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Are we missing a book?  Make your BOOK PURCHASE REQUESTS HERE

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Are we missing a book?  Make your BOOK PURCHASE REQUESTS HERE

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Make sure you are logged into your Google account.

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YMS AWESOME BOX (books YMS students say are awesome)

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  yms awesome box  showing 1 30 of 75   sorted by  position   cover view    Goodreads

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Hobler's All-Stars

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Tearjerkers (books to make you cry)

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BOOKS LIKE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID * only 1st in series shown

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  if you like diary of a wimpy kid  showing 1 37 of 37   sorted by  position   cover view    Goodreads

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Hobler's Hot List

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GAMERS & GAMING

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  if you like games gaming  showing 1 30 of 56   sorted by  position   cover view    Goodreads

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TWEEN ROMANCE

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BOOKS LIKE WONDER

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BOOKS LIKE SISTERS

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MYTHOLOGY BASED SERIES * only 1st in series shown

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Mysteries!

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TeachingBooks.net | It's a Mystery! Books for Curious Kids and Teens

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Hover over or click on any book image below to get resources for that specific title.

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BOOKS LIKE HARRY POTTER * only 1st in series shown

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FANTASTIC FANTASY

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TeachingBooks.net | Great Fantasy Books for Ages 11 to 17

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Hover over or click on any book image below to get resources for that specific title.

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FAST, FUN READS

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Multcolib Kids Picks: Fast Fun Reads for Grades 6th-8th - Multnomah County Library

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Multcolib Kids Picks: Fast Fun Reads for Grades 6th-8th by multcolib_kids : Use this booklist to find quick reads. Each book's reading level is included in the description. The reading level is not the same as the maturity level; check to make sure the book is right for you.

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YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

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HIGH FANTASY (complete world building)

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See the infographic, originally created and posted on EpicReads.com!

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EXCITING FANTASY SERIES * only 1st in series shown

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  if you like riordan ish books  showing 1 11 of 11   sorted by  position   cover view    Goodreads

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BOOKS ABOUT ANIMALS

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  books about animals  showing 1 29 of 29   sorted by  position   cover view    Goodreads

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BOOKS LIKE THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (YA)

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  if you like the fault in our stars  showing 1 30 of 32   sorted by  date pub   cover view    Goodreads

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DORK DIARIES

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THE I SURVIVED SERIES

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  if you like i survived series  showing 1 30 of 32   sorted by  avg rating   cover view    Goodreads

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BOOKS ABOUT WWII / HOLOCAUST

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YOUNG ADULT HORROR

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1000+ Lexile Leveled Books

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MORE YA HORROR

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CRRL My Librarian: Teen Horror by Women - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Teen Horror by Women by CRRL_ScottPhillips : It's the time of year when skies turn gray, dead leaves are underfoot, and horror stories feel just right. I've found some corkers for you: things with teeth or bad intentions. There are novels; for those who prefer their horror in small, uh, bites, there are short stories, too.

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CLASSIC HORROR

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CRRL Teens: Classic Tales of Horror - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Classic Tales of Horror by CRRLTeens

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YOUNG ADULT NOVELS THAT MIGHT CHANGE YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD

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YA Books That Will Change Your World View

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BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO DON'T LIKE BOOKS

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Here in New York City, I've observed a distinct mood change around the schoolyards. Decibel levels have crept into the danger zone, kids are literally bouncing off the walls (scuffed sneaker prints on the walls to prove it), and teachers are gulping down Advil. Something is coming.
S U M M E R
While some of us welcome summer (more relaxed schedules, wearing tank tops, going to the beach), others dread it (kids are not in school, family reunions, it's hot!). And for many kids, reading takes a huge backslide during the summer. Those nightly reading assignments and endless five-hundred word essays for school may have made reading a chore rather than a joy.

Here at Book Riot we've had a lot of questions come in about this very topic, especially among kids ages twelve to thirteen. Here is a list of recommended books with high interest plots (special thanks to Ms. Pryor and Ms. Millman, librarians extraordinaire, for their help in compiling this list!), plus some more tips for keeping your reluctant readers turning those pages throughout the summer. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section below!
Book Suggestions
After a school year full of analyzing texts, drawing sentence diagrams, and writing persuasive first paragraphs, kids need books that will draw them in and keep them interested. (And kids don't need to be afraid someone is going to ask them to write a character sketch afterwards.) Give these a try!

*Note: For books in a series, the series name links to the book series set (if available), and the photo and blurb refer to the first book in the series.
Fiction:
Swindle series by Gordon Korman (first book in series: Swindle): Ocean's 11 for 11-year-olds! After a mean collector named Swindle cons him out of his most valuable baseball card, Griffin Bing must put together a band of misfits to break into Swindle's compound and recapture the card. There are many things standing in their way - a menacing guard dog, a high-tech security system, a very secret hiding place, and their inability to drive - but Griffin and his team are going to get back what's rightfully his . . . even if hijinks ensue.

But he's going to tell you-unless he gets caught first. . . .

Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter (first book in series: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You ): Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies.

Lucy's vision of a perfect year begins to crumble, and in its place come an unwelcome roommate, foiled birthday plans, a bully who tries to scare Lucy off the basketball team, and Chinese school with the annoying know-it-all Talent Chang. Lucy's year is ruined - or is it?

Ben: who began it all by sneaking in one night and filling homeroom with ball-pit balls.
Frank: who figured out that an official club, say a pickle-making club, could receive funding from the PTA.
Oliver: who once convinced half of the class that his real parents had found him and he was going to live in a submarine.
Bean: who wasn't exactly invited, but her parents own a costume shop, which comes in handy if you want to dress up like a giant squirrel and try to scare people at the zoo.

TOGETHER, they are an unstoppable prank-pulling force, and Fountain Point Middle School will never be the same.

Oh. My. Gods. series by Tera Lynn Childs: When Phoebe's mom returns from Greece with a new husband and plans to move to an island in the Aegean Sea, Phoebe's well-plotted senior year becomes ancient history. Now, instead of enjoying a triumphant track season and planning for college with her best friends, Phoebe is trying to keep her head above water at the super-exclusive Academy. If it isn't hard enough being the new kid in school, Phoebe's classmates are all descendents of the Greek gods! When you're running against teammates with superpowers, dealing with a stepsister from Hades, and nursing a crush on a boy who is quite literally a god, the drama takes on mythic proportions!

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

When her family visits a cuarto de milagros, a miracle room in a famous church, Erica decides to make a promesa to God in exchange for her mom's health. As her mom gets sicker, Erica quickly learns that juggling family, friends, school, and fulfilling a promesa is stressful, but with a little bit of hope and a lot of love, she just might be able to figure it out.

The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld (first book in series: Leviathan): It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet. In this striking futuristic rendition of an alternate past where machines are pitted against genetically modified beasts, Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides in the First World War. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, and together they embark on an around-the-world adventure....One that will change both their lives forever.

Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle: When Tony's mother is sent to jail, he is sent to stay with a great uncle he has never met in Sierra Nevada. It is a daunting move-Tony's new world bears no semblance to his previous one. But slowly, against a remote and remarkable backdrop, the scars from Tony's troubled past begin to heal.
With his Tió and a search-and-rescue dog named Gabe by his side, he learns how to track wild animals, is welcomed to the Cowboy Church, and makes new friends at the Mountain School. Most importantly though, it is through Gabe that Tony discovers unconditional love for the first time, in Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle.

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus: In 1841 a Japanese fishing vessel sinks. Its crew is forced to swim to a small, unknown island, where they are rescued by a passing American ship. Japan's borders remain closed to all Western nations, so the crew sets off to America, learning English on the way.
Manjiro, a 14-year-old boy, is curious and eager to learn everything he can about this new culture. Eventually the captain adopts Manjiro and takes him to his home in New England. The boy lives there for some time and then heads to San Francisco to pan for gold. After many years, he makes it back to Japan, only to be imprisoned as an outsider. With his hard-won knowledge of the West, Manjiro is in a unique position to persuade the emperor to ease open the boundaries around Japan; he may even achieve his unlikely dream of becoming a samurai.

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen: Wahoo Cray lives in a zoo. His father is an animal wrangler, so he's grown up with all manner of gators, snakes, parrots, rats, monkeys, and snappers in his backyard. The critters, he can handle. His father is the unpredictable one. When his dad takes a job with a reality TV show called Expedition Survival!, Wahoo figures he'll have to do a bit of wrangling himself-to keep his dad from killing Derek Badger, the show's inept and egotistical star, before the shoot is over. But the job keeps getting more complicated. Derek Badger foolishly believes his own PR and insists on using wild animals for his stunts. And Wahoo's acquired a shadow named Tuna-a girl who's sporting a shiner courtesy of her father and needs a place to hide out. (See also Hoot, Flush, and Scat by the same author.)

The Time Quintet by Madeleine L'Engle (first book in series: A Wrinkle in Time): It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. "Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract." A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. A Wrinkle in Time is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.

The Underland Chronicles series by Suzanne Collins (first book in series: Gregor the Overlander): In the first novel of the New York Times bestselling series by Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games, young Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building and hurtles into the dark Underland. This strange world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it - until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick (first book in series: The Mother-Daughter Book Club): Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma's already read every book in existence, and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month.

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can't help but wonder: What would Jo March do?

First Team by Tim Green: With his strong left arm, Brock knows he can be a great quarterback, and with the help of his new friend, Mak, he has a plan to make the first team. But the coaches have plans of their own, especially for the kids from the wrong side of the tracks, which is exactly where Brock now lives. As Brock is trying to fit in, his father's past is catching up to him-and one chance meeting causes everything to come crashing down. Will Brock finally be able to navigate his new life, or will his past force him back on the run? (Try also Perfect Season, Unstoppable, and Force Out by the same author.)

Joey Pigza series by Jack Gantos (first book in series: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key): Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got "dud meds," which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn't stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot - and eventually he bounces himself all the way downtown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen.

Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo (first book in series: Midnight for Charlie Bone): A mysterious case, the search for a missing girl, and a legacy of magic . . . When Charlie Bone discovers that he can hear the conversations of people in photographs, he is shipped off to Bloor's Academy, an elite school for the rich, gifted, and magically endowed. Once there, he realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and Charlie becomes absorbed in uncovering their dangerous secrets.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler (first book in series: The Tail of Emily Windsnap): For as long as she can remember, twelve-year-old Emily Windsnap has lived on a boat. And, oddly enough, for just as long, her mother has seemed anxious to keep Emily away from the water. But when Mom finally agrees to let her take swimming lessons, Emily makes a startling discovery - about her own identity, the mysterious father she's never met, and the thrilling possibilities and perils shimmering deep below the water's surface. With a sure sense of suspense and richly imaginative details, first-time author Liz Kessler lures us into a glorious undersea world where mermaids study shipwrecks at school and Neptune rules with an iron trident - an enchanting fantasy about family secrets, loyal friendship, and the convention-defying power of love.

The 39 Clues series by Rick Riordan (first book in series: The Maze of Bones): Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue."

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

by Andrew Clements: Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school - and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it.

Liberty Porter, First Daughter series by Julia Devillers (first book in series: Liberty Porter, First Daughter): In Liberty Porter First Daughter, eight-year-old Liberty Porter's father has just been elected President of the United States-and she's the new First Daughter! As Liberty moves into the White House, she vows to make herself indispensable to her country-but can she get past her run-ins with the Chief of Staff?

The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch (first book in series: The Name of this Book is Secret): Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.
Non-Fiction:
There are great biographies that make famous people really come alive to kids. Go to the biography section at the local library and grab whatever might look interesting, or try these two series and see what you think.
Childhood of Young Americans Series Who Was? book series Graphic Novels:
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang: Jin Wang starts at a new school where he's the only Chinese-American student. When a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn't want to be associated with an FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he's in love with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball, popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee's annual visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny's reputation at school, leaving him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again. The Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu and the heavenly disciplines. He's ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods in heaven. But there's no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each other? They're going to have to find a way-if they want fix the disasters their lives have become.

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier: Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years, but when a baby brother enters the picture and later, something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all. (Try also Smile and Drama by the same author.)
Audiobooks
You can check out audiobooks at your local library or get a subscription service through Audible or audiobooks.com. Load up the iPod and bring these books along during your summer travel!
More Suggestions! Read Out Loud (Yes, read aloud to 12 and 13 year olds!)
Kids twelve and thirteen still want to be read to, even if they've been reading independently for many years (and even though they may ask you to read to them only when no one else can see them). Read classics that you might have loved out loud with your kid. Ann M. Martin's The Baby-Sitters Club, Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three, Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High, Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew, C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

BONUS: Look for the original books covers you remember from used bookstores, on Ebay, or at your local Goodwill.
Research Favorite Authors and Check Out Book Websites
Look up your favorite author to see if s/he has a website (they usually do!). Websites have FAQs, extra resources, and announcements for book readings or when their next book is coming out.

NPR has an excellent podcast series called Backseat Book Club where they interview authors and review books. There are great recommendations on there, and hearing the authors talk about their inspiration and why they wrote their stories might inspire kids to pick up the books.

Rita Meade spoke about middle grade books with author Heidi Schulz and had some excellent suggestions here on Book Riot's Dear Book Nerd Episode #35.

Read Books that Inspired Movies and Television Shows: Watch the movie then read the book or vice versa, then talk about what you might have liked from each. There might be productions and local theater companies performing shows based on books as well, so keep an eye out for those! Some reviews and more book/movie pairings can be found on FromtheMixed-UpFiles.com.

by Roald Dahl ( movie and Broadway musical)

How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell ( movie)
Join Summer Reading Programs
Public Library Summer Reading Programs usually have great programs with prizes and events.
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program
Pizza Hut Book It Program (details will be announced on June 22)

I hope this list is helpful and keeps your reluctant readers busy throughout the summer!

____________________

Book Riot Live is coming! Join us for a two-day event full of books, authors, and an all around good time. It's the convention for book lovers that we've always wanted to attend. So we are doing it ourselves.

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The Ultimate Guide to Books for Reluctant Readers Ages 12 to 13

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Here in New York City, I've observed a distinct mood change around the schoolyards. Decibel levels have crept into the danger zone, kids are literally bouncing off the walls (scuffed sneaker prints on the walls to prove it), and teachers are gulping down Advil. Something is coming.

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YOUNG ADULT FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS

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YA books based on fairytales from EpicReads' An Epic Chart of 162 Young Adult Retellings

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POPULAR BOOKS WITH 8TH GRADE GUYS (YA)

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YMS IC Awesome Box s bookshelf  books 8th grade boys love  showing 1 30 of 111   sorted by  avg rating   cover view    Goodreads

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TOP 5 BOOKS 201 6

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CRRL Teens: 2016 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: 2016 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks by CRRLTeens

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TOP 5 BOOKS 2015

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CRRL Teens: 2015 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: 2015 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks by CRRLTeens : These books were voted by area teens participating in our Cafe Book program as their favorite picks of the year!

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TOP 5 BOOKS 2014

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CRRL Teens: 2017 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: 2017 Cafe Book Top Teen Picks by CRRLTeens : These books were voted by area teens participating in our Cafe Book program as their favorite picks of the year!

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YA DYSTOPIAN FICTION (worlds gone wrong - like Divergent)

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CRRL Teens: Dystopian Fiction -- Worlds Gone Wrong - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Dystopian Fiction -- Worlds Gone Wrong by CRRLTeens

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TO OBSESS OVER YA FANTASY & SCIFI

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CRRL My Librarian: Fantasy and Science Fiction Series to Obsess Over - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Fantasy and Science Fiction Series to Obsess Over by CRRL_RachelPlacchetti : Loved The Mortal Instruments? Can't get enough of Divergent, or Across the Universe? Find your next favorite series here!

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STEAMPUNK

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CRRL Teens: Steampunk Style - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Steampunk Style by CRRLTeens

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SCIFI / FANTASY GRAPHIC NOVELS

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CRRL My Librarian: SF, Fantasy, and Heroic Graphic Novels - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: SF, Fantasy, and Heroic Graphic Novels by CRRL_CraigGraziano : A mix of teen and adult graphic novels for fans of the fantastic!

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YOUNG ADULT HUMOR

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CRRL Teens: Something Funny - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Something Funny by CRRLTeens

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MUST READ CLASSICS

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CRRL Teens: Must-Read Classics - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Must-Read Classics by CRRLTeens

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YA SCI FI

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CRRL My Librarian: Terrific Teen Science Fiction - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Terrific Teen Science Fiction by CRRL_CraigGraziano : Science fiction novels that either focus on teenagers or are accessible for teen readers.

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FRIGHTENINGLY FUNNY YA

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CRRL My Librarian: Screaming with Laughter: Frighteningly Funny Teen Books - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Screaming with Laughter: Frighteningly Funny Teen Books by CRRL_CraigGraziano : These darkly humorous teen reads trade off on screams and smiles.

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INTENSE YA FICTION

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CRRL Teens: Virginia Reader's Choice : Grades 9 - 12 - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Virginia Reader's Choice : Grades 9 - 12 by CRRLTeens

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AWESOME GRAPHIC NOVELS

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CRRL My Librarian: While You're Waiting For "Smile" - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: While You're Waiting For "Smile" by CRRL_JessieFarrow : Love Raina Telgemeier's books and looking for something else to read? Check out these graphic novels about friendship, love, and all the challenges life throws at you.

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WAR-TIME FICTION

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CRRL My Librarian: Stories Set in Wartime - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Stories Set in Wartime by CRRL_JoyOToole : Young adult and adult novels and narrative nonfiction set during the major conflicts of the 20th century.

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YOU DON'T LIKE HISTORICAL FICTION

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CRRL My Librarian: YA Historical Fiction for People Who (Think They) Hate Historical Fiction - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: YA Historical Fiction for People Who (Think They) Hate Historical Fiction by CRRL_Christine : Every time I hear, "historical fiction," I yawn. Then I pick up books like these and am sucked into worlds of scandals, jealous lovers, crime, snobby high society, rooting for underdogs, and high-speed adventure!

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BIOGRAPHIES

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CRRL Teens: Biography: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Biography: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story by CRRLTeens : The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) collected a list of paperbacks that best represents biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs for young adults. Here are ten picks from the 2017 list.

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TEEN SPIES

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CRRL My Librarian: Teenage Spies, Etc. - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Teenage Spies, Etc. by CRRL_MegRaymond : Teenagers who go to school and live normal lives, but who are also spies, thwart assassination plots, and maybe even plan them.

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THE SHOW SHERLOCK

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CRRL My Librarian: I Am Locked - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: I Am Locked by CRRL_ElizabethFitzgerald : Are you a mystery lover? How about a fan of Sherlock or Elementary? Then you may enjoy these books.

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BOOKS SET OVERSEAS

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CRRL Teens: Living Overseas: Stranger in a Strange Land - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Living Overseas: Stranger in a Strange Land by CRRLTeens : The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) collected a list of paperbacks that best represents young adults living in foreign countries and attempting to navigate new languages. Here are 10 picks from the list.

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YOUNG ADULT MYSTERIES

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CRRL Teens: It's a Mystery! - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: It's a Mystery! by CRRLTeens : Match wits with young detectives in these mysteries from our Young Adult collection.

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GREAT MYSTERIES

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CRRL My Librarian: Mysteries, Magical and Otherwise - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Mysteries, Magical and Otherwise by CRRL_RachelPlacchetti : Satisfy your inner teen detective with books that blend mystery and espionage with fantasy, adventure, and history.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

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CRRL Teens: In the Game - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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BOOKS ABOUT SPORTS

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CRRL My Librarian: Get In the Game - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Get In the Game by CRRL_Christine : Have you been sitting on the sidelines of life, letting others decide where you're going? Don't just sit there--get back in the there, and make things happen! "Be the change you wish to see in the world." --M. Gandhi

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SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL (YA)

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CRRL My Librarian: High School Is Just a Phase: Teen Fiction Favorites - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: High School Is Just a Phase: Teen Fiction Favorites by CRRL_CraigGraziano : Great high-school-aged narratives dealing with isolation, cliques, peer-pressure, and simply trying to survive.

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BOOKS REFLECTING GLTBQ & DIVERSITY

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CRRL Teens: GLTBQ: Diversity and Teens - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: GLTBQ: Diversity and Teens by CRRLTeens

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Dystopian Fiction (like The Hunger Games)  Click image below.

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Dystopias_Utopias _ Fiction for Grades 6-8_ NoveList K-8 Plus - powered by EBSCOhost

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Books about Survival

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LOTS OF ACTION

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CRRL My Librarian: Action-Packed Stories for Teens and Tweens - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL My Librarian: Action-Packed Stories for Teens and Tweens by CRRL_RachelPlacchetti : Some suggestions for comic books and adventure stories. Get your own list of personalized reading recommendations from CRRL's MyLibrarian service: http://www.librarypoint.org/mylibrarian.

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If You Don't Want to Read but You Have to Read - YA

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If You Don't Want to Read but You Have to Read - YA

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I love reluctant readers. Finding the right book for them is like waiting for the long, skinny brick in a game of Tetris when you have the perfect spot for it and then BOOM!!! You did it!!

(Does anyone know what I'm talking about?)

Anyway, you won't be able to turn all your students into the type of readers who read so much they forget to eat, but with some work, you can find a book that even your students who are staunchly opposed to reading will want to pick up.

Here are my go-tos for the main types of reluctant readers I encounter.

1) The "I Would Rather Be Gaming" Reluctant Reader

When I find out that I have a reluctant reader who likes video games, I lower my voice and tell them, "I know the best. Book. Ever." And then I give them a copy of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. And then a few weeks later they come up to me and say, "Well video games are still better, but that book was pretty awesome. Is there a sequel?" And then I smile because I know it means I actually won. Also a good sell: this book is being made into a movie soon (directed by Spielberg!)

Other titles: The Halo series (various authors), Armada by Ernest Cline

2) The "Reading is Too Mainstream, Man!" Reluctant Reader

Sometimes, all it takes to get a kid to read is to hand him a book privately and say, "You know, there's some content in this one that not many of your peers could handle, but I think you're mature enough." All-American Boys is an award-winning, harrowing story by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely that delves into issues of race, police brutality, and violence. It's as captivating as it is culturally relevant, and definitely not make your reluctant reader feel like they're following the crowd.

Other titles: by Julie Murphy, The Magicians by Lev Grossman (like a darker Harry Potter), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie,

3) The "I'd Rather Be Texting My Significant Other" Reluctant Reader

For the romantic at heart, there are plenty of great YA titles that center on relationships but don't follow the "having a boyfriend/girlfriend gave my life meaning and solved all my problems!" plot line that drives me nuts. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a beautiful, tender story with characters you'll want to simultaneously adopt and befriend (well, your students will probably just want to befriend).

Other titles: by Jerry Spinelli, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Looking for Alaska by John Green

4) The "I Don't Like to Hold Anything In My Hands Except Sports Objects" Reluctant Reader

Pretty sure I just revealed how out of touch with sports I am by using the phrase "sports objects," but luckily I'm better at recommending books than I am at athletic lingo. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen and by Roland Smith are two fantastic books about running and mountain-climbing, respectively.

Other titles: Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Gaby Douglas, by Jerry Spinelli, Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

5) The "Why Should I Have to Read About People and Places That Don't Exist?" Reluctant Reader

This type of reluctant reader would rather know real stories, and luckily there are plenty out there. Family Romanov by Candace Flemingis a story so crazy, it reads like fiction. When you approach your reader, say, "Do you know about the Romanovs? What happened to them was so crazy, but I probably shouldn't talk about it with other kids around..." They'll ask what happened, and that's when you tell them they'll just have to read it.

Other titles: by Malala Yousafzai, The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (fictionalized but based on real events), by Elie Wiesel

6) The "Reading is too hard" Reluctant Reader

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky is an older book but is my go-to pick for a reluctant reader who can handle mature content. I hate the idea of handing a struggling reader a copy of a book that's obviously for a much younger reader set, but Perks solves that issue beautifully. The language is simplistic but also lovely, and the narrator is so honest and likeable that any reader will be able to connect. Ugh. I cry if I think about this book for too long. It's just the best.

Other titles: The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez (nonfiction), Counting by Sevens by Holly Goldberg Sloan
What are your favorite reluctant reader recommendations?

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The Perfect Book for Every Type of Reluctant Reader in Middle School

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I love reluctant readers. Finding the right book for them is like waiting for the long, skinny brick in a game of Tetris when you have the perfect spot for it and then BOOM!!! You did it!! (Does anyone know what I'm talking about?)

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GREAT BOOKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

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CRRL Teens: Virginia Reader's Choice : Grades 6 - 8 - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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CRRL Teens: Virginia Reader's Choice : Grades 6 - 8 by CRRLTeens

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GREAT READ-ALOUDS

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Read-Alouds for Grades 6-8_ NoveList K-8 Plus - powered by EBSCOhost

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BOOKS FOR TEENS WHO DON'T LIKE BOOKS

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I have been on the hunt as of late for books that I can hand to one of my hardest student groups; my resistant readers. Not just reluctant readers, not just readers that may have forgotten how much they like reading, no, the students that really do not want to read and would rather fake read every single day of the year rather than actually read. These are the kids I am book hunting for. So what are some of the books that seem to be hooking not just my reluctant readers but even my resistant ones (and almost every other reader as well)?

Handed Cold Day in the Sun by Sara Biren to one of my hockey players and she could not put it down. Her word of mouth recommendation means that it is flying through the classroom, and kids who told me they hate reading are devouring it.

Kids cannot believe that this is a graphic novel. With its unflinching look at how addiction shaped his life and his talents, Hey, Kiddo by Jarret J. Krosoczka is flying through the room.

"Mrs. Ripp, I only want to read books like this one..." so said one of my most resistant readers this year, and it happens every year. Jordan Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pies is one of those books I can count on to be a great reading experience for almost every child I hand it to.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone is one of those books that takes you by the heart and then twists it painfully. Unyielding in its honesty, this book stays with you long after the last page.

What happens when the alpha bully at a middle school hits his head and forgets everything about himself? I think so many of my students can connect with Gordon Korman's Restart for many different reasons. It is fast-paced and Chases' dilemma makes you want to read on; will he go back to how he was?

Jason Reynolds is a natural treasure and his latest free verse book Long Way Down is haunting. Written in the aftermath of Will's brother's murder, this whole story is set in an elevator as he decided whether to follow the rules of the neighborhood and shoot the boy who killed his brother.

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt has hands-down been the biggest game changer for a lot of my readers. I have 7 copies circulating and none of them sit on the shelf for more than a day. We have it on Audible as well for students who prefer to listen to their books.

Another frequently read book (and listened to as well) is All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds. Masterful story telling and a gripping narrative means that this book has been flying off the shelves.

by John Corey Whaley is one that has been passed from student to student and is probably one of the most frequently book-talked books in our room. The story is easily accessible to many levels of reading development and grips the students with its premise of cryogenics and what it means to be 16 in a a 21-year-old's body.

Rhyme Schemer also by K.A. Holt is about a bully who becomes the victim. I love how students relate to this story and often see this passed from kid to kid.

Who would think that our most resistant readers start to fall in love with reading through free verse? What Kwame Alexander's The Crossover has done for our reading life cannot be underestimated. I have already had to replace my copies of this book this year and students are eagerly awaiting on it's arrival date of April 5th.

Reality Boy by A.S.King may have a very angry protagonist but I think the anger and "realness" of the books is what draws readers to it. This is another book that is often recommended from student to student.

Another free verse book, this one is House Arrest by K.A. Holt has been making the rounds as well. The discussions in class that this book leads to are powerful for many students.

When a resistant reader recommended this book to me I knew it had staying power in our classroom. Carl Deuker's Gym Candy is not your typical sports book and I think that is why it has been so popular with many resistant readers. It is a little bit raw and a little bit unresolved, a perfect choice for many of my more picky readers.

Another Jason Reynolds book, Ghost is book one in the Track series and left my students wanting to read the next book, Patina, right away. Easily accessible langueg with a relatable character who does not have the easiest life, this was a book many kids declared as a favorite.

by Kathy Mackel was book talked last week and has not been in my classroom since, quickly passing hands from student to student.

For the first time ever, I used We Were Liars by e.lockhart (Emily Jenkins' pen name for her YA books) and I was not disappointed. It was clear that my group of readers quickly became absorbed as they begged for just one more minute of reading time.

It can come as no surprise that Monster by Walter Dean Meyers is a book many readers gravitate to. I have loved the reflections and thoughtful dialogue that this book creates but even more so how many students have recommended to each other.

What are your must adds/must-reads that will hook resistant readers?

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Great Books for Resistant Readers in Middle School and High School

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I have been on the hunt as of late for books that I can hand to one of my hardest student groups; my resistant readers. Not just reluctant readers, not just readers that may have forgotten how much they like reading, no, the students that really do not want to read and would rather fake...

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Books about Civil Rights