Top Books for Teen

The ALA’s Top Books For Teens

The American Library Association is a great place for us to kick off our list for the top books for teens, and if you think library is a quaint synonym for boring, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Just take a look at these fascinating reads!

• The Book Thief by Travis McDade

For true crime lovers, The Book Thief will keep you riveted! The story begins in the spring of 1994, when Daniel Spiegelman dismantles a wall in Columbia University’s Butler Library, steals books and then escapes to Europe with roughly $1.8 million in rare books, letters and manuscripts. Read this novel for its vivid descriptions of two prison escape attempts, one suicide attempt, a jailed defense lawyer, and its unusual climax.

• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This intelligent and emotional story follows along three plot lines; a Chinese folk hero Money King, the struggles faced by Jin Wang, a lonely Asian American middle school student who would do anything to fit in, and Danny, an All-American teen ashamed of his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee. So distraught by Chin-Kee is Danny, that he is forced to change schools. Get this book for its unflinching look at what it means to be Chinese American.

• The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

This book takes a hard look at some of the harsh realties facing today’s youth, namely what it means to grow up with a psychotic parent. What makes this book a bit unusual is that it is narrated by seventeen year old Matt in the form of a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy.

Matt goes on to explain some of the vicious treatment him and his other two sisters endured at the hands of a beautiful, but violent and unpredictable mother. This is a dark, but hopeful tale that will leave you breathlessly turning the pages until you reach the suspenseful climax.

• The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

The King of Attolia is the long-awaited sequel to The Queen of Attolia and The Thief. Here, after literally stealing and marrying the Queen, the King must convince the court and its subjects that he deserves his title. From there the reader is launched into a world of political intrigue, espionage, and attempted assassinations.

• The Trap by John Smelcer

The story opens with Johnny Least Weasel worrying about his grandfather who has recently left to set a trap line. Only we the readers know that the grandfather is in grave danger; his leg is caught in the trap and he is unable to reach his supplies.

This is the ultimate page turner, as Johnny fails to raise concern among his uncles over the disappearance of his grandfather. From there we are launched into a heart-wrenching race against time to save the old man from certain death.

• Anahita’s Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttal Sayres

Anahita is a teenager growing up in early 20th Century Persia, and she has a major problem. As her Islamic culture dictates, she must marry the man her father has chosen for her. Her betrothed, much older than Anahita, has had three previous wives, all of whom have died under mysterious circumstances.

Needless to say, Anahita does not want to marry him. This is an engrossing story that allows the reader to follow Anahita on her quest for true love.

• Sold by Patricia McCormick

This is a heartbreaking story of 13 year old Lakshmi, who after living a relatively normal life of going to school and day dreaming about boys, is sold into prostitution by her cruel and gambling addicted step-father. What follows are the brutal realties of such an act. A ray of hope shines through when a local errand boy begins to teach her to read.

• Surrender by Sonya Harnett

A troubling book, filled with potent disquietude, this book is best suited for older teens. Surrender takes a look at what happens when you cause the death of a developmentally challenged older brother and then meet and form a destructive, but oddly freeing friendship with another.

• Samurai Shortstop by Alan M. Gratz

Taking place in 1890 Tokyo, Samurai Shortstop is a tale of going to a new school, trying to fit in and enduring humiliating hazing by some of the senior students. But it’s when our young here Toyo gets a place on the school’s baseball team, however, that the story gets really interesting.

• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

Richly told, this gothic tale of a young boy raised by philosophers and a regal mother of renowned beauty and wit is a mesmerizing read.

This is the number one book on the ALA’s top ten list and with good reason. The reader remains riveted as the hero opens a forbidden door that allows him to learn the hideous nature of the philosopher’s rampant experiments.

Additional Reads

If you are still on the hunt for some great teen reads, then check out this 2006 list on Bank Street:

• The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
• Circle the Soul Softly by Davida Wills Hurwin
• Clay by David Almond
• Maybe by Brent Runyon
• The Melting Season by Celeste Conway
• The Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci