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.
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