{"id":14150,"date":"2018-01-15T20:35:11","date_gmt":"2018-01-16T01:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/?p=14150"},"modified":"2018-01-16T10:31:17","modified_gmt":"2018-01-16T15:31:17","slug":"ya-books-for-the-teens-in-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/archives\/14150","title":{"rendered":"YA Books for the Teens in Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is all this about books for kids<\/a>?<\/p>\n

These are both YA books and some straight-up fantasy that is perfectly acceptable for younger readers. Some of these books have difficult subject matter, such as sexual assault or the acknowledgement of boinking, so know your small person before buying.<\/p>\n

I’ve read the books listed here, although it’s been awhile since I read some of these, if you click on an author’s name, it should take you to my page for that author, and any reviews I’ve written about their books. <\/p>\n

See also this YA list<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Josephine Angelini<\/a> : Starcrossed<\/a><\/em> (2011) (Female) (Fantasy)
<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Susan Bischoff<\/a>:
\nTalent Chronicles<\/strong>: Hush Money<\/a><\/em> (2010), Impulse Control<\/a><\/em> (2011), Heroes \u2018Til Curfew<\/a><\/em> (2011) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

What happens when kids suddenly develop special abilities that border on the supernatural? The government declares it a public safety issue and takes those kids into “custody”. A more adult series along this line is Rising Stars<\/a> by J. Michael Straczynski.<\/p>\n

I already knew it had happened again. <\/p>\n

Not like I\u2019m psychic, not really, but you don\u2019t have to have any special mental Talent to see the signs\u2026if you\u2019re paying attention. <\/p>\n

Stacy Scarpelli had had her hand in the air for, like, five minutes. Eventually she was doing that thing where you lean one elbow on the desk, and your other elbow in your hand, like you\u2019re going to collapse from the exhaustion of trying to get the teacher\u2019s attention. But the teacher was paying attention. She was paying a lot of attention to checking off names on the roll; or supposedly taking roll, but totally not looking at that whole side of the room where Stacy was flinging her hand limply about on her wrist.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/p>\n

\"send\"<\/a>Patty Blount<\/a>: Send<\/a><\/em> (2012)<\/p>\n

Dan and his family have changed their names and moved to a new town. When he was thirteen, Dan (then Kenny) was accused of bullying a classmate in an incident that caused the other boy to commit suicide. After spending almost a year in juvenile detention, he came home, only to have his entire family driven out of their home by their neighbors, and the father of the boy he killed came after Kenny with a metal bat, in an attempt to kill him.<\/p>\n

For several years, the family moved from town to town, but still the father of the boy who died would find them, and threaten and harass him.<\/p>\n

So he\u2019s starting his senior year of high school hoping to keep his head down and graduate.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the first thing he sees when he pulls into the parking lot of the school is a skinny nerd being attacked by a huge jock.

\n<\/p>\n

Libba Bray<\/a>: A Great and Terrible Beauty<\/a><\/em> (2003) (Female)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma\u2019s reception there is a chilly one.<\/p>\n

To make things worse, she\u2019s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence\u2019s most powerful girls\u2014and their foray into the spiritual world\u2014lead to?

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Kristin Cashore<\/a>: Graceling<\/a><\/em> (2009) (Female) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

IN THESE DUNGEONS the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind. One that had so far proven correct, as Oll\u2019s maps tended to do. Katsa ran her hand along the cold walls and counted doors and passageways as she went. Turning when it was time to turn; stopping finally before an opening that should contain a stairway leading down. She crouched and felt forward with her hands. There was a stone step, damp and slippery with moss, and another one below it. This was Oll\u2019s staircase, then. She only hoped that when he and Giddon followed her with their torches, they would see the moss slime, tread carefully, and not waken the dead by clattering headlong down the steps.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n



\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>David Eddings<\/a>:
\nThe Belgariad<\/strong>: Pawn of the Prophecy<\/a><\/em> (1982), Queen of Sorcery<\/a><\/em> (1982), Magician’s Gambit<\/a><\/em> (1983), Castle of Wizardry<\/a><\/em> (1984), Enchanter’s End Game<\/a><\/em> (1984) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

This series is comfort reading for me, the books I turn to when life gets dark and I need to escape. (Silk is my favorite.)<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to have missed him,\u201d Silk said. \u201cI wish I had the leisure to look him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t for my life think why,\u201d the farmer said bluntly. \u201cTo be honest with you, I didn\u2019t care much for your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not overfond of him myself,\u201d Silk agreed, \u201cbut the truth is that he owes me some money . I could quite easily do without Brill\u2019s companionship, but I\u2019m lonesome for the money, if you take my meaning.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Malloreon<\/strong>: Guardian of the West<\/a><\/em> (1987), King of the Murgos<\/a><\/em> (1988), Demon Lord of Karanda<\/a><\/em> (1988), Sorceress of Darshiva<\/a><\/em> (1989), The Seeress of Kell<\/a><\/em> (1991) (Fantasy)

\n<\/p>\n

Jennifer Estep<\/a>:
\nMythos Academy<\/strong>: First Frost<\/a><\/em> (2011), Touch of Frost<\/a><\/em> (2011), Kiss of Frost<\/a><\/em> (2011), Dark Frost<\/a><\/em> (2012) (Female) (Fantasy)

\n<\/p>\n

Raymond E. Feist<\/a>:
\nRiftwar Saga<\/strong>: Magician: Apprentice<\/a><\/em> (1982), Magician: Master<\/a> <\/em>(1982), Silverthorn<\/a> <\/em>(1985), A Darkness At Sethanon<\/a><\/em> (1986) (Fantasy)
\nThe Empire Series<\/strong>, written with Janny Wurts<\/a>: Daughter of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1987), Servant of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1990), Mistress of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1992) (Female) (Fantasy)

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A.C. Gaughen<\/a>: Scarlet<\/a><\/em> (2012)<\/p>\n

No one really knows \u2019bout me. I\u2019m Rob\u2019s secret, I\u2019m his informant, I\u2019m his shadow in dark places. No one ever takes me for more than a knockabout lad, a whip of a boy. They never really see. And I don\u2019t mind that they don\u2019t see. Like, when you walk through a room full of big men drunk off their skulls, it ain\u2019t so bad to be ignored.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n



\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>C.C. Hunter<\/a>:
\nShadowfalls<\/strong>: Turned at Dark: A Bonus Shadow Falls Short Story<\/a><\/em> (2011), Born at Midnight<\/a><\/em> (2011), Awake at Dawn<\/a><\/em> (2011), Taken at Dusk<\/a><\/em> (2012), Whispers at Moonrise<\/a><\/em> (2012), Saved at Sunrise<\/a><\/em> (2013) (Female) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Kylie is having what is justifiably the worst day ever.<\/p>\n

On top of losing her favorite grandmother and her boyfriend breaking up with her, she comes home from school to discover that her parents are getting divorced. In fact, her father is throwing clothes in a suitcase and storming out.<\/p>\n

Plus, her night terrors have returned.<\/p>\n

In an effort to take a break from all the crap in her life, Kylie goes to a party. Unfortunately, it ends up being the wrong party, and now she\u2019s being shipped off to a camp for troubled youth.<\/p>\n

Could things get any worse?<\/p>\n

Yup. The camp is for supernatural youth. As far as Kylie is concerned, she doesn\u2019t have any special powers, but the counselors are convinced she does, and they\u2019re the cause of her night terrors.<\/p>\n

I really like this series. The characters are complex and the adults are not idiots.

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ellen Kushner<\/a>: The Privilege of the Sword<\/a><\/em> (2006) (Female)<\/p>\n

Katherine’s family has always been on the edge of financial solvency, and the continual lawsuits by her uncle, the Mad Duke Tremontaine don’t help. So it’s a blessing for everyone when the Mad Duke offers to forgive the Talbert debt–as well as settling a sum of money on the family–if only Katherine will come live with him and study the sword–it’s an offer her mother can’t refuse.<\/p>\n

This is a sequel of sorts to one of my favorite books, Swordspoint<\/em>. Be aware, there is sexual assault in this story.
<\/p>\n

Mercedes Lackey<\/a>:
\nThe Last Herald Mage<\/strong>: Magic’s Pawn <\/a><\/em>(1989), Magic’s Promise<\/a><\/em> (1990), Magic’s Price<\/a><\/em> (1990)
\nVows and Honor<\/strong>: The Oathbound <\/a><\/em>(1988), Oathbreakers<\/a><\/em> (1989), Oathblood<\/a><\/em> (1998), By the Sword<\/a><\/em> (1991)
\nThe Heralds of Valdemar<\/strong>: Arrows of the Queen<\/a><\/em> (1987), Arrow’s Flight<\/a><\/em> (1987), Arrow’s Fall<\/a><\/em> (1988)
\nMage Winds<\/strong>: Winds of Fate <\/a><\/em>(1991), Winds of Change<\/a><\/em>(1993), Winds of Fury<\/a><\/em> (1993)
\nMage Storms<\/strong>: Storm Warning<\/a><\/em> (1994), Storm Rising<\/a><\/em> (1995), Storm Breaking<\/a><\/em> (1996)
\nMage Wars<\/strong>: The Black Gryphon<\/a><\/em> (1994), The White Gryphon<\/a><\/em> (1995), The Silver Gryphon<\/a><\/em> (1996)

\n<\/p>\n

\"grave-mercy\"<\/a>Robin LaFevers<\/a>:
\nHis Fair Assassin<\/strong>: Grave Mercy<\/a><\/em> (2012) (Female) (Fantasy)
<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Lish McBride<\/a>:
\nHold Me Closer, Necromancer<\/em><\/a>, (2010), Necromancer: A Novella<\/em><\/a> (2011), Necromancing the Stone<\/a><\/em> (2012) (Fantasy)
\nBurnt Sugar<\/a><\/em> (2014), Firebug<\/a><\/em> (2014) (Female) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

I stood in front of today\u2019s schedule still holding my skateboard, still drenched from the ride over, and still desperately wishing that I hadn\u2019t dropped out of college. But wishing wouldn\u2019t erase Sam from the counter slot and rewrite it under the grill slot. No matter what, my job kind of sucks, but on the grill it sucks less. On the grill, you don\u2019t have to handle customers. Something about the fast food uniform makes people think it\u2019s okay to treat you like crap. Personally, I\u2019m always polite to anyone who handles my food. There are lots of horrible things that can be done to your meal before it gets to your plate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sam is a very good character, and I especially like the bits about what living on minimum wage is like.
<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Robin McKinley<\/a>: Sunshine<\/a><\/em> (2003) (Female) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

It is the strength of the element in you that makes you more able to resist\u2014 and simultaneously embrace\u2014 its opposite. You are not consumed by the dark because you are full of light.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/p>\n

Dennis L. McKiernan<\/a>:
\nThe Iron Tower Trilogy<\/strong><\/a>: The Dark Tide<\/a> <\/em>(1984), Shadows of Doom<\/a><\/em> (1984), The Darkest Day<\/a><\/em> (1984)
\nThe Silver Call Duology<\/strong><\/a>: Trek to Kraggen-Cor<\/a><\/em> (1986), The Brega Path<\/a><\/em> (1986)
\nHel’s Crucible Duology:<\/strong> Into the Forge<\/a><\/em> (1997), Into the Fire<\/a><\/em> (1998)
\nTales from Mithgar<\/a> <\/em>(1994), The Eye of the Hunter<\/a> <\/em>(1992), Voyage of the Fox Rider<\/a> <\/em>(1993), The Dragonstone<\/a> <\/em>(1996), Silver Wolf, Black Falcon<\/a><\/em> (2001), Red Slippers<\/a><\/em> (2004)

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sharyn November<\/a>:
\nAnthologies<\/strong>: Firebirds<\/em><\/a> (2003)<\/p>\n

Cotillion – Delia Sherman
\nThe Baby In The Night Deposit Box – Megan Whalen Turner
\nBeauty – Sherwood Smith
\nMariposa – Nancy Springer
\nMax Mondrosch – Lloyd Alexander
\nThe Fall Of Ys – Meredith Ann Pierce
\nMedusa – Michael Cadnum
\nThe Black Fox – Emma Bull ; Illustrations By Charles Vess
\nByndley – Patricia A. Mckillip
\nThe Lady Of The Ice Garden – Kara Dalkey
\nHope Chest – Garth Nix
\nChasing The Wind – Elizabeth E. Wein
\nLittle Dot – Diana Wynne Jones
\nRemember Me – Nancy Farmer
\nFlotsam – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
\nThe Flying Woman – Laurel Winter<\/p>\n

Firebirds Rising<\/a><\/em> (2006)<\/p>\n

Huntress – Tamora Pierce
\nUnwrapping – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
\nThe Real Thing – Alison Goodman
\nLittle (Grrl) Lost – Charles de Lint
\nI\u2019ll Give you My Word – Diana Wynn Jones
\nIn the House of the Seven Librarians – Ellen Klages
\nWintermoon Wish – Sharon Shinn
\nThe Wizards of Perfil – Kelly Link
\nJack O\u2019Lantern – Patricia A. McKillip
\nQuill – Carol Emshwiller
\nBlood Roses – Francesca Lia Block
\nHives – Kara Dalkey
\nPerception – Alan Dean Foster
\nThe House on the Planet – Tanith Lee
\nCousins – Pamela Dean
\nWhat Used to be Good Still Is – Emma Bull<\/p>\n

Firebirds Soaring<\/a><\/em> (2009) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Kingmaker – Nancy Springer
\nA Ticket to Ride – Nancy Farmer
\nA Thousand Tails – Christopher Barzak
\nAll Under Heaven – Chris Roberson
\nSinging On a Star – Ellen Klages
\nEgg Magic – Louise Marley
\nFlatland – Kara Dalkey
\nDolly the Dog-Soldier – Candas Jane Dorsey
\nFerryman – Margo Lanagan
\nThe Ghosts of Strangers – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
\nTwilight Tales – Jo Walton
\nThe Dignity He’s Due – Carol Emshwiller
\nPower and Magic – Marly Youmans
\nCourtship – Sherwood Smith
\nLittle Red – Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple
\nThe Myth of Fenix – Laurel Winter
\nFear and Loathing in Lalanna – Nick O’Donohoe
\nBone-Chewer’s Legacy – Clare Bell
\nSomething Worth Doing – Elizabeth E. Wein

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>NYX<\/a>:
\nWannabe<\/a><\/em> (2006), No Way Home<\/a><\/em> (2009) <\/p>\n

Kiden had a normal life once. But it all fell apart. Then, when things are at their absolute worst, she discovers she has powers. Unfortunately for her, it seems to cause as much harm as good. Over the course of the story she meets up with three other mutants, and they try to work they way out of the trouble they\u2019re all in.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Cherie Priest<\/a>:
\nBoneshaker<\/a><\/em> (2009), Clementine<\/a><\/em> (2010) (Fantasy)
<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Princess Ugg<\/a>:
\nPrincess Ugg Vol. 1<\/a><\/em> (2014), Princess Ugg Vol. 2<\/em><\/a> (2015) (Female)<\/p>\n

Princess \u00dclga isn’t your standard princess, but her royal lineage goes back for generations. At her mother’s bequest, \u00dclga travels to the city-state of Atraeska, where the prestigious Princess Academy lies, so that she can learn about things like diplomacy-hopefully for the benefit of her rough and tumble people. <\/p>\n

This is another series I really liked. Especially since the characters who initially seem one note grow in complexity.
<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sharon Shinn<\/a>: General Winston\u2019s Daughter<\/a><\/em> (2007) (Female)<\/p>\n

Averie is headed to Chiarrin, where her father and betrothed are with the army, which is currently seeking to make the area part of its empire.<\/p>\n

On the trip over Averie makes friends with Lieutenant Du\u2019Kai, a Xan\u2019tai member of the Aerberelle Army. This means only that as a member of a conquered territory he can gain only the rank of Captain, but is otherwise an acceptable dinner companion for Lady Averie, although Averie\u2019s chaperone Lady Selkirk is at first unsure as to the propriety of this. But the journey is long and Du\u2019Kirk is a charming companion, so they soon all end up looking forward to the dinners.

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Catherynne M. Valente<\/a>:
\nThe Girl Who Ruled Fairyland\u2013for a Little While<\/a><\/em> (2011), The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making<\/a><\/em> (2011) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you are born,\u201d the golem said softly, \u201cyour courage is new and clean. You are brave enough for anything: crawling off staircases, saying your first words without fearing that someone will think you are foolish, putting strange things in your mouth. But as you get older, your courage attracts gunk and crusty things and dirt and fear and knowing how bad things can get and what pain feels like. By the time you\u2019re half-grown, your courage barely moves at all, it\u2019s so grunged up with living.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Tammara Webber<\/a>: Easy<\/a><\/em> (2012)<\/p>\n

As tonight\u2019s designated driver, it was my responsibility to get Erin back to our dorm across campus in one unmangled piece, whether or not I could stand another minute of the party. My message told her to call or text when she was ready to go. The way she and her boyfriend, Chaz, had been tequila-soaked dirty dancing before they linked hands and tripped up the stairs to his room, she might not be calling me until tomorrow. I chuckled over the thought of the short walk of shame she\u2019d endure from the front porch to my truck, if so.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Be aware that this story deals with sexual assault.
<\/p>\n

Janny Wurts<\/a> (with Raymond E. Feist): Daughter of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1987), Servant of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1990), Mistress of the Empire<\/em><\/a> (1992) (Female) (Fantasy)

\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>X-23<\/a>:
\nInnocence Lost<\/a><\/em> (2006), Target X<\/em><\/a> (2007) (Female) (Fantasy)
\nThe Killing Dream<\/em><\/a> (2011), Chaos Theory<\/em><\/a> (2012), Don\u2019t Look Back<\/em><\/a> (2012) (Female) (Fantasy)<\/p>\n

X-23 is created in a scientific lab after experiments with Wolverine with terribly wrong. The story follows her from the failed experiments to her creation through her training. We also catch glimpses of the pasts of the two scientists most responsible for her creation, and how they came to create X-23.<\/p>\n

X-23 is hands down my favorite X-Men character.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is all this about books for kids? These are both YA books and some straight-up fantasy that is perfectly acceptable for younger readers. Some of these books have difficult subject matter, such as sexual assault or the acknowledgement of boinking, so know your small person before buying. I’ve read the books listed here, although […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books-reading"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pefxA-3Ge","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14150"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14150\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}