OPHS Library Young Adult Books - What our older teenagers are reading

 OPHS Library Young Adult Books

What our older teenagers are reading

Why should we know what our YA (young adult) students are reading and how can this knowledge encourage our students/children to become readers for life?

A genre of fiction geared toward preteen and teen readers, young adult (YA) literature explores the experiences and challenges of coming of age. Themes in YA literature include young love, identity, social conflicts, and family relationships, all explored through the unique lenses of young protagonists. Straddling the realm between fiction for children and fiction for adults, YA literature is as diverse as its young readers.

With themes and characters that often resonate with students more than those found in the traditional literary way, YA literature can be invaluable in encouraging students to become lifelong readers. Teachers constantly struggle to get students to read, but YA literature makes reading more attractive by providing students with a world they recognize. The characters in YA novels are not remote adults dealing with the distant troubles of adulthood; they are mirrors reflecting the anxieties of their young readers. With YA novels, reading becomes not a dreaded chore but a process of self-discovery and entertainment.

Rather than regarding literature meant for preteens and teens as ‘not very important’,  we should respect our YA student’s inclination to read about problems that relate to them and the challenges they face. Instead of asking students to only read works originally written for adults, it’s time to treat literature written for young adults with the same care and respect as the classics.

OPHS is an environment where reading is championed, valued, respected, and encouraged. Reading lies at the heart of the curriculum, and it is of the utmost importance to our student’s personal, social, and academic success, as well as their general wellbeing.

Creating a reading culture should not be the responsibility of an individual. It takes dedication, perseverance, and effort. It’s led by an enthusiastic and dedicated English Department and Library, and advocated by every pupil, parent, carer, and staff member in the school community.

 

We are fortunate at OPHS that our Library is well-stocked and up-to-date with fantastic YA books for our KS4+ students.  It is of the utmost importance that our students have their academic pieces of reading but it is also important that they have full use of the school Library and, as many do, read avidly for pleasure.

With this in mind, I will list below a list of the most popular YA books that our students are reading.  If you are aware of their reading-for-pleasure choices perhaps you can then discuss themes and topics that link with their book choices.  It would also be amazing, if you can get some free time, to read the books yourself and then be able to discuss these books with your students/children.

Noughts & Crosses MALORIE BLACKMAN

 

Noughts & Crosses is a bold reimagining of our world, where society is divided into noughts – considered to be less than nothing – and Crosses, who make up the ruling class. In this world exist childhood friends Sephy, a Cross, and Callum, a nought. Their friendship has somehow survived, but when they start falling in love with each other they know the world will disapprove.

Malorie Blackman was inspired to write Noughts & Crosses following the police's inept handling of the Stephen Lawrence murder case, and although it's been out for almost 20 years, the book's look at prejudice and racism is still relevant today.

Since the first novel, which has been voted one of the UK's best loved books, Blackman has written more in the Noughts & Crosses series, with the latest novel – Crossfire – released in 2019.

The Fault in Our StarsJOHN GREEN

Make sure you have a box of tissues by your side when reading The Fault in Our Stars, because you are definitely going to cry. A lot. 

John Green's novel follows Hazel, who aged 13 was diagnosed with thyroid cancer which has since spread into her lungs. Although she's been battling the disease for years, she knows her diagnosis is terminal. Hazel's determination to stay aloof and unconnected is shattered when she meets Augustus Waters at the Cancer Kid Support Group, and begins to fall in love. Augustus opens her eyes to a world of adventures, big and small, but also to the potential for great loss and grief.

The Fault in Our Stars is tender and heartbreaking, but also a funny and thrilling look at first love and being alive.

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2009)

Suzanne Collins' dystopian smash hit – which spawned a hugely successful film franchise – paved the way for dozens of YA books set in post-apocalyptic worlds.

The Hunger Games takes place in a future America where society is divided into 13 districts. The further away a district is from The Capitol, where society's rich and powerful live, the worse the standard of living and the status of its people.

Katniss Everdeen lives in District 13 with her mother and younger sister Prim. When Prim's name is called as the district's female champion for the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death between the districts played out for The Capitol's amusement, Katniss volunteers in her place.

The Hunger Games – and its sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay – introduced one of YA's best modern day heroes, a teenage girl trying to be brave and honourable in the most terrible of circumstances.

 

The Catcher in the RyeJ. D. SALINGER

Angsty teenager who thinks everyone else is the worst, hates everything in his life, and is lost? Check, check, check.

Although The Catcher in the Rye is often classed as a literary classic and was aimed at adults, it's also very much a YA novel.

J. D. Salinger's book follows 17-year-old Holden Caulfield, and tells the story of his unhappiness at boarding school, his fraught relationships with his fellow students (who he thinks are "phonies") and his tense family life.

Holden has become an icon for teenage rebellion, and The Catcher in the Rye is regularly voted one of the best English-language novels of all time.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda BECKY ALBERTALLI

Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a story of coming out and crushes.

The novel follows Simon Spier, a teenager trying – like many other teenagers – to work out who he is. One of the ways he’s doing that is by exchanging emails with a mystery boy called Blue.

But when one of Simon’s emails falls into the wrong hands, things get complicated. 

Funny, awkward and full of heart, Simon's story has resonated with teenagers and young adults around the world. 

 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2018)

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give is a look at police brutality and how to do what's right, even if that's hard.

Sixteen-year-old Starr straddles two worlds: the poor, largely black, neighbourhood where she lives, and the posh, largely white, school she attends. Although she's used to code-switching depending on where she is and who she's with, it's an uneasy existence.

Starr's worlds are shattered, and the separation between them destroyed, when she is the only witness to a fatal shooting by police of her childhood friend Khalil. Khalil was unarmed, and what Starr chooses to say and do could destroy her community, affect her relationships, and even get her killed. But Starr knows speaking up could be the first step in the long road to justice.

Powerful and gripping, The Hate U Give delves into what it means to speak up in a world that wants to bring you down. 

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryMILDRED TAYLOR, DAVID KEARNEY

Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is the story of a girl growing up in the Deep South in 1930s America.

It follows Cassie, who lives in Mississippi and who doesn't understand why farming his own land means so much to her father. But over the course of the book, as the Ku Klux Klan spreads hatred, Cassie learns about why society is so divided, and of just what it takes to survive in such a world.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is on the younger side of YA, but its compelling story makes it a must read. It won Taylor the Newberry Medal, given annually to the "author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children".

One Of Us Is LyingKAREN M. MCMANUS

Think Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club, with a murder thrown in, and you have an approximation of what to expect with One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

The novel has a straightforward concept: five students go to detention, and only four come out alive. The student who died, Simon, ran a notorious gossip app. And he knew dark secrets about the teens he was in detention with: Yale hopeful Bronwyn, sports star Cooper, bad boy Nate, and prom queen Addy.

As well as a whodunnit, One of Us is Lying is a look at the nature of gossip and the potentially destructive power of social media. And it's a pure thrill from start to finish.

Chasing Lucky by Jean Bennett

Teen Josie Saint-Martin would much rather be pursuing her dream of being a photographer than working in the family bookshop. She yearns to travel to the West Coast of America, but after a disastrous party, she forms an unlikely and compelling relationship with a former childhood friend. With relatable characters and an undemanding style, this is ideal summer reading.

Where We Go from Here by Lucas Rocha

This thought-provoking debut set in Brazil follows three teens who experience different fates after taking HIV tests. Overcoming social stigma, the three lives intertwine to support each other in this startling and emotive LGBT story for older teens.

Midnight’s Twins by Holly Race

When 15-year-old Fern discovers a mirror world where dreams determine our reality, she soon finds out that controlling the thoughts of others through dreams can be a matter of life and death. An interesting and imaginative fantasy that will leave the reader wanting more. A perfect YA summer reading recommendation.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

A dark take on the fairy tale where teen débutantes are never heard from again if they are not chosen at the ball. 16-year-old Sophia plans to change that and together with a distant relative of Cinderella, she hatches a plan to bring down the ruling classes. A rollercoaster dystopian love story set in an imagined world.

The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott

With the Romans gone and the Saxons threatening to take their farm, Mai’s family has to flee and avoid being captured by warring local factions. An enthralling story set in 454AD with strong female characters and lots of historical atmosphere. An easier read for younger teens.

The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff

A beautifully written novel about summer love and everything that can go wrong. Told by a mysterious narrator, the reader follows a family’s summer holiday twist and turn from a breezy summer idyll to a close and toxic psychological climax. Cleverly told, this is the perfect book for older teens to read on a beach, in a park, or in the garden on a long sunny day.

Chameleon by Sarah Holding

A gripping story of the survival of the human race, driven by catastrophic climate change and genetic engineering. A groundbreaking genre – CLI-FI – that’s ideal holiday reading for teens interested in science and protecting the future of the planet.

Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis

When Lola Nox is sent to live with her grandmother after a violent incident at home, nothing prepares her for the unsettling atmosphere at Harrow Lake, a town brimming with dark secrets. The creepy and claustrophobic suspense goads the reader to turn each page. An unforgettable summer YA read.

Taylor Before and After by Jennie Englund

A cleverly told novel that drip feeds the compelling life of Taylor Harper to the reader through diary entries – switching between events before a pivotal moment in her life, and what happens in the dramatic aftermath. A clever examination of the teen ego, mental health, dreams, and setbacks – recommended for secondary school children aged 12+.

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

An epic love story where the reader is transported into the lives of Edward and Bella, told, this time, from Edward’s perspective. A must-read entry in the Twilight Saga series.

The Last Paper Crane by Kerry Drewery

A spell-binding story that spans generations, telling the story of Ichiro who experiences the Hiroshima atomic bomb as a child and his granddaughter Mizuki who will do anything to help him in his old age, including trying to repair a 70-year-old broken promise. An innovative and moving story told through a mixture of prose, poetry, and haiku sequences.

Loveless by Alice Oseman

As Georgia starts Durham University – never having had even a crush in her teenage years – she pursues a romantic view of the world by joining the Shakespeare society and looking for love. What follows is unexpected, complicated, at times comical, and compelling for the reader. Highly recommended for older teens.

The Colours That Blind by Rutendo Tavengerwei

A powerful and unforgettable story about albino 13-year-old Tumirai and his grandmother’s memories of the Zimbabwe war of independence. Tumirai’s experiences of exclusion and bullying are put into a dramatic perspective when his grandmother retells the prejudice and hate she experienced throughout her life. A challenging and thought-provoking read for Year 9 upwards.

Burn by Patrick Ness

A unique and surprising novel for teens aged 14+ that weaves dragons, fantasy, dystopia, and a dangerous cult. Can Sarah survive what life throws at her and save the world with the help of her friends? A gripping read.

Fall Out by CG Moore

An unflinchingly direct and brutal portrayal of teenage Cal’s coming out to his family and subsequent journey through life. Provocative and with sharp dialogue, this coming of age story is nevertheless moving and life-affirming.

Anna by Laura Guthrie

When 13-year-old Anna’s father dies, she is suddenly uprooted from London to live with her mother in Scotland. She finds she has to conjure every ounce of her resilience and rely on every strategy she knows to cope with her Aspergers in new surroundings. A poignant and thought-provoking story for readers aged 12+.

Again Again by E. Lockhart

If your teenage child has ever wondered if their summer love life might have turned out better if they could change just one thing – then this is the summer read for them. Adelaide investigates every possibility and falls in and out of love a thousand times in this unique novel that blends prose and poetry, parallel universes, and a page-turning style.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

A distinctive and original middle-grade story for children aged 11+ that revolves around four diverse characters: Valencia, who is deaf, psychic Kaori, Gen who is a follower, and Chet who fixates on basketball. A joke gone wrong forces them together in an unlikely friendship that realises a spectacular comeuppance for the school bully. An accessible and easier read for Year 7 pupils.

Wink by Rob Harrell

This charming and uplifting story about strength and humour in the face of adversity deserves a place in every secondary school library. When 12-year-old Ross is diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer, he just wants to be normal again. He doesn’t want people treating him differently, looking at him or bullying him. With an accessible style and illustrations ‘Wink’ is a breath of fresh air for children aged 11+.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

When Camino leaves for the airport to meet her father arriving for the summer, everything is fine and full of hope. When she reaches the airport everything changes in an instant when she learns of his death. Suddenly she finds herself hurtling through a world of secrets, upheaval, and a sister she doesn’t know. Cleverly told from two perspectives, this is a great holiday read for KS4.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

An eye-catching and ultra-real tale of racism, unfairness, and misogyny; blended with magic and splashes of fantasy – all set in a teen world of bullying, crushes, secrets, and hope. An interesting YA summer read for older teens.

Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook

Fin’s world disintegrates when his boyfriend Jesse not only rejects him but outs him, leading to a devastating upheaval. And it gets worse from there when Fin’s family decides he needs to be ‘re-educated’. A dark LGBT romance thriller with an uplifting ending – this YA summer read is suitable for teens aged 14+.