Looking for something different to read? Why not try a young adult book. While they are geared towards teens between the ages of 13 to 18, often they have provocative themes and complex characters that are equal to most of the "adult" books you'd find on our shelves. Young adult fiction has grown leaps and bounds from its Sweet Valley High days and no topic is off limits. With the popularity of the Harry Potter series, many people, who are no longer by any stretch of the imagination young, are realizing young adult books are just as appealing for readers of all ages.
If you are looking to get started, here are a few to try:
The Book Thief, Marcus Zuzac: A heart wrenching novel set in World War II Germany. Narrated by Death, it examines the life of a young German girl who hides a Jewish fist-fighter in her basement.
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins: Set in a world where districts have to send two teens to fight to the death as a show of deference to the capitol, this book shows how far we can be pushed to our limits while staying true to ourselves. Read it before the movie comes out March 23.
Eragon, Christopher Paolini: A true fantasy novel, Eragon tells the adventurous tale of a boy, his dragon and an evil King.
Little Brother, Cory Doctorow: Set in the not too distant future, this book discusses what happens when national security overrides personal privacy.
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green: Another tear jerker, this is a book about two teenagers falling in love despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Maus, Art Spiegelman: If you are wondering what all the fuss about graphic novels is, try this fantastic one. Again set during the Holocaust, this graphic novel is the biography of the author's father - a holocaust survivor. Maus is also the only comic book to ever win a Pulitzer Prize.
The list could go on and on. While young adult literature may not be for everyone, why not give it a try? And if you don't want to be caught with a "kid's" book in your hand, download a young adult title from Library2Go, the Library's online ebook lending service.
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