b> by Robert Cormier<br />
<b>The Ruby in the Smoke</b> by Philip Pullman<br />
<b>Runaway Jury</b> by John Grisham<br />
<b>The Secret History</b> by Donna Tartt<br />
<b>Shades of Simon Gray</b> by Joyce McDonald<br />
<b>Shattering Glass</b> by Gail Giles<br />
<b>Silent to the Bone</b> by E. L. Konigsburg<br />
<b>Snow Falling On Cedars</b> by David Guterson<br />
<b>The Wailing Wind</b> by Tony Hillerman<br />
<b>Wolf Rider</b> by AviDavid Nixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815554648681704332noreply@blogger.com0