Feb 03 2009
Get your kids to read — 5 books for thoughtful young adults
I’m a voracious reader. That being said, I’m not a book snob. I read things from virtually all genres–and for every level. I give that warning mostly because some of the Must Have books are going to be young adult books. There are some really great ones out there.
Get your kids to read by offering them one of these great books.
Young Adult Books
Sophisticated tweens, teens, and up
Twilight-If you’ve not heard of this one, I don’t know where you’ve been. This young adult novel is truly enjoyable. I read it (before all the hype) because it seemed similar to Blood for Chocolate. I fell in love. The characters are delightful, and the situations are entertaining. The plot seems almost tacked on, but definitely a book to read. **Guys will read this, and enjoy, but it is really more of a book for girls.
plot-A accident prone teen falls in love with a vampire. Obviously there is some danger in a relationship like that.
Harry Potter series-J.K. Rowling really planned these books out. I read one to critique it. I must admit, the way it was described to me sounded immature. The series is anything but. Great character development. Small details in the first book become important in later books. The cohesion of the books impressed me. If you read the series together, you really begin to learn the whole wizarding community. You recognize which spells to use in situations. The book is totally believable.
plot-A boy holds the key to defeating a fearsome evil that will not die, all while trying to fit in to a new school-which, did I mention, includes an entirely different world.
Eragon (and the Inheritance Cycle)-The author was 15 when he started this series, an impressive feat. Eragon fits in well with fantasy classics like Tolkien’s collective work. Eragon is a bit of a wienie at times, but he’s surrounded by so many other incredible characters. The series weaves in many stories, but delicately, never leaving doubt where the power lies. Well written and detailed, you (and your kids) will feel smarter just reading it.
plot-A dragon hatches for a boy from a small town, providing new hope for the people that have been under never-ending rule by an evil dragon riding king, if the boy can survive long enough to lead them.
You Don’t Know Me-You’ll find laugh-out-loud funny moments in this book, but serious issues, too. The protagonist is a thinker, and his thoughts run together with the plot and dialog making this read a bit hard to follow for in-experienced readers–but more engaging for the thoughtful. I’ve given this book to atypical readers–super intelligent 11 and 12 year-olds that are more slacker-inclined–and they’ve swallowed it whole. It really is enjoyable. David Klass is an author to watch!
plot-A guy deals with school, girls, and, without much fanfare, abuse.
Tangerine-I love this book! Part sports book, part mystery, it even educates. Who knew so much about Florida’s citrus trees? The book covers discrimination on several levels, and family interaction.
plot-A legally blind soccer player starts school near his new suburban home where he faces discrimination. After a sinkhole swallows the mobile classrooms outside of his school, he gets a new chance at an inner city school. During this, he is trying to remember what exactly happened to him when he was younger, while hoping to earn his father’s respect. All the while, he is dealing with his football star brother, a person that he doesn’t really like.
