14 Realistic (and Real Life) Titles for Teens
Over the past few years we have gone from obsessing over vampire young adult novels to obsessing over post-apocalyptic dystopian YA novels.
Now there are those who prefer to read realistic YA books free of vampires, paranormal beings, zombies, and governments out to brainwash the masses. Below I recommend some Junior fiction and YA titles about love, loss, perseverance and the power of choices:
The memoir I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai is a very good book for young people to read. Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala is young girl who peacefully fights for what she believes in. In this memoir we learn about her struggles in fighting for education. Malala strives to help her community and the world become a better place. The title inspires great appreciation for learning.
Live Original: How the Duck Commander Teen Keeps It Real and Stays True to Her Values by Sadie Robertson is a very interesting biography by a young person. Sadie Robertson is a role model who in her writing shares the values instilled by her family that have made her grow up to be a happy, well adjusted young woman. In her autobiography she encourages teens to stay true to themselves.
The novel Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper tells the story of a young fifth grader named Melody. Melody is a very bright young girl. She has a photographic memory and can recall everything she witnesses. However, Melody suffers from cerebral palsy so she is considered retarded by her classmates, until she discovers a device that will allow her to speak and express herself.
The novel Tears Of A Tigerby Sharon M. Draper is a powerful story about the lives of the young people of Hazelwood high school. After the death of Rob Washington, one of the stars of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team, the lives of his classmates and friends begin to change. The grief and sense of loss has affected everyone but especially Andy, who has guilt about driving the car involved in the accident.
To All the Boys I've Loved Beforeby Jenny Han. Lara Jean likes to write love letters to all the boys she has loved. One day the letters are accidently sent to those boys and they begin to confront Lara about her feelings. She realizes that something good may come out of such an awkward situation.
In the novel Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Allyson is vacationing in Europe after her graduation. During her travels Allyson meets Willem, a guy who is her complete opposite. Willem is a free spirit while Allyson likes to plan and organize. Shortly after meeting each other Willem invites Allyson to go to Paris with him she decides to join him. The day that they spend together is filled with love and magic and eventually leads to Allyson to self discovery.
The Fault In Our Starsby John Green. The Fault In Our Stars is the story of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters. Hazel and Augustus meet at a support group for kids with cancer. The charming Augustus changes Hazel's life forever.
Looking for Alaskaby John Green. In Looking for Alaska, Miles, searches for meaning after the death of a classmate at Culver Creek Preparatory school.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Anna is sent to a boarding school in Paris and falls in love.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detourby Morgan Matson: After the death of her father Amy goes on a road trip with Roger from California to Connecticut. Through detours along the way Amy faces her fears and grief.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick tells the story of a girl named Samantha. Samantha falls in love with Jase, the boy next door. Jase and Samantha come from different financial backgrounds. Samantha's family is very wealthy while Jace's family struggles to get by. However they have a lot of love to give and take in Samantha like a long lost family member.
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West is the story of Caymen Meyers, a young girl who falls in love with a wealthy young man named Xander Spence. She knows that her mother would not approve of her dating a rich person but Xander's charming ways are getting through her defenses.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a suspense novel. The novel centers around Candence who is spending the summer in her family's private island. Candence struggles to remember what happened during the summer when she was fifteen years old.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a novel about a young girl named Samantha who dies in a car crash with her classmates. Samantha relives the day of her death seven times and learns many things she never knew about her family and friends. On the seventh day Samantha finds the reason to why she is reliving the same day and saves herself...