Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Top 100 YA Novels (#60-56)

Imagine all the characters of these books existing in the same sphere and one's brain could explode. Though the thought of Fire and Jessica Darling having a conversation in a NYC diner definitely has its merits.

#60 Fire by Kristin Cashore (2009)
[124 points - 1 #1, 3 #3s, 3 #4s, 6 #5s, 3 #6s, 3 #7s, 2 #8s]

Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans.

Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story. KristinCashore

A companion novel to Cashore’s previous publication Graceling, Fire featured another strong female protagonist in an incredibly well sketched fantastical world. Recipient of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, the Cybil in the category of YA Fantasy and Science Fiction, a Junior Library Guild Selection, selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Kirkus Best YA Book of 2009.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.


#59 Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (2006)
[126 points - 1 #1, 2 #2s, 2 #4s, 5 #5s, 2 #6s, 5 #7s, 6 #8s, 1 #9, 4 #10s]

One crazy night between a potty mouth but responsible girl and a shy rock musician in New York City. This novel reads like a rock music scavenger hunt.” M L Bates, YA Collection Developer.

It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who's just walked in to his band's show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date. RachelCohn.com

This is the first title to feature co-authors on the Top 100 list. Levithan and Cohn wrote this story that takes place over one long night in New York by alternating chapters. What resulted was a novel filled with humour, angst and drama told in alternating points of view. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is highly regarded having been chosen as ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults , Kirkus Best Book of the Year and a Cybils (the Children's and YA Bloggers' Literary Awards) winner for Young Adult Fiction.

  • Authors websites - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
  • Rachel Cohn’s Twitter


#58 Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (2007)
[128 points - 1 #1, 2 #2s, 4 #3s, 3 #4s, 1 #5, 4 #6s, 1 #7, 2 #8s, 5 #9s, 1 #10]

Bella must choose between her friendship with Jacob, a werewolf, and her relationship with Edward, a vampire, but when Seattle is ravaged by a mysterious string of killings, the three of them need to decide whether their personal lives are more important than the well-being of an entire city. Goodreads

Third title in the bestselling Twilight series.

  • To visit the author's website click here.


#57 Dreamland by Sarah Dessen (2000)
[128 points - 3 #1s, 1 #2, 2 #3s, 4 #4s, 3 #5s, 3 #7s, 3 #8s, 1 #9, 4 #10s]

"An amazing book that chronicles exactly what happens in an abusive relationship. A mixture of haunting and perfection, Dessen is able to create a novel that reminds any girl young or old what it means to be in a destructive relationship. This book has personally taught me what that means. " Kelcie Pegher, student.

Rogerson Biscoe, with his green eyes and dark curly hair, is absolutely seductive. Before long, sixteen-year-old Caitlin finds herself under his spell. And when he starts to abuse her, she finds she's in too deep to get herself out. SarahDessen.com

Dreamland is the second attempt by Dessen at the story of Caitlin and Rogerson. The first novel is considered to be “mostly terrible” by the author. Dreamland is a compelling read that shines a spotlight onto the issue of physical abuse and how it can affect one girl’s sense of self.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Sarah Dessen’s Twitter


#56 Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty (2003)
[130 points - 5 #1s, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 2 #4s, 2 #5w, 1 #6, 2 #7s, 2 #8s, 1 #10]

"I laughed my pants off, and then wanted to take them off all over again cos MARCUS FLUTIE YOU SLAY ME WITH HOTNESS. Jessica Darling wins the Please Sit At My Lunch Table Award, hands down." Posh Deluxe, Forever Young Adult

Jessica Darling is up in arms again in this much-anticipated, hilarious sequel to Sloppy Firsts. This time, the hyper observant, angst-ridden teenager is going through the social and emotional ordeal of her senior year at Pineville High. Not only does the mysterious and oh-so-compelling Marcus Flutie continue to distract Jessica, but her best friend, Hope, still lives in another state, and she can’t seem to escape the clutches of the Clueless Crew, her annoying so-called friends. To top it off, Jessica’s parents won’t get off her butt about choosing a college, and her sister Bethany’s pregnancy is causing a big stir in the Darling household. MeganMcCaffery.com

A contemporary setting for a realistic, somewhat neurotic protagonist. Second Helpings is the second title in the Jessica Darling series and a clear favourite amongst the series' fans.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Megan McCafferty’s Twitter

10 comments:

Khy said...

It kills me that Eclipse is higher than a book that is half David's. xD

R Williams said...

@Khy: I'm more miffed that Eclipse is higher than Fire. FIRE. Seriously?

Marg said...

Miffed or not, I was kind of expected to see Twilight higher in the list.

Really liked Fire when I read it a while ago.

Robby said...

Nick & Norah's! Dreamland! Second Helpings! I am glad that I have read so many of these books.

Anonymous said...

Make hay while the sun shines...................................................

Angiegirl said...

YAY for FIRE!!!!!

Sunhi said...

Ooo, Second Helpings made it! Great book!

Okapi said...

I wasn't really a fan of any of these, except for Fire! In my opinion, that's the only one that deserves to be on this list.

melissa @ 1lbr said...

This is so cool! I'm excited for the rest of the list.

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