Ten Worthy Young Adult Books by Authors Not Named J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer
While the Oscars have dominated the recent pop culture award talk, it should be noted that it’s also the award season for the vibrant field of children’s literature. Two of the biggest juvenile lit awards were announced this week, with author Neil Gaiman winning the Newbery Medal for The Graveyard Book and illustrator Beth Krommes receiving the Caldecott Medal for her work on Susan Marie Swanson’s The House in the Night.
Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book
They’re both stellar works in their field and, while the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” series have, with good reason, dominated the children’s/young adult literature market in recent years, books like The Graveyard Book and The House in the Night remind us that there have been a number of top-notch offerings published over the past few years that should not be overlooked. Here are ten of the best:
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How I Live Now (Meg Rosoff; 2004): Protagonist Daisy’s voice grabs you from the opening paragraph and compels you to race through the book in one sitting. The combination of subjects, including anorexia, war, betrayal, and a mildly taboo (but not graphic) love relationship somehow all make perfect sense in Rosoff’s slim and brilliant first novel.
Robin McKinley's Sunshine (2003)
Sunshine (Robin McKinley; 2003): Newbery-winner McKinley’s foray into the vampire genre features Sunshine, a twenty-something baker extraordinnare, whose latent magical talents are unleashed when she is attacked by “suckers.” Sunshine not only miraculoulsy survives, but also, in the aftermath, secretly teams up with fellow victim - and vampire - Constantine in this stellar urban fantasy.
The Hollow Kingdom (Clare B. Dunkle; 2003): The first novel in Dunkle’s fantasy trilogy combines Victorian-era teenagers, goblins, and elves with elements of treachery, sacrifice, danger, and romance. A vividly rendered cast of characters and mid-story shift of perspective elevate this Mythopoeic Award-winning work.
A Long Way from Chicago (1998)/A Year Down Yonder (2000): Richard Peck offers two tales of city-dwelling siblings sent to live with their small-town grandmother during the Great Depression. Peck, who won the Newbery Medal for the sequel, displays perfect pitch with his deft characterizations, dry humor, and nostalgic portrait of middle America. Simply charming.
The Wednesday Wars (Gary D. Schmidt; 2007): This coming-of-age story set in suburban 1960s America features Holling, who stumbles through the pitfalls of seventh grade, which include a fear-inspiring teacher, a potential girlfriend, and the plays of William Shakespeare. The result is a laugh-out-loud funny and poignant novel.
American Born Chinese (Gene Luen Yang; 2006): Yang weaves together 3 stories - that of the legendary Chinese Monkey King, an Asian-American student, and an American teenager with an embarrassing relative - in this surprising and sophisticated graphic novel.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Brian Selznick; 2007): Selznick won the Caldecott Medal for this novel-length picture book. The black and white illustrations give the reader the sensation of entering into a silent movie. An original work that expands the genre.
A Northern Light (Jennifer Donnelly; 2003): Donnelly’s Carnegie Medal winner is equal parts historical novel, murder mystery, and turn-of-the-century coming-of-age story with a feminist twist.
The New Policeman (Kate Thompson; 2005): Thompson’s intertwining of Irish mythology and music adds spark to this fantasy/adventure story which garnered Great Britain’s Whitbred Prize.
- Mary Ruby is the project manager for Contemporary Authors Online, and, in that capacity, gets to peruse literary award lists and reviews of new books - which helps her whittle down her own reading list. She expects to be chastised any day for excessive use of inter-library loan.
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There is this little known book by some man names Tokin? Or something anyway. Its about little munchkins and an old man who hangs around with them for a while… Its deep and stuff. Should be on your list definatly… Its like… the best book every written. My mum says so. Its called The King of Tower Lords Returns.. or somesuch.
What, no Philip Pullman?
His Dark Materials are, by far, some of the most imaginative and gorgeous young adult books out there.
Ben: I’m a fan/owner of the LOTR books (and the extended versions of the movies), but the focus here was on recent titles.
SharQ: I read Pullman’s “Dark Materials” trilogy, and while I liked The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife (which was my favorite of the three), I really didn’t care for the Whitbread-winning The Amber Spyglass. To each his own, I guess.
What? No Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan? No Uglies series by Scott Westerfield? No Maximum ride by James Patterson?
Ok, Uglies is probably more mid teens, but I have to say that those are the best book series for youngens to read. Percy Jackson is a really funny, teaches you a lot about greek mythology and is just so well written. Uglies deals with issues of beauty and shallowness in a futuristic sci-fi way. And Maximum ride looks at the lives of a group of kids genetically modified to have wings, deals with a lot of moral issues and you won’t be able to put it down.
But actually, I’m quite impressed with your list, most people over the age of 20 pick all the wrong books for younger people, thinking we just need a bunch of badly written cliché’s (calling the series of unfortunate events) shoved in our faces.
Although, I disagree on The New Policeman. We read it for our young peoples book group, one person liked it but it was just too…. Confusing and irish was the general consensus.
I haven’t read a couple on that list, but I will now! Thanks
Sally: This summer I read The Lightning Thief (Book 1 of the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series) and you’re right; there were some hilarious parts. I have the second book, The Sea of Monsters, on my bookshelf, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Your recommendation may be just the nudge I need. I’ll check out James Patterson and the “Maximum Ride” series too. Thanks for your input.
This is great! It really shows me where to expand my blog. I think that sometime in the future I might try to write a book to go along with my blog, but we will see…Good post with useful tips and ideas