Need a last-minute gift for a teenager on your holiday shopping list? Try one of the books recommended by Abby, Hayden and Jennifer, three Teen and Children’s Librarians at The Seattle Public Library, who have selected 10 of their favorite books of 2010 for teen readers of all ages and tastes. This post is the first in a two-part series, so be sure to check back for some more great gift ideas tomorrow!
Abby’s picks:
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
On a cold Chicago night, two teenage boys, both named Will Grayson, meet accidentally in an unlikely place, and their lives are forever altered. Green and Levithan narrate the story in alternating chapters, each from the perspective of one of the Wills. Smart, touching and hilarious, this book is perfect for everyone who loves whip-smart dialogue and quirky, fully realized characters (the show is stolen by Tiny Cooper, friend of one Will Grayson and boyfriend of the other).
Mercury by Hope Larson
A beautifully drawn graphic novel about two teenage girls living in French Hill, Nova Scotia: Tara, whose life has changed dramatically after her family home burned down two months ago; and Josey, Tara’s ancestor, who has just met a mysterious man who will change her family’s — and Tara’s — fortunes forever. Switching back and forth between the past and present, Larson deftly weaves together romance, history and magic in a story that will delight comics and historical fiction fans alike.
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Set in a post-apocalyptic Gulf Coast, this fast-paced science fiction adventure stars Nailer, a scrappy teenager who salvages rusted oil tankers in order to provide for himself and his abusive, drug-addicted father. Nailer dreams of escaping his miserable existence on one of the fancy hydrofoil clipper ships he reads about in magazines. When a clipper containing a swank girl washes up on his beach after a huge storm, he might just get his chance. A great choice for Hunger Games fans!
Hayden’s picks:
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Each of the three Sullivan sisters has offended Almighty, their rich and powerful grandmother. She plans to cut their family out of her will unless the guiltiest culprit makes a full confession, so each of the sisters spills the dirt on her secret crime. Funny,
smart and juicy, this book will please older teen readers looking for great characters and lots of surprises.
Plain Kate by Erin Bow
This fantasy novel reads like a fairy tale, but it’s definitely of the Brothers Grimm variety—no Disney Princesses here. When Kate’s father dies, she is left with only a pet cat and her abilities as a carver. But when other villagers begin to suspect that Kate is a witch, she must try to find a place for herself elsewhere.
Tune in tomorrow for more suggestions from Hayden & Jennifer . . . .
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