Teens
Books & Authors

 

In addition to many online booklists that will help you find a good book to read, there are also print copies of booklists in the Library's Teen Corner. For personalized reading recommendations, or for more information on books and authors, ask a librarian!

You can also find out what our staff suggests for teen readers. And don't rule out children's picture books. They're not just for little kids! View a list of picture books that can be enjoyed by all ages.

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Teen Corner Booklists

... look for these titles in the Library's Teen Corner

Web resource2007 Best Books for Young Adults

Check out the 2007 best books for young adults available in the Teen Corner!

Web resourceAlex Award Winners

The Alex Awards are given each year to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to teens. It is named after Margaret Alexander Edwards, an inspirational young adult librarian who was called "Alex" by her friends.

Web resourceAnti-War Books for Teens

These anti-war (or pro-peace) books reveal the horrors of war and the effect of war on the human spirit.

Web resourceBanned Books for Teens

These books have been banned or challenged in schools and public libraries.

Web resourceBeing Gay: Books for Teens

A selection of helpful non-fiction books, anthologies, and fiction books with gay or lesbian characters.

Web resourceThe Best Young Adult Novels of All Time

The books on this list were voted the best young adult novels of all time in the 2004 Hipple-Claiborne survey of middle and high school English teachers, college professors of young adult literature, librarians, and even some authors of young adult novels.

Web resourceBiographies: Books for Teens

Read about interesting life stories in these biographies, autobiographies, personal narratives, and memoirs.

Web resourceBooks by Teens for Teens

Gain insights from published teens who have written fiction or nonfiction books about teen life.

Web resourceBooks for Boys

Good (and even great!) books that teen boys will enjoy.

Web resourceBooks Made into Movies

Arranged by book title, this list features books that have been made into movies.

Web resourceChick Lit

These smart and sassy novels feature teenage girls going through romance, school issues, friendship, love, pain, family problems, and much more.

Web resourceDear Diary: Books for Teens

The books on this list have been written in diary, journal, or letter format.

Web resourceHistorical Fiction Books for Teens

Peek into the past with these historical fiction books arranged by time period and geographical location.

Web resourceHorror Books for Teens

Challenge your nerves with these books that evoke fear and provide the thrill of unknown dangers.

Web resourceHumorous Fiction for Teens

Laugh yourself silly with some books that tickle the funny bone.

Web resourceJewish Themes: Books for Teens

A selection of books with Jewish characters and themes.

Web resourceLove Stories: Books for Teens

These fiction books all include a romantic interest.

Web resourceManga for Teens

These Japanese comic book series are popular with teen readers.

Web resourceMulticultural Experience: Books for Teens

Step into someone else's shoes with these fiction and nonfiction books about the experiences of people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Web resourceMysteries: Books for Teens

See if you can figure out "whodunit" before you get to the end of these mystery books selected especially for teens.

Web resourceNovels in Poetry Form

Most novels are written in prose, but these are written in verse.

Web resourceScience Fiction and Fantasy: Books for Teens

Take an armchair trip by book to imaginative worlds of magic and future possibilities.

Web resourceShort Story Collections for Teens

The short stories in these collections feature teenagers as the main characters.

Web resourceSports Fiction: Books for Teens

These novels with teen characters include the excitement and action of the game.

Web resourceTearjerkers: Books for Teens

Grab a box of tissue and enjoy these books that pull on your heartstrings.

Web resourceVampire Fiction with Bite: Books for Teens

You'll meet some intriguing blood-sucking characters in these vampire fiction books for teens.

Web resourceAudiobooks for Teens

These audiobooks have been selected especially for teens. More audiobooks of teen interest can be found in the Adult Services collection and in the Youth Services Junior High area.

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Award Winners

Web resourceAlex Awards

This award is given annually to ten books written for adults that have a special appeal to young adult readers, ages 12 through 18. View a list of Alex Award Winners in the Teen Corner.

Web resourceHal Clement Award

The Hal Clement Award is presented as part of the annual Golden Duck Awards for excellence in science fiction books for young people.

Web resourceEdgar Awards: Best Young Adult

This database includes winners and nominees of books selected by the Mystery Writers of America. Look for the "Best Young Adult" category. Also see the list of winners from 1989 through 2008.

Web resourceMargaret A. Edwards Awards

This lifetime achievement award is given to authors whose books have been popular among teenagers. The award recognizes books that have helped teens to become aware of themselves and their important roles in relationships, society, and the world.

Web resourceWill Eisner Comic Industry Awards

Named for writer and artist Will Eisner, this award is given to creators who have been recognized by their peers for having produced outstanding achievements in comics. The awards are considered the "Oscars" of comics.

Web resourceBenjamin Franklin Award

This award from the Publishers Marketing Association recognizes achievement in independent publishing. Look for the "Juvenile/Young Adult" category.

Web resourceLambda Literary Awards

The Lambda Literary Foundation award winners are books with gay and lesbian themes. They are given in twenty-five categories, including Children/YoungAdult.

Web resourceAbraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award

This annual award is given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by participating students in Illinois, grades nine through twelve.

Web resourceLocus Young Adult Book Award

Winners of Locus Magazine's annual readers' poll. Locus is subtitled "The Magazine Of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field."

Web resourceMythopoeic Fantasy Awards

These awards honor current fantasy works. The award is a statuette of a seated lion, reminiscent of Aslan in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

Web resourceNational Book Award

The National Book Awards have become the nation's preeminent literary prizes. The Young People's Literatrure category began in 1996.

Web resourceMichael L. Printz Award for Young Adult Literature

This annual award is presented to books that represent excellence in young adult literature.

Web resourceSydney Taylor Book Award

Sponsored by the American Jewish Association, books for teens are included in these awards for the best in Jewish children's literature.

Web resourceYoung Adult Canadian Book Award

This award recognizes an author of an outstanding English language Canadian book which appeals to young adults between the ages of 13 and 18.

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Recommended Reading

Web resourceStaff Recommendations for Teen Readers

Skokie Public Library's Readers' Services staff suggests books for teen readers.

Web resourceBest Books for Young Adults

This annual list of "best" books for young adults is selected by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. This website includes the award-winning books for 1994 through the present.

Web resourceAmelia Bloomer Project

Chosen by the American Library Association's Feminist Task Force, these books celebrate women and girls as a vibrant source around the world. Young adult titles are included.

Web resourceFavorite Teenage Angstbooks

The Grouchy Café presents an online celebration of teenage angst and self-discovery with "Best of the Best" book reviews from a professional reviewer..

Web resourceFeminista!'s 100 Great 20th Century Works of Fiction by Women

Support women authors!  Read some books by great women writers.

Web resourceFlamingnet Book Reviews

Who better to tell you if a book is worth reading than another teen who has read it? Flamingnet is a nonprofit website where students review books for you.

Web resourceGuys Read

A guy-friendly site to help boys find stuff they like to read.

Available everywhere with your Skokie Public Library cardNoveList

Find new authors and titles with this online guide to fiction for readers of all ages. NoveList contains full text reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Searches can be limited to young adult titles for readers ages 13 through 19.
Skokie Public Library's guide to this database available

Web resource100 Best Books for Teens

This librarians' list of the best fiction and nonfiction books for young adults features award-winning books from 1966 to 2000.

Web resourceOutstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learning

This booklist from the American Library Association was developed for college bound students as a resource for reading enjoyment, lifelong learning, and appreciation for differences. The list includes five sections -- fiction, biography, nonfiction, drama, and poetry -- and may also be of interest to educators, librarians, and parents.

Web resourceOverbooked: Young Adult Literature

Books written for teens as well as adult books with teen appeal are reviewed here. There are also links to other sites that will help you in your search for good reading.

Web resourcePopular Paperbacks for Young Adults

These lists of books that are popular with teens have been selected by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. Lists range from 1997 to the present.

Web resourceQuick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Teens and young adults who don't like to read may find something of interest on this annual list of "best" books selected by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. Booklists are available for 1996 through the present.

Web resourceReading Rants!

Browse this hip website filled with "out of the ordinary teen booklists" compiled by a New York City young adult librarian.

Web resourceSummertime Favorites
   ... for grades 7 to 8
   ... for grades 9 to 12

These lists of classics are made available by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Web resourceT.A.G. Team Favorites

Skokie Public Library's Teen Advisory Group members display their reading choices.

Web resourceTeens Recommend Books for Other Teen Readers

If you're looking for a good book to read, take a look at these recommendations from Skokie Public Library's teen readers.

Web resourceTeens' Top Ten

Find out the ten new young adult titles voted most popular each year by teen readers and get tips on how to find good more good books to read.

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Reading Lists for Area High Schools

Web resourceLoyola Academy

The books on these 2006 lists have been chosen by the English teachers at Loyola Academy to provide all students with pleasurable and thought provoking summer reading.
Note: Adobe Reader is required to view PDF images.

Web resourceNiles North High School

Summer reading requirements for Niles North students who will be taking honors or Advanced Placement English classes.

Web resourceNiles West High School

Summer reading requirements for Niles West students who will be taking honors or Advanced Placement English classes.

Web resourceRegina Dominican High School

English Department summer reading assignments.

Web resourceSt. Ignatius College Prep

2006-2007 booklists for all courses.
Note: Adobe Reader is required to view PDF images.

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Online Reading

Web resourceDigital Book Collections available via Skokie Public Library

Skokie Public Library subscribes to a number of services that offer our patrons access to digital books.  Fiction, nonfiction, reference, and audio selections are available for downloading or reading online by Skokie Public Library cardholders.

Web resourceElectricArtists' Book Divas

Participate in the first online book club especially for teen girls who are "passionate about reading."

Web resourcePUSH

This online showcase for new authors features content from writers who "tell it like it really is. No preaching. No false endings. No stereotypes or contrivance. Just an honest does of reality. These books are funny, observant, heartbreaking, and heartstopping. Just like life."

Web resourceTeen OnLine Book Club

Join our free teen online book club from Chapter-a-Day and receive chapters of popular books in your email.

Available everywhere with your Skokie Public Library cardTumbleTalking Books Collection

TumbleTalkingBooks is an online collection of over three hundred full length audiobooks which you can listen to from any computer with an Internet connection. Titles are arranged in the general categories of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Classics, Children, and Read-Along. You can browse titles in these categories or further narrow your search by subcategory. No special software or listening devices are needed.

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Author Information

Web resourceThe Author Page

This website from the Internet Public Library includes biographies of authors who write for teens and links to author websites.

Web resourceAuthors4Teens.com

The contemporary authors featured on this website have each written books that explore all aspects of teenage life. The site also includes information for teens on books and authors, reader surveys, and weekly newsletters.

Available everywhere with your Skokie Public Library cardTeachingBooks.net

TeachingBooks.net offers easy access to audio excerpts of book readings by authors and professional actors; book discussion guides; original movies featuring authors and illustrators at work in their studios; and links to author websites, biographies, activities, and contact information. An "Educator Area" provides thematic booklists, information about children's book awards, and links to related resources in twenty-five categories. The TeachingBooks.net content is divided equally between elementary school-aged content and middle/high school-aged content.

Web resourceTop Ten Adult Authors for Teens

The Spring 2007 issue of The Official Journal of the Young Adult Library Association Services Association (YALSA) features the results of an informal poll conducted among teens.

Web resourceYA Authors Cafe

Participants can discuss latest releases and talk directly to authors who write for young adults. The site includes links to the websites of your favorite YA authors!

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