Spring Break Reads for Teens and Tweens

Reading is an important part of a child's life and as they grow into teens, the reading should continue. Spring break is the perfect time for teens and tweens to catch up on all the books they want to read.

Kelly Rechsteiner, of the North Merrick Library, put together a list of books that this demographic should grab this week. 

Belles by Jen Calonita

Belles is the latest book by local and favorite author Jen Calonita. Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

Between by Jessica Warman

Popular and pretty, Liz Valchar spends her 18th birthday parting on her parents yacht. But, the next day Liz wakes up to a loud, thumping noise... her body hitting the side of the boat. Stuck "between", Liz meets fellow classmate Alex, also stuck "between" the two work together to solve he mystery surrounding her death.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Karu questions how she came to be raised by the chimaera Brimstone. When she meets the seraph Akiva, events unfold that could answer her questions — but at great cost.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour 

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: Graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: She's abandoning their plans – and Colby – to start college in the fall. But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: What's next? 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel Grace is a 16-year-old cancer patient that has had a few years bought for her due to a new miracle drug. Her parents deem that she is clinically depressed and encourage her to go to a cancer support group for teens. There she meets Augustus Waters who changes her life and her story. 

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

It's 1996 and best friends Emma Nelson and Josh Templeton are working out their feelings after an awkward romantic encounter. Emma receives a new computer and when Josh gives her an AOL CD-rom they stumble a on a mysterious website called Facebook. This mysterious website gives them a glimpse of their lives 15 years into the future. Emma and Josh discover that their present lives have a dramatic impact on their future selves.

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Seventeen-year-old Sadie Allen has spent the last two years pining for her best friend, Garrett, but when he heads off to literary camp for the summer without her, she decides to kick her unrequited crush for good with the help of her co-workers, another boy and her own summer twelve-step program. 

iBoy by Kevin Brooks 

A bizarre accident causes fragments of a shattered iPhone to become embedded 16 year old Tom Harvey's brain and it begins to affect his thinking process. Tom's new capabilities encourages him to consider taking on the gangs of South London that have been terrorizing the area. 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Its November and on the Island of Thisby that means one thing – the Scorpio Races, where riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Sean Kendrick is a veteran of the races, but Puck Connelly, the first girl to ever enter the competition, is less prepared for this life or death race to the finish line.

Not quite ready for the Hunger Games or Twilight? Try some of these great reads for younger teens:

Circus Galacticus by Deva Fagan

Trix's life in boarding school as an orphan charity case has been hard, but when an alluring young Ringmaster invites her, a gymnast, to join Circus Galacticus she gainss an entire universe of deadly enemies and potential friends, along with a chance to unravel secrets of her own past.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine 

In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy twelve-year-old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration, but her friendship with Liz, a new student, helps her find her voice and fight against racism. 

The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett

Twelve-year-old Andrej, nine-year-old Tomas, and their baby sister Wilma, flee their Romany encampment when it is attacked by Germans during World War II. In an abandoned town, they find a zoo where the animals tell their stories, helping the children understand what has become of their lives and what it means to be free.

Popular Clone by M.E. Castle 

Twelve-year-old Fisher Bas, a science-loving bully magnet, clones himself, only to discover that his double is infinitely cooler than himself. 

Relic Master: The Dark City by Catherine Fisher

Sixteen-year-old Raffi, Master Galen, and a mysterious traveler, Carys, enter the ruined city of Tasceron seeking a relic that may save the world, while evading the Watch, a brutal organization opposed to the Order to which Raffi and Galen belong.

Want more book suggestions? Please feel free to contact Rechsteiner. You can reach her at nmplteens@gmail.com or by liking the Library's teen page on Facebook. (facebook.com/nmplteens)