Rowell, R. (2013). Fangirl. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Cath Avery is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cath loves to write but hates interacting with people. She ends up with a roommate Reagan, whom has an ex-boyfriend that Cath actually falls for. Cath is excited to be writing, while falling for Levi at the same time.
The intended audience for this book is readers ages 14 and up. Rowell presents a classic realistic fiction story in which a girl meets a boy and falls in love with him.
Stiefvater, M. (2009). Shiver. New York: Scholastic Press.
Grace is in love with a wolf named Sam who has the ability to transform into a human. After killing a boy named Jack, Sam was shot and needed a place to recover and heal his wounds. While searching for a cure to prevent becoming a wolf forever, Jack is killed by a virus he believed was the cure to keep him from becoming a wolf. Grace believes Sam has died but he eventually emerges from the woods.
The intended audience for this book is readers ages 14 and up. Stiefvater's connection to the supernatural world is evident in characters Jack and Sam as they transform from human beings into wolves.
Shusterman, N. (2007). Unwind. New York: Simon& Schuster.
After the second Civil War, Connor and Risa are threatened by a new bill of Life that makes retroactive abortion of children ages 13-18 legal. A process allowing children to be chopped into pieces. Both Connor and Risa escape being unwound because Lev blows up the facility. Connor eventually returns to the graveyard to begin a revolution.
A good recommendation for a follow up reading would be the second book of the Unwind trilogy "UnWholly". Shusterman's use of dystopia allows the reader to experience the fear each of the character's experience before being unwound.
Pena, de la M. (2015). The hunted. New York: Delacorte.
Shy was working on The Paradise Cruise luxury liner when a big storm hit causing the ship to sink. Shy was able to make it to a dinghy where he meets Addie a girl who is a survivor from the sinking ship. Addie shares a secret with Shy, but suddenly disappears when they find the other survivors. Shy is unaware that the information Addie shared with him has now put his life in danger.
This book could be followed up by a discussion on what to do in a disaster situation and ways to get help in order to survive. The author takes readers on a survival adventure as Shy tries to overcome the negative effects of the storm. De la Pena's character allows readers to feel the fear Shy experiences when he is unable to locate Addie.
Crutcher, C. (1983). Running loose. New York: Greenwillow Books.
Louie is an excellent football player who has been practicing intensely with hopes of making it to 1st string. Louie doesn't make quarterback but makes running back instead. Washington a new student on the team promotes racism amongst the team causing Louie to quit and loose focus of a lot. Coach Madison helps Louie get back on track by encouraging him to try out for the track team, which he successfully makes the team.
This books audience should be readers ages 15 and up. Crutcher makes a connection to sports throughout this story. Through sports the characters are able to overcome racism.
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Penguin Group.
Hazel Grace meets Augustus at a support group because Hazel suffers from cancer. Augustus manages to get Hazel to meet he favorite author in Amsterdam because he has a wish left from when he had cancer. Unfortunately, the meeting didn't turn out as planned. Augustus reveals that his cancer had returned and he eventually passes away with Hazel Grace at his side.
A lesson that could come from reading this book is one on dealing with the effects of cancer. Green does an excellent job demonstrating how quickly cancer can change people's lives.
NYT Bestseller
Whaley, J. (2011). Where things come back. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Cullen Witter is greeted by the sudden death of his cousin due to an overdose. Cullen tries dating but is distraught by the sudden disappearance of his younger brother Gabriel. Cullen eventually marries Ada however this marriage ends in divorce because of the lack of love. The return of his little brother Gabriel allows the family to be complete again.
The intended audience of the book is readers ages 14 and up. Whaley's use of the cousin's death in the beginning of the story allows the reader to feel the extreme sense of loss experienced by the characters in the story.
Printz list
Rowell, R. (2013). Fangirl. New York: St. Martin's Press.
