Young Adult Books

Doing the right thing can sometimes come with heavy consequences. This book is a great example of a young girl doing what she felt was right and getting punished for it by her friends, other students, and even adults. She retreats into her head and stops talking to anyone. It was her way of dealing with a traumatic experience, but eventually she knows she will have to speak the truth. A tough lesson we have to learn but a wonderfully written story to help us learn the lesson. 

The Harry Potter series is one of the most in-depth character building books I have read for young adults. Not only are their hundreds of characters but the author has done a brilliant job of describing them, where even the seemingly most insignificant character plays a role in the story. With themes of good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, and coming of age, this series touches on so many of the facets of being a teenager living in a complex world, just trying to make it to adulthood. 

Wait, the firemen burn books? This was so outlandish the first time I read it as a teenager but it has left a lasting imprint. A picture of a dystopian future that truly frightens me, the book delves into the scenario where television becomes our family and people don't read. A firefighter meets a young neighbor who causes him to question his role and long for a past where people don't live in fear. This is an excellent book and one that I think every reader should read at least once. It helps us appreciate our freedom to read anything whenever we want to read it.