Teen Beach Reads
Magic, teen love, graphic novels — check out our summer book picks for teens.
Let Danielle Marshall and her team at Powell's Books — folks who know books inside out — give you a heads up on what's great and what's popular in young adult literature. These recommendations are sure to grab your teen's interest this summer.
To purchase a book, click on the Powell's Books logo.
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott (Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, 2007).
Twins Josh and Sophie Newman are spending the summer living with their aunt and working in San Francisco while their parents are away on an archaeological dig. When Josh is at work at his bookstore job, a black limousine pulls up in front and several men in overcoats step out. The men from the car kidnap the wife of the bookstore owner, an ancient metal-bound book is stolen, and Sophie and Josh must run for their lives with the bookstore owner, Nick Fleming. Unbelievably, Fleming reveals that he is the famous 14th-century alchemist, Nicholas Flamel. He and his kidnapped wife were born more than 500 years ago, and he is the guardian of a stolen tome, The Book of Abraham the Mage. Harry Potter fans will recognize Flamel's name and The Alchemyst does not disappoint readers longing for another series to be excited about. The story is filled with enough battles and magic to satisfy even the most cynical teen fantasy fans. The next book in the series, The Magician, releases on June 24, 2008. 375 pages.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (Wendy Lamb Books, 2006).
Daisy is a troubled New York City teenager with a distant father and a wicked stepmother she calls "Davina the Diabolical." When she is sent to London to stay with an aunt and cousins she's never met, hostile enemies invade England. Her aunt goes abroad on a peace mission, meaning that Daisy and her three cousins, with whom she forges a remarkable relationship, must survive on their own. This is a poignant story told in honest, first-person narrative and filled with humor, love and the carnage of war. Publisher's Weekly said, "This riveting... novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century." What a timely subject matter for today's teens. 194 pages.
Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier (Sleuth RazorBill, 2006).
Australian author Justine Larbalestier has woven magic in this, the first book in a trilogy. Reason Cansino has lived her life on the run — she and her mother had to move frequently in order to protect Reason from the evil witchcraft of her grandmother, Esmeralda. When Reason is sent to live with her grandmother, due to her mother's mental illness, Reason begins to really think about the things her mother told her. Is her grandmother really practicing magic? Why have nearly all her relatives died so young? When she runs away, halfway around the world to New York City, Reason finds solace with a new friend, Jay-Tee. This compelling fantasy story is really about forging your own identity. Magic or Madness can stand alone, but teen readers will be anxious to finish the whole trilogy this summer. 304 pages.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (First Second, 2006).
Told in graphic novel form, American Born Chinese juggles themes of self-image, cultural identity, peer pressure and self-acceptance. In a series of three connected tales, the central characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a socially isolated teenager who has recently moved from San Francisco's Chinatown to an exclusive white suburb; Danny, a popular blond, blue-eyed high school jock; and the Monkey King from Chinese mythology. Their stories unite into a wonderful novel that is funny and truly poignant. Yang's amazing illustrations perfectly complement the narrative. Winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, American Born Chinese will resonant with all types of readers. 240 pages.
Looking For Alaska by John Green (Speak, 2007).
John Green is simply the wittiest, coolest author of young adult novels writing today. A former commentator on NPR's All Things Considered, Green's two books and his Web site Sparksflyup.com have received accolades from almost every source imaginable. I can't envision a summer without one of his amazing books in my beach bag, even if it's to reread it for the fourth time. Looking For Alaska was his first published book. It won the Michael L. Printz Award and the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year for its honest portrayal of 16-year-old Miles Halter, who is trying to reinvent himself and fit in at his new boarding school. He finds new worlds to explore: friendship, romance, self-awareness and mischief. I can't think of better way to praise this book than just to say, "I laughed, I cried, I reread, I loaned it to friends." Perfect for ages 16 to 60. 256 pages.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Puffin Books, 2008).
Sarah Dessen is known for her ability to write with incredible accuracy and empathy about common teen concerns. Just Listen is no exception — she continues her winning streak with the story of a teenage model who seems to have everything, but the surface belies the true pain underneath. A compelling look at the two most significant influences in the lives of teen girls, friends and families, Just Listen would be the ideal read this summer for a teen who has struggled socially at school. 400 pages.
Our young adult book recommendations come from Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at Powell's Books. From a storefront in 1971 in Portland, Oregon, this independent, family-owned bookstore has grown into a mecca for book lovers with six locations in the Portland area and an award-winning Web site.
June 2008
