The Fault in Our Stars

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. NY: Penguin

Hazel is a sixteen year old living with cancer that has spread to her lungs. After attending a support group, she meets a young boy named Augustus who has lost one of his legs to cancer. The two strike up a quick friendship and decide to read each others favorite books. Augustus becomes frustrated with the way Hazel's favorite novel, An Imperial Infliction, ends and decides to track down the author. After meeting the author and being disappointed to see how he truly acts, Augustus' health begins to decline so they return home. Augustus confesses his love for Hazel and after he passes away, Hazel finds out that Augustus was in the process of writing a sequel to her favorite novel. This young adult novel will make you smile and then make you cry. A wonderful book to teach young readers what true love is and how it can be exhibited no matter what your circumstances may be.

When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2010). When you reach me. NY: Random House

This story is told through the words of the protagonist, Miranda. A homeless man, who is always laughing, lives on the corner of Miranda's street. The main soon starts to send Miranda letters. The first three were instructions to Miranda to write down future events. In the beginning, Miranda is unaware of who is sending the letters, but becomes intrigued in what they are saying. It is later revealed that the homeless man is actually a time traveler that was sent to save a life. The theme of friendship is prevalent throughout the book as Miranda both loses and gains new friends.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Black, H. (2013). The coldest girl in coldtown. NY: Little, Brown, and Company

Fans of paranormal novels will love this book. Seventeen year old Tana wakes up from a party and discovers that everyone in attendance has been slaughtered by vampires. She soon finds her ex-boyfriend, Aidan, alive and chained, along with another vampire that does not wish to kill his victims. Tana realizes that Aidan has been bitten, which means that he carries the vampire curse inside him. With vampires still on the hunt, Tana has to quickly think of a plan to get all three of them out of this cold town. Black does a great job with developing the main characters. Tana is a determined and strong character who never gives up, while Gavriel is mysterious and helpful. Readers will definitely love the suspense of the book, as well as seeing Tana and Gavriel's relationship bloom.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of origami yoda. NY: Amulet Books

Dwight is considered strange and weird by most of the kids in his sixth-grade class. One day Dwight decides to bring an origami finger puppet that is made to look like Yoda from Star Wars. Dwight uses his origami puppet to give words of wisdom and advice to those who otherwise would never talk to him. Seeing as how this puppet is saying things that are not normally said by Dwight, some of the kids in the class begin to believe that his finger puppet has a connection to the "Force" and possesses special powers. One of the popular boys in his class, Tommy, becomes intrigued with the Yoda and decides to set up a case against it to see if it really does have powers. Angleberger does a great job of developing the plot and the characters in this novel. Young adult readers get a good look at the many emotions that preteen boys go through as they encounter middle school life.

Grasshopper Jungle

Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper jungle. NY: Penguin

Andrew Smith holds back nothing in this novel as he addresses many topics such as homosexuality, sex, and drugs. This novel is narrated by the main character, Austin, who is having sexual thoughts and feelings about his best friend Robby, as well as his girlfriend Shannon. After Austin and Robby are attacked while skateboarding, they discover a vile of poisonous liquid that is shattered and mixes with some of Robby's blood on the concrete. Not thinking anything of it, the boys drive off, not realizing the scary changes this accident is going to have on everyone in their neighborhood. The boys and Shannon discover that the liquid is changing everyone into praying mantises, and the only way to stop them using Robby
's blood. Although the trio are very courageous in trying to battle these creatures, their efforts are not successful.

Carrie

King, A.S. (1974). Carrie. NY: Random House


Carrie White is a social outcast at her high school in Maine. Her mother is a devout Christian who believes sin is all around, and does not educate Carrie on the changes she will experience as a teenage girl. After being bullied by girls in her gym class, Carrie starts to realize that she has telepathic powers. At first she can not control the powers, but with more time and practice Carrie gets a good handle on her powers. Tired of hearing her mother constantly preach to her about sin, she decides to accept a popular boy's offer to take her to the prom, believing that this will be a new beginning for her. Carrie is having a good time at the prom, until one of her former bullies humiliates her in a horrible way. This sets off her telepathic powers, resulting in her killing most of the people at the dance, as well as destroy most of her town while on her way home. This young adult novel will definitely keep its audience's attention from beginning to end, as they are drawn in to the powerful and dramatic scenes that are throughout the book. This is a classic novel that will continue to be around for years to come.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. NY: Greenwillow Books

Eric and Sarah Byrnes have been friends for years, as both are seen as outcasts by their peers due to their outward appearances. Eric is overweight and Sarah has scars on her face and hands from an accident in which she was badly burned. Eric eventually starts to lose weight after joining the swim team at their high school. Afraid of losing his friendship, he continues to overeat in hopes of staying fat so that he stays an outcast with Sarah. Eric feels there is more to Sarah's past than he knows, and after learning the horrible truth of how she got burned, and the pain she is still enduring, he sets out on a plan to save his best friend. This novel is filled with many emotions: rejection, fear, love, and acceptance to name a few. Crutcher does an amazing job of telling the story of how two outcasts can come together to find their voices and have the courage to stand up for what is right. A great read for adolescents and adults.