Draw by Raul Colon

*Great for any age.  Good for art classes.  Also subtle humor.

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

This is a fun book to listen to.  It was based on the author's daughter having a bad dream when she was little.  You should see the illustrations.  Very smart and multi-layered illustrations.  Maybe a bit creepy that would give nightmares to.  Good read aloud.  If you get the audiobook, Neil Gaiman is reading the story.

The Magician’s Apprentice by Kate Banks

This is a book with lots of layers to it.  I think it would make a good gift.  Besides Peter Sis illustrated it.
There are a lot of layers to this story.  Lot of quotable lines in the book.  This is not a magical book like Disney's story, it's its own story.

Lioness Rampart by Tamora Pierce

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson

Great story.  I ended up listening to the audio version of the book.  I learned a lot.  Great book to have in the library.

The Woman Who Rides Like A Man by Tamora Pierce

Gender trading story of that continues of a girl who disguises herself as a boy.  The truth is now open and she's accepted.  She goes on adventures.  It's a good story.

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

The story is crafted by amazing literature.  Oliver's style of writing creates a fine picture of the events take place with her craftily chosen words.  I wish I could write like this.  The love triangle builds to a high acme of what is going on in Lena's heart.  Enjoy this final book in the series.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Witches and Wizards, orphan children, missing parents and a magical book all important ingredients for this fanciful tale.  I look forward to book 2. I was able to hear it by audiobook.  It's also a good audiobook.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I saw the movie first and it's similar and also different.  Neil Gaiman created a amazing story.  Read this book, you won't be disappointed.   I heard the audio book and it was worth listening to.  Crafted beautifully to become a forever fairy tale story.  There are some mature bits but not to graphic.  It's a great story and should be in a high school library.  Enjoy, you'll thank me later.

Hood by Stephen Lawhead

This has everything in it.  All sorts of different perspectives from each character.  Brilliant and well spun.  If you like the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars saga with politics and adventure this is the story for you.  A Welsh prince becomes the Raven King to his displaced people.  ...... Oh just read the story, you'll thank me later.

The Last of the High Kings by Kate Thompson

I haven't read the first book and it took me a bit to figure out what was going on, plus a little research just so I know what to expect as a teacher.  I liked the story.  It's infused with Irish culture in a subtle kind of way.  Besides,  my father use to make violins and play the violin so it brought back some nice memories.  It's a good story.  Not traditional American kind of a story but a story that would fit in any library anywhere in the world.  I liked it a lot but there will be those students who may not have the same affinity of this kind of storyline.  I would still have it in my library. Knowing global legends helps make this world a bit more closer.  Enjoy, it's a good read.

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

This book would be a great read for students taking psychology classes as to why people do things that they do.  Well crafted.  Laurie Halse Anderson is a solid writer.  She knows how to write to teens.  If you've ever read Speak, this book is slightly connected to the story just by a brief mention.  But that's about it.  It's a strong story line.  It's a good read.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

This is a great literary piece.  Libba Bray knows how to write.  Cameron is a slacker that drops the F-bomb and has done drugs.  But he gets Mad Cow Disease and there's no way to get back to the way he was so he goes on a saga.  Let me repeat, Libba Bray knows how to write and craft words.  In this story her dialog is authentic for a slacker teen.  Her style of writing is spot on.  She has the magic touch.  I look forward to her next book.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

It's the Victorian time in Great Britian, tight corsets that make it difficult to breath but tighter conventions makes it also difficult to live.  A magical place called The Realms offers freedom to be who you are.  But The Realms is also a dangerous place.  Gemma holds all the power and has no idea who she can trust.

A masterfully written book in story, character and in the beauty of language.

If Libba Bray has written it, you should read it.

Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black

This is quite the adventure.  It's a well crafted medieval saga.  There are some undertones of biblical influence with in the story.  The story works well.

Point Blank Paintball by Ciencin & Aburto

It's a short graphic novel.  It's perfectly fine for any school library.

Kickoff Blitz by Hoena/Ruiz

It's a good, simple graphic novel.  A fine edition to any school library.

Merlin by Stephen R. Lawhead

Interworld by Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves

If you like Harry Potter meets the Maze Runner.  Very adventurous.  I was able to listen to it on audiobook.  It's a good listen also.  Enjoy.

Cherub: The Dealer (book 2) by Robert Muchamore

The kids are pre-teens but I think they should have been written as teens.  The kids work the mission along with adults.  The school that they attend care about their students.  The kids are risk takers.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

This is a great read.  The story is told between the two characters.

Rebel Springs by Morgan Rhodes

Game of Thrones wishes they were this good.  Layered stories fighting over the control of a kingdom.  Who can you trust?  Enjoy... you'll thank me later.

The Bippolo Seed and other lost stories by Dr. Seuss

I heard this in audio format.  Lots of talented actors read different stories.  Good read aloud if you're looking for books for teens to read to younger students.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

If you are a fan of the series, read this book.  It's amazing.  I listened to the audiobook version.

It's an excellent audiobook.  I love hearing the different accents.  I vote the reader of the book should get an audiobook award.

The story is excellent.  Oh so wicked good!  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Feedback by Robison Wells

If you like Maze Runner, this is your next book.  I heard it on audiobook and it was well done.
Surprises abound.  Enjoy.

Missing Sisters by Gregory Maguire

I heard this on audio book and was happy to hear it done well.  I had borrowed it from the library.  The story is solid and well crafted.  Gregory Maguire knows how to write.  He nailed his characters, from Alice, to the different children, the nuns.  I bet he invented a backstory for each nun.  He nailed the times also.

The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff

I liked this book.  It's different.  It's a coming of age story set in England in the 1850's.  Pell leaves a difficult family life behind and forges her own life.   Experiencing freedom for the first time.  She's now homeless struggling to find work.  Her little adopted brother has gone with her so she's responsible for him also.  Through out the story, is woven the back story that explains why she left.  Author explaining the story link  This link is interesting to listen to as Meg Rosoff explains the story.

Variant by Robison Wells

I listened to this on audiobook and was impressed with the story line.  I don't want to spoil anything.  I know you won't be disappointed.  There's a mystery to the really weird and creepy school which turns out to be more of a prison.  No adults.  Students forced to play paintball.  And you can never really be sure who to trust.  Danger and death, and no one ever comes back from detention.  It's a good teen read.

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

This is an epic book.  Reminds me of Game of Thrones.  I can't wait to get to book 2.  Four basic stories weave around each other in a masterful way.  Lots of secrets.  I should say there is some violence as well.  It's a good read.    I have to thank my favorite independent book store: Petunia's Place for recommending this book to me!

Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen

Hazel finds out she has three dresses that can grant wishes.  She ends up meeting her birth mother and father.  She ends up meeting herself from the experiences.

The Freedom Riders by Heather Schwartz

This book has many great points about it.  It's a thin book but it's a great start to go deeper in research.  It's high interest and low level with lots of photos and primary resources to document an historical event.  Fits common core needs.

Woven by Michael Jensen & David Powers King

I found this book in my favorite independent book shop, Petunias.  The owners highly recommended the book to me and they were correct.  I hope to see more collaborations of these two authors.  They are super storytellers.

Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

I thought it was a good sidebar book to the series.  There are some mature situations to consider.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

This book is true literature.  I can see why it is taught in high schools.  Masterfully crafted.

Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz

Great story, so glad a student got me into this series.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Fox Forever by Mary E. Pearson

This book does not disappoint.  I love this series and would encourage anyone to read it.

The Lord of Opium by Nancy Farmer

If I could have a dinner party, I'd invite Nancy Farmer and Neal Shusterman as guests.  I would love to hear them discuss their writing process and just be a fly on the wall.  These two are strong YA writers.

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

Well thought out, complex and has a certain truth about this story.  It could happen?!?! in the future.
Characters have a strong backstory to make them viable.  You will enjoy if you are reading this series.

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

This story does not disappoint.  If you are a fan, you will appreciate the second part of the story.  It is rich in details and description.  The plot evolves to a more complicated level.

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

This was a book I couldn't put down! Definitely needs to be in teen libraries.  It's a saga story with despair and hope, a lot of adventure and plenty of fighting and insults and it's just great.  The dialog runs true.  The characters are all strong.  This story is highly unpredictable and awesome.  I can see why the author has won an award on her other works.  This my first time reading anything by the author and give me more!

Enjoy and you'll thank me later.

Stardines: Swim High Across the Sky by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Carin Berger

This is a beautiful book and fun too!

Manfish: A story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and Eric Puybaret

This is a beautiful book that any library should have.  The elegant images capture the imagination of Jacques Cousteau.  Would love to see this book win an award.

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

It was alright.  It seems to try and emulate a currently popular PBS series.  I wouldn't add it to my high school library.  It's not bad.... it's just more of a been there, done that... kind of book.

Neverwas by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed

I haven't read the first book but this book gives you enough backstory to catch up.  It's a strange concept.  I got it from the book fair at school.  It's entertaining but could be a challenge for some non-readers.  There's a lot of concepts to sort out.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

I loved, loved, loved this book.  It was fun to read.  I'm sad that the author died so young.
The characters in this book were crafted well.  Dialog was snappy and true.  Put this on your list if you like this kind of genre.

The Iron Trials by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequels.  It's a bit like Harry Potter with the concept of a magical school.  Preparing to fight a crazy magician.  It's entertaining.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

This would probably fit best in a college course or an AP science/biology class.  The story is a bit muddied with so many other people's story.  It would be interesting if the author had written one for children/teens and condense the story to just Henrietta Lacks.