Seriously, now...

kiya@evpl — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:11:00 GMT

Some teen books are of a more serious nature: more emotionally charged, and sometimes gut-wrenching in subject.

A few titles I've recently read, good for older teens:

Johanna wants nothing more than to be Paul's girlfriend, even defying her overly controlling parents to spend time with him. Now if only he'd stop hurting her...

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

I picked this book up because the author's name is very similar to my niece's name. Once I started reading, I couldn't put down this story of Deanna, who made a bad choice as an eighth grader, and 3 years later is still trying to cope with everyone knowing what happened, and having their own idea of who Deanna is.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jenson receives a package in the mail, and is distressed to discover it is 13 cassette tapes from former classmate Hannah Baker, explaining why she killed herself, and how the twelve folks she has sent the tapes to have factored in her decision to end her life.

Just Like That by Marsha Qualey

Hannah is 18, and one winter night has a brief encounter with 2 teens who die in an accident soon after. Struggling to deal with her sense of guilt and responsibility, Hannah tries to lose herself in her art.

Cathy's Book: if found call... by Sean Stewart

Cathy has stumbled into a mess she doesn't understand, and the only thing she can think to do is disappear. She leaves her sketchpad and notes for a friend, so that someone will know what's going on. That sketchpad IS this book, so the reader puts the puzzle together from Cathy's journal and drawings.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Naomi, a high school junior, suffers a head injury that wipes out her memory of the last five years. She has lots of clues to the woman she is becoming, but is somewhat bewildered by her life. Zevin, who wrote Elsewhere, again gives readers a beautifully written, engaging story.

Teens Blog : teens, Gabrielle Zevin

Seriously, now...