What rational adult willingly revisits adolescence? A lot of us, if a study released by Bowker, a prominent provider of data about books, is any indication—last September, Bowker revealed that 55% of people who read young adult books are over 18 (with the largest segment of those adults aged 30-44!). Young adult books have so captured the public’s enthusiasm that the publishing industry has concocted a new term for books meant for teens that aren’t actually read by teens: “new adult” books. Whatever they’re called, the genre has blossomed so creatively that being a responsible adult caught reading a novel meant for teens is no longer something to think twice about. Here’s the Kirkus list of 10 young adult books that will remind you of the dramatic highs and melodramatic lows of adolescence (while you remain comfortably ensconced in adulthood).
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
"This book can stand alone, but the cliffhanger ending begs another installment; readers who have been with Tyrell from the beginning as well as those meeting him for the first time will be utterly invested in his future. (Fiction. 14 & up) "
Booth returns to the gritty and dangerous Bronx projects to pick up the memorable story of Tyrell seven months after the conclusion of
Tyrell (2006)
.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 3, 2011
"Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling. (Fiction. 14 & up)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 17, 2011
"Delicious. (Fantasy. 14 & up)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2010
"Ethan's wry narrative voice will resonate with readers of John Green as well as the hordes of supernatural-romance fans looking for the next book to sink their teeth into. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)"
This smart, textured and romantic Southern Gothic takes place in Gatlin, S.C., where cheerleaders and the basketball team run the high school and the Daughters of the American Revolution and Civil War re-enactors run the town.
Read full book review >
