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Great Books for Teens Annotated List 2008
A Partnership of Baltimore, Carrol, and Harford County Libraries.
GREAT BOOKS FOR TEENS
ANNOTATED LIST 2008
The Death of Jayson Porter
Adoff, Jaime
There are many things sixteen-year-old Jayson Porter can’t control: the drug
dealers in his neighborhood, the beatings he gets from his mother and the
gangstas who ride the bus on his way to school. What he can control, though, is
whether to live or to die. Jayson plans to jump from the 18th floor of his
building in the projects. What becomes of Jayson will have teens reading on the
edge of their seats.
Age 14 and up
Pet Shop of Horrors, Tokyo, Vol. 1
Akino, Matsuri
In the twisted pet shop of Count D, you can find a pet beyond your wildest
dreams. But be careful what you wish for, these are no ordinary pets. This is
recommended for manga enthusiasts and novices alike.
Age 14 and up
Gay America: Struggle for Equality
Alsenas, Linas
This work of non-fiction examines the colorful history of gay and lesbian
Americans from the late 1800’s to the present day. It includes many of the
notable and influential figures in gay life and provides clear, readable text
and many photographs. Teens with an interest in the struggle for gay and lesbian
equality will find this to be an informative and interesting read.
Age 14 and up
Audrey, Wait!
Benway, Robin
When Audrey Cuttler breaks up with her cute rocker boyfriend, Evan, he calls
after her, “Audrey, wait!”. She never imagined that this would be the topic of
Evan’s first hit song. How will Audrey deal with being thrust into the spotlight
and becoming an instant celebrity, while trying to be a normal teenager?
Age 13 and up
The Summer of Naked Swim Parties
Blau, Jessica
It’s the mid-70s in California and Jamie suffers the embarrassment of her
parents’ naked swim parties complete with “floppy adult appendages.” She also
endures the fog of ubiquitous pot smoke, intimate discussions with her mother,
unexciting sex, the trauma of a baby’s drowning death, and the betrayal of a
best friend. Laced with humor and insight, this book for older teens and adults
is a coming-of-age story dealing with issues such as teen drug use, loss of
virginity, and changing relationships.
Age 16 and up
The Compound
Bodeen, S.A.
During a nuclear disaster, Eli Yanakakis is separated from his twin brother Eddy
and enters an underground compound that is designed to keep them safe for
fifteen years. Six years later, things are not going as planned and Eli begins
to discover some secret truths about the compound and the man that brought them
there. Teens will love the fast paced plot and the exciting twists that this
novel has to offer.
Age 13 and up
Kendra
Booth, Coe
Kendra is being raised in the projects in the Bronx by her overprotective
grandmother while her mother is getting her PhD in Boston. Kendra has spent a
lot of time daydreaming about the life she and her mother will have together,
but learns through a series of disappointing visits that those daydreams will
never come to pass. This frank, but ultimately sweet coming of age story
presents an honest look at what it can feel like to be a young teenager
searching for love.
Age 14 and up
Shift
Bradbury, Jennifer
The summer after graduating high school, best friends Chris and Win decide to
bike across the country but only one of them comes back. When an FBI agent turns
up at Chris’ college asking questions Chris must unravel the mystery of what
happened to his friend. Exciting and realistic, this easy to read coming of age
mystery will appeal to everyone.
Age 14 and up
Debbie Harry Sings in French
Brothers, Meagan
After an accidental overdose, Johnny is sent to rehab and then to live with his
uncle in South Carolina. Johnny is fascinated with Debbie Harry’s music and
image and wants to be tough and cool just like her. In this sweet, funny read,
Johnny explores his sexuality, while becoming more comfortable in his own skin.
Age 14 and up
The Year We Disappeared
Busby, Cylin
After her police officer father is shot while driving to work, 9 year old Cylin
Busby’s life is changed forever. While living under constant police protection,
she fears that the perpetrator will return to kill both her and her family.
Written in alternating chapters by both Ms. Busby and her father, this memoir
tells of a brutal crime’s impact on both father and daughter.
Age 13 and up
Graceling
Cashore, Kristin
Lady Katsa has been graced with the gift of killing and is forced into service
as hired thug for her uncle, the king. Then she meets Po, a man graced with the
art of fighting and they set off on a quest to discover the identity of the man
who kidnapped Po’s grandfather. A wonderful novel filled with colorful,
memorable characters and breathless action sequences is sure to delight teens
who enjoy a good fantasy.
Age 14 and up
She’s so Money
Cheva, Cherry
Maya, 17, is a fun-loving Thai-American who helps at her family’s restaurant
with her parents and brother. When their parents leave the teens in charge for a
few days, chaos ensues and Maya needs to figure out a way out of the mess she’s
caused. Sweet, hilarious, and light, this novel creates some nearly implausible
situations but stays grounded with Maya’s deadpan, pitch-perfect voice.
Age 14 and up
The Hunger Games
Collins, Suzanne
The government of Panem maintains control over its citizens through the Hunger
Games, an annually televised survival contest where two teens from each district
fight to the death. After Katniss’ 12 year old sister is picked, she volunteers
to take her place. The first in a trilogy, The Hunger Games blends
science fiction and adventure in a fast-paced tale.
Age 13 and up
Dingo
de Lint, Charles
High school senior Miguel’s life is turned upside down when he meets beautiful
red-headed, Australian- born Lainey, a mysterious shape-changer, and her pet
dingo who turns out to be her twin, Em. Miguel becomes willingly snarled in
their troubles and must team up with an old enemy, Jimmy, who is in love with Em,
to save them all. Teens will love the mystery and the romance swirling around
Lainey and the heroic Miguel in this short book.
Age 14 and up
Little Brother
Doctorow, Cory
After a terrorist attack on San Francisco, Homeland Security takes control of
the city turning it into a police state. Marcus, a.k.a. w1n5t0n, a 17 year-old
gamer, rallies an underground band of fellow gamers and hackers to take back
their city. You don’t have to be a techie (or under 30!) to love this 1984
for the post 9-11 generation.
Age 14 and up
Down to the Bone
Dole, Mayra
Laura Sofia “Scrunchy” Amores has just experienced the worst day of her life. On
the last day of 11th grade at her Catholic school, she is caught reading a
letter from her lover Marlena and expelled. Fortunately her best friend Soli
offers unconditional support and a place to stay when Scrunchy’s Cuban mom kicks
her out of the house until she leaves the gay scene behind. Fast, funny, and
irreverent, this look at a teen’s exploration of relationships and her struggle
to accept that she is a lesbian will have you laughing out loud as it highlights
prejudice, Miami’s Cuban gay culture, and the true meaning of friendship and
family.
Age 14 and up
Bog Child
Dowd, Siobhan
It’s Northern Ireland in 1981 and eighteen-year-old Fergus has a lot on his
mind: his imprisoned brother is on a hunger strike, he’s playing courier for the
IRA, he’s studying for his A-levels and he has just uncovered a body in a bog.
Haunting and beautiful, this one is perfect for readers who like books with
depth and soul.
Age 14 and up
The Patron Saint of Butterflies
Galante, Cecilia
Best friends Honey and Agnes have lived their whole lives on the Mount Blessing
commune. Honey hates living there and is frequently punished, while Agnes loves
it and wants to become a saint. After Grandma Pete makes a surprise visit and
sees the true conditions that they are living in, she helps the girls and Agnes’
younger brother escape. Based loosely on the author’s life, this novel confronts
serious issues and offers hope.
Age 14 and up
The Red Necklace: a Story of the French Revolution
Gardner, Sally
Romance, action, adventure and intrigue bring this novel, set during the French
Revolution, to life. The life of Yann Margoza, an orphaned gypsy boy who can
read minds, is forever changed when he meets Sido, the unwanted daughter of the
Marquis de Vileduval. The two set out to discover the mystery surrounding the
death of Yann’s beloved mentor and friend.
Age 13 and up
The Last Exit to Normal
Harmon, Michael
Seventeen-year-old Ben Campbell has had one infraction too many and outstayed
his welcome at his mother’s home in Spokane. He is sent to live with his father
and male partner in small-town Montana. The issues Ben faces while learning to
adapt to a new place–and unconventional family–pale in comparison to the plight
of the young neighbor boy that he befriends.
Age 14 and up
Kiss Me Kill Me
Henderson, Lauren
Scarlett’s dream-come-true quickly turns into a nightmare when the boy she’s
kissing, Dan McAndrew drops dead. Months later, Scarlett is hiding in a posh new
London boarding school when she receives an anonymous note-someone knows her
deadly secret. Now she must discover for herself the mystery of how Dan died.
Great for fans of Ally Carter’s I’d Tell You I Love You but Then I’d Have to
Kill You.
Age 13 and up
Suckerpunch
Hernandez, David
Seventeen year old Marcus has always regretted that he was unable to protect his
brother Enrique from their abusive father. Now, Enrique has a beautiful
girlfriend and a gun, and plans to seek revenge on the monster that tormented
him. This gripping novel is written in a fresh, gritty style and will keep teens
reading until the end.
Age 14 and up
The Devouring
Holt, Simon
The Vours are ancient, demonic beings who steal souls and take over human bodies
on Sorry Night, the night of Winter Solstice. Reggie discovered them in an
antique journal that she “borrowed” from the occult bookstore where she works
part-time, but doesn’t believe they are real until her younger brother, Henry,
begins to exhibit strange and cruel behavior after she reads parts of the
journal to him as bedtime stories. In this fast-paced, creepy tale that younger
teens will (pardon the pun) devour, you will find some purely disgusting
moments, an out-of this-world carnival complete with killer clowns, and
nightmares that are real as Reggie and her brother must face and successfully
conquer their worst fears in order to drive a Vour from her brother’s body.
Age 13 and up
Newes from the Dead
Hooper, Mary
In 1650 England, Mary Green, hanged and laid in a coffin, is about to be
dissected when Robert, a young medical student, sees her eyelids move. As this
historical novel (based on a real account) moves back and forth between Mary’s
awakening and Robert’s experience with the team of doctors and town officials,
the story is slowly revealed. Teens will eagerly stay with the unfolding story
as issues of capital punishment, class bias, religious belief and medical ethics
are addressed.
Age 13 and up
Identical
Hopkins, Ellen
Kaleigh and Raeanne are identical 16 year old twins who share a complex and
traumatic history. Behind the closed doors of a seemingly typical American
family, one daughter suffers sexual abuse by her father and self-mutilation
while the other engages in drug abuse and myriad promiscuous encounters. Mature
teens will enjoy the fast, riveting pace of this explosive story, written in
Hopkins’ signature free verse with alternating voices.
Age 14 and up
The Day I Killed James
Hyde, Catherine
Theresa keeps a journal per her therapist's orders. She tries to release her
guilt over killing James, her neighbor that had a huge crush on her, only to
pick up a stray on her road trip to (finding) healing herself.
Age 14 and up
Would You
Jocelyn, Marthe
“Would you rather die or have everyone else die?” Part of the “Would You”
question-and-answer game that Natalie and her friends play, this question
becomes very personal for Natalie when her sister Claire goes into a coma after
being struck by a car. During the course of 12 days, Natalie and her parents
must deal with the initial stages of grief and letting go, while struggling to
find a way to go on living a normal life. In brief chapters, balanced with humor
to keep from being overwhelmingly sad, this book explores Natalie’s feelings of
selfishness, horror of touching a loved one in a coma, and survivor’s guilt.
Age 14 and up
Feathered
Kasischke, Laura
While on spring break in Cancún, Anne and Michelle learn the consequences of
making poor choices. This thriller examines the dangers that teens can face when
trusting strangers, especially in a place unfamiliar to them. The dramatic
setting of the Yucatan jungle is interwoven with the vividly told tale of the
Mayan king Quetzalcoatl.
Age 14 and up
Deadville
Koertge, Ron
Ryan, a high school sophomore copes with the death of his younger sister, Molly
by constantly smoking dope and listening to music on his iPod. When Charlotte
Silano, the most popular girl in school falls off her horse and slips into a
coma, Ryan is inexplicably drawn to her hospital room. During these daily
visits, he develops a healing relationship with Betty, a fellow student and
probes the meaning of death as he confronts his own pain.
Age 13 and up
No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row
Kuklin, Susan
In this gripping nonfiction work, inmates sentenced to death as teenagers talk
candidly about the circumstances leading to their incarcerations, the brutality
of prison life and the agony of waiting on death row. Survivors of murdered
victims are also interviewed to provide another perspective. From these searing
accounts, readers are presented with a forceful argument against capital
punishment and the consequences of bad decisions.
Age 14 and up
Tender Morsels
Lanagan, Margo
Young Liga has endured incredible cruelties and the powers of nature take pity
on her. She is granted a personal heaven for herself and her two daughters that
is Liga's idea of a perfect world. The family is happy but people from the true
world begin to enter Liga's magical realm and one daughter begins to long for
the company and experiences of the true world. This is a dark and beautiful
retelling of Snow White and Rose Red and about the good and evil of humanity and
how they coexist. The dense prose, along with instances of bestiality, rape,
incest, suicide and abortion will attract only the most sophisticated readers.
Age 16 and up
Absolute Brightness
Lecesne, James
Things are never the same for Phoebe’s family after their 14 year old cousin
Leonard moves in with them. At first Phoebe finds his flamboyant style to be
very annoying, but after Leonard goes missing, she misses him greatly. Set in
the suburbs of New Jersey, this book’s authentic voice and twisting plot will
keep readers hooked until the very end.
Age 14 and up
How They Met, and Other Stories
Levithan, David
Levithan has been writing a Valentine’s Day story every year for his friends and
family since he was seventeen. How They Met is a collection of many of
these charming short stories, which include various formats, including one story
in verse and song lyrics. The themes, too, are varied, including some works that
are romantic, some hilarious, and some heartrending.
Age 14 and up
Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution
Li, Moying
This beautifully written book is told in the first person as we look back on the
life of the narrator from the age of twelve to adulthood. As a reader we have
the opportunity to glimpse a short modern history of China’s Cultural Revolution
of Mao Zedong.
Age 13 and up
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Lockhart, E.
Despite being beautiful, clever and popular, Alabaster Preparatory Academy
sophomore Frankie still finds herself on the outside when she discovers the
school’s secret all-male club, The Loyal Order of the Bassett Hound. Using the
anonymity of the internet, Frankie assumes leadership of the group,
masterminding hilarious campus wide pranks that bring a little ‘girl power’ to
the old boys club.
Age 14 and up
Hero-Type
Lyga, Barry
Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero, because he was in the right place at the
right time and saved a girl from being murdered. But suddenly the town that
lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Lyga has a keen
sense of teenage boy-dom that keeps the plot from getting too weighty, and
captures the roller-coaster ride of high-school life as well as anybody around.
Age 14 and up
I Know it’s Over
Martin, C K Kelly
Nick is still dealing with his break-up with Sasha when, on Christmas Eve, she
tells him she’s pregnant. Coping as well as he can, he relives their stormy
relationship while she decides what she wants to do. This is recommended for
teens interested in realistic stories.
Age 14 and up
Fairy Tail, Vol. 1
Mashima, Hiro
Lucy has always wanted to be a part of the Fairy Tail Guild, made up of the most
powerful wizards. While traveling to the wizards, Lucy is captured by a gang of
evil pirates and meets Natsu, a boy who gets motion sick, eats like a pig and
has a talking cat for a best friend. Can Natsu save Lucy from the evil pirates
and help her find the wizards?
Age 13 and up
Wake
McMann, Lisa
Fans of The Sixth Sense will be captivated by the story of 15 year old
Janie, a reluctant voyeur tormented by her ability to witness the dreams and
nightmares of others. Finally, she awakens to the truth that she must learn to
help the dreamer in order to free herself.
Age 13 and up
Bonechiller
McNamee, Graham
Newcomer to a tiny Ontario town in Canada’s vast Big Empty, Danny Quinn soon
discovers that he has a much greater concern than having to make new friends
after yet another move. When an ancient, soul-stealing demon known as Windigo
(who has haunted this area for centuries) chases him down and infects him, Danny
enlists the aid of three new friends - brilliant Howie, his bad boy pyromaniac
older brother Pike, and beautiful female boxer Ash - to outwit this monster.
This page-turner contains homemade bombs; snowmobile chases; creepy nightmares,
and the terror of the supernatural, making you feel the biting, pervasive cold
as the suspense builds to an explosive conclusion.
Age 13 and up
Fat Hoochie Prom Queen
Medina, Nico
“Fat hoochie” Margarita runs for prom queen against student body president
Bridget Benson, a childhood acquaintance and arch-rival. Helping her survive her
high school years in Florida is her friend Lucas, caught up in his own drama
with his boyfriend. Margarita consumes a lot of food and alcohol, but is an
interesting, funny and likeable character. Medina writes a 21st century heroine
with a pitch-perfect Latina voice.
Age 14 and up
Suck it Up
Meehl, Brian
Morning McCobb, the runt of his Leaguer Academy class, has been assigned to be
the first vampire to come out to mortal humans. With the help of his PR agent,
he uses his powers to become an instant celebrity, but also attracts some
unwanted attention from a renegade vampire intent on killing him. A sweet, funny
read that will appeal to fans of both vampire and superhero stories.
Age 13 and up
Madapple
Meldrum, Christina
Homeschooled, fifteen-year-old Aslaug has been brought up in near isolation that
bears little resemblance to contemporary life, her only companion her mother who
dies under mysterious circumstances. Suspected in her mother’s death, she seeks
relatives whose house she only once passed by. Throughout this telling, the line
between reality and fiction become blurred as we learn more about Aslaug.
Age 14 and up
All We Know of Heaven
Mitchard, Jacquelyn
Bridget and Maureen, 16, BFFs, and look-alikes are rushed to the hospital in
critical condition after a horrible car accident on a snowy winter evening. Due
to a misreading of clues at the scene, the survivor lying in a coma is
incorrectly named when one of the girls dies. Based on the well-publicized case
of mistaken identity, this book explores the grief of parents and close friends
upon her death and again after the funeral when the correct identity is
revealed, as well as the survivor guilt that Maureen and both sets of parents
experience as she recuperates.
Age 13 and up
Sunrise over Fallujah
Myers, Walter Dean
Robin ‘Birdy’ Perry’s parents aspire for him to go to college, but following
September 11, he feels compelled to join the Army instead. Birdy is assigned to
the Civil Affairs Unit and is deployed to Iraq. The well-known Battle of
Fallujah culminates this gripping and emotional coming of age story that will
resonate with many teens.
Age 13 and up
Adoration of Jenna Fox
Pearson, Mary
Seventeen year old Jenna Fox awakens after a year in a coma. She has no
memories, although she knows the facts of her existence thanks to countless
hours of videotapes her adoring parents shot of her throughout her life. She
also has a suspicion that she is not being told the whole truth. Sometimes
horrifying and sometimes touching, this book brings up many difficult issues
ranging from misguided love, to bioethics, to the meaning of life itself.
Age 14 and up
The Dead and the Gone
Pfeffer, Susan
Alex Morales struggles to survive and save his siblings when an asteroid knocks
the moon out of orbit and global disaster ensues. Set in New York City, the
story relates how 17 year old Alex deals with his missing parents, starvation,
illness, and death. This novel will both frighten and haunt readers.
Age 14 and up
Thoreau at Walden
Porcellino, John
Porcellino’s serene, uncomplicated drawing mirrors the pastoral thoughts of
Henry David Thoreau’s pensive musings. The messages of Walden are
simplified for the 21st century reader, but the general theme is retained. This
graphic presentation is easy to pair with the original for maximum value to both
works.
Age 13 and up
How to Build a House
Reinhardt, Dana
Sixteen year old Harper lives alone with her father after him and her stepmother
get a divorce. As part of her healing process, she comes upon a charitable
organization that is building homes for victims of a Tennessee tornado. This
book looks at divorce in a sensitive, mature manner, while Harper realizes that
building this new house takes on a double meaning.
Age 13 and up
Three Little Words: a Memoir
Rhodes-Courter, Ashley
“I guess so”. With these three little words, Ashley, age twelve, agrees to be
adopted and become part of a new family ending nine years in foster care that
can only be described as horrific. This touching and very personal memoir is
both wrenching and inspiring as Ashley evolves from victim to victor against her
abusers.
Age 14 and up
I Heart You, You Haunt Me
Schroeder, Lisa
Ava never dreamed that daring her boyfriend, Jackson to jump off the waterfall
cliff would kill him. Now, Ava is convinced that Jackson is communicating with
her from beyond. This novel written in verse is a quick read and illustrates the
intensity of teen love.
Age 13 and up
Black Box
Schumacher, Julie
After being hospitalized for depression, Elena’s sister Dora does not seem to
get better. While her parents argue about what’s best for Dora, Elena feels she
that must keep her sister’s secrets no matter what. This brief novel presents a
very realistic picture of teen depression and its effect on the entire family.
Age 14 and up
Living Dead Girl
Scott, Elizabeth
Alice was abducted when she was ten by a man named Ray. Alice is now fifteen and
Ray speaks more and more of her death. Will Alice do what Ray asks of her in
order to save her life or is death a better option? A gripping, terrifying look
at what happens to a child mentally and physically when they are abducted.
Age 14 and up
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines
Sheff, Nic
Nic Sheff tells his story in Tweak in a raw, riveting way. Each day is a
constant struggle not to do alcohol and drugs, especially methamphetamines.
Paired with his father David’s bestselling take on the same situation,
Beautiful Boy, this book takes you on Nic’s ride of addictions and fleeting
sobriety.
Age 14 and up
Artichoke’s Heart
Supplee, Suzanne
This slice of life Southern teen novel revolves around Rosemary, an overweight
teen whose mother works at a beauty parlor in small-town Tennessee. Sweet and
vulnerable, Rosemary starts a fitness regimen while trying to juggle her
mother’s health issues and something new for her – the interest of Kyle, a star
athlete. Deeper than simple chick-lit, Supplee’s debut is remarkable in its
handling of one teen’s struggle with the increasingly common issue of weight.
Age 13 and up
Emiko Superstar
Tamaki, Mariko
Emiko, named after her grandmother, lives a boring life until she is invited to
a freak party in an underground art scene. She tries to fit in and makes friends
with Henry and Poppy, both of whom are more than they seem. Finally, she learns
even more about being honest with herself.
Age 13 and up
Skim
Tamaki, Mariko, author
Tamaki, Jillian, illustrator
Kimberly Keiko Cameron-aka “Skim” is a mixed-race high school student struggling
with identity, depression, friendships, and romantic yearnings, when she is
drawn into a relationship with her English teacher, Ms. Archer. This graphic
novel, with its black and white drawings is elegant and breathtaking in its
exploration of what it means to be sixteen and how confusing it can be to handle
the world.
Age 14 and up
Undone
Taylor, Brooke
Kori Kitzler has always been referred to as the “dark angel”, and when Kori dies
Serena tries to find a way to complete her best friend’s life list. Along the
way Serena finds out they were more alike than she could have ever imagined.
Age 14 and up
Me, the Missing, and the Dead
Valentine, Jenny
When Lucas Swain walks into the taxi office one night in London, he never
imagined that he would discover an urn containing the ashes to the mysterious
Violet Park. Convinced that the ashes are trying to tell him something, Lucas
sets off on a quest to discover information about the disappearance of his
father years before. Good for reluctant readers and teens that would enjoy a
good paranormal mystery.
Age 13 and up
Climbing the Stairs
Venkatraman, Padma
Vidya is proud of her father and his contributions to the Indian independence
movement. When tragedy strikes and the family has to go live with her father’s
conservative brother, Vidya has difficulty adjusting to the repressive
household.
Age 13 and up.
Generation Dead
Waters, Daniel
Something strange is happening in America-teenagers who die are coming back to
life! Some of these Differently Biotic teens (don’t call them zombies!) are
coming back to school and Goth girl Phoebe finds herself drawn to one of them,
but how will the rest of her school react? This novel is great for boys or
anyone who likes their humor a little on the dark side.
Age 14 and up
The Kayla Chronicles
Winston, Sherri
Freshman Kayla Dean is a budding journalist and strong feminist. When she is
chosen for the school’s elite dance team, her plan to expose them for
discrimination against those not so well-endowed fails as she finds she enjoys
both being on the team and new friendships with team members, much to her best
friend Rosalie’s dismay. Teen girls will enjoy funny, feisty Kayla’s experiences
as she discovers her conscience and accepts that being feminist and involved in
women’s rights is not exclusive of being feminine and enjoying “girly” things.
Age 13 and up
Good Enough
Yoo, Paula
In this witty, inspiring novel, Korean-American Patti is an honor-student and
champion concert -violinist. Patti avoids boys and focuses on her studies to
please her parents, who insist that without acceptance into an Ivy League
college, Patti’s efforts are just not good enough. When Patti is distracted from
her parent’s high expectations by her feelings for a cute trumpet player, she
begins for the first time to embrace her talents and define her own dreams.
Age 13 and up
Sweethearts
Zarr, Sara
Cameron and Jennifer were both unpopular and best friends until Cameron died.
Years later when Jennifer is seventeen and has transformed herself into
beautiful and popular Jenna, Cameron shows up at her school as the new kid! This
book is full of mystery, suspense and heartache.
Age 14 and up
Read Banned Books!
This page from the American Library Association features information on
Challenged and Banned Books.
Want more?
We've got plenty! Check out our
booklists for teens.
This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on
28 July 2009.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on
28 July 2009.
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