TEEN READS
An annotated list of books in stock in Ecclesbourne Library, purchased specifically to appeal to older teens
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“A good read” means very different things to different people; however, persevering with your reading has benefits beyond just an escape from your normal life. Try something from our list to expand your horizons, your knowledge and your vocabulary – it will show in the quality of your own writing ….and your results. It’s a gain without pain!
Abandon (1) by Meg Cabot Follow the series on with Underworld and Awaken. MacMillan, 2011 0330453866 Insatiable (1) “Twilight” with humour and mystery - Cabot seems to be attracting older teens with her later series’. This title followed by Overbite. Note: there are older Meg Cabot titles on the Young Adult reads section. Ask the library staff if you need more info.
An abundance of Katherines by John Green John Green shot to fame with his book ‘The Fault in our stars’
Penguin Books Ltd, 2013 0141346094
Act of Love by Alan Gibbons A popular visitor to our school this author’s recent titles tackle thorny issues. This novel draws on issues engendered by the war in Afghanistan, our multi-cultural society and the enduring bonds of friendship. Indigo 2012 1780620187
ACID by Emma Pass A riveting dystopian tale from a local author
All the truth that's in me
Corgi, 2013.
0552566144
by Julie Berry
Reminiscent of Hawthorne’s Scarlet letter this New World story explores prejudice and social mores in a small community. Already on the Carnegie long list (Feb 14) Templar 2013 848779143
Allegiant by Veronica Roth The stunning conclusion to her futuristic “Divergent” trilogy likely to be enjoyed by fans of the Hunger Games. Harper Collins 2013 0007524277
Amber by Julie Sykes Raintree 2013 1782020594
Angel by Lee Weatherly Usborne 2010 1409521966
Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake A popular title likely to appeal to fans of the ‘Twilight’ series Orchard 2012 140832072X Further titles available
Battle lines (3) by Will Hill Third in the Department 19 series. Seems to appeal to fantasy and war game fans Harper Collins 2013
0007354533
Beautiful creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl Puffin 2013 0141346140
2
Between shades of gray by Ruta Sepetys A bleak love story showing the resilience of the human spirit set in the Holocaust of Stalinist Russia. Well worth a read for those considering doing A level history or Government & Politics. 2011 000746021X The author has followed this with a completely different tale called ‘Out of the easy’ set in the USA. Puffin 2012 0141335882
Between by Jessica Warman This author made a big impact with her previous title ‘If I stay’ Egmont 2011 1405260483
Blood red road (1) by Moira Young Another dystopia with echoes of the Mad Max films but also a strong family tale of loyalty and trust. Will appeal to Hunger Games devotees. Marion Lloyd 2102 1407124269
Bog child by Siobhan Dowd This 2009 Carnegie Medal winner. Based in Ulster this has a wonderful twist in the tale keeping the reader guessing until the big reveal. From the glorious pen of the late Siobhan Dowd. OUP 2008 0198328915
Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland Tying in nicely with our re-appreciation of the Vikings, find out just what life as a mercenary was really like through the story of Solveig and her father. Quercus 2012 978-1780872100
Burning bright (2) by Sophie McKenzie Hot on the heels of her fabulous Sister series Sophie McKenzie writes romance for older teens. The series begins with ‘Falling
fast’
Simon and Schuster 2013
0857070991
Butter by Erin Lange The misery of being overweight is explored in this thoughtful and disturbing novel
Faber 2013
0571294405
Butterfly grave (Murder notebooks 3) by Anne Cassidy Cleverly woven mystery moves into the third title in the Quartet from a skilful author. How much will be revealed before the fourth title is published? Best read in sequence the School Library has the set (see also Dead Time). Bloomsbury 2013 1408815524
Changeling (1) by Philippa Gregory Gregory, famous for her adult historical novels turns to writing for teens in this second title in the Order of Darkness series.
Stormbringers (2) also available.
Simon & Schuster 2012 0857077309
Close your pretty eyes by Sally Nicholls A haunting story of abuse and loss of family. Scholastic 2013.
Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Shortlisted in 2013 for the Carnegie Medal this heroic wartime story packs a tremendous punch. Told in two voices, the reader is quite unprepared for a riveting denouement which shocks and also resolves the doubts which form when reading the earlier story. Contains some descriptions of interrogation which are not pleasant. Electric Monkey, 2012 1405258217
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The company of ghosts by Berlie Doherty “This book works as both a ghost story haunting thriller and as a coming of age novel” Amazon reviewer. Andersen 2013 1849397295 Other titles by this local author are also worth a look such as Abela with a very topical theme.
Confessions of a murder suspect by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro The prolific Patterson tackles crime for older teens with a fast-paced thriller. Arrow 2013 0099567350
Crossed (2) by Ally Condie The second novel which begins with the absorbing ‘Matched’ . A futuristic tale set in a world where your partner is chosen for you! The third part ‘Reached’ also available from the School library. Razorbill, 2011 0141333065
The Poison throne (1) by Celine Tiernan Should appeal to fantasy fans all three titles are available in School. One Amazon reviewer says “The reader is plunged into courtly intrigue and conspiracy from the first page…” O'Brien Press, 2008 1847171117
Daylight saving by Edward Hogan Ex- Ecclesbourne student Hogan writes his first novel for teenagers. Should appeal to readers who like thrillers and could be enjoyed by adults too. Walker, 2012 140633717X
Dead time by Anne Cassidy The first title in the excellent ‘Murder Notebook’ quartet. Cassidy weaves an excellent crime mystery and the fourth book is eagerly awaited. Bloomsbury 2012 1408815508
The death zone by Matt Dickinson Matt visited Ecclesbourne in 2013 to promote his Mortal Chaos series and to give us a taster of a new series to come which is based in the Himalayas. Read Matt’s thrilling account of his trip to climb Everest He climbed by the North Face, filmed on the summit AND made it back alive! Arrow 1998 0099255723
Delirium (2) by Dee Shulman The sequel to “Fever” which brought Eva and Seth together across time.
Puffin 2013
0141340274
Department 19 by Will Hill This weighty tome has appealed to some fantasy readers and wargamers. Graphic fights appear as vampires are vanquished with space age gadgetry. There are two others in the series now in stock
The Rising and Battle lines
Ender's game by Orson Scott Card Scott Card’s modern classic which was made into a film in 2013. Atom 2002
1904233023
Eve and Adam by Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate Egmont 2012 1405264349
4
Every day by David Levithan Imagine if you awoke each day to discover you were somebody else! Warmly reviewed on Amazon this love story grips quickly as the “hero” engineers a way to remain with the person they love. Electric Monkey 2013 140526442X
Extras by Scott Westerfeld The third part of Westerfeld’s futuristic but most believable sequence. Just how far would you go to achieve a perfect body and face. Sequence begins with Uglies. Simon & Schuster 2007
184738126X
Eye of minds by James Dashner The first part of the Mortality Doctrine series set in a virtual world where the hero’s skill as a hacker is vital. Doubleday
2013
0857533134
Fallen by Lauren Kate The story continues with titles called Passion and Torment
Corgi 2010
0552561738
The feathered man by Jeremy De Quidt A gothic tale for older teens. David Fickling
2013
1849921644
Fever (1) by Dee Shulman Razorbill 2012
Fighting Ruben Wolfe (Underdogs series 2) by Marcus Zusak Scholastic 2000 0439993563 Start with
Underdogs
and
Getting the girl (Part 3) is also available
Fire City by Bali Rai A new departure for this popular author as he takes the reader into the sinister future of the world as we know it. Demons have been called forth and humans exist only to service their needs. Except…. There are always humans with the courage, integrity, honesty and the will to resist oppression and corruption in its many forms. Corgi 2012
0552556025
Flip by Martyn Bedford Walker 2013
1406344230
Forsaken by Lisa M Stasse
Orchard books
2012
1408318806
Fracture by Megan Miranda Described as a spellbinding thriller this has a sequel called Vengeance which has equal promise from the blurb. There is also a title called Hysteria from the same author. Bloomsbury various isbn
Ghost hawk by Susan Cooper “Cooper does something with the narrative that had me holding my breath “ Accomplished novelist Cooper writes a tale of two halves. The first brings us straight into the world of a Pokanoket boy (Little Hawk) as he embarks on the ritual that will make him a man; the second half focuses on an English boy, John Wakeley, who is sent away to become an apprentice cooper after the death of his father. (Marcus Sedgwick Guardian Book reviews) Bodley Head 2013 1782300007
5
Ghosts of the forest (2) by Steve Backshall The second of Backshall’s Falcon Chronicles which should appeal to his fans and to prospective adventurers! Orion 2013 1444004395
Tiger wars begins the series Haunted (various authors) A collection of ghost stories to chill the blood. Andersen Press 2011 1849393214
HAV3N by Tom Easton
st
Peppered with five star reviews on Amazon this is a plague story for the 21 century Andersen
2012
1849394180
Heart-shaped by Siobhan Parkinson
(Bruised) telling the tale from a different view. . This is a complicated story of
A thoughtful teen read with a companion volume family and relationships. Hodder 2013 1444903608
Hello darkness by Anthony McGowan Known for his gritty teenage novels McGowan follows the story of misfit John as he tries to entangle a mystery at school while avoiding the bullies that plague his life. Walker
2013
1406337846
And ….. Henry Tumour One of the first teenage novels to cover the horror of living with a terminal illness. This BookTrust Teenage Prizewinner from 2006 is still an easy but compelling read. Doubleday 2006 0385608616
Heroic by Phil Earle Included on the long list for the Carnegie Medal (3014 list) this modern urban tale of two brothers covers the issue of soldiers returning from war (Afghanistan) Well reviewed on Amazon this is a flavour of the comments….. “When Jamm comes home on leave his experiences have scarred him. Sonny is the only one who can see there's something wrong. It doesn't take long for the action to begin and I couldn't predict what would happen. I have to say that the ending was just perfect!” Puffin 2013 0141346272
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer How would it feel to discover you are merely a clone engineered to provide spare body parts for a villainous overlord? Simon & Schuster 2005 Follow the story further in Lord of Opium when Matt meets newer and more complex dilemmas Simon & Schuster 2013 1471118290
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff Set in the near future Rosoff’s story of a UK civil war is believable and gripping. The recent film was said to be inferior to the book which takes you on both a literal and psychological journey when the heroine discovers just what is really important in survival. Penguin 2004, 2013 0141346566 also 0141318015 Check out Rosoff’s other teen titles too- all very different but well worth a try
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The hunt (1) by Andrew Fukuda A new author for us with an action packed adventure. Simon & Schuster 2012 0857075411 The action continues with The
Prey
0857075454 and The
Trap 0857075470
If I stay by Gayle Forman Much applauded by press and readers alike this gripping family story will make you think and most probably cry too. You can follow the story on with the sequel -
Where she went
2010 1862308314
The ink bridge by Neil Grant Allen & Unwin
2013
174237669X
Insurgent (2) by Veronica Roth This sequel to Divergent continues the futuristic saga. Continue the saga with Allegiant Harper Collins 2012
0007442920 (and others)
Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves The excellent Gaiman picks up very mixed reviews for this title. Although this not be the best place to start with his work but it could appeal if you are a sci-fi fan. 2007 0007523424 If you really fancy a challenge try
Neverwhere or American Gods
Kelly Smith footballer by Kelly Smith Might be worth a try if you prefer to read about real-life situations, especially if you like sport Corgi 2012 055216643X
Ketchup clouds by Annabel Pitcher A Carnegie long list title and the second teen novel from this author. Indigo, 2012 1780620306
The killing woods by Lucy Christopher 2013 1906427720
Let it snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle Three interlinked short stories with a Christmas theme. 2013 0141349174
Leviathan (1) by Scott Westerfeld If you want to understand steampunk then read this series. Well recommended sci-fi for the modern teenager. Follow the story through by reading Behemoth and Goliath in the same series
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Also by Westerfeld …….Uglies, Pretties, Extras & Specials This dystopian quartet makes the reader examine our celebrity and pop culture and the current quest for physical perfection. Perfect for readers who are happy in their own skin and need a thoughtful series. Simon & Shuster 2010 1847386741 (and on)
Lewis Hamilton: my story. Read the first-hand account of the road travelled to become a name in F1. Harpersport 2008 0007270062
Linked by Imogen Howson 2013 1782061851
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy Scholastic 2004 140713809X This chilling tale of family neglect deserves a place on our list despite being published some time ago. Cassidy has revisited her anti-heroine in
Finding Jennifer Jones (see over the page) One reviewer posted this helpful review on Amazon “In this new story Jennifer has moved on. She has a new name (Kate) and is now at university, carefully hiding her true identity from those around her. She hopes to be able to continue with her studies and live the life of a student without her past being revealed yet again. But ….she cannot escape the guilt she carries inside her and so she has huge decisions to make about her future”. Hot key books. 2014
Matched by Ally Condie Penguin 2010 0141334789 Cassia thinks she knows her destiny and who will be her Matched partner, but things turn out to be confusingly different. Could it be that what she has been trained to think was her best soul mate is anything but? Follow the story further in Crossed and finally in Reached
May I have your attention, please? By James Corden Laugh along with this popular celebrity comedy actor and writer, Arrow 2012 0099560232
Maze runner by James Dashner First title in a well-reviewed adventure series Chicken House 2011 1908435135
The messengers by Edward Hogan A young adult thriller set in the future. Walker 2013 1406337188
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick This author is frequently recommended by staff here. Nominated for the Carnegie Medal in 2013 this romantic tale of love and loss spans the centuries through an interwoven narrative of seven generations. Orion 2011 978-1780620206
Million dollar gift (1) by Ian Somers Sometimes a special gift can be a curse. Find out how in the first part of this thrilling series likely to appeal to teens who have grown out of Alex Rider. O’Brien 2012 1847173071 Follow with
The hidden gift O’Brien
2013
184717308X
Mosi's war by Catherine MacPhail Bloomsbury 2013 140881272X
8
My brother Simple by Marie-Aude Murail; translated by Adriana Hunter Touching and poignant; this French story has something to say about parents, special siblings and family responsibility Bloomsbury 2012 1408814714
My sister lives on the mantelpiece Another really touching family story but for a slightly younger readership. Multi-faceted this covers bereavement and loss but also the need for tolerance of people whose way\y of life is different from our own. Orion 2011 1444001833
Ocean of secrets by Aimee Friedman
Scholastic 2012
1407134590
One day in Oradour by Helen Watts Having visited this small town in France I was delighted and yet chilled to see that someone had written the tragic wartime story for younger people. Set in the Second World War it demonstrates the extremes that some soldiers will go to. Not a tale for the sensitive. A & C Black 2013 1408182017
Out of shadows by Jason Wallace This past Carnegie winner still deserves a place on our list. An uncomfortable story of bullying, power and control set in Zimbabwe. Andersen 2010 1849390487
Perception (2) by Kim Harrington
Scholastic 2013
1407130862
Poison throne (1) by Celine Kiernan Popular choice for fans of the fantasy genre. Carry on reading the series with the O’Brien Press 2008 1847171702
Crowded Shadows and the Rebel Prince
Raining fire by Alan Gibbons Yet again Gibbons tackles difficult issues in his story of gang warfare. As is written at the beginning and echoed as the book ends “A gun is power. A gun can make a weak man strong” Indigo 2013
Repossession and The Hunting by Sam Hawksmoor Hodder 2012
9780340997086
The rising (2) by Will Hill Harper Collins 2 012 0007354509 (Department 19)
Rose under fire by Elizabeth Wein 2013 1405265116 (see Code Name Verity for details of this author’s other second wartime novel)
Sektion 20 by Paul Dowswell Dowswell’s thoughtful novels bring a better awareness of modern history to a teenage reader than many a weighty textbook. Bloomsbury 2011 1408808633 Try Auslander for a German perspective on the Second World War with a nail biting finale. Or try Survival a book of short stories - useful to dip into on the days when you don’t want to read a large novel 074608823X
9
Shattered dreams by Ellie James
Quercus 2011
0857388223
The silver hand (2) by Steve Lawhead Another fantasy writer well worth investigating. The Song of Albion series begins with The 2013 1782640495
Paradise War
Silver: return to Treasure Island by Andrew Motion The former Poet Laureate recreates the world of piracy and derring-do in this tale of adventure on the high seas Vintage 2012 0099584158
Slated by Teri Terry What are your opportunities when you have had your memory wiped by the Government? Does being ‘Slated’ mean that you have lost your right to free will. Was that ever a right in this world described by Terry? Orchard, 2012 1408319462 Another well-written dystopian series – follow the tale with Fractured and Shattered.
Solace of the road by Siobhan Dowd Dowd’s tale of runaway Holly who finally realises that her life is worth caring about David Fickling 2012 1849920958
Swift pure cry This may have been in print for a while but we make no apology for including it in a list for teens. Beautifully written and constructed this title keeps the reader gripped as a tale of family abuse unfolds. 849920966 (see also Bog child on page 2)
Spy for the Queen of Scots by Theresa Breslin Breslin’s historically-based novels rarely disappoint. Check the library catalogue for others if you enjoy this one. Doubleday 2012 0552560758
Stormbringers (2) by Philippa Gregory Simon & Schuster, 2013 0857077368
Tamar by Mal Peet Peet is a thoughtful writer who manages to interweave multiple plot lines into his excellent stories. This story of the Second World War deservedly won the 2005 Carnegie Medal. Walker 2005 0744565707 If historical stories are not your thing… try the footballing themed thrillers from the same author set in South America.
(Penalty and Keeper) Time between us by Tamara Stone 2013 0552565202
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris 2012 000746021X
These are not books that you SHOULD read. It is merely a list of suggestions based on recently added titles which we know are well written and enjoyable. As soon as you finish compiling a list such as this it is impossible not to think of all the fabulous authors and books you had to leave out. People like Kevin Brooks, Patrick Ness, Lian Hearn, Trudi Canavan and so many more. Our best advice is to keep an eye on the Netvibes link and the Reading page on the School website for other great suggestions. Ecclesbourne School library
2014
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