Suggested Reading for Kids and Teens (and Adults, Too!)

This week's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is a back-to-school freebie and after much deliberation (freebies are the bane of an indecisive bookworm's existence!) I decided to compile a list of books I think would make good school reading (or, alternatively, recommended reading for school-age kids).

If you're interested, here's a list of past school-related TTT topics I've done:

2013: Top Ten Books I Was Forced To Read (high school and college required reading)
2014: Top Ten Book Characters Who'd Sit At My High School Lunch Table
2016: Required Reading Done Right: 11 Books I Read For School And Actually Enjoyed

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

I work at a library, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that these are kids' favorite books right now. They are never on the shelf. Kids want to read them over and over again. They're perfect for engaging reluctant middle-grade readers -- and they even come in graphic novel versions! (They also teach kids about Greek mythology, of course, and there are plenty of themes like friendship, single-parent families, good vs. evil and all that good stuff to talk about as well.)

(my review)

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

"The Book Thief" is a hard-hitting WWII novel that should keep kids' interest. The characters -- young Liesel and Rudy -- are teens who are easy to relate to and the story certainly kept me turning pages. From a teaching standpoint, the novel is unique in that it's narrated by Death. Plus there's a decent movie to watch afterwards.

(my review)

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Everyone, kid and adult alike, should read "Wonder," which teaches us lessons on compassion, acceptance, and being a good human being.

(my review)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

"Cinder" would be a fun read for late middle schoolers or high schoolers. It's a futuristic dystopian fairytale retelling that features cyborgs and robots! It's a little bit more girl-oriented, but I think boys would still enjoy it.

(my review)

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

This is a good entree into the world of science fiction, and it's appropriate for teens because it features one. There a gasp-inducing twist at the end that provides plenty of talking points about morality and such, and there's a pretty good movie as well.

(my review)

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

"I'll Give You the Sun" was an absolutely fabulous book that has tons of weighty and complex issues to talk about (things that are relevant and important to teens) -- but unfortunately that means it's also one of those books that certain parents might object to their kids reading (it involves LGBT issues and depression among other things). To me, though, all that makes it impactful and interesting and something kids can actually relate to. The writing is also stellar -- especially for a YA novel.

(my review)

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

YA is not typically my thing and I wasn't looking forward to reading "A Monster Calls" for the book club at work, but I ended up really enjoying it. It's a great book to bring up the topics of grief and guilt, it's got absolutely gorgeous illustrations, and it also has a wonderful fable-like quality.

(my review)

Boo by Neil Smith

This hidden gem is a good companion to "Wonder," though geared at an older age group; it was shelved in the adult section at my library but I think it's appropriate for teens. It features a 13-year-old boy who's found himself dead and in a sort of in-between for 13-year-old Americans. He sets out to solve his murder; the last thing he remembers is standing by his locker before being shot. This book is short, highly readable, and full of discussion topics.

(my review)

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

"Homegoing" was my favorite book last year and it's the book I recommend most at work. It's a great choice for older high schoolers for several reasons: it features an unconventional format and an absolutely fabulous story, and it's also a history lesson and an important contribution to the discussion on race in our country -- not to mention impossible to put down!

(my review)

March graphic novel series by John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis' graphic novel trilogy is about the American Civil Rights Movement and his role in it. I've read the first two books and they were eye-opening and difficult (sad, frustrating, disturbing) to read at times, but they were fantastic and educational. Teens should appreciate this history lesson + autobiography in graphic novel format.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Older high schoolers can get another interesting (and disturbing) history lesson in "Orphan Train," which is a fictionalized account of a forgotten piece of history -- piling East Coast orphans (often Irish) on trains and shipping them off to the Midwest where many of them were "adopted" and forced into what was basically indentured servitude. It's a dual narrative that connects a present-day foster child and an orphan train rider of the 1930s.

(my review)