Although all of us read some young adult books, and definitely read enthusiastically when we were kids, Jen is our resident young adult expert. Jen has her masters' degree in community psychology, and worked at Charlie's Place (a grant-funded program for 'at-risk' rural youth) before coming to From My Shelf. She also has a teenage son, and organizes both the youth summer reading program and the monthly young adult book club at the Galeton Library. For personal reading pleasure, Jen likes young adult fantasy, classic sci-fi and fantasy, psychological thrillers, British fantasy and mysteries, alternative histories, and most zombie, vampire and werewolf lit. Her taste in book humor runs from campy to snarky, with a huge twist of dry and/or goofy British flavor. Jen often recommends the following authors:
Christopher Moore
$11.19
ISBN-13: 9780060590284
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks, 4/2007
Christopher Moore is wonderfully sarcastic and wry, and his take on Death is definitely worth a read. A story of what happens when an average person is chosen to take on the job of Death, "A Dirty Job" is tons of fun, and not at all depressing!
$5.59
ISBN-13: 9780812550702
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Published: Tor Science Fiction, 7/1994
This book has been around for quite some time but it still gives me chills when I read it. Orson Scott Card takes on the idea of training children to fight a war, molding their minds until they become the perfect soldiers, and then setting them to the task of saving all humanity... while making them believe they are only 'training', only playing computer games. What this does to the children and what happens after they realize they are being used to fight an actual war makes for a terrifying and terrific story.
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9780451230546
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Published: NAL Trade, 11/2009
Yes, this is still another vampire series. However, the characters are interesting and well-written, and the dialogue is fresh and fun. The idea of humans living under vampire rule, combined with the battles between warring vampire factions makes this an exciting read. Rachel Caine's introduction of a vampire/ghost helps make the stories even more unique.
$7.19
ISBN-13: 9780060519537
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Published: HarperTeen, 3/2005
Most teens have likely at least heard of, if not read, Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series, but not so many have read his other, just as wonderful, stories. One of these is the "Midnighters" series, starting with "The Secret Hour." This series focuses on the lives of children who are born exactly at midnight, and the special powers they develop because of the time of their birth. The electrifying and terrifying world they are exposed to makes this series compelling.
$6.39
ISBN-13: 9780425194850
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Published: Berkley, 3/2004
Yes, this is still another vampire series, AND it's also shelved in a section of our bookstore I rarely visit -- the romances. However, MaryJanice Davidson's "Undead" books are tons of fun. Queen Betsy (a vampire who doesn't even want to be a vampire, and definitely doesn't want to be a vampire queen, and who is still very upset that her step-mother tried to bury her in cast-off clothing) is a favorite character of mine.
$6.39
ISBN-13: 9780449209127
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Published: Fawcett, 5/1985
The Pollifax books are one of the few series that I read as a child and still enjoy today. Mrs. Pollifax, a retired, grandmotherly-type, grows bored with her life and decides to join the CIA. Due to a series of misunderstandings, she is sent on a mission and, after many trials and tribulations, becomes one of the CIAs best secret weapons. I guess I just love the idea of a grandmother running around saving the world -- gives me hope for the future!
$12.00
ISBN-13: 9780143116301
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Published: Penguin Books, 9/2009
A British author, Sophie Hannah writes some of the best psychological mysteries I've read in ages! What would you do if you learned that the family of your secret lover has been killed, but then realized that your lover lied about his name, his family, his life? What if he "borrowed" someone else's identity, and you now have no idea who he is? This is how Hannah's book begins, and it keeps the tension and suspense flowing until the very end. I had to finish this one to find out what was really going on!
$12.00
ISBN-13: 9780385343497
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Published: Bantam, 1/2010
A brilliant 11 year old with a passion for chemistry and a bicycle named Gladys, Flavia is one of the most interesting detectives ever written. I suppose one of the reasons I love Alan Bradley's books so much is that Flavia just doesn't fit in. Her interests aren't average, and she's much too bright for her own good. A strong female protagonist who doesn't really care to fit in with her peers is a rare and special example, and makes these books perfect for teens or adults.
$7.19
ISBN-13: 9780142409411
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Published: Speak, 8/2007
Frank Beddor takes the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' and twists it into something dark and terrifying, without ever losing the beauty of the original story. His tale of Princess Alyss Heart and her battles with her evil aunt, Redd, will grab you and pull you in, putting a whole new spin on Wonderland. Beddor even explains where Carroll came up with the original story. I have to say, I definitely appreciated Beddor's versions of most of these well-known characters -- especially Hatter Maddigan!
$5.59
ISBN-13: 9780060012359
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 5/2003
Terry Pratchett is always fun! His Discworld novels are wonderfully humorous and sardonic, showing the flaws and foibles of humanity through the eyes of various non-human species. In this book, one of his young adult novels, Pratchett takes on the story of the Pied Piper, to show how a very smart cat can use a human, and a group of very intelligent rats might take advantage of a group of bigoted yokels. No matter what your true feelings toward rodents, I dare you to resist cheering for the rats in this book!
