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Young Adult Round Table (YART)
Teen Books for a Desert Island
Anna's Picks
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Compelling "real life" diary of drugs, sex, and teen life that is still read by and resonates with teens today.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Powerful novel of a girl keeping a silent secret.
Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer
Life lessons are taught with style and humor in this story of a road trip taken by a teenage girl and a crusty elderly woman.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Intense and interest, even those who don't like sci-fi will like the human story of Ender Wiggins' battles and triumphs.
The Face on the Milk Carton by Carolyn Cooney
Janie has to figure out what's real and what's not when she discovers her old photo as a missing child on a milk carton in this story that has had long-lasting appeal with teenage girls.
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Hard to choose only one Cormier - but this is a classic story of the weak taking on the powerful.
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Also hard to choose only one Crutcher - this one was my favorite and makes a great booktalk.
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
A witty, funny historical novel of a medieval teen with a mind of her own.
I know what you did last summer by Lois Duncan
My favorite book when I was a teen. This turned me on to Lois Duncan and YA literature. Plus it is so much better than the movie...
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Possibly the first and quintessential YA novel - a classic tale of life, love, friendship and belonging.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Complex issues are explored in this compelling tale of a boy who becomes the "receiver of memories" and learns the secret his society has kept hidden.
Beauty by Robin McKinley
A retelling that captures the magic of the fairy tale beautifully.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
An ever popular tale of wilderness survival.
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
First is his Dark Materials series, a spellbinding epic fantasy that is compelling, intriguing and complex.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter mania is a phenomenon but it's also an entertaining, captivating fantasy series about good vs. evil.
Holes by Louis Sachar
Funy, puzzling and extremely imaginative story of treasures, curses, and family history.
Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas
This made me laugh out loud while simultaneously tearing my heart out.
Deathwatch by Robb White
A thrilling, suspenseful tale of survival and triumph of will.
True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolf
Uplifting story about a girl who despite many obstacles remains a "ture believer" in herself and her dreams. Sequel to Make Lemonade.
Anna Zanarini, Salt Lake County Library
Picks by Michele, Susie & Lisa
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.
Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan
Seventeen-year-old April finds her comfortable life changed forever when death threats to her father, a witness in a federal case, force her family to go into hiding under assumed names and flee the pursuit of a hired killer.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
In early nineteenth-century England, an orphaned young woman accepts employment as a governess and soon finds herself in love with her employer who has a terrible secret.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Intense is the word for Ender's Game. Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses--and then training them in the arts of war... The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'... Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games... He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet? This begins the saga of Ender Wiggin that spans three generations.
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
Based on the fairy tale Rapunzel, the story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Zel, her mother, and the nobleman who pursues her, and delves into psychological motivations of each of the characters.
Bring Me a Unicorn by Anna Morrow Lindberg
The diaries and letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of Charles Lindberg.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
An aviator forced down in the Sahara Desert encounters the Little Prince, who relates his interplanetary travels and the lessons he has learned about life.
Dangerous Angels: the Weetzie Bat Books by Francesca Lia Block
Weetzie Bat -- Witch Baby -- Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys -- Missing Angel Juan -- Baby Be-Bop.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Two children in a small southern town are thrust into an adult world of racial bigotry and hatred when their lawyer father chooses to defend a black man unjustly accused of raping a white girl.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The struggle of three brothers to stay together after their parent's death and their quest for identity among the conflicting values of their adolescent society.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
A mysterious teenage boy harboring a dark secret helps Zoe come to terms with her mother's terminal illness.
Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman
Fourteen-year-old Shawn McDaniel, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy and cannot function, relates his perceptions of his life, his family, and his condition, especially as he believes his father is palnning to kill him.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Four best girlfriends spend the biggest summer of their lives enchanted by a magical pair of pants.
Look For Me By Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn
While staying at hte remote and reputedly haunted Maine inn run by her father and pregnant stepmother, sixteen-year-old Cynda feels increasingly isolated from her father's new family finds solace in the attentions of a charming but mysterious guest.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
In this story aobut the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named Stargirl changes Mica High School forever.
Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer
Sixteen-year-old Jenna gets a job driving the elderly owner of a chain of successful show stores from Chicago to Texas to confront the son who is trying to force her to retire, and along the way, Jenna hones her talents as a saleswoman and finds the strength to face her alcoholic father.
Whirligig by Paul Fleishman
While traveling to each corner of the country to build a whirligig in memory of the girl whose death he causes, sixteen-year-old Brian finds forgiveness and atonement.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Twelve-year-old Paul, who lives in the shadow of his football hero brother Erik, fights for the right to play soccer despite his near blindness and slowly begins to remember the incident that damaged his eyesight.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Ever since it was first published in 1951, this novel has been the coming-of-age story against which all others are judged. Read and cherished by generations, the story of Holden Caulfield is truly one of America's literary treasures.
Michele, Susie & Lisa
Salt Lake City Public Library
Some of Pam's Favorite 'Teen-Proven' Picks
Caroline Cooney - I love Caroline's ability to incorporate adventure, mystery, and a bit of romance, into good page turners.
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
What would you do if your pleasant life was suddenly turned upside-down because you found your picture on the side of a milk carton advertisement as a missing child? Plenty of action here with three popular sequels.
Driver's Ed by Caroline Cooney
It's driver's ed at school and some students with mighty big attitudes are in the class. What happens when they pull out a stop sign for fun, alters their lives forever.
Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline Cooney
This is a wonderful historical fiction adventure about the beautiful Helen of Troy told by her fictional daughter Anaxandra.
Will Hobbs - Will Hobbs has been on many real life adventures that he gives his characters in his stories. His books usually include a fantastic water experience as Hobb's hobby is white-water river rafting. His titles are recommended for both boys and girls.
Ghost Canoe by Will Hobbs
This is probably my favorite of his. It includes mystery, survival, with a touch of realism.
Down River by Will Hobbs
A group of troubled teens take one more step in the wrong direction when they steal a jeep and gear and decide to go down the Colorado on their own.
The Maze by Will Hobbs
Takes place in Utah. Hobbs actually investigated this area himself and set his story here. Kids are attracted to the book because many have hiked and camped around the Maze.
Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs
A sequel to Jason's Gold - a fun adventure that involves a kayak race entwined in an historical novel about the gold rush days in the Yukon.
Carolyn Meyer - Carolyn Meyer is my favorite historical and periodic fiction writer. Her books are loaded with facts but not overly complicated with dates and super trivia of the times.
Where the broken heart still beats by Carolyn Meyer
A true story about Cynthia Anne Parker who was taken away from her family by Comanche Indians and raised with them. She learns to love their ways and has a terrific adjustment when she is once again returned to her 'white world' at the age of 34.
Drummers of Jericho by Carolyn Meyer
Paziit Trujillo, a 14 year old Jewish girl, goes to live with her father and stepmother in a rural town in Texas and soon finds herself the center of a civil rights battle when she objects to the high school band marching in the formation of a cross.
Gideon's People by Carolyn Meyer
Torn between youthful rebellion and their traditional heritages two boys from very different cultures, Gideon is Amish, Isaac an Orthodox Jew, discover just how similar they really are when Isaac has an injury and has to recover at Gideon's home.
Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer
After her father's death in 1547, thirteen year old Elizabeth must endure the political intrigues and dangers of the reigns of her half brother Edward and her half sister Mary before finally becoming queen of England eleven years later.
Richard Peck - Mr. Peck has an incredible ability to speak 'teen'. His latest books are so humorous that there is no line drawn as to age level for entertainment. Everyone loves Richard Peck.
A year down yonder, A long way from Chicago and Fair Weather by Richard Peck
All follow the the down-home adventures of families in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They are written in an easy-to-read format. His chapters are short stories in themselves. They would make fantastic family reads.
Voices after Midnight by Richard Peck
A fun time-travel book about a family spending their summer vacation in Manhattan. Two brothers funnel back in time to solve a mystery that occurred with the previous residents of the house.
Secrets of the Shopping Mall. by Richard Peck
Paradise Park becomes a temporary home for two eighth grade runaways who think they can live unnoticed in the shopping mall. They discover they are not alone, and some things that are going on at night when the doors are locked are suspicious.
Cynthia Voigt - Ms. Voigt does interesting character development within her real life adventures. I recommend her titles to girls.
On Fortunes Wheel by Cynthia Voigt
Faces with the prospect of an unhappy life in her kingdom, fourteen year-old Birle Accompanies a young runaway nobleman south and falls into slavery in a citadel of a cruel prince.
Homecoming and Dicey's Song
Two books about four Tillerman children whose mother abandons them, their adventures of how they stay together, and how they survive with their grandmother.
Gary Paulsen - Paulsen's adventure and survival stories are so popular. He tells many of his stories around adventures that he has had both as a child and an adult. He is read by both young men and women with equal enthusiasm.
Sisters/Hermanas
A uniquely told story about two teens. One, a wealthy, cheerleader type, the other a Mexican prostitute. Paulsen has written this story as a comparison, and how these girls dreams of their future intersect. He does very well writing in these female characters.
Soldier's Heart
A super story about the Civil War. Paulsen gets into the mind of a young boy who goes off to War with fearless excitement and comes home a beleaguered, bitter soldier.
NightJohn
The story of how NightJohn, a freed slave, comes back to the South to teach his slave friends how to read. This is a crime for which he suffers great consequences.
Robert Lipsyte - Lipsyte was a sports reporter for the New York Times. He covered an Ali boxing match and was hooked. His Y.A. titles use strong minority youth as main characters. He is a favorite author of mine for what he doesn't say - he lets your mind fill in the story blanks. I recommend these to boys who 'don't like to read'.
The Contender, The Brave and The Chief
These are about troubled youth who find their way into the boxing arena. They tell the stories about how these kids use their sport, are abused by their sport, and, in the end, how they see their futures. They are all just short enough to tell a good, long story.
Joan Lowry Nixon - Ms. Nixon is a prolific, popular mystery writer for Y.A.s. Her books are page turners and enjoyed by all.
Candidate for Murder
Cary, a politician's daughter, finds herself in danger when she overhears a conspiracy to sabotage her father's campaign for governor of Texas. This is fun - giving us an inside view of how families deal with the stresses of campaigning.
Playing for Keeps
On a Caribbean cruise, Rosie meets a teenage Cuban baseball player seeking political asylum in the United States and tries to help him escape a charge of murder.
More to come from Patricia!
Page last updated November 2002
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