Young Adult Book Suggestions

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 03 Apr 2018, 08:10

As we dive into April, let's share with each other books that we've read and enjoyed in the young adult genre in hopes to help others who aren't sure of what to read.

Stand Alone:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book Series:

Divergent by Victoria Roth
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
The Selection by Kiera Cass
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Gosh, there are so many good ones out there! Here are some on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/young-adult

What do you suggest? Or are you looking for something in particular? Please feel free to both ask and offer suggestions here.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 03 Apr 2018, 08:23

I recommend EVERYONE read Behind Broken Glass Walls. This is a book about bullying, abuse and school shootings. The theme is somewhat mature, but the author handles it in a very delicate way. It's such an important matter, that I really recommend it for ages 12 and up even with the somewhat mature theme.

DesireeRose · Post by **DesireeRose** » 03 Apr 2018, 15:44

The Lunar Chronicles is a young adult book series by Marissa Meyer. There are six books in the series, and they are fractured fairy tales. They are all very well-written, and I highly recommend them.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 08 Apr 2018, 13:36

DesireeRose wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 15:44 The Lunar Chronicles is a young adult book series by Marissa Meyer. There are six books in the series, and they are fractured fairy tales. They are all very well-written, and I highly recommend them.

I've been meaning to read The Lunar Chronicles! Thank you for the reminder.

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 09 Apr 2018, 06:39

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

Ready Player One by Earnest Cline

And the Wayward Children series by Seanan Maguire:
Every Heart a Doorway
Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Beneath the Sugar Sky

Though these feel less like traditional ya, they are catagorized as ya, and the characters are teens. Some bookstores, however, shelve them in with adult fantasy.

Aquilis · Post by **Aquilis** » 10 Apr 2018, 02:39

Artemis Fowel is one of the best young adult book series out there in my opinion, great entry point into modern fantasy writing that has some great character writing as well as a plot that isn't too predictable (even for an adult reader!)

Brit217 · Post by **Brit217** » 13 Apr 2018, 12:18

The Charlotte Holmes series by Brittany Cavallaro is pretty good.

Jackie Holycross · Post by **Jackie Holycross** » 16 Apr 2018, 11:39

I just finished Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. It is dystopian fiction. I thought this was a good premise with the silver bloods in charge of the world and the red bloods living in poverty. The silvers also have various powers such as mind reading or bending metal that help them keep the reds in subservience. Then a red-born girl is discovered to have the power of controlling electricity. She is taken into the king's family and a massive cover-up is made to hide her red blood. Overall, I liked the characters and the plot. The end seemed a little rushed but I still liked it enough to read the next book in the series.

cthulhu_96 · Post by **cthulhu_96** » 17 Apr 2018, 06:44

Any of John Greens books are fantastic to read. Looking for Alaska is just as good at FIOS, they both capture the feelings and pain that some teenagers go through and they make you feel like you also are experiencing the pain as the protagonist.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 18 Apr 2018, 04:46

Gravy wrote: ↑09 Apr 2018, 06:39 We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

Ready Player One by Earnest Cline

And the Wayward Children series by Seanan Maguire:
Every Heart a Doorway
Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Beneath the Sugar Sky

Though these feel less like traditional ya, they are catagorized as ya, and the characters are teens. Some bookstores, however, shelve them in with adult fantasy.

I really enjoyed We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson - it was so good! I believe this was a suggestion from you at some point, so thank you for that!

Ready Player One by Earnest Cline is one that is on my TBR list, but the others I haven't heard of, but I think I'll check out And the Wayward Children series by Seanan Maguire. Thank you for the suggestions!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 18 Apr 2018, 04:49

cthulhu_96 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2018, 06:44 Any of John Greens books are fantastic to read. Looking for Alaska is just as good at FIOS, they both capture the feelings and pain that some teenagers go through and they make you feel like you also are experiencing the pain as the protagonist.

That's also a good suggestion! I actually tried reading Paper Towns, but I couldn't really get into it. I think the maturity of the characters were too young for me, but I remember enjoying The Fault in Our Stars. I was a little skeptical of reading Looking for Alaska[i/], but maybe I should add this to my TBR list because the way you described it makes it sound like a good read. Thank you for the suggestion!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 18 Apr 2018, 04:52

Aquilis wrote: ↑10 Apr 2018, 02:39 Artemis Fowel is one of the best young adult book series out there in my opinion, great entry point into modern fantasy writing that has some great character writing as well as a plot that isn't too predictable (even for an adult reader!)

Ah, I wasn't sure about Artemis Fowl, but it does sound like a good read! Thank you for the suggestion!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 18 Apr 2018, 04:53

teacherjh wrote: ↑16 Apr 2018, 11:39 I just finished Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. It is dystopian fiction. I thought this was a good premise with the silver bloods in charge of the world and the red bloods living in poverty. The silvers also have various powers such as mind reading or bending metal that help them keep the reds in subservience. Then a red-born girl is discovered to have the power of controlling electricity. She is taken into the king's family and a massive cover-up is made to hide her red blood. Overall, I liked the characters and the plot. The end seemed a little rushed but I still liked it enough to read the next book in the series.

This has been on my TBR list for a while! Thank you for the remember, and it's great to hear that it is a good read!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 18 Apr 2018, 04:54

Brit217 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2018, 12:18 The Charlotte Holmes series by Brittany Cavallaro is pretty good.

Hm...I haven't heard of this series, but it sounds like an interesting one. Thank you for sharing!

Lgs1089 · Post by **Lgs1089** » 18 Apr 2018, 15:09

I enjoyed Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld if anyone is looking for a good YA novel that recaptures the essence of being a teenager. The older we get, the more we forget what it's like to be a teenager, and this novel really nails the entire thought processes of a teenage girl, without coming off as silly.