If you read my blog, you know YA is where my heart is! Here's the GreenBeanTeenQueen Gift Guide for teens! (And there are so many more I could add-if you need more suggestions just ask!)
For the teen who wants to escape to other worlds
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
-If there's one fantasy series my library teens ask for, it's this series by Cinda Williams Chima. Books one and two are available now and teens will be eagerly awaiting more!
For the teen who thinks they've outgrown YA
The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X Stork
-This book has so much cross-over appeal to adults that I think you could give it to them not telling them it's cataloged as YA and they wouldn't think twice about it being a "YA" book. The story is heartfelt and full of philosophy but in an accessible way.
For the teen who wants to be swept off their feet
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
-Oh how I can't stop gushing about this book! If you have a reader who loves romance, travel and cute British boys, you can't go wrong with this book!
For the teen who claims they don't like to read
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
-If you have a picky reader who claims they never see themselves in any book they read, give them Carter Finally Gets It (it's also fantastic on audio!) I'm sure they'll be laughing out loud after one chapter!
For the teen sleuth
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee-
The Agency is my new favorite mystery series. Victorian setting, a secret spy school, and witty banter between the two main characters? I'm sold!
For the teens who still love paranormal, but can do without the angst
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
-Paranormalcy has all the paranormal elements teens love, but also packs in adventure and action. There's romance, but it's not an angsty sweeping romance and the main character totally kicks butt!
For the teen who likes humor mixed in with their fantasy
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
-If Harry Potter married Samantha from Bewitched and had a chick lit baby, with a smidge of A Great and Terrible Beauty, and a dash of Nancy Drew’s mystery solving, you would get Hex Hall. Need I say more?
For teens who want their novels in verse
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
-I have a lot of teens ask for novels in verse and I always hand them Lisa Schroeder's novels. Chasing Brooklyn combines grief, longing, healing, and ghosts in a compelling novel in verse.
For the teen who wants adventure
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
-As huge as The Hunger Games is, there are still lots of teens who haven't read it! It seems like it's big among readers and the book community and it's growing outside of that, but if you know of a teen who has yet to discover this series, now is the time to introduce them to it!
For the teen who says they won't listen to audiobooks
If you have teens who won't listen to audiobooks, give these a try-these books can make audiobook lovers out of anyone!
(And of course the Harry Potter series on audio is amazing!!)
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer
For the teen who wants to escape to other worlds
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
-If there's one fantasy series my library teens ask for, it's this series by Cinda Williams Chima. Books one and two are available now and teens will be eagerly awaiting more!
For the teen who thinks they've outgrown YA
The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X Stork
-This book has so much cross-over appeal to adults that I think you could give it to them not telling them it's cataloged as YA and they wouldn't think twice about it being a "YA" book. The story is heartfelt and full of philosophy but in an accessible way.
For the teen who wants to be swept off their feet
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
-Oh how I can't stop gushing about this book! If you have a reader who loves romance, travel and cute British boys, you can't go wrong with this book!
For the teen who claims they don't like to readCarter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
-If you have a picky reader who claims they never see themselves in any book they read, give them Carter Finally Gets It (it's also fantastic on audio!) I'm sure they'll be laughing out loud after one chapter!
For the teen sleuth
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee-
The Agency is my new favorite mystery series. Victorian setting, a secret spy school, and witty banter between the two main characters? I'm sold!
For the teens who still love paranormal, but can do without the angstParanormalcy by Kiersten White
-Paranormalcy has all the paranormal elements teens love, but also packs in adventure and action. There's romance, but it's not an angsty sweeping romance and the main character totally kicks butt!
For the teen who likes humor mixed in with their fantasy
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
-If Harry Potter married Samantha from Bewitched and had a chick lit baby, with a smidge of A Great and Terrible Beauty, and a dash of Nancy Drew’s mystery solving, you would get Hex Hall. Need I say more?
For teens who want their novels in verse
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
-I have a lot of teens ask for novels in verse and I always hand them Lisa Schroeder's novels. Chasing Brooklyn combines grief, longing, healing, and ghosts in a compelling novel in verse.
For the teen who wants adventure
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
-As huge as The Hunger Games is, there are still lots of teens who haven't read it! It seems like it's big among readers and the book community and it's growing outside of that, but if you know of a teen who has yet to discover this series, now is the time to introduce them to it!
For the teen who says they won't listen to audiobooks
If you have teens who won't listen to audiobooks, give these a try-these books can make audiobook lovers out of anyone!
(And of course the Harry Potter series on audio is amazing!!)Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer
Glad to hear that someone else is loving the Agency series, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. And I have to agree that the Harry Potter series is amazing on audiobook.
ReplyDeleteI love your suggestions. My problem is this. I have a student who loved Carter Finally Gets It and Carter's Big Break. What else can I give him? Who else writes that kind of book? Thanks for any suggestions.
ReplyDeleteKathy-I haven't read it yet, but I've been told Swim the Fly and it's sequel Beat the Band are similar. David Lubar writes funny contemporary books with guys as main characters, Antony John and Jordan Sonnenblick have some good books that have humor. I also think Gordon Korman's books are great! I love No More Dead Dogs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous gift guide list! I too have been enjoying the Agency series, and Paranormalcy is perfect for a teen who likes paranormal without "all the angst" :D
ReplyDeleteLooooooved Anna and the French Kiss! It was a romance that made me squeal with delight because it wasn't trite and cliche. Plus, I totally wanted to be friends with all (most) of the characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of books. I loved Cinda Williams' series and I met her at a SCBWI conference. She is so nice. Your other suggestions, like The Hunger Games, and Hex Hall, are great too.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Bloody Jack audio. I would also add Swim the Fly as an audio ... I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much without the narrator doing the voices (especially Grandpa and the swim instructor).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! I want so many of the books on it :)
ReplyDeleteI second the recommendation for No More Dead Dogs. So funny, and such a true sentiment!
Thank you SO much for including me on your list. And I love the categories you made up. Wonderful job!!
ReplyDeleteSuper excited to see Hex Hall and Carter Finally Gets It on this list. Both are fantastic fun reads, but often over looked. Great suggestions.
ReplyDeleteKathy - check out LPL Teen Zone for a list of similar titles (for both guys and girls) though, sadly, there's nothing like Carter Finally Gets It. Brent Crawford actually wrote the books at his sister's prompting - a publishing house was looking for a guy version of Angus Thong.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great list here! So many books I adore. I just read Carter Finally Gets It a couple of weeks ago and it is one of my favorite reads. Such a great funny voice. I have the follow up and need to get to it as well.
ReplyDelete