So I think I'm going to have a little time this summer (this remains to be seen) and thought I would beef up on my YA lit.
My list so far:
Percy Jackson
Eragon
The Hunger Games
Other suggestions?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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12 comments:
I wouldn't suggest Eragon, by the way. It's hideous. I recently discovered a new author that I like quite a bit. His name is Scott Westerfield. The Uglies series is great! It's utopian and it has cool lingo. If you haven't read all of Shannon Hale's stuff, it's a pretty good read too. I especially liked the Princess Academy. I am currently reading Inkheart too and I like it so far.
I LOVED all of those books.
If you haven't read them yet, you should read the Fablehaven series (it has a cult following in 7th grade) as well as a series I haven't read, but one of the books is called Diamondback Cave, by someone whose last name is Fogg. Rangers Apprentice is also very exciting The Book thief is exceptional, although probably more A than YA, and just to through it in, The Mysterious Benedict Society is worth a try. Enjoy!
Check out this blog. You might know her actually. She is reading YA in bulk as part of a project for her MA (I think). www.windmillwatching.blogspot.com
Ditto on the Eragon being horrible. Star Wars + LotR in a very bad bad rip-off. I think the 15-y-o kid writing is the only thing that sold it.
Anything by Shannon Hale you haven't read is good. I have also heard the Uglies series is good distopian fiction. I've liked a lot of stuff by Nancy Farmer, and my brother is a big fan of a series called Among the Hidden (another distopian novel).
The Enchanted Forest series is pretty amusing (complete with sassy princess protagonist). The Only Alien on the Planet is cheesy and great and sad and lovely. It's one I read regularly.
You've read Gail Carson Levine, right? She's one of my favorites. (Not that I read that much YA stuff, but still.)
Oh, and seconded/thirded on Eragon being intolerable.
I want to ditto the Enchanted Forest series. It is one of the best YA fantasy stories ever. Very funny. I met the author once, and she is a sassy old woman who was quite charming.
Also: Fablehaven is big right now, and I hear quite good (although I think that might be children, not YA)
Also: the "Dark is Rising Sequence" this is an old series, but I loved it. The movie was aweful, but the books are amazing.
Read Lloyd Alexander's Prydain series (starting with The Book of Three). I re-read them every year or two and they never get old to me.
I double the recommendations for The Mysterious Benedict Society and Gail Carson Levine, and triple the one for The Enchanted Forest.
I've been reading a lot of Terry Pratchett lately; the Tiffany Aching series (Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith) is both excellent and YA, and even though Reaper Man is in the adult section, it is probably also his best, and could SOO slide in to YA. Just be careful of repeating British swear words that you aren't completely sure of the significance of (not that you would, but I have in-laws from NZ who warned me of stuff I would have had no idea about...)
this is embarrassing, but i have to suggest 'twilight' despite its lameness. it's a fascinating glimpse into pop culture.
Annie- Check on Twilight. I read it before this school year even started (felt it my teacherly obligation).
Old school suggestions...
The 21 Balloons by William Pene Du Bois
The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien
These are both older than the hills but they both rock.
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