Good books for teens

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Ranked #104 in Books, #9,777 overall

A list of good books teens will actually read

So many times, high school English teachers are convinced that kids should read nothing but "classics," by which they mean books written more than 100 years ago and in some way celebrated or awarded. To me, this is ridiculous. While there are some classics that I genuinely love, and some that make my list every time, it's just sad to act as if literature stopped being written some time in the nineteenth century. There are so many wonderful adolescent novels out there to which our modern teens can relate that I think we do them a disservice by being snobs. I think, too, that it is the job of English teachers to sort through all the bad literature (because yeah, there's plenty) and find what's worth recommending.

Photo courtesy Asheboro Library on flickr

Speak

Mostly girls, grades 8-11

Melinda starts high school friendless and silent. Behind her deeply sarcastic observations about school around her, she is haunted by a dark secret. It is only through art that she is able to find any kind of escape.

Speak

by: Laurie Halse Anderson

Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 12/30/2009)

This is one of my magic books. When I was in grad school, this was one of the adolescent lit books that everyone was buzzing about, and we passed copies of it from hand to hand.

Now, whenever I have a girl, whether she is a struggling reader or an honor student, standing in front of my bookshelf looking befuddled, I put this book in her hand. "This is the one you want," I tell her. And invariably it is.

What is even better is that my students now pass this from hand to hand, just as my classmates and I did. They'll take it home, and 2 days later bring it back and hand it off to someone else. When someone asks me if I have it, I usually have to furrow my eyebrows and ask the class who has it because I have so much trouble keeping track of it.

Although it is sometimes sad, this book is told with such a powerfully smart and funny voice and is so keenly observant about what high school is really like that it will appeal to almost anyone in this age range.

After the First Death

Grades 9-12

A pair of terrorists hijack a schoolbus full of children. Told alternately through the points of view of a child, the busdriver, and the younger of the two terrorists, this book tells a frightening and intriguing story which is interspersed with flashbacks suggesting a dim and hopeless ending. As the story goes on, secrets start to surface and we see that maybe this is not a random event.

After the First Death

by: Robert Cormier

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/30/2009)

This book may not be appropriate for all teens, as it is definitely disturbing. It will, however, captivate the attention of most teens. What seems to them on the surface as an action/adventure book really reflects on a lot of deeper moral implicatons.

The shifting points of view make this book a little bit difficult to read, but the story makes most teens willing to push through. This book is good practice at reading texts with mored complicated structures as well as practice at recognizing different points of view on an issue.

More Good Books for Teens by Robert Cormier

If you or your teen liked After the First Death, you might also want to check out these books by Robert Cormier.

The Chocolate War (Readers Circle)

by: Robert Cormier

Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/30/2009)

I Am the Cheese (Readers Circle)

by: Robert Cormier

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/30/2009)

Getting Teens to Read

It seems like most teens today never read for pleasure. Overwhelmed with homework, activities, social events, and the other stresses of modern life, even the most literate of teens will often avoid reading. This is very sad to me, as reading can be a great joy as well as being educational.

Make good books available. In your home, or in your classroom, make sure that high quality, attractive books are visible.
Designate a reading area. Many teachers do this with pillows and rugs. At home, there can simply be a comfy chair where there is not TV.
Let them see you reading.
Read out loud to them. Trust me, my big old 11th graders love to sit on the floor with me and be read to.
Reward them (with caution). Some people think that if you link reading to a tangible reward, kids won't internalize the joy of doing it. However, simply connecting the reading to something pleasant (like a cup of cocoa or even time with mom) can help them to build more positive associations (as opposed to reading comprehension tests and flashcards).

The Lightning Thief

Boys and girls, grades 6-9 (primarily)

Percy Jackson learns one day that he is the son of a Greek god. A literal Greek god. His entire world changes as he finds himself on a mythic adventure in which he discovers that things are not always the way we perceive them.

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)

by: Rick Riordan

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/30/2009)

This is an amazing introduction to Greek mythology encapsulated in a really entertaining and exciting story. My students who have read this tend to be interesed in exploring the myths further and have a much easier time when we study epic poetry.

It also has the bonus of featuring students with learning disabilities. According to the book, all Greek heroes suffer from ADHD and dyslexia. The disabilities are really just part of their abilities (reading ancient Greek from birth and a hyper-awareness to enemies).

Plus, I love it. A student lent me a copy of this and I finished it in one day, devouring all the sequels shortly thereafter. It's a book that reminds me what I like about fiction and is a wonderful addition to young adult literature.

Classic Books for Teens

Classic books for teens

As a high school English teacher, I've spent a bit of time recommending books for teens. For teens who don't read, I'm happy if I can just get any book into their hands. For teens who already read, though, my mission is to get them to read something...

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Mostly girls, grades 8-forever

A novel about a young girl, growing up poor in Brooklyn in the first half of the twentieth century. Alternately sad and uplifting, the book follows Frances from her childhood of collecting cans for pocket change and dumping out her coffee all the way to adulthood.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)

by: Betty Smith

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 12/30/2009)

This is a book which may be hard to get younger teens to pick up, simply because it is so big, but the timeless story is endearing and worthwhile. The reason why this is one of the few "classics" I specifically recommend to high schoolers is because it manages to encase its "worthiness" in such a likeable story and it is fairly easy to read. It's been adored by young girls for generations, and is a book which most adults could gain something by reading.

That was then, this is now

Mostly boys grades 8-11

Two boys growing up in the city realize that as you grow up, sometimes you grow apart. More like brothers than friends, they start to encounter gangs, drugs and violence.

That Was Then, This Is Now

by: S. E. Hinton

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/30/2009)

This book is like pure gold if you have a high school boy reading at a low level. Most books within his grasp will be aimed at children, but this is a short, easy to read book that is topical and appealing to older boys. Anyone will give this a try, and often I find it gets them hooked on SE Hinton books, many of which are a little longer and tougher than this one.

More Good Books for Teens by S.E. Hinton

Fans of That was then, This is Now should check out these other S.E. Hinton books.

More good books for teens to check out

Have you or your teen exhausted all of these books? Here's some more to check out.

Let's Talk Books

What was your favorite book as a teen?

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Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jul 21, 2009 @ 9:15 pm

Nice list of books on a nicely done lens!
It would be great to see a picture in the introduction.

Reply

danbrown2k9 danbrown2k9 Jul 21, 2009 @ 3:41 pm

Hi,everyone.

I've been checking in with the conversation over the past few weeks, and just wanted to add that there's this new book coming out that I think you'd all love--check it out!
Here's the link: http://www.punchoutpublishing.com/index_files/page0003.htm

I've already ordered a copy, and they're giving free shipping with pre-orders.

Let me know what you think.

Dan

Reply

Pukeko Pukeko Jul 7, 2009 @ 5:55 pm

Great topic, great list. I especially appreciated the age recommendations. I have a preteen avid reader and I hope she doesn't lose it. I am lensrolling it to http://www.squidoo.com/homeschoolfun

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story3girl

by story3girl

Melissa is a teacher and a writer interested in living more fully for less money. She maintains a blog at http://storiedmoney.blogspot.com

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