Does your book club overlook young adult books? We hope not – and if they do, we’ve got you covered the next time it’s your turn to make a suggestion. Below are some of our faves – young adult books that we would recommend to book clubs.
From Kim …
The Scorpio Races, Maggie Stiefvater
Stiefvater has this amazing ability to intertwine reality with fantasy in her books, to the point that you actually believe deadly water horses might exist somewhere in the world. You’ll also love the heart and determination of the characters in this book.
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
[Buy The Scorpio Races @ Amazon]
Me Before You, JoJo Moyes
This book would not normally be my genre choice but I’m glad I read it. Because of the nature of the story, I think this novel would spark a ton of really great discussion at your book club meeting.
Louisa Clark takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.
From Tanya …
American Street, Ibi Zoboi
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s told from the point of view of a newly immigrated Fabiola. She’s sometimes irritatingly naive, but it’s because of this that you’ll fall in love with this story.
On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie — a good life. But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.
[Buy American Street @ Amazon]
The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
This book tackles a serious subject – but it tackles it with heart, and love – yet showing the hate, and anger as well. I don’t know how the author did it, but she wrote a brilliant complex novel and made it relatable / educational for everyone. Seriously – give this book a try no matter how you think you may not relate. I guarantee you’ll fall for the characters and this book.
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
[Buy The Hate U Give @ Amazon]
New Boy, Tracy Chevalier
Chevalier’s idea of rewriting Othello with a cast of kids turned out to be a genius move. I think it worked out so well because it was short and all took place in one day, plus – yeah, kids can be brutal!
Arriving at his fifth school in as many years, a diplomat’s son, Osei Kokote, knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day so he’s lucky to hit it off with Dee, the most popular girl in school. But one student can’t stand to witness this budding relationship: Ian decides to destroy the friendship between the black boy and the golden girl. By the end of the day, the school and its key players – teachers and pupils alike – will never be the same again.
What Young Adult Books would you recommend to your book club?
(Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash)
// Comments are closed //