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Original poster

Amazing teen fiction suggestions

57 replies

Engelsmeisje · 15/04/2012 18:47

I am an avid teen fiction reader (English teacher, so can always pretend I?m buying books for professional purposes when DH complains Grin ). However, am in mainland Europe and don?t often get the chance to browse in an English language bookshop. Amazon is fine for buying what you want, but no good for browsing. Used to rely on an amazing librarian when I was teaching in the UK for recommendations.

So am feeling out of touch and would like some suggestions for some great teen fiction. I love Meg Roscoff, Marcus Sedgewick, Patrick Ness?and have read things like Alex Rider, Twilight, Hunger Games.

Any suggestions gratefully received?

OP posts:
Original poster
Engelsmeisje · 20/04/2012 08:58

Thanks SnowWoman...I haven't heard of any of those so will check them out!

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SnowWoman · 17/04/2012 21:58

how about Dead Boy Talking by Linda Strachan
or dd2 has read a lot of Cathy MacPhail recently and liked it
Nothing by Janne Teller (original is in Danish I think)
Divergent - can't remember who the author is
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr if you would like some non-vampire supernatural romance
Far Rockaway by Charlie Fletcher was an interesting read, not sure how many teens would read it though

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/04/2012 21:11

Yes to the Mortal Engines series - it's fab.

Original poster
Engelsmeisje · 17/04/2012 18:44

I've read some of the Cherub ones DeWe. Quite liked them.

Haven't read Mortal Engines Kayano, but liked "Here lies Arthur".

So much reading to do!

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DeWe · 17/04/2012 09:48

Has anyone suggested the Cherub and Henderson boys series, by Robert Muchamore? Dd1 (year 6)moved from Alex Rider to them. They're another school for spy type story.

She was a bit Shock when a lad in her form told her she shouldn't be reading them as there's swearing in them. Haven't worked out (as he's an avid fan too) whether he's being chivalrous, jealous or something else. Grin

Kayano · 16/04/2012 22:42

PHILIP REEVE - mortal engines

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/04/2012 20:10

Lady: My Life As A Bitch - it's horrible. Writing for shock tactics and little merit at all. His 'Sara's Face' is creepy and horrible but at least it's interesting, whereas 'Lady' is just being 'out there' to prove that he's 'out there' as it were.

TunipTheVegemal · 16/04/2012 19:42

agree re Celia Rees. I want her to be better than she is.

Original poster
Engelsmeisje · 16/04/2012 19:01

Thanks for the suggestions. I remember Melvin Burgess stirring up lots of controversry when I was doing my PGCE, something about a girl who turned into a dog ( My life as Lady the Bitch or something). I didn't like the sound of it and it put me off...but I should give him a try!

Loads of great ideas for me to check out, thanks jongleuse

I find Celia Rees a bit hit and miss. I loved Witch Child, but one of her books (I can't remember the name...some kind of Aztec prophecy thing) was one of the worst teen fiction books I've ever read.

Tomorrow sounds great viva - I thinks omeone recommended it on another thread as well, so guess I should put it on my list. Will have a look at Exodus as well.

I find that the more I read Skellig the more I enjoy it tunip. The first time I read it I really didn't rate it.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/04/2012 17:11

Ooh yes to the Exodus series. Not overfond of Celia Rees and though I like some of Terry Pratchet's I don't really like the Tiffany ones - prefer the Carpet People series.

VivaLeBeaver · 16/04/2012 10:59

Tomorrow When The War Began is fantastic - there's about 5 books in the series.

About some Aussie teens in modern day Oz who go bush for a weeken's camping. While they're in the bush Australia gets invaded and taken over by a foreign country. So they go back and hide in the bush and then start up a resistance.

jongleuse · 16/04/2012 10:54

Have just had a YA splurge. Spooky stuff- Anne Fine, The Devil Walks and Lindsay Barraclough Long Lankin. Tim Bowler, agree he's fab. Joanne Horniman is a fabulous Australian YA writer-sort of literary realism.
Do read A Swift Pure Cry if you like Bog Child-it is wonderful and astonishing (sad though). Anne Cassidy good thriller-type teen books, (Looking for JJ). Sherman Alexie's autobiographical YA novel is one of my top YA reads ever. Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books are fab (and funny) if you like fantasy Kevin Brooks, Naked and others all good. Celia Rees's new one is very powerful, This is not Forgiveness. If you like historical Celia Rees and Jennifer Donnelly excellent. Franny Billingsley, Chime also wonderful-beautiful writing. Liked Blood Red Road and Julie Bertagna Exodus trilogy much more than The Hunger Games. I do try and post YA reviews on my blog sometimes-it is hard to keep up, there are just so many good books out there!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2012 22:02

Stargirl even - doh!

TunipTheVegemal · 15/04/2012 22:02

I've tried hard with Skellig and I just don't get it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2012 22:00

'Starchild' - that's it!

I think David Almond get a bit worthy and samey but at his best, he's amazing. I recently read the 'prequel' to 'Skellig' and was seriously underwhelmed by it, but 'Skellig' is just beautiful.

bruffin · 15/04/2012 21:50

Sorry its called Stargirl not Starchild

TunipTheVegemal · 15/04/2012 21:34

I like 'Junk'.
I seem to be the only person in the world who doesn't like David Almond.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2012 21:28

'Junk' is pretty crap tbh and has dated v badly.

'Starchild' is lovely. Also, 'the Silver Child' series by (I think) Cliff McNeish - chidren's rather than teen but really interesting and sensitively written.

Original poster
Engelsmeisje · 15/04/2012 21:21

Great suggestions remus, I love David Almond. Don't think I've ever read anything by Melvin Burgess . I remember hearing about "Junk" but not getting around to it. Will have a look at the rest of your suggestions too.

Stonewylde looks interesting madame.

Can't remember if I've read "Starchild". It rings a bell but for the life of me I can't remember what it's about - I hate it when that happens!

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bruffin · 15/04/2012 20:55

Starchild by Jerry Spinelli

John Christopher science fantasy books like The Tripods but not sure if they are still in print.

madamehooch · 15/04/2012 20:46

The 'Stonewylde' series by Kit Berry. Addictive.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2012 19:42

Oh and one called 'Gone' by (I think) Michael Grant - the only book my 14 year old has claimed to enjoy in the last 2 years! It's the first of a series but I haven't read the others yet.

bigTillyMint · 15/04/2012 19:37

Engelsmeisje I wish you were DD's English teacher - she had a fab one last year, but this year... Hmm... couldn't give DH any suggestions for reading for DD other than the old classics Sad

I will be getting DD to try some of these!

Original poster
Engelsmeisje · 15/04/2012 19:34

Thanks tunip - great tip!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2012 19:33

Kevin Brooks worth a look - and Tim Bowler.