Ghostgirl- Tonya Hurley

Shop Indie Bookstores
I do not usually comment on the “cover appeal” of a book, but as soon as I received this book in the mail I was instantly intrigued because of how cool the cover is.  The white background in the middle of the cover shown above is really clear plastic with a black silhouette on it. [...]

Jellicoe Road- Melina Marchetta

Shop Indie Bookstores
This Printz winner took me a while to get into. I’d say I was a third, to half of the way into it before I really became intrigued, but then I didn’t put it down.  There are numerous interesting characters whom I loved, but at the same time had some difficulty keeping everything [...]

The Chocolate War- Robert Cormier

Shop Indie Bookstores

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a story about a boy at an all boys Catholic high school who decides to rebel against a school tradition.  He also gets involved with a secret high school society.  The book addresses friendship, bullying, and teacher student relationships.  I enjoyed this book, and I think that [...]

Confessions of a Not It Girl- Melissa Kantor

Shop Indie Bookstores
Confessions of a Not It Girl was a fun light novel that I think provides an alternate idea of what life is like in NYC to that which is presented in Gossip Girl.  While it doesn’t deal with many MAJOR teen issues it deals well with all the little things that teens go [...]

Slam-Nick Hornby

This is Nick Hornby’s first true Young Adult novel.  The main character, Sam, is a 15 year old skater who becomes a teenage father.  The book follows the events leading up to the pregnency, through the pregnancy, and after the child is born.  In general it is realistic fiction but there are some fantastical moments [...]

I Am the Messenger- Markus Zusak

I Am The Messenger centers around a 19 year old male searching for his identity.  Throughout the novel he speaks candidly about his relationship with his mother, his feelings of sexual inadequacy, and his friendships.  He is mysteriously pushed into action when he begins to receive cryptic messages on playing cards.  The novel chronicles [...]

Twisted- Laurie Halse Anderson

This novel is written from a 17 year old male’s POV. I really enjoyed it. This book seems to do a good job at dealing with the issues of depression, suicide, emerging sexuality, fitting in, and more.  This is definiately a book written for high school students.  It can be used as a classroom [...]

Looking For Alaska- John Green

I really enjoyed this novel.  It takes place at a boarding school, and while it centers around a male protagonist there is also a strong female character.  I can see it being somewhat controversial due to some sex, drinking, and smoking.  I feel that the way the sexual elements are presented could lead to healthy [...]