My Teen Reading List

Pride and Prejudice

2009-03-03T21:39:00.002-07:00

by Jane Austen

pgs: 441
my rating: *********

Elizabeth Bennet's first impression of Mr. Darcy is proud and aloof, and she is offended by his behavior towards her. She is further convinced of his conceit in her later dealings with him. So a proposition of marriage utterly startles her, and out of anger and pride she soundly rejects and berates him. But Lizzy soon comes to regret her prejudice…

Note: this is one of my all-time favorites!

Hush (An Irish Princess's Tale)

2009-02-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

by Donna Jo Napoli

pgs: 308
my rating: *********

Melkorka is an Irish princess. She has always disdained the slaves in her town. Soo when Mel and her sister are kidnapped by Russian slavers, she is aghast. How can they do such a thing to princesses? But Mel refuses to speak to her captors. This causes first anger, then wonder--can her silence save her? Mel is strong and resourceful, but the pain--both physical and emotional--that she suffers at the hands of her Russian and Nordic masters may be too much even for her. Can she hold out?

Daughter of Venice

2009-02-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

by Donna Jo Napoli

pgs: 271
my rating: ********

Donata dreads her future. As the second daughter (and a twin) in her family, she will most likely be sent to a convent, rather than marrying. In denial of her culture, she disguises as a boy to sneak out of her palazzo and have adventures about Venice. But what if she gets caught?

Scat

2009-02-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

by Carl Hiaasen

pgs: 371
my rating: *********

First Nick's super-strict biology teacher disappears on a school field trip (during a small wildfire), then the school slacker, Duane Jr., aka Smoke, straightens up--and is soon accused of arson. When Smoke insists he's innocent, and then promptly disappears, Nick realizes he believes him. Nick knows something's up, so he and his best friend Marta decide to figure it out…but do they want to become a part of what's going on?

Babylonne

2009-02-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

by Catherine Jinks
companion to the Pagan saga

pgs: 382
my rating: ********

Babylonne is tired of it: tired of her aunt treating her like a slave all the time, tired of the others she lives with, tired of the way she lives. So when she's threatened with marriage to an old man, she runs away. Soon Babylonne finds an unlikely ally in Father Isidore, a Catholic priest. But can she make it south in time to fight the invading French?

Song of the Lioness Quartet

2009-02-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

by Tamora Pierce

Alanna: The First Adventure
pgs: 274
my rating: *********

Alanna has always known she was meant to be a warrior. But in Tortall, there hasn't been a female knight for centuries. So Alanna switches places with her twin brother, disguising as a boy ("Alan") to begin training. Her first few years as a page are full of obstacles, but Alanna learns many valuable lessons and makes some friends for life.

In the Hand of the Goddess
pgs: 264
my rating: *********

Alanna is moving up: she's now Jonathan's squire, and is beginning to serve a greater purpose, the defense of Tortall. Her friends are still close, and only two know she's a girl--and both Jonathan and George are after her heart. But despite her many friends, Alanna also has enemies who would like to destroy her. Can she fight them to save herself and those she loves?

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
pgs: 284
my rating: *********

Alanna is now a knight, and her powers--both physical and magical--are growing. Her friends know she's a girl, and they don't hate her! But Alanna fears her Gift after the destruction she has caused. Can she overcome her fears to help train the mage children of her adoptive Bazhir tribe? (And how can she be a knight and still act feminine?)

Lioness Rampant
pgs: 384
my rating: *********

Alanna has survived her first year of knighthood, but she doesn't know what to do now. She and Jonathan have had a falling-out, but she still wants to be his friend. Alanna's too restless to stay anywhere for long, but she prefers a purpose rather than aimless wandering. If she can recover the Dominion Jewel, it can save Tortall and repair her friendship with Jonathan. But is she up to the quest?

(This quartet is set in the same world as the Protector of the Small and Immortals quartets.)

The Kin (series)

2009-02-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

by Peter Dickinson

Suth's Story
pgs: 145
my rating: ********

The Moonhawks have been attacked by strange men. Now they must leave their old Good Places and find new ones. When they cross a desert, it is decided to leave four children behind. But Suth and Noli, only children themselves, go back to rescue the little ones. Together the small band sets off in search of Good Places, and perhaps a place to call home.

Noli's Story
pgs: 156
my rating: *********

After a volcanic eruption destroys the Good Place they are living in with Monkey Kin, the band of children sets off in search of the rest of their Moonhawk Kin. They find instead a Kin without words, a Kin named Porcupine. Porcupine is not one of the old First Ones, though; the world is changing, and the Moonhawks must find a new place in it.

Ko's Story
pgs: 158
my rating: *******

Ko is only a boy. But he wants to do something good, something worth a boast. When the Moonhawks and their friends the Porcupines, along with a few others from other Kins, reach an uncrossable marsh, Ko sees his opportunity. He will find the way across the marsh to new Good Places. But the marshes are unsafe, as everyone is soon to discover...

Mana's Story
pgs: 169
my rating: ********

When the Moonhawks and their companions reach the other side of the marsh, they find that the marshpeople are afraid. Soon they know why: there are demon men, men who kill other men. All Mana wants is peace and comfort. Can she help her people fight off the demon men, and still have peace in her heart?

(This series is set in prehistoric times, at the time of the first Homo sapiens sapiens, the humans we know today. The chapters of these stories are intermingled with Oldtales, made up stories about how things came to be.)

The Charmed Sphere trilogy

2009-02-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

by Catherine Asaro

The Charmed Sphere
pgs: 471
my rating: ********

Chime, a young but powerful mage, and Muller, nephew of the king, were the future sovereigns of Aronsdale. But they were replaced by the more skilled Iris and Jarid, the long-lost son of the king. A menace to the north--a dark sorcerer hungry for vengeance and his power-hungry king--threatens Aronsdale. Can Chime and Muller master their powers in time to save their country?

The Misted Cliffs
my rating: ********

Melody, or Mel as most call her, is ready for her future. Her parents, Chime and Muller, rule over Harsdown. She is betrothed to the future king of Aronsdale, her cousin. Then a powerful warring kingdom threatens to invade Harsdown--unless she marries the heir. Cobalt, the Midnight Prince, is known as a cruel and vicious man. Can Mel leave her life behind for a marriage she will hate, and perhaps prevent a war?

The Dawn Star
pgs: 440
my rating: *********

International intrigue is at its height. Drummer is the brother of Chime, queen of Harsdowm, and uncle of Mel, wife of Cobalt, the Midnight King. When he is kidnapped by Jade of Taka Mal, the continent is cast into chaos. Can love and peace prevail with anger and sharp weapons around every corner?

The Hunger Games

2009-02-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

by Suzanne Collins

pgs: 374
my rating: *********

When Katniss steps up to take her younger sister's place, it's instinctual; she knows what's coming will be brutal. She spends the next two weeks preparing for the Hunger Games: working out, dressing up, showing off, making alliances. She and others ages 12 to 18 have been set against each other. The winner will have eternal fame. Everybody else will die. Let the Games begin!