Just a few short months ago, we celebrated Teen Read Week at the library. During that time, we asked teens to recommend books they felt the library staff should read. What follows is a list of those books and what we thought of them. All the participants thoroughly enjoyed the reading challenge, even the ones who went outside of their normal reading comfort zones. Thanks to all the teens who gave us the book titles, and thanks to all of the staff who took part in this reading experience!
After his parents, two sisters, and he have spent six years in a
vast underground compound built by his wealthy father to protect them from a
nuclear holocaust, fifteen-year-old Eli, whose twin brother and grandmother
were left behind, discovers that his father has perpetrated a monstrous hoax on
them all.
Recommended
by Owen, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Catherine, Librarian
I really liked this book a lot. I listened to it on audio and the narrator was very engaging. (Especially when he was depicting the character of the father as he slowly looses control throughout the book.) The story was fast-paced and well-written and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, "The Fallout" when I get the chance. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas
becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and
discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
Recommended
by Danielle, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Kathleen, Head of Circulation
I found it to be a well-written, coming-of-age "adventure." I enjoyed how the story was crafted into a mystery of watching Jonas go from the safety of childhood to learn of the perils of adulthood and all the responsibility that the world encompasses. I only gave it four stars as I did not develop a deep relationship with any of the characters. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
As the evil vampire D'Ablo seeks the ritual that would steal
half-vampire Vlad's powers, Vlad struggles to resist feeding on the people
around him, has a conflict with his best friend Henry, and gives up all hope of
a normal year at Bathory High.
Recommended
by Harry, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Matt, Library Director
The writing was very good and the story was fast-paced, but as I was reading it, I found it very hard to believe that no one knew he was a vampire. (Side note: you can pick up this book without having read the previous ones in the series. The author does a good job of bringing you up to speed with the characters and storyline.) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose
among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her
life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly
who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not
perfect after all.
Recommended
by Udthi, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Joanne, former Head of Children's Department and Assistant Director
I chose to read Divergent on a teen
recommendation because it isn't normally the type of book that I would pick to
read for myself, and I wanted to see what all the hype was about it. At first I
was not thrilled because of all the violence and fighting in it. But as the
book progressed, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next and I
couldn't stop reading it! It
really captures you and draws you into the story! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When a scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a
magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, Aldwyn and his
fellow "familiars," a know-it-all blue jay and bumbling tree frog,
must save the kingdom after the evil queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two other
wizards.
Recommended
by Linette, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Donna, Librarian
I really
liked the book Familiars. It was like a
Harry Potter book, but with animals casting the spells! I would recommend it to
anyone (particularly younger teens) who like fantasy books about animals. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Creating fantastical mail-order role-playing games from his
apartment where he endures a life of solitude after a disfiguring injury, Sean
is blamed for a disaster involving two high school student clients, an event
that compels him to reevaluate his own past.
Recommended
by Daniel, Gr. 12/ Staff Member Who Read It: Brianna, Page
Although it was creatively told, the ending was too ambiguous for me. I found it nihilistic, though lyrically written. Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
The Testing by Charbonneau, Joelle (YA FIC
CHARBONNEAU)
Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in
The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures
out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing.
Recommended
by Danielle, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Dakota, Page
A great read for those who enjoy dystopian novels. You can relate to the characters, which makes it that much more enjoyable. Suggested for readers who also enjoyed books such as The Hunger Games and Divergent. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Vega Jane has never left the village of Wormwood. But this isn't
unusual, nobody has ever left the village of Wormwood. At least not until
Quentin Herms vanishes into the unknown. Vega knows Quentin didn't just leave,
but that he was chased. And he's left behind a very dangerous trail of clues
that only she can decode. The Quag is a dark forest filled with terrifying
beasts and bloodthirsty Outliers. But just as deadly are the threats that exist
within the walls of Wormwood. It is a place built on lies, where influential
people are willing to kill to keep their secrets. Vega is determined to uncover
the truth. But the closer she gets, the more she risks her life.
Recommended
by Shivani, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Deepa, Business Manager
I liked this book and found it hard to put down.The story is fast
paced right up to the very end. Good strong female lead character. I
love the mystery of this world... The author doesn't reveal
too much about what, where and who the creatures in the book really are,
so it leaves a lot to the imagination. Not thrilled with the ending though. The plot cuts off before any of the
questions are answered. So there will be a sequel or maybe a
series. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Twelve-year-old genius and outsider Willow Chance must figure
out how to connect with other people and find a surrogate family for herself
after her parents are killed in a car accident.
Recommended
by Sreevarshini, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Jill, Librarian
This book was okay- not great, but not bad. I was expecting to like it a little more than I did given the popularity of the title and the positive comments from book reviewers. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove
distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting
to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other five
surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet,
Lorien.
Recommended
by Vivian, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Lissetty, Librarian
9 young aliens had to leave their planet after it
falls under attack. They come to earth to develop their powers. In the
very beginning of the story the reader learns 3 of the 9 have been
killed and they have to be killed in order so #4 is the next in line.
They story had a nice pace to it and enough action but the writing
wasn't great. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
