What’s New in Young Adult Literature?

Donna BlackallDeborah Will

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pieby Jordan SonnenblickThe hectic life of

8th grader Steven Alper is further complicated when his aged 5 brother is diagnosed with leukemia. A story of courage and self discovery

The Lightning Thiefby Rick RiordanThe gods of Ancient

Greece are alive and well in the 21st century . Attending a strange summer camp, Percy Jackson learns what this means to him personally. As the “half-blood” Perseus, (his father is Poseidon) his adventures have just begun.

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Left for Dead : A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson

Recalls the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis at the end of World War II, the Navy cover-up and unfair court martial of the ship's captain, and how a young boy helped the survivors set the record straight fifty-five years later.

Shark Girlby Kelly Bingham A teen-age girl in

a pink bikini - a perfect day a the beach. And then the shark attacks, and Jane’s life is changed forever

Crossing the Wireby Will Hobbs15 year old

Mexican boy decides the only way he can help his family survive is to “cross the wire” - illegally enter the US to seek work.

According to Janeby Marilyn BrantEllie Barnett has

always lived with the voice of Jane Austen in her head and Jane does not like Sam Blaine, but after years of missed chances and misunderstandings, Ellie has to listen to her own heart, which has always wanted Sam.

Impossibleby Nancy WerleinWhen seventeen-year-

old Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes to break the curse she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both.

First Lightby Rebecca SteadThere is a

civilization inside the glaciers of Greenland. What and why it exists and to whom it matters most is what this fantasy unravels.

A Crooked Kind of Perfectby Linda UrbanZoe’s dream of

becoming a concert pianist is slightly deferred when her dad buys her an electric organ instead of a Steinway. An amusing story with real heart.

City of Bonesby Cassandra ClareSuddenly able to see

demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizzare world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.

Wicked Lovelyby Melissa MarrAislinn has always

been able to see faeries, but when the Summer King decides that she could be the answer to a timeless battle between him and the Winter Queen, Aislinn must risk her life to save herself and the young man she loves.

The Boy Who Daredby Susan Campbell BartolettiHistorical fiction based

on the real life of Helmuth Hubener who came of age in Germany as the Nazis came to power. His heroic voice of defiance in the midst of the chants of “Heil,Hitler!” by his fellow youth is both an inspiring and devastating tale.

The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne CollinsTeens of the future

become gladiators who fight to the death to save their families and bring honor to their homelands. A survival video game in book form.

Deadlineby Chris CrutcherGiven the medical

diagnosis of one year to live, high school senior Ben Wolf decides to fulfill his greatest fantasies, ponders his life's purpose and legacy, and converses through dreams with a spiritual guide known as "Hey-Soos.".

The Burn Journals by Brent RunyonPresents the true

story of Brent Runyon, who at fourteen set himself on fire and sustained burns over eighty percent of his body and describes the months of physical and mental rehabilitation that followed as he attempted to pull his life together.

Waiting for Normalby Leslie ConnorLeft alone with her

train-wreck of a mother when her step-dad leaves with the younger children from his marriage to her mom, Addie looks everywhere for some stability and acceptance. She finds it in the most unlikely places.

The Great Wide Seaby M.H. Herlong When the mother

of three boys aged 15, 11 and 5 dies unexpectedly in an auto accident, their father sells their home and takes them on an emotionally charged sailboat adventure.

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben Just how far parents

will go to protect their kids? When their son Adam is implicated in the death of his classmate, Tia and Mike Baye install a sophisticated spy program on Adam's computer, and within days are jolted by a message from an unknown correspondent.

Sold by Patricia McCormickThirteen-year-old

Lakshmi leaves her poor mountain home in Nepal thinking that she is to work in the city as a maid only to find that she has been sold into the sex slave trade in India and that there is no hope of escape

All Shook Up! By Shelly PearsallJosh leave his

normal teen-age life in Boston to live for awhile with his dad in Chicago - a shoe salesman turned Elvis impersonator! Although he resists, Josh learns there is more than one way to look at the world.

Troubleby Gary D. SchmidtHow does the

family of a high school BMOC recover from his devastating loss in a hit-and-run? And what happens when the truth of the accident is even more painful yet?

The Pact

Three young men growing up in a poor neighborhood in New Jersey make a pact to help each other complete medical school. They look out for each other, and keep each other focused on the goal: to become doctors.

How to Build a Houseby Dana ReinhartWhen her father

divorces her beloved stepmother and leaves her without her stepsister, Tess, Harper decides to join a volunteer organization to build houses for tornado victims, but struggling to figure out her role in the mix upon her arrival, Harper is befriended by Teddy who inspires her to love and trust once again.

The Graveyard Bookby Neil GaimanToddler Nobody Owens

survives an ancient league of assassins who murder the rest of his family by escaping to an abandoned graveyard. There he meets and is raised by spirits and an un-earthly mentor. But he can’t be kept safe forever

Cicada Summerby Andrea Beaty6th grader Lily’s

emotional paralysis following the accidental death of her older brother Pete leads her to a summer of mystery, suspense and self-discovery.

Gracelingby Kristin Cashore In a world where some

people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

Savvyby Ingrid LawRecounts the

adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident.

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer In a future where

humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patron, the 140-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the United States.

Silverfin: A James Bond Adventureby Charlie HigsonWho was James

Bond at the age of 13? This adventure and suspense novel introduces us to the young 007. A fun ride - with sequels to please!

Larger-Than-Life Laraby Dandi Daley MackhallNew girl Lara is

grossly overweight and the sure target for 4th grade ridicule and humiliation. But she refuses to react. In fact she is confident, even happy most of the time. So, of course, things get worse for her. Laney tells her story - and teaches her readers to write a narrative while writing her “school assignment.”

Word Nerdby Susin NielsenWhat an unlikely

combination: a 12-year-old self-proclaimed loser in knock-off Nikes, an ex-con and the game of SCRABBLE. Who would guess that together they work to make sense of life? Warning: LOADED with “naughty words!”

Three Weeks With My BrotherThis is an account

of two brothers who rely on each other throughout their lives including when tragedy strikes.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldierby Ishmael Beah In a heart-wrenching,

candid autobiography, a human rights activist offers a firsthand account of war from the perspective of a former child soldier, detailing the violent civil war that wracked his native Sierra Leone and the government forces that transformed a gentle young boy into a killer as a member of the army.

Upstate by Kalisha BuckhanonTwo young, star-

crossed lovers--17-year-old Antonio and 16-year-old Natasha--face tragedy when Antonio is convicted of murder. Their story, told through a decade of letters, captures their anger, hope, and frustrations in this coming-of-age story.

Jerk, Californiaby Jonathan FriesenPlagued by Tourette's

syndrome and a stepfather who despises him, Sam meets an old man in his small Midwest town who sends him on a road trip designed to help him discover the truth about his life.

The Looking Glass Warsby Frank BeddorWhen she is cast out

of Wonderland by her evil aunt Redd, young Alyss Heart finds herself living in Victorian Oxford as Alice Liddell and struggles to keep memories of her kingdom intact until she can return and claim her rightful throne.

My Mother the Cheerleaderby Rob SharenowThirteen-year-old

Louise uncovers secrets about her family and her neighborhood during the violent protests over school desegregation in 1960 New Orleans.

Perfect Chemistryby Simone ElkelesWhen wealthy,

seemingly perfect Brittany and Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, develop a relationship after Alex discovers that Brittany is not exactly who she seems to be, they must face the disapproval of their schoolmates--and others.

A Room on Lorelei Streetby Mary E. PearsonTo escape a miserable

existence taking care of her alcoholic mother, seventeen-year-old Zoe rents a room from an eccentric woman, but her earnings as a waitress after school are minimal and she must go to extremes to cover expenses.

Sight by Adrienne VrettosSixteen-year-old

Dylan uses her psychic abilities to help police solve crimes against children, but keeps her extracurricular activities secret from her friends at school.

A Thousand Splendid Sunsby Khaled HosseiniTwo women born a

generation apart witness the destruction of their home and family in wartorn Kabul, losses incurred over the course of thirty years that test the limits of their strength and courage.

Saving Francescaby Melina Marchetta

Francesca doesn’t understand how her self-sufficient mother is suddenly unable to get out of bed in the morning and is completely useless to her family as they face everyday problems

Avalon Highby Meg CabotHaving moved to

Annapolis with her medievalist parents, high school junior Ellie enrolls at Avalon High School where several students may or may not be the reincarnations of King Arthur and his court.

The Book Thiefby Markus ZusakDeath narrates this

tale of a normal German girl and her family who are shocked and horrified as Hitler takes control of Germany during the Second World War.

Inexcusableby Chris LynchKeir is a “good guy”

and he’ll tell you what a prize catch he is. Yet the reader begins to understand that Keir’s goodness is only in his imagination, especially when it comes to his treatment of the women in his life.

The Good Guyby Dean KoontzChatting with a

nervous stranger sitting at a local bar, Timothy Carrier soon realizes that he has been mistaken for a killer-for-hire and has been given an envelope full of cash and a contract on a pretty young woman whose photograph and address accompany the money.

Gym Candyby Carl DeukerGroomed by his father

to be a star player, football is the only thing that has ever really mattered to Mick Johnson, who works hard for a spot on the varsity team his freshman year, then tries to hold onto his edge by using steroids, despite the consequences to his health and social life.

Crank by Ellen HopkinsKristina Snow is

the perfect daughter, but she meets a boy who introduces her to drugs and becomes a very different person, struggling to control her life and her mind

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater Rhodes In a land that has

been at war so long that no one remembers the reason for fighting, the shapeshifters who rule the two factions agree to marry in the hope of bringing peace, despite deep-seated fear and distrust of each other

Peeps: A Novelby Scott WesterfieldCal Thompson is a

carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace – One School at a Timeby Greg Mortenson

“The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger," a villager tells Greg Mortenson. "The second time, you are an honored guest. The third time you become family."

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura WhitcombAfter benignly

haunting a series of people for 130 years, Helen meets a teenage boy who can see her and together they unlock the mysteries of their pasts.

Tell No One by Harlen CobenEight years after his

beloved wife, Elizabeth, was supposedly murdered by a serial killer, Beck receives information that suggests she may still be alive, but his search for the truth could mean setting himself up as the prime suspect in a number of crimes.

Shattering Glass by Gail GilesWhen Rob, the

charismatic leader of the senior class, turns the school nerd into Prince Charming, his actions lead to unexpected violence.

Dreams from my Father

o Details the story of Barack Obama’s childhood and how he came to terms with his father, a man with a difficult temper and high standards.

Please Stop Laughing at Me

oThis personal account explores the issue of bullying and its underlying psychological effects and long term ramifications.

Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need

Disease This text

examines how disease has helped mankind survive short term environmental threats by privileging deadly diseases.

My Forbidden Faceby Latifa

Details daily life inside Taliban controlled Afghanistan from the perspective of a young Afghani woman.

Tuesdays With Morrie

This book details the relationship between a student and his former teacher who is dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) .