Pearl River Public Library Suggests 10 Great Teen Titles

Here are ten young adult novels that you will find on the shelves at the Pearl River Public Library. All of these titles recently received starred reviews from the magazine VOYA, Voice of Youth Advocates.

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale
Charlotte Constance Kinder, in an attempt to find herself, sets off on a vacation to Austenland where she can submerge herself in an Austen fantasy world at Pembrook Estates. As the story progresses, Charlotte not only finds romance, but murder as well.

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman
An aspiring author with a successful relationship blog, Lita, finds out her best friend Adam decides to become an author as well. Lita thinks this is a harebrained scheme for Adam to make some quick money. By stepping into what Lita thinks is her territory, Adam puts their friendship and growing relationship in jeopardy.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
Bev and Colby plan to complete a summer tour with Bev’s band the Disenchantments. But halfway through the tour Bev decides she really wants to attend college in the fall. Colby is unsure if he wants to continue with the band because he is afraid that he will be left behind.

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
This novel is based on the life of Arn Chorn Pond, one of the thousands of children who fled with their families after the Khmer Rouge terrorized Cambodia in the late 1970’s. Arn’s story takes him from his home, separates him from his family and eventually leads him to become a soldier before finally escaping the terror under the reign of the Communist leader Pol Pot.

The File on Angelyn Stark by Catherine Atkins
Angelyn Stark is a troubled high school student with a past that she would like to keep hidden. After being abandoned by her boyfriend one dark night she finds a dog that has also been abandoned. She convinces a favorite teacher to help her take care of the rescued animal. It is not until Angelyn pushes the relationship with this teacher down a road that should not be taken that the reader realizes what Angelyn has been trying to keep hidden in her past.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Jill is furious and hurt since the sudden death of her father. Her mother thinks the way to help heal their small family is to take in a pregnant teenage girl Mandy, with plans to adopt the baby once it is born. Jill thinks this is a ridiculous idea until she comes to learn about the life and the lack of love Mandy has experienced before coming to live with Jill and her mother.

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
After a future and deadly biological war with China the United States population has greatly declined. Stephen is among a small number of survivors. He makes his way to a small hidden community where for the first time he encounters school, baseball and Jenny, who is Chinese. The threat of war again encroaches on this hidden community leaving Stephen and Jenny to decide whether they should escape or stay and help in the fight. 

Croak by Gina Damico
Lex used to be a good girl but lately her behavior has been getting her into lots of trouble. Her parents are fed up so they send her to live with her Uncle Mort in the town of Croak. Lex discovers her Uncle has a family secret he is a Grim Reaper and so is she. He teaches her the family business and soon Lex discovers that she is a fast learner with natural talent. After her and her Uncle find bodies of people who are not supposed to be dead they have to solve the mystery before someone suspects who they really are.

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall
Everyone is easily willing to believe that Jeremy murdered baseball coach John Johnson. He was spotted leaving the scene with a bloody baseball bat but he cannot (or will not) defend himself for he hasn’t spoken in twelve years. His sister, Hope may be just that, his only hope at getting a fair shake for a crime he did not commit.

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel
A prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, This Dark Endeavor introduces readers to teenage Victor Frankenstein as he attempts to save his twin brother from an incurable, debilitating illness.