Beautifully descriptive sonnets describing the horrors done to a boy by the name of Emmett Till. Marilyn Nelson is a touching author who knows how to move the hearts of her readers without becoming preachy.

An outloud reading is best to truly hear the rhythm!

Persepolis is an amazingly realistic and artistic graphic novel. A winner of many awards including, School Library Journal Adult Books for Young Adults, New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, Booklist Editor’s Choice for Young Adults, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, and the 2004 ALA Alex Award, Satrapi has written a culturally powerful young adult novel that speaks to racism of the current day. Following a young Iranian girl throughout various wars and persecutions, Persepolis acknowledges the horrors of modern war and should touch the very heart of every young teen.

Anderson’s The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing takes place during a time when slavery was considered normal. As Anderson presents the life of Octavian and his mother, both considered royalty in their original homes, a daily life of sorts is glimpsed. While the harsh realities of slavery are present, the book takes a more democratic view instead of choosing to pull on the reader’s emotional heart strings. Overall, Anderson has written an accomplished book which has won recognition as a 2006 National Book Award and a 2006 Printz Honor Award.

Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Nowis a modern war experience which, according to the author, takes place 3-5 weeks in the future. In other words, war is real and it is now. Despite many complaints that it might be considered an anti-war novel, there is no denying the realities and painfulness of war. When reading this, it is easy to forget how American’s have it quite easy in that we have never truly experienced the horrors of war. Rosoff has created the voice of an American teenager as she pushes through the horrors of what she is seeing after recently having been moved to live with her cousins in England. While the language is often frustrating at times, Rosoff has masterfully created the protagonist’s character which drives the story forward to the reality of the end.  

Terry Pratchett has written a delightful fantasy novel for young adults and even fantasy-loving adults who enjoy witty humor and delightful dialogue. The Wee Free Men follows protagonist Tiffany Aching as she discovers many truths about herself: she is a witch, she can dialogue with the Nac Mac Feegles (and they treat her with respect), and she is the one who needs to rescue her kidnapped brother, Wentworth. Throughout Tiffany’s discoveries, the author creates a set of intriguing themes including fairy tales. In an interesting twist, however, Pratchett takes a stance against fairy tales in various conversations and experiences which Tiffany has. For example, when Tiffany is getting ready to say goodbye to Miss Tick, a witch, after their first meeting, Miss Tick offers some interesting advice, “…if you trust in yourself… and believe in your dreams… and follow your star… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy” (51).All readers should enjoy The Wee Free Men whether or not they are looking for an after-Harry-Potter read or not. Pratchett’s dialogue and themes should push the reader forward in an enjoyable read, perhaps even leaving him or her with a desire to check out the sequels.

Absolutely, Positively Not is a book for young readers (10-15) about a student who works through the coming out process. While the book is pro-gay teens, it is written for a younger audience and does not even begin to deal with more of the difficult aspects of being GLBTQ in today’s society. An easy, enjoyable read, useful for teens who might themselves be questioning, or have family members who are gay or lesbian. Not recommended for readers who would like more of the complex, emotional issues discussed and felt.

Forgotten Fire, written by Adam Bagdasarian is a story about a young Armenian boy who endures holocaustic torture by watching his family members die in excruciating ways. The story follows the protagonist, Vahan, as he grows from a man to a boy all while experiencing and seeing death in a way that should not be possible. Bagdasarian utilizes simplicity of character combined with an intensity of language, “Looking into the room, I saw only darkness at first. Then I heard a sound and a part of the floor moved, and I realized it was a floor of bodies” (33), to progress the story forward. In the end, while Vahan has his home, his family, and his innocence, he has gained his character and his character is what will live on. While the proverbial fire which the Armenians were forced to struggle through may have been forgotten, ultimately, Vahan was formed by the fire, just as steel is molded and shaped into incredible structures. The fire will ensure that Vahan really lives, despite the horrific memories. The story also lives, as Bagdasarian has taken great-uncle’s real life experiences and transformed them into a moving picture of words. Forgotten Fire should inspire teens to keep living just as Vahan chose to do. Whether they have to put on the face of a family member or mentor in order to struggle through the more difficult times, they should always remain as steel: strong and moldable. Never forgotten.

I Had Seen Castles is a gripping story about a young man who endures the horrors of World War II. Having just turned eighteen directly after the bombing at Pear Harbor, John knows that he must sign up to defend his country, despite objections from his recently found girlfriend, Ginny.

And he goes.

And while there, he discovers a little more to life–death–than he expected. Sadly, he sees both friends and enemies get their faces, arms, bodies torn apart. Ultimately, he sees the ravages of war.

And then he lives to be an old man.

Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak is a beautifully touching narrative about a young girl who continues to withdraw into herself as she works through a date rape of a boy that goes to her high school. Her friends have chosen to ostracize her because they know that she is the reason the cops were called on the party at which the rape occurred. Those who don’t know push Melinda away because she continues to push herself away.

 As I was reading this book, I found myself pushing away from the narrator, afraid of who deep her depression went. However, at some point I realized that my own hesitancy in connecting with the character could be similar to her ex-friends and enemies choosing to ignore Melinda and her problems.

Melinda eventually starts to grow as Ivy, a budding friend in her art class, allows Melinda to be herself and do her art. Eventually, Melinda’s artistic dilemma is solved, as well as her fear over the rape and of speaking out as she received another chance to confront her rapist.

This time she defends herself.

This time she says no.

This time she is free to speak out.

When it comes to reading young adult literature and picking a favorite genre, I would hesitate and flounder in that I am still struggling to find the genre that “gets me” or that I get. Essentially, my favorites are an eclectic conglomeration of stories and authors who touch me at one point or another, depending on where I am in life. After reading Carolyn Mackler’s, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things I realized that I now have a favorite in the “modern teen experience” genre, as it were. Mackler’s The Earth is a story about a teenage girl who does not fit in with her “perfect” family. And yet, as the plot progresses she begins to realize that her perfect family is far from perfect. In fact, most of their problems remain unsaid so the pretense of perfectness can remain and continue to drive the family forward. With an adolescent psychologist mom, a dad who thinks that thin women are beautiful, and a sister and brother who are placed on pedestals by the school, Virginia is an over-weight outsider whose only true friend has just moved to Seattle, Washington. The book progresses as family problems are discovered, culminating with “the ordeal”. As Virginia works through her various family problems, as well as her own weight and identity issues, she begins to find her place in life by acting on her own impulses and learning and growing based on what she likes instead of being told what she needs to like or dislike. Young girls should have no problem identifying with the candid narrator and her less than perfect life, making it a great read and a great addition to any library.