Great Books for Teenagers

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

28 Jun 2006 03:51 PM

Getting your teenager to read outside of a school assignment can be difficult. The key is to find the right book. Here is a list of twenty books some classics and others more contemporary. At least one of them should appeal to your teenager.

Brian's Hunt by Gary Paulsen

This continues the story of Brian from Paulsen's earlier book "Hatchet". Brian returns to the wilderness where he finds a wounded dog and learns that his Cree Indian friends have been attacked by a savage bear.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

For Edmond Dantes life is great until he is framed by three enemies and sent to prison. While in prison he is educated by Abbe Faria and after fourteen escapes. After prison he finds a fabulous treasure and becomes The Count of Monte Cristo. He then plots the destruction of his enemies.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a world where books are banned and burned firefighter and book burner Guy Montag must make a choice does he continue to burn books or save them.

The Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund

In this book Bryce Sherwood is trying to help pass an amendment to the constitution when he is transported to an alternate world in which the constitution of the United States had never been ratified. In that world he learns the true value of the Constitution and the price of freedom, but will he have the courage to make the right choice?

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Go with 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua on a life-and-death struggle against dark forces as she journeys to a horrid place called Bolvanger in an attempt to save her best friend and other children who have been kidnapped by the Gobblers.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is a hilarious story, reminiscent of Monty Python. In the book Arthur Dent and his friend Ford, actually an alien, are picked up by a spaceship just as earth is destroyed. They then travel the universe.

The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins starts out on adventure with Gandalf the Wizard and a company of dwarves. Along the way he helps raid the treasure hoard of a dragon and learns that even a small hobbit can be brave.

Holes by Louis Sachar

"Wrongly accused, the ever-unlucky Stanley Yelnats is sentenced to imprisonment at a boys' juvenile detention center known as Camp Green Lake where he must dig holes everyday starting at dawn. Find out what he digs up."

King Solomon's Mines by Alexandra Fuller

Elephant hunter Allan Quatermain searches through Africa for hidden treasure.

Last of the Breed by Louis La'mour

This is a story about a Native American air force pilot who is shot down over the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He knows that his survival is dependant upon himself. Instead of heading toward Moscow as expected he starts west. During his journey he makes friends and survives a Siberian winter all while eluding a renowned government tracker.

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

When sixteen-year-old Megan's parents have to move to Korea with the military she decides to stay behind move in with the McGowans. What she forgot was that she would be the only girl among seven boys. So the adventures begin.

Night by Elie Weisel

The experiences of author Elie Wiesel as a teenager who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and the guilt he faced as his family was consumed without him.

Powder Monkey: Adventure of a Young Sailor by Paul Dowswell

This historic novel follows Sam, a young sailor, through different dangers and ships. As he ponders if the life of the sea, fraught as it is with perils, is the life for him.

Return to Red Castle by Dorothy Keddington

Melissa visits the cabin of some family friends to find that her childhood love Jesse is not married. They go on a backpacking trip to Red Castle in which Melissa and Jesse rediscover each other while outrunning drug runners. A clean romance.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Four friends buy a magical pair of pants that fits each of them perfectly. During the summer when they are separated they mail the pants from person to person strengthening their bonds of friendship.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Why did Melinda call the cops, getting everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Now this high-school freshman is a social outcast surrounded by silence.

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Macy, who witnessed her father's death, has never mourned him. Instead she fights to stay in control and pretends all is fine. Then she gets a summer job at Wish Catering and learns what it's like to let go.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom reunites with a former professor and mentor Morrie Schwartz, who is dying. During their Tuesday visits Mitch is reminded of what really matters in life: human relationships and health.

Wolf: the Journey Home by Asta Bowen

"Marta, the mother of a group of wolf pups, takes them on a perilous journey to return them to their home grounds after a group of naturalists mistakenly relocates them."

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Jody Baxter lives in the Florida backwoods and longs to have something he can call his own. When he discovers an orphaned fawn they become best friends. During the course of the novel Jody witnesses human tragedy and the violence of nature.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 28 Jun 2006 04:09 PM

I LOVE Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and also The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Great books!

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 28 Jun 2006 08:46 PM

I love a lot of the books that you have recommended, and I guess there are a few more for me to go out and read. You did an excellent job recommending a wide variety of books. Another great author for nonreaders or reluctant readers is Avi.

Teresa McEntire (2984) 29 Jun 2006 10:57 AM

I have a book by Avi listed in my book list for 7th-8th graders.