Reading List

Just for Teens: Realistic Fiction

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- The Bean Trees

FIC Kingsolver 1992

Barbara Kingsolver

Taylor Greer grew up in poor in rural Kentucky, but soon heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car. By the time she arrives in Tucson, she has adopted a completely unexpected child, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity for putting down roots. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.

- Hanging on to Max

YA FIC Bechard, M. 2002

Margaret Bechard

When his girlfriend decides to give their baby away, seventeen-year-old Sam is determined to keep him and raise him alone.

- Born confused

YA FIC Desai Hidier, T. 2002

Tanuja Desai Hidier

Seventeen-year-old Dimple, whose family is from India, discovers that she is not Indian enough for the Indians and not American enough for the Americans, as she sees her hypnotically beautiful, manipulative best friend taking possession of both her heritage and the boy she likes.

- Pictures of Hollis Woods

J FIC Giff, P. 2002

Patricia Reilly Giff

Hollis Woods is where she was abandoned, and is now her name. At twelve years old, she's been in more foster homes than she can remember. But when she's sent to Josie, an elderly artist who is quirky and affectionate, Hollis wants to stay.

- The Secret Life of Bees

FIC Kidd, S. 2002

Sue Monk Kidd

A remarkable story about mothers and daughters and the women in our lives who become our true mothers, this is a stunning debut whose rich, assured, irresistible voice gathers us up and doesn't let go, not for a moment.

- Buddha Boy

YA FIC Koja, K. 2003

Kathe Koja

Justin spends time with Jinsen, the unusual and artistic new student whom the school bullies torment and call Buddha Boy, and ends up making choices that impact Jinsen, himself, and the entire school.

- Olive's Ocean

J Henkes, K. 2003

Kevin Henkes

On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

- Bird

YA FIC Johnson, A. 2004

Angela Johnson

Thirteen-year-old Bird runs away to convince her stepfather to return home, and soon becomes entwined in the lives of three people. This eloquent story by the three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner shows how one individual's warmth and kindness can heal so many hurts.

- After summer

YA FIC Earls, N. 2005

Nick Earls

Funny and touching novel about a 17-year-old boy's last summer before he enters the "real world."

- Stop in the Name of Pants

YA FIC Rennison, L. 2008

Louise Rennison

The ninth and latest of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, which began with the immortal(ish) Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, features her usual hilariosity and geniosity -- and she needs it! What with Robbie the Sex God back from Kiwi-a-gogo land wanting to "get coffee" and whatsit, Masimo the Luuurve God saying things like 'Ciao, Georgia, see you later' (but does he mean 'see you later' or 'see you later'?!), and her mate Dave the Laugh snogging her in a pond, it's a wonder she isn't stuck in the land of the dither-spazz permanently!

- Spook Country

FIC Gibson, W. 2007

William Gibson

"The characters in Gibson's latest novel (after Pattern Recognition) live in the present, but the future is catching up to them faster than to the rest of us. Part thriller, part spy novel, part speculative fiction, Gibson's provocative work is like nothing you have ever read before. Highly recommended." -Library Journal Starred Review

- Freak the Mighty

YA FIC Philbrick, W. 1993

W.R. Philbrick

At the beginning of eighth grade, learning disabled Max and his new friend Freak, whose birth defect has affected his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they combine forces they make a powerful team.

- Give a boy a gun

YA FIC Strasser, T. 2001

Todd Strasser

High school sophomores Gary Searle and Brendan Lawlor have had enough. Day in and day out, for more than two years, they have been harassed, beaten up, and cursed out by most of the jocks at Middleton High--especially by football player Sam Flach.

- The True meaning of cleavage

YA FIC Fredericks, M. 2003

Mariah Fredericks

When Jess and Sari, best friends since seventh grade, begin their freshman year of high school and Sari becomes obsessed with a senior boy, Jess wonders if their friendship will survive.

- The Girls

FIC Lansens, L. 2006

Lori Lansens

In Lansens's second novel, readers come to know Rose and Ruby, 29-year-old conjoined twins. When one of the girls decides to write her autobiography, the distinct personalities of the two emerge to reveal their contradictory longing for independence and their unwavering togetherness.

- Whale talk

YA FIC Crutcher, C. 2001

Chris Crutcher

Intellectually and athletically gifted, TJ, a multiracial, adopted teenager, shuns organized sports and the gung-ho athletes at his high school until he agrees to form a swimming team and recruits some of the school's less popular students.

- Go and Come Back

YA FIC Abelove, J. 1998

Joan Abelove

In this multi-award-winning novel, two female American anthropologists come to stay in a jungle village near the Amazon. The villagers are initially skeptical, especially teenaged Alicia. But as the months go on, Alicia finds herself drawn in, even becoming friends with one of the women.

- Just Ask Iris

J Frank, L. 2002

Frank, Lucy

In the summer before seventh grade, twelve-year-old Iris Diaz-Pinkowitz goes up and down the fire escape outside her new New York City apartment, becoming an integral part of the lives of her human and animal neighbors.

- A Thief in the House of Memory

YA FIC Wynne-Jones, T. 2005

Tim Wynne-Jones

In this reviewer's opinion, Tim Wynne-Jones may be the best and most compelling author of young adult and children's literature working today. Wynne-Jones's latest novel for teens follows sixteen-year-old Declan Steeple and his family in the aftermath of a seeming-stranger's death in the family's old home, as Declan tries to work out the mystery of his mother's disappearance six years before.

- The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

YA FIC Konigsburg, E. 2004

E.L. Konigsburg

Upon leaving an oppressive summer camp, twelve-year-old Margaret Rose Kane spearheads a campaign to preserve three unique towers her grand uncles have been building in their back yard for over forty years.

Just for Teens: Realistic Fiction			Back to Booklist


	- The Bean Trees		FIC Kingsolver 1992
		Barbara Kingsolver
		Taylor Greer grew up in poor in rural Kentucky, but soon heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car. By the time she arrives in Tucson, she has adopted a completely unexpected child, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity for putting down roots. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.


	- Hanging on to Max		YA FIC Bechard, M. 2002
		Margaret Bechard
		When his girlfriend decides to give their baby away, seventeen-year-old Sam is determined to keep him and raise him alone.


	- Born confused		YA FIC Desai Hidier, T. 2002
		Tanuja Desai Hidier
		Seventeen-year-old Dimple, whose family is from India, discovers that she is not Indian enough for the Indians and not American enough for the Americans, as she sees her hypnotically beautiful, manipulative best friend taking possession of both her heritage and the boy she likes.


	- Pictures of Hollis Woods		J FIC Giff, P. 2002
		Patricia Reilly Giff
		Hollis Woods is where she was abandoned, and is now her name. At twelve years old, she's been in more foster homes than she can remember. But when she's sent to Josie, an elderly artist who is quirky and affectionate, Hollis wants to stay.


	- The Secret Life of Bees		FIC Kidd, S. 2002
		Sue Monk Kidd
		A remarkable story about mothers and daughters and the women in our lives who become our true mothers, this is a stunning debut whose rich, assured, irresistible voice gathers us up and doesn't let go, not for a moment.


	- Buddha Boy		YA FIC Koja, K. 2003
		Kathe Koja
		Justin spends time with Jinsen, the unusual and artistic new student whom the school bullies torment and call Buddha Boy, and ends up making choices that impact Jinsen, himself, and the entire school.


	- Olive's Ocean		J Henkes, K. 2003
		Kevin Henkes
		On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.


	- Bird		YA FIC Johnson, A. 2004
		Angela Johnson
		Thirteen-year-old Bird runs away to convince her stepfather to return home, and soon becomes entwined in the lives of three people. This eloquent story by the three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner shows how one individual's warmth and kindness can heal so many hurts.


	- After summer		YA FIC Earls, N. 2005
		Nick Earls
		Funny and touching novel about a 17-year-old boy's last summer before he enters the "real world."


	- Stop in the Name of Pants		YA FIC Rennison, L. 2008
		Louise Rennison
		The ninth and latest of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, which began with the immortal(ish) Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, features her usual hilariosity and geniosity -- and she needs it! What with Robbie the Sex God back from Kiwi-a-gogo land wanting to "get coffee" and whatsit, Masimo the Luuurve God saying things like 'Ciao, Georgia, see you later' (but does he mean 'see you later' or 'see you later'?!), and her mate Dave the Laugh snogging her in a pond, it's a wonder she isn't stuck in the land of the dither-spazz permanently!


	- Spook Country		FIC Gibson, W. 2007
		William Gibson
		"The characters in Gibson's latest novel (after Pattern Recognition) live in the present, but the future is catching up to them faster than to the rest of us. Part thriller, part spy novel, part speculative fiction, Gibson's provocative work is like nothing you have ever read before. Highly recommended." -Library Journal Starred Review


	- Freak the Mighty		YA FIC Philbrick, W. 1993
		W.R. Philbrick
		At the beginning of eighth grade, learning disabled Max and his new friend Freak, whose birth defect has affected his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they combine forces they make a powerful team.


	- Give a boy a gun		YA FIC Strasser, T. 2001
		Todd Strasser
		High school sophomores Gary Searle and Brendan Lawlor have had enough. Day in and day out, for more than two years, they have been harassed, beaten up, and cursed out by most of the jocks at Middleton High--especially by football player Sam Flach.


	- The True meaning of cleavage		YA FIC Fredericks, M. 2003
		Mariah Fredericks
		When Jess and Sari, best friends since seventh grade, begin their freshman year of high school and Sari becomes obsessed with a senior boy, Jess wonders if their friendship will survive.


	- The Girls		FIC Lansens, L. 2006
		Lori Lansens
		In Lansens's second novel, readers come to know Rose and Ruby, 29-year-old conjoined twins. When one of the girls decides to write her autobiography, the distinct personalities of the two emerge to reveal their contradictory longing for independence and their unwavering togetherness.


	- Whale talk		YA FIC Crutcher, C. 2001
		Chris Crutcher
		Intellectually and athletically gifted, TJ, a multiracial, adopted teenager, shuns organized sports and the gung-ho athletes at his high school until he agrees to form a swimming team and recruits some of the school's less popular students.


	- Go and Come Back		YA FIC Abelove, J. 1998
		Joan Abelove
		In this multi-award-winning novel, two female American anthropologists come to stay in a jungle village near the Amazon. The villagers are initially skeptical, especially teenaged Alicia. But as the months go on, Alicia finds herself drawn in, even becoming friends with one of the women.


	- Just Ask Iris		J Frank, L. 2002
		Frank, Lucy
		In the summer before seventh grade, twelve-year-old Iris Diaz-Pinkowitz goes up and down the fire escape outside her new New York City apartment, becoming an integral part of the lives of her human and animal neighbors.


	- A Thief in the House of Memory		YA FIC Wynne-Jones, T. 2005
		Tim Wynne-Jones
		In this reviewer's opinion, Tim Wynne-Jones may be the best and most compelling author of young adult and children's literature working today. Wynne-Jones's latest novel for teens follows sixteen-year-old Declan Steeple and his family in the aftermath of a seeming-stranger's death in the family's old home, as Declan tries to work out the mystery of his mother's disappearance six years before.


	- The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place		YA FIC Konigsburg, E. 2004
		E.L. Konigsburg
		Upon leaving an oppressive summer camp, twelve-year-old Margaret Rose Kane spearheads a campaign to preserve three unique towers her grand uncles have been building in their back yard for over forty years.