Fantasy/Sci Fi

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Recommended for ages 13 and up. The story of Fat Charlie, who loses the father he was never very close to. Fat Charlie's dad always seemed to have a way of making things work out, something Charlie never inherited. However, when Charlie meets his long lost brother and discovers that their father was the trickster God Anansi, he learns what exactly he is able to do. The writing style is great for this story and I would recommend it for most teenage boys.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. A beautifully done story recommended for ages 12 and up, this writer found many old and mysterious photographs and interwove them in a story about an orphanages that calls to children with peculiar talents. Jacob discovers this home after his father passes away and he attempts to track down the orphanage that housed him after the war, to figure out the story behind the mysterious letters his grandfather kept hidden. This book will keep the reader guessing about the monsters and the truth behind the fiction that Jacob experiences. A great story for both boys and girls 12 and up. 

Gossamer by Lois Lowry. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Late at night dream givers sneak in and give us good dreams after collecting memories. Littlest One is learning the art of "bestowing" and is practicing her skills on an elderly woman and her foster son John who has been rescued from an abusive family. A sweet and touching story that will help children expand the way they view the world around them. 

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs. Recommended for ages 13 and up. The story of Lily, who though she is half mermaid princess, has chosen to live on land with her aunt Rachel. She encounters life as a normal teenage girl-except for her frequent need for saltwater baths. She must deal with school, love, and friends while pretending that she doesn't have a father waiting for her to return home-under the sea. I would recommend this book for younger female readers, because it is a series and may help them to become more interested in the fantasy genre. 

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson. Recommended for ages 14 and up. 16 year old Alison has done the unforgivable. She murdered her near-perfect classmate Tori after an argument in detention. However, Alison's memory seems a bit hazy-she swears Tori disintegrated. Alison winds up in a mental hospital to treat her violent outbursts and she discovers something amazing about herself and the colors she can both hear-and taste. An amazing read for anyone, with a great twist that will keep any reader guessing. 

Scumble by Ingrid Law. Recommended for ages 9 and up. The story of Ledger Kale, who is experiencing similar issues as his cousin Mibs in the previous tale Savvy. Ledger has just had his 13th birthday and been given a gift he must learn to control while spending the summer camping on his uncle's farm. With the help of his cousin Rocket-who can control electricity-and a young girl named Sarah Jane who is intent on discovering what it is about Ledger that is so special, Ledge learns that he is in control of his own destiny, and no one can take that away from him. I would recommend this book to young boys who may be able to identify with some of what Ledger is going through. 

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Matteo, aka Matt, was not born a human boy. He was cloned from one of the most powerful drug lords the world has ever seen. El Patron chooses to keep him well educated and happy, despite the fact that the rest of the family view him as something less than human and treat him as such. Matt encounters many difficulties based on his clone status, and begins to learn his true purpose in this world. An amazing story that readers will fly through, simply to discover what will happen to Matt at the end. 

Siren's Storm by Lisa Papademetriou. Recommended for ages 13 and up. A somewhat confusing story that attempts to teach readers about the mythical Siren, and how they have affected Will and Gretchen. Best friends since they were children, Will and Gretchen are now facing challenges based around the mysterious disappearance of Will's older brother and the presence of a strange girl named Asia. This was not one of the better fantasy novels I have read, and I would hesitate before recommending it to any teen. 

Romance/Chick Lit/Gay and Lesbian novels

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan. Recommended for ages 12 and up. The story of Paul, who goes to a high school where being yourself is accepted, and bullying is abhorred. The cheerleaders all ride motorcycles, the homecoming queen must decide whether to ride the homecoming float as queen or star quarterback (for she is both) and Paul has fallen in love for the first time with Noah. An excellent story for teens about being open and honest with yourself, and what a confusing and amazing time your teenage years are. This novel is simple and moving, and a great read for anyone who is experiencing high school or their first love. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Recommended for ages 13 and up. This heart wrenching and honest novel tells the story of Hazel, who is almost 16 and is dealing with cancer. She meets and falls in love with Augustus, and together they learn about themselves and what it is really like to love someone who is dying. This novel has some mature content, and deals with very difficult themes. The writing can be a bit complex at times, and the ideas that are presented require a bit of thought. Teens should be prepared to read this book, and parents should be prepared for questions that may come with it. 

The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor. Recommended for grades 10 and up. The story of Jennifer Lewis, who is told by her boyfriend of five months that they should "just be friends". A familiar tale to many young girls, this simply written novel delves deeper than I expected it to. In the end Jen learns an important message about being herself, and the fact that not everyone is as they seem. 

Shine by Lauren Myracle. Recommended for ages 14 and up. The story of Cat, whose best friend Patrick is found tied up with a gas nozzle shoved down his throat, a victim of a hate crime because he is one of the only openly gay members of his community. Cat is told to leave the situation alone by the local law enforcement, but is insistent enough that she must do some of her own digging. This story is deeply moving, and will keep the reader guessing. It can be somewhat disturbing for teens, but overall is a rich and powerful story for readers with the right temperament to handle the issues that are faced. 

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. Recommended for grades 7 and up.  Frankie is tired of being a girl in an "Old Boys" prep school. Though she has caught the attention of handsome senior Matthew, she learns quickly that she is expected to be a certain type of girl. When she disrupts the social order by infiltrating the Basset Hounds, Matthew's elite all-male club, she must decide for herself whether it is worth it to be liked and accepted while being quiet and well-meaning, or to become infamous for being herself. An excellent story, if a bit hard to follow based on Frankie's insistence on using words that she makes up on her own. 

The Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell. Recommended for ages 9 and up. This novel-done in the style of the "Wimpy Kid" series, seems to be appealing to girls who are entering high school or who have dealt with the popular crowd at their school. However, this novel seems to give girls the idea that it is acceptable to 

The Straight Road to Kylie by Nico Medina. Recommended for ages 15 and up. The story of Jonathan, who has known he is gay for years. His family and his friends all love and accept him for who he is-until the day that he makes a very serious mistake. After sleeping with a female friend, his life becomes a tangled mess while he tries to re-discover who he is and what he is willing to put on the line. For a concert in Europe he must pretend to be the straight boyfriend of the richest girl in his school, much to the dismay of his friends. The story is funny and serious, with a voice told much like any teenager going through his high school years. A great recommendation for teens. 

I Am J by Cris Beam. Recommended for ages 14 and up. The story of J-born Jenni-a transgender youth dealing with the understanding of who he is. As J leads us through the life of a trans youth with parents and friends that do not understand we learn about the challenges that transgender youths can face today. As J learns about testosterone and the changes that it will cause for him, readers discover what it means to feel uncomfortable in your own body and to hate the way you were born. This story is an excellent read that promotes tolerance and understanding towards a group that many teens do not identify with and have not been written about in great detail. 

She Loves You, She Loves You Not by Julie Anne Peters. Recommended for ages 15 and up. Alyssa is 17 years old and has known she is a lesbian since she was thirteen. She lives with her father, a homophobic lawyer who disowns her when he discovers her and her girlfriend. When Alyssa is forced to move in with her absentee mother, she begins to discover the true meaning of judgement, love, and family. I would recommend this book for most teen girls, as it teaches about discrimination and determination to be yourself and to overcome the hardest things in your life.