After some spirited discussion, our Teen Services Librarians whittled down an admirable list of contenders to get to the Top 20 Teen Novels of the 21st Century. Then they decided to take it one step farther: Each Monday they feature one of the titles over on our Push to Talk blog, where there’s a bit more room than in a booklist to talk about what makes the book such an enjoyable read , with suggestions for similar books. (See why they love The Hunger Games and what books they have in mind for fans.) Here’s a toast to our Teen Services Librarians, to Wally at the West Seattle Branch and to teen readers in Seattle for this wonderful series! (And here are some titles from the list.)
- Uglies by Scott Westerfield
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In a future where everyone gets plastic surgery at age 16, Tally is disturbed by her new friend’s belief that there is a better society where no one gets the surgery that turns everyone pretty. - Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Which will win out: Leo’s love for nonconformist Stargirl, or the forces of conformity at their high school? - Monster by Walter Dean Myers
While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script and a series of journal entries. - The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
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Frankie is thrilled to be dating Matthew, a member of a secret society at her boarding school. But when she realizes that he and his friends don’t take her seriously, she turns into a criminal mastermind. - Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
Love is not easy for Paul, even after he meets Noah, the boy who changes everything. - Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Kristina is the perfect daughter, but on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina. Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul — her life. - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Junior jumps at an opportunity to leave the Rez for an all-white school where the only other Indian is the mascot.
You’ll find the full list, Seattle Picks: Top 20 Teen Novels of the 21st Century in our catalog, making it easy to add to your holds or to post your own ideas about each book. And keep an eye on the Monday Push to Talk series and other booklists with great suggestions for teen readers.
