Learning to Swim 

 by Clare Chambers

Summary: Abigail’s safe, middle-class home life is thrown into dramatic relief as her friendship with Frances’s family gives her a new outlook.

I read this coming of age love story when I was a young teen. My friend returned from Germany with a stopover in the UK. She purchased this book and demanded that we all read her copy. The book is still a little hard to find in the US, but is well worth the effort of ordering online. Though told in decades past, this realistic story is relatable to today’s teens. The romance, drama, and self-reflection in this story are enjoyable and appropriate for young adults.

Interest Level: young adult

Reading Level: young adult

Horror Stories for Young Adults

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Young Adult Science Fiction Reads: Time Travel

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Young Adult Science Fiction Reads: Dystopias and Futuristic Societies

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Evermore
by Alyson Noel

Summary: Since the car accident that claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras and hear people's thoughts, and she goes out of her way to hide from other people until she meets Damen, another psychic teenager who is hiding even more mysteries.

I love this book! This book would be great for fans of Twilight, especially if they enjoyed the strange romance aspect of Twilight. Unlike the lead girl in Twilight, Ever has a supernatural aspect to her as well, and I feel is a better character.

What kind of ending without completely giving it away:

At times this book is sad. Ever is the narrator and tells what she is thinking about including her family’s death and life. I thought I knew exactly where the book was heading but I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. The story reminds me of my Romantic Era Music class and the operas we watched. It is very romantic, but not in the candle lit dinner type of way. However, the ending is neither depressing nor a Disney fairy tale “happily ever after” ending either. It’s the kind of ending I like to call “Life’s hard, but we are trying”.

Reading Level: YA
Interest Level: YA

Am I Right or Am I Right?

Am I Right or Am I Right?
by Barry Jonsberg

Summary: Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with a handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. So stocking shelves at the store seems like a perfect job--until that annoying customer tries to hold up the store. . .

Though considered chick lit, this girl is not your average whiney school girl! She’s tough and arrogant, but also hilarious and entertaining. If you are looking for a comedy, that sense that someone else gets it besides you, or even a romantic comedy, try this book.

Reading Level: YA
Interest Level: YA

Young Advanced Reader: Books appropriate for students grade 3-5 who read on a grade 7+ level

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Librarianjk recommends Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

by James Finn Garner

Summary: “Politically correct" versions of traditional fairy tales or bedtime stories that have been changed to be feminist, equal-opportunist, etc.

Though many people do not recommend this book for children because of content and comprehension, I enjoyed this book in fourth grade. I did not understand everything, but what I did understand I found hilarious. There are others in the series I found just as entertaining. However, for a younger child there are now more age-appropriate fractured fairytales.

Interest Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: Young Adult

Librarianjk recommends The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

by E. Lockhart

Summary: Sophomore Frankie starts dating senior Matthew Livingston, but when he refuses to talk about the all-male secret society that he and his friends belong to, Frankie infiltrates the society in order to enliven their mediocre pranks.

This is a really cool book. I love Frankie for the strong female character that she is. This book is loaded with humor. I recommend this to any young adult.

Interest  Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: Young Adult

Historical Fiction for High School Students 1950s-Present

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Historical Fiction for Teens

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