1.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Fiction 1999
After Melinda goes through a traumatic and violent incident at a summer party, she calls the cops and becomes a social outcast.
2.
Fire-Us! Series by Jennifer Armstrong Science Fiction, 2003
Five years after a catastrophic virus has apparently killed all the adults and nearly everyone else, seven children seem to be the only survivors.
3.
In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Horror 1999
Risika, a teenage vampire of great strength and power who still remembers her former life and the human morals she held, struggles to come to an understanding of her new life.
4.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares Fiction 2001
Inspired by a true story, this book is quirky, irreverent, and written from the heart. Give four best friends one pair of pants and watch as the biggest summer of their lives unfolds.
5.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Science Fiction 1985
Card has taken the venerable sci-fi concepts of a superman and an interstellar war against aliens, and with superb characterization, pacing and language, make this a seamless story of compelling power.
6.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Historical Fiction 1996
War is worse than Henry could have imagined. He’s fighting for his life and he’s scared. Does he save himself and run from the enemy and desert his friends, or be brave and fight?
7.
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech Fiction 1997
While clearing a mysterious settler trail, Zinny uncovers family secrets and self-truths, learns to come to terms with the death of her beloved aunt, and questions the attentions of Jake Boone.
8.
Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes by Chris Crutcher Fiction 1993
Friends it seems forever, Eric and Sarah, now face the toughest challenge of their lives. As Sarah sits silent in a hospital, Eric must uncover the horrible secret that she hides, before its dark currents pull them both under.
9.
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher Fiction 2001
The Cutter All Night Mermen, a group of seven misfits who are members of a makeshift swim team, come together to challenge their high school's sports culture and fight for dignity in a world where a moment's inattention can bring lifelong heartache.
10.
The Watson’s Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis Fiction 1995
Ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Watsons of Flint, Michigan, are heading for Birmingham, Alabama, and one of the darkest moments in American history.
11.
Painting the Black by Carl Deuker Fiction 1997
During the summer before his senior year, Ryan Ward is thrilled when a kid his age moves in across the street. Little does he know how this will change his senior year.
12.
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer Science Fiction 2002
As a clone, Matt struggles to understand his existence in a future world that treats him like a beast. Around every corner of this futuristic adventure is a heart-stopping surprise with unforgettable consequences.
13.
Because of Anya by Margaret Peterson Haddix Fiction 2002
Anya finds out just who her friends are when she loses her hair to an auto-immune disease. A poignant story of discovery.
14.
Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn Horror 1995
While staying at the remote and reputedly haunted Maine inn run by her father and pregnant step-mother, sixteen-year-old Cynda feels increasingly isolated from her father’s new family and finds solace in the attentions of a charming, but mysterious guest.
15.
Mira, Mirror by Mette Ivie Harrison Fantasy 2004
Mira, apprenticed to a witch, bonds with another beautiful young apprentice whom she thinks of as a sister. But the girl uses Mira to make herself beautiful, eventually turning Mira into a mirror made of wood and glass.
16.
Flush by Carl Hiaasen Fiction 2005
With their father jailed for sinking a riverboat, Noah Underwood and his sister Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of the floating casino is emptying his bilge tanks into protected waters around their Florida Keys home.
17.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen Fiction 2002
New to Florida, Roy is on the bus when he spots the running boy—running away from the bus, shoeless and with no books. Sensing a mystery, Roy sets out to trail him and is soon lead to potty-trained alligators, a fake fart champion, and a renegade eco-avenger.
18.
I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman Biography 2005
Choosing not to be separated from her family any longer, Hannelore leaves the comfort of a boarding school in Berlin, to join them on a journey through eight concentration camps.
19.
Mates, Dates Series by Cathy Hopkins Fiction 2003
Lucy will remind you of Louise Rennison’s Georgia Nicolson, but she is more introspective, less self-centered, and less superficial. Plenty here on the subject of boys, appearances, changing friendships and a healthy dose of laughter.
20.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Fantasy 1986
Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl.
21.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Fiction 2002
After making a daring rescue, Lily Owens flees with her companion and is taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters. It is here in the secret world of bees and honey, that she discovers a place she can find the single thing her heart longs for most.
22.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curits Klause Horror 1997
A beautiful teenage werewolf falls in love with a human boy and must battle both her pack mates and the fear of the townspeople to decide where she belongs and with whom.
23.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Fiction 1960
The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man’s struggle for justice.
24.
The Giver by Lois Lowry Science Fiction 1993
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.
25.
The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi Fiction 2003
Having run out of excuses not to return to her home in India, Priya must face her family and tell them of her engagement to an American—not the “nice Indian boy” her mother wants for her.
26.
Heroes Don’t Run by Harry Mazer Historical Fiction 2005
Adam, now 17, lies about his age so that he can join the marines in 1944. Mazer did the same thing (though he served in Europe), and much of the power of this novel lies in the factual details, first of rough boot-camp training and then of battle.
27.
SOLD by Patricia McCormick Fiction 2006
As this heartbreaking story opens, 13-year-old Lakshmi lives an ordinary life in Nepal, going to school and thinking of the boy she is to marry. Then her gambling-addicted stepfather sells her into prostitution in India.
28.
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers Fiction 1988
Just out of high school, Richie Perry enlists and spends a devastating year of active duty in Vietnam-- an all too realistic look at the life of a young soldier in the summer of 1967.
29.
Mismatch by Lensey Namioka Fiction 2006
Trouble ensues with two families when a Japanese-American teen begins dating a Chinese-American girl.
30.
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson Science Fiction 2005
After the mutant Erasers abduct the youngest member of their group, the “birdkids” who are a result of genetic experimentation, take off in pursuit, and find themselves struggling to understand their own origins and purpose.
31.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult Fiction 2007
Rich with psychological and social insights this riveting novel of bullying, teen rage, and peer pressure has at its core a haunting question—Do we ever really know someone?
32.
Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce Fantasy 2003
And so begins a new saga of Tortall. The daughter of the warrior queen Alanna is here and gifted with the sword mastery of her mother, a delicious sense of humor, and ready to create her own legend.
33.
Just Like That by Marsha Qualey Fiction 2005
Deeply affected by an encounter with two teens shortly before their tragic death at the lake, Hanna uses her talent as an artist to explore conflicted feelings of guilt, disengagement, and secrecy; art becomes both obsession and therapy.
34.
The King Must Die by Mary Renault Greek Mythology 1988
The story of the mythical hero Theseus, slayer of monsters, abductor of princesses and king of Athens.
35.
A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Rylant Fiction 1983
After deserting him for many years, Jeff’s mother returns to widen the gap between him and his father. A gap that only truth, love, and friendship can heal.
36.
Holes by Louis Sachar Fiction 1998
As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.
37.
The Boxes by William Sleator Science Fiction 1998
A modern day Pandora, fifteen-year-old Annie opens two strange boxes left in her care by her mysterious uncle, and releases a swarm of telepathic creatures capable of slowing down time.
38.
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator Science Fiction 1984
Barney’s boring seaside vacation suddenly becomes more interesting when the cottage next door is occupied by three exotic neighbors who are addicted to a game they call “Interstellar Pig.”
39.
What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones Fiction 2001
Meet Sophie in this heartfelt novel in verse as she learns the difference between love and lust, confides in her best friends, and navigates life as a teen-age girl.
40.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Fiction 2000
When Stargirl Caraway shows up at Mica High School wearing pioneer dresses and kimonos, and strumming a ukulele the student body is stunned. Shock turns to adoration, but popularity is a fragile thing and when it sours, MHS is changed forever.
41.
Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya Shojo Manga 2004
The enigmatic Sohma family shares a great secret, its members are possessed by spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, and when they are hugged by members of the opposite sex, they transform into their Zodiac animal!
42.
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjan Fiction 2001
When teenager Josh Swensen sees consumerism and waste in America, he tries to do something about it with his controversial start-up web site.
43.
Inside Out by Terry Trueman Fiction 2003
“All I want is a maple bar, but I don’t think these kids with the guns care about what I want…” As Zach, a 16 year-old schizophenic, waits in a coffee shop for his meds he becomes a hostage.
44.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Memoir 2005
Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents--Rose Mary, her frustrated-artist mother, and Rex, her brilliant, alcoholic father.
45.
Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn Thriller 2004
Hating the idea of being labelled Kayla resists getting a bar code tattoo when she turns 17. Being a non-conformist in the year 2025 is dangerous. Will Kayla find safety with a resistance group or are there members who are not what they seem to be?
46.
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan Fiction 2000
Married and promptly widowed at 13, Koly finds herself in the grim position of being cast out by a society that has no place for girls like her. With a seemingly hopeless future in India, this courageous and spirited young woman sets out to forge her own destiny.
47.
Night By Elie Wiesel NF 1960
A memoir of a scholarly, pious teenager wracked with guilt at having survived the horror of the Holocaust and the genocidal campaign that consumed his family.
48.
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff Fiction 1993
This daring, blank verse novel is an eloquent, realistic portrait of a teenage mother struggling to keep ahead and a fourteen-year-old babysitter who tries to help her through love and understanding.
49.
The Devil’s Arithmetic By Jane Yolen Fiction 1988
Hannah resents the traditions of her Jewish heritage until time travel places her in a Jewish village in Nazi-occupied Poland.
50.
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak Fiction 2006
Death witnesses the theft of a book—The Gravediggers Handbook and becomes fascinated with the thief Liesel, as she experiences fear and deprivation during WWII.
Young Adult Booklists
