April Recommendations for Teens
Fiction
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - Renowned author of books and screenplays about Native Americans in the modern world, this is Alexie's first YA novel. Arnold Spirit enters a high school off the rez and confronts the issues all adolescents face with the added insult of being the one of two Indians on campus, the other one being the school mascot. Arnold is portrayed with all the heartache and humor of an author who has lived the story.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Klause - Sixteen year old girl werewolf Vivian falls in love with a human boy and faces the ageless question: when and how to reveal her true nature to him? First she must answer a few questions herself such as which is sweeter, blood or chocolate?
The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle - A wise and astonishing debut novel about the different guises of love and the often steep tolls on the road to adulthood. Kyle deftly captures not only the complexity of love and loss but also the powerful bond between horses and humans.
Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson - The author of Jane Austen's Guide to Dating introduces Scarlett Wakefield, glamorous girl sleuth. While attending a ritzy private school in London, 16 year old Scarlett is flattered to be invited to a party with all the big names in British high society. A magical night and a dream-come-true kiss with Dan McAndrew definitely does not end in happily ever after. He immediately drops dead and though she is not accused of murder, suspicions linger. She must uncover Dan's real killer to clear her name (and live to kiss again). Recognize the title? It is lifted from the title of a U2 single from the 1995 movie Batman Forever.
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson - Who knows where the time goes? There is never enough of it in Kinvara, or anywhere else in Ireland for that matter. When J.J. Liddy's mother says that what she really wants for her birthday is more time in her day, J.J. decides to find her some.
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan - Margo Lanagan's electrifying stories take place in worlds not quite our own, and yet each one illuminates what it is to be human. This dazzling new collection of short fiction by a master storyteller and Printz Honor winner is sure to leave readers surprised, touched, unsettled, intrigued, or scared senseless.
Swim to Me by Betsy Carter - At seventeen, Dolores Walker leaves the Bronx for a mermaid job in a failing Tampa water show. When the mermaids put on their own version of The Godfather called The Merfather, a show you will not see at the nearby Disney World, business definitely picks up. Great storytelling about family, chasing dreams, and finding your way.
What Happened by Peter Johnson - A hit and run accident reveals old rivalries between two families. Written with lyrical prose and with a haunting sensibility, this was reviewed by Michael Cart as the "most gorgeously written YA of 2007."
Nonfiction
Fifteen Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and Other Quinceanera Stories, edited by Adriana Lopez - In this original anthology, fifteen of the brightest and funniest Latino writers, men and women alike, share their own memories of these moving and often absurd extravaganzas.
Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston - Preston's amazing account of scientific and spiritual passion for the tallest trees in the world, the redwood, and three champions who are committed to preserving the trees and the unique forest canopy 300 feet above the ground.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - Renowned author of books and screenplays about Native Americans in the modern world, this is Alexie's first YA novel. Arnold Spirit enters a high school off the rez and confronts the issues all adolescents face with the added insult of being the one of two Indians on campus, the other one being the school mascot. Arnold is portrayed with all the heartache and humor of an author who has lived the story.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Klause - Sixteen year old girl werewolf Vivian falls in love with a human boy and faces the ageless question: when and how to reveal her true nature to him? First she must answer a few questions herself such as which is sweeter, blood or chocolate?
The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle - A wise and astonishing debut novel about the different guises of love and the often steep tolls on the road to adulthood. Kyle deftly captures not only the complexity of love and loss but also the powerful bond between horses and humans.
Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson - The author of Jane Austen's Guide to Dating introduces Scarlett Wakefield, glamorous girl sleuth. While attending a ritzy private school in London, 16 year old Scarlett is flattered to be invited to a party with all the big names in British high society. A magical night and a dream-come-true kiss with Dan McAndrew definitely does not end in happily ever after. He immediately drops dead and though she is not accused of murder, suspicions linger. She must uncover Dan's real killer to clear her name (and live to kiss again). Recognize the title? It is lifted from the title of a U2 single from the 1995 movie Batman Forever.
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson - Who knows where the time goes? There is never enough of it in Kinvara, or anywhere else in Ireland for that matter. When J.J. Liddy's mother says that what she really wants for her birthday is more time in her day, J.J. decides to find her some.
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan - Margo Lanagan's electrifying stories take place in worlds not quite our own, and yet each one illuminates what it is to be human. This dazzling new collection of short fiction by a master storyteller and Printz Honor winner is sure to leave readers surprised, touched, unsettled, intrigued, or scared senseless.
Swim to Me by Betsy Carter - At seventeen, Dolores Walker leaves the Bronx for a mermaid job in a failing Tampa water show. When the mermaids put on their own version of The Godfather called The Merfather, a show you will not see at the nearby Disney World, business definitely picks up. Great storytelling about family, chasing dreams, and finding your way.
What Happened by Peter Johnson - A hit and run accident reveals old rivalries between two families. Written with lyrical prose and with a haunting sensibility, this was reviewed by Michael Cart as the "most gorgeously written YA of 2007."
Nonfiction
Fifteen Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and Other Quinceanera Stories, edited by Adriana Lopez - In this original anthology, fifteen of the brightest and funniest Latino writers, men and women alike, share their own memories of these moving and often absurd extravaganzas.
Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston - Preston's amazing account of scientific and spiritual passion for the tallest trees in the world, the redwood, and three champions who are committed to preserving the trees and the unique forest canopy 300 feet above the ground.
1 Comments :
If you like Lauren Henderson's books, you might try other authors who write historical fiction about about Jane Austen:
"Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict," by Laurie Rigler,
"The Man Who Loved Jane Austen," by Sally O'Rouke, and the historical murders mystery series by Stephanie Barron.
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