New! Survey!

Ok, it's time again for a fun survey.  Here's the question.  Which adult author not currently writing for teens would you like to see write a teen book?

Take the survey by going HERE.

Miracle, by Elizabeth Scott

Miracle is a novel about a teen who survives a horrific plane crash and then must struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The problem is that her parents, friends, and teachers do not realize or refuse to see that she is suffering with this disorder.  She is able to connect with an older woman who served in Vietnam and understands what she is going through.  She also feels a kinship with a next door neighbor who lost his younger sister to a severe asthma attack and is still processing his own grief and anger.

This book was well done and does highlight PTSD and how often it can be overlooked.  Still, in this day and age, one wonders why all the adults around her are so oblivious.  Her parents are obviously in denial, but what about her teachers?  Surely they would have some idea that she is sending up quite a few red flags. 

You Are My Only, by Beth Kephart

I just loved this touching and often heartwrenching novel about two lives that begin together and then are torn apart.

Emmy Rane a teenage bride and young mother, is devoted to her young daughter, Baby. But one moment of inattention leads to the kidnapping of Baby. Emmy is so distraught that her husband institutionalizes her in a mental institution, which becomes her prison. At the same time, we are introduced to Sophie, a homeschooled teenage girl, who has been moved by her mother from place to place and is never given the opportunity to make friends or even go outside to play. But by chance she does meet her next door neighbor, Joey, and his two aunts, where she is finally introduced to a world outside of her cramped apartment. This leads her to wonder about her own identity, the secret to which seems to be in some boxes that her mother has hidden from her.  The search leads inexorable to secrets uncovered that are at once tragic and revelatory.

I would like to bestow a life time YA Lit achievement award to Patrick Ness. Because the Chaos Walking trilogy is just a monumentally brilliant achievement. And it's going to be a movie in the near future? Oh please, please, please do it justice!

I see that Philippa Gregory has joined the ranks of adult authors writing teen fiction.  Have to admit that her adult historical fiction is one of my guilty pleasures.  She will certainly have toned down some of her racier sex scenes, I'm sure! 

You must check out (and download!) the new YALSA Bookfinder app.  It's awesome!  http://www.ala.org/yalsa/products/teenbookfinder

I predict that we will begin to see more and more readers' advisory apps, which will make finding books easier than ever.  Still doesn't replace that knowledgeable librarian, though!  Take that, Amazon algorithm!

Farm Boy, by Michael Morpurgo

Farm Boy is the sequel to War Horse, by Michael Morpurgo. The story is narrated by the great-grandson of Albert, the owner of Joey. He goes to stay with his grandfather, who is Albert's son, on the old family farm. While there, he hears the story of Albert and Joey's war years and also learns a secret that his grandfather has hidden for years--he is unable to read or write. He begins to teach his grandfather, who promises to pay him well for the lessons. But the young man earns something far richer--as he hears the stories of life on the farm, he decides that this might be the life for him too.

This is a tender and nostalgic look at a bygone era of English rural life. A great quick read, especially for younger teens.