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Teen

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. YFIC DON
Set against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this coming-of-age story weaves romance, history and a murder into something original.

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris. YFIC FER
Raised in a cave with a troll for a dad, Christian discovers friendship and true love with Princess Marigold – and uncovers a dastardly plot that threatens the kingdom and Marigold's life.

Seek by Paul Fleischman. YFIC FLE
An assignment to write his autobiography leads high school senior Rob Radkovitz to search the airwaves for the voice of his father, a radio announcer who deserted the family.

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes. YFIC GRI
“ Open Mike Friday” in Mr. Ward’s high school English class becomes an opportunity for 18 teenagers to share their poetry, as well as their deepest hopes and fears.

Wild Man Island by Will Hobbs. YFIC HOB
Andy Galloway’s solo kayak run across frigid Alaskan waters is interrupted by a fierce gale. Washed up on an island, he discovers he is not alone.

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman. YSF HOF
A young cancer patient is transported to a parallel world that resembles Venice, Italy, where he becomes a key player in a generational struggle for power.

The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. YFIC IHI
Kahu, a member of the Maori tribe of New Zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership and her destiny – in spite of her gender.

In the Land of the Lawn Weenies and Other Misadventures by David Lubar. YFIC LUB
This collection of short stories includes hilarious and harrowing tales. Don’t be a Weenie; read this!

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy. J 641.541 M
When people begin dying in Philadelphia in 1793, at first little notice is taken. When the words “yellow fever” are whispered, the residents begin to flee in terror.

Left for Dead: A Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson. J 940.545 N
While watching a scene from Jaws, 11-year-old Hunter Scott got an idea for his school project. Little did he know it would expose a Navy cover-up and the unfair court martial of a ship's captain.

Paint Me Like I Am: Teen Poems From WritersCorps. Y 808.81 P
A collection of poems about life and friendship written by teens from the Bronx, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Each chapter includes suggestions to inspire creative writing.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name: And Other Outrageous Tales About Extreme Sports by Gary Paulsen. JB PAULSEN
Laugh-out-loud stories about daredevil stunts performed by the author and his buddies when they were 13.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. JSF PRA
Young Tiffany gradually becomes aware of her magical abilities when she tries to rescue her baby brother from a sinister invader – with the help of a clan of six-inch blue men.

The Hobbit: An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic by J.R.R. Tolkien. YFIC TOL
This graphic novel is the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, and describes an adventure with Bilbo the hobbit and Gandalf the wizard.

What’s in a Name? by Ellen Wittlinger. YFIC WIT
Should the town of Scrub Harbor change its name to Folly Bay? Ten teenagers share their views of identity in interlocking stories about life in a small New England town.

Hush by Jacqueline Woodson. YFIC WOO
What do you do when your family has to move and change their identity? Toswiah struggles, and her family begins to fall apart, when they become “the Thomases.”

Adult Books for Teens:

My Losing Season by Pat Conroy. B CONROY
The author chronicles his year playing basketball at The Citadel, showing the bonds teams build, the lessons taught through losing, and the self-confidence that comes with maturing to adulthood.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. FIC HAD
Narrated by a 15-year-old autistic boy, a mystery helps Christopher uncover secret information about his mother.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. B SATRAPI
A graphic novel about the normal rebelliousness of an intelligent adolescent and the horrors of war and totalitarianism.

The Song Reader: A Novel by Lisa Tucker. FIC TUC
When two sisters are left alone after the death of their mother and the disappearance of their father, Mary Beth becomes a “song reader” – one who sees peoples’ secrets and desires.