Everlost book trailer

Looking for your next YA book club book? Check out Everlost by Neal Shusterman.

Young Adult Literature... You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Okay, I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I was never much of a reader in high school. While I enjoyed reading as a child, somewhere along the way I lost interest in reading by the time I was in high school. Don't get me wrong, I read plenty for my classes... just not so much by choice. I remember being disenchanted with the book choices in my high school library And speaking of the library, it wasn't a place I frequented as a teenager. I remember it being a quiet, boring, uninviting place.
     Thankfully, my disenchantment with reading was short lived. I rediscovered the joy of reading while I was in college. Fast forward now to 2011. I just finished reading a popular YA title, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.This one took me a while to get my hands on since there was a waiting list a mile long at my public library. But it was worth the wait. I'd say it's kind of like survival skills reality show meets CSI in a disturbing futuristic kind of way. Collins draws the reader in quickly and doesn't let go till the last page. You can read a more complete review of The Hunger Games written by Bookmomma here. The Hunger Games series has captured the attention of young adults as well as those of us adults who are forever young at heart.
     With so many YA books like Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series hitting the big screen, YA literature is growing in popularity among teens as well as adults. And thank goodness, gone are the days of mediocre, predictable YA books. I'm not saying all YA books are quality literature, but YA authors are becoming more crafty at grabbing and holding their readers' attention... and teens (as well as adults) are noticing.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Title: Esperanza Rising
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher / Date: Scholastic / 2002
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Overcoming the odds, Mexican Revolution, Great Depression
Summary: Esperanza is the only child of a wealthy Mexican farmer. During the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution her father is killed. Esperanza and her mother face many hardships and tragedy which leads them to seek new life in California as they work and live at Mexican farm labor camp. Esparanza is challenged to find a strength she didn't know she had to care for her mother and herself in a new place during the Great Depression.
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies / History: Grades 4-8: Mexican Revolution, Great Depression
Notes: This book is categorized "YA" or "Teen" but would also be appropriate for ages 9+. Pam Munoz Ryan's website has some great links for curriculum connections on the Mexican Revolution, recipes that pertain to the story, discussion guide for the book, and teacher and student notes from the author. http://www.pammunozryan.com/esper.html

The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordian

Title: The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordian
Publisher / Date: Disney Book Group / 2010
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Greek Mythology
Summary: 12 year old Percy Jackson has been moved from school to school and labeled a trouble maker. Thought to have ADHD, Percy has never met his father and feels misunderstood. While at boarding school, Percy is surrounded by strange happenings, including his pre-algebra teacher turning into a flying monster that tries to kill him and discovering his best friend is a satyr. Percy soon finds himself on the way to "summer camp" where his mother says he will be safe. In order to get there he must first fight a Minotaur and save his friend from danger. Once at Camp Half-blood, Percy pieces together enough information to discover that his father is a Greek god and he is considered a half-blood. He soon learns that the Greek gods are alive and angry in modern day America. Percy is accused of stealing Zues's lightening bolt and must prove his innocence while also trying to bring peace and end the war between the gods.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 5-9: Greek Mythology; Literature: character development
(See the author's website link below for project ideas and more curriculum connections)
Notes: Action Packed! Be aware that some readers / parents may not like the paganism and violence portrayed in the book. See the author's website for a teacher's guide to the book, unit lesson plans, readers' guides, and a well written curriculum rationale for using The Lightening Thief in the classroom, a Readers' Theater short intro script based on the book, project ideas and video interviews with the author. 
http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/a-teachers-guide-to-percy/

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Publisher / Date: Scholastic / 1999 (Reprint)
Genre: Young Adult Novel, Science Fiction
Themes: Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Magic
Summary: Eleven year old Harry has never had a birthday party. While living with his strict and rather odd aunt and uncle, an invitation arrives via an owl for Harry to attend a school for wizards. Harry's discovery of his own magical powers leads him on an adventurous journey complete with mystery, new friends, new enemies, challenges and more magic.
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts: Leisure Reading; Science Fiction Genre
Notes: The Harry Potter series has been challenged by parents in some schools because of the element of magic, wizardry and sorcery. They have also been credited for renewing an interest in reading for many students. Rowling's art of drawing elementary age to adult readers into the fantasy world of Hogwarts is magical in itself.
Book Talk Guide about the book from Scholastic (free)
Harry Potter Discussion Guide from Scholastic (free)