Author Alicia Thompson - YA Recommendations

I had the pleasure of meeting new author Alicia Thompson last week. Her novel titled THE PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is set to come out in 2009. I will post more details the moment I get them. Alicia is smart and extremely well read in the genre that she writes in, Young Adult.

The following is Alicia Thompson's recommened Young Adult reading list:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - a critically acclaimed book about a girl who has trouble finding her voice after a traumatic event in high school, v. well written, a modern classic

The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson - a book about three vastly different sisters who all deal with their father's death in their own ways. I laughed, I cried. Literally.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway - It's just so fun!

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dessen is absolutely amazing, and this book is so powerful.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusack - I'm going to tell you that it's a little hard to get into at first. It's narrated by Death, and is about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. But please, persevere through the somewhat confusing (at least for me) beginning while you adjust to the whole narrator thing. Because this book is easily one of the top five books ever WRITTEN.

Looking for Alaska by John Green - Award-winning, beautifully written book about a boy who goes to boarding school and the girl who steals his heart. I finished this while I was at a workshop and wanted to immediately read it again.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brasheres - I really love this series. And it's a must to read if you love the genre, I feel.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - another Dessen, another classic. What more is there to say?

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot - an older one of hers, but a goodie. About a girl who saves the President's life, and gets swept up in a whole whirlwind of events. Super cute.

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini - Great boy-narrated book. Great book in general.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume - I was trying to go for more modern books I thought people maybe hadn't heard of, but I love this one too much. Periods! Boys! Developing! Religious confusion! "We must, we must, we must increase our bust!" What more could you want?

King Dork by Frank Portman - another great boy-narrated one. His voice is unmistakable and so funny. Also can be a bit hard to get into at first, I'll admit, but I found the payoff worth it.

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty - as told in snarky diary segments by the now-classic character, Jessica Darling. Great book, and great example of a book published by an adult publisher and put in the adult section that's enjoyed tremendous crossover success.

Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn - Great book.

Story of a Girl by Sarah Zarr - a quieter book, very beautifully written, and a really good story about the emotional rollercoaster of a teen girl's life

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - This is a really good vampire book, and I don't tend to like vampire books!

Reality Chick by Lauren Barnholdt - really cute book about a girl who goes to college and films a reality show about the experience. Good example of a college protagonist that still feels YA.

The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Amy Friedman -

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher - great book about a girl's suicide and the effect it has on a lot of people, as well as a mystery about what caused it -- told through 13 tapes she left behind for those responsible

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty - a fun book that's a great use of letters and diary entries to tell a story

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - ditto

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart - really interesting book told with a lot of lists and footnotes

Skin by Adrienne Vrettos - poignant book told through perspective of a boy who's sister has an eating disorder, great example of using a narrator who doesn't have the most outwardly dramatic role but actually has a strong voice and unique view

Other recommendations:

Girl by Blake Nelson
White Oleander by Janet Finch (adult, but told through eyes of teenage protagonist)
Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
Someday this Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner and Richard Ewing
Slam by Nick Hornby
Rat Saw God by Rob Thomas
Perfect by Natalie Friend
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar

This is a wonderful list full of really great titles. I would say it's enough to fill your summer reading list or enrich the reading list of any teen.

Happy Reading . . .