Saturday, 24 July 2010

Top 100 YA Novels (#80-76)

Here's another curious mixture of old and new, contemporary and fantasy, popular and critically received. Get your pen and paper ready to jot down some titles to seek out! From murderous boys to magical denim it is time to unveil your picks for #80-76!

#80 Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen (1998)
[93 points - 1 #1, 1 #2, 1 #3, 2 #4s, 2 #5s, 3 #6s, 1 #7, 4 #8s, 4 #9s, 1 #10]

"A gorgeously written and moving story about first loves, rebellion, teen pregnancy and best friends. I LOVED the book ever since I first read it, and Dessen's effortless style of writing is impossible to put down.” Sarah, reader

Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever. SarahDessen.com

Sarah Dessen cites this title as the most loved of her published works possessing the largest and most vocal group of fans. Awarded the South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award (2001) it was also adapted into a film starring Mandy Moore and Allison Janney in 2003.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Sarah Dessen's Twitter
  • Sarah Dessen Novel Literature Plan directory


#79 Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)
[94 points - 3 #3s, 2 #4s, 1 #5, 3 #6s, 3 #7s, 3 #8s, 5 #9s, 4 #10s]

I think every young adult should read this...it relates to our nature.” Alli Watson, reader.

A group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted. Goodreads

Taught in most high schools across the world, Lord of the Flies, its reputation proceeds it...as does the movie adaptation. One of the most challenged books of the last few decades, Lord of the Flies is a brilliant exploration of human nature in the toughest of situations. Time magazine listed it as one of the best English-language novels of the past century and it is the only title on this list authored by a Nobel Prize winner.



#78 Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (2006)
[95 points - 2 #2s, 1 #3, 2 #4s, 3 #5s, 3 #6s, 2 #7s, 1 #8, 3 #9s, 5 #10s]

This book shows that fairies or ""faeries"" are no creatures to be messed with. Move over Tinkerbell, these are dark and scary creatures!" Theresa, reader.

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale. Melissa-Marr.com

The first of the Wicked Lovely series, this novel graced the New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller lists as well as their counterparts in Germany and France. Marr’s interesting take on the Seelie Court delves into the darker elements of contemporary society and spins romance, danger and intrigue into the mix. It is not surprising then that Marr was awarded the 2007 Romance Writers of America (RITA) Award for Best Young Adult Romance (2008).

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Melissa Marr's Twitter


#77 Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (1971)
[97 points - 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 2 #5s, 1 #7, 5 #8s, 2 #9s, 1 #10]

"This book is completely different from everything else I’ve read but now it is one of my favorites. Beginning to end it was great. I couldn't put it down." Sarah Mytnik, reader

This groundbreaking classic is more compelling than ever for today's readers. A sensation when it was first published and a perennial bestseller ever since, this real-life diary charts an anonymous teenage girl's struggle with the seductive--and often fatal--world of drugs. Goodreads

While the authorship of this novel is still a little bit of a quandary, psychologist Beatrice Sparks is has been credited for creating this character and story after finding herself inspired by one of her teen patients. A book that has time and time again been censored for its profanity and events, Go Ask Alice still makes its mark thirty years after first being published.

  • Random fact - William Shatner starred in the movie adaptation as the girl’s father.


#76 The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares (2001)
[98 points - 1 #3, 3 #4s, 2 #5s, 2 #6s, 6 #7s, 4 #8s, 3 #9s, 5 #10s]

"Anyone can find someone to connect to within this book. Anyone." Kelcie Pegher, college student.

Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn't look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they're great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they're fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. AnnBrashares.com

The highly successful The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series kicks off with this title and became an international best seller. Brashares debut work was adapted into a film in 2005 with a sequel released in 2008. This novel was a South Carolina Book Award Nominee for Young Adult Book Award (2004) as well as a Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award for Senior (2004).

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Ann Brashares' Twitter
  • Excerpt

6 comments:

Splendibird said...

I am loving these posts! So far, I have probably not read more than I have read, but I plan on printing out a list when you're finished and hope to eventually get through them all (well, maybe...but it's good to have goals, eh...?). Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this - it's fab.

Nomes said...

I've read all these. My fave from these picks would be... Lord of the Flies! <3 it, love the premise and it's surprisingly an amusing, though horrific, read. Does that even make sense?

xx

Catherine (On The Nightstand) said...

Great to see Wicked Lovely, a Dessen and Sisterhood here. Not happy at all about Go Ask Alice. Fingers crossed that it's only GOA that shows up here, and not Jay's Journal.

Marg said...

The Sisterhood are probably the books that reintroduced me to YA in the last four or five years.

Megan Burke said...

Loving the books - really interesting mix and I'm loving the old with the new.

Aubrey said...

Awesome list! I love this feature, can't wait to see more!