Top 100 YA Novels (#90-86)

#90 Glass Houses by Rachel Caine (2006)
[78 points – 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 2 #4s, 1 #6, 1 #7, 1 #10]

“This makes my top ten simply because I adore the series, the writing, and the concept. Claire Danvers is one of my all-time favorite characters and this is the work that introduced her and the Morganville Vamps to me. My adoration for vamps wouldn't be the same without Michael, Shane, and the rest of the players in this series. Go TPU!” I Heart Monster

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Goodreads.

It was only a matter of time before Bit-Lit showed its fangs... Glass Houses is the first title in the very successful The Morganville Vampires series which has graced both New York Times and USA Today Bestselling lists. More than six hundred thousand copies of the series have been sold worldwide.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Rachel Caine’s Twitter.
• Chapters 1 and 2 of Glass Houses
• Cynsations author interview

#89 A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle (1980)
[81 points – 2 #1s, 1 #2, 2 #3s, 3 #4s, 1 #5, 1 #6, 1 #9, 2 #10]

"This book has been my comfort read ever since I first picked it up as a young teen; it's a book that acknowledges the darkness, but still lets hope, light, and love prevail in the end. Best treatment of death I've ever read in a novel. Also, L'Engle's writing is beautiful." Natalie Schmidt, reader.

“Another Big Question book. Why do people die? And how is it possible to live with joy knowing that it will all end someday?” Maureen K, Librarian

Vicky Austin is filled with strong feelings as she stands near Commander Rodney's grave while her grandfather, who himself is dying of cancer, recites the funeral service. Watching his condition deteriorate as the summer passes on beautiful Seven Bay Island is almost more than Vicky can bear. To complicate things, she finds herself the center of attention for three very different boys: Leo is an old friend wanting comfort and longing for romance; Zachary, whose attempted suicide inadvertently caused the Commander's death, is attractive and sophisticated but desperately troubled; and Adam, her older brother's friend, offers her a wonderful chance to assist in his experiments with dolphins but treats her as a young girl just when she's ready to feel most grown-up.

Called upon to be dependable, stable, and wise, Vicky is exhilarated but often overwhelmed. Forces of darkness and light, tragedy and joy, hover about her, and at times she doesn't know which will prevail. MadeleineLengle.com

A Newbery medallist in 1963 for the wonderful A Wrinkle in Time, L’Engle was inspired by the 17th century poet Henry Vaughn for the title of A Ring of Endless Light. The L’Engle was named as a Newbery Honor Book by the ALA in 1981. The fourth title in the Meet the Austins series it continues to follow the adventures of Vicky Austin and her family.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Henry Vaughn’s poem, The World.
• Literature plan directory for Madeleine L’Engle’s work

#88 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (2003)
[81 points – 2 #1s, 6 #4s, 1 #6, 3 #7s, 2 #8s, 1 #10]

"Quirky, funny and interesting, this is a very original look at a boy who is 'different'." Michelle Sweeney, Librarian

'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger's, a form of autism. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour's dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.FantasticFiction.co.uk

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, published in 2003, become hugely successful enjoying an imprint for children and adults. Winning the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year and a whole host of other prestigious awards, Haddon's novel recounts the adventures of an autistic protagonist. This book also has the honour of including mathematics and logic puzzles within the text.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• To hear a reading of the book click here.
• Study guide

#87 An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (2006)
[81 points – 1 #2, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 5 #6s, 4 #7, 1 #8, 1 #9, 3 #10s]

"Funny, clever and touching." Steph, My Girl Friday

When it comes to relationships, everyone has a type. Colin Singleton's type is girls named Katherine. He has dated--and been dumped by--19 Katherines. In the wake of The K-19 Debacle, Colin--an anagram-obsessed washed-up child prodigy--heads out on a road trip with his overweight, Judge Judy-loving friend Hassan. With 10,000 dollars in his pocket and a feral hog on his trail, Colin is on a mission to prove a mathematical theorem he hopes will predict the future of any relationship (and conceivably win the girl). SparksFlyUp.com

John Green’s second novel was highly awarded as a 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor book, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, an ALA Best Book for YA, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year along with many more. An Abundance of Katherines also has the honour of being the first (just) title on this list to hit us with some mathematics mid narrative.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Nerdfighter’s YouTube channel.
• John Green’s Twitter.

#86 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1990)
[82 points – 2 #1s, 3 #3s, 1 #4, 2 #5s, 1 #6, 2 #8s, 2 #9s, 4 #10s]

An ocean voyage of unimaginable consequences . . .

Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if it did happen years ago. Be warned, however: If strong ideas and action offend you, read no more. Find another companion to share your idle hours. For my part I intend to tell the truth as I lived it. Avi-Writer.com

Announced as a Newbery Honor Book in 1991, the ALA described the books as being “a spunky young lady goes from polite idealist impressed by good manners and gallantry to a realistic young woman who comes to terms with the complexity of the 19th-century society in which she lives”. It has been announced that a film adaptation is in the works with Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Lovely Bones) attached to star as Charlotte but the project is currently on hold.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Reader’s Theatre script
• Study guide