Teenagers are reading lots these days.CBC Radio recently had two young book aficionados talk about what teens are interested in, and it’s more than just Twilight (although Twilight’s in there as well).
They said that some hot teen genres are:
*Speculative fiction (this used to be known as science fiction and fantasy) – including post-apocalyptic fiction where the world has virtually been destroyed and the characters are forced to create a new society with new rules for survival.
*Series – they like to be able to keep reading about the characters, even if it means they’ll have to wait awhile for the next book to be written.
*There’s also a trend in which the classics are being rewritten.
Here are some of the books they presented as great for teens.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart – a fun, smart book set in a school.
The Well, by A. J. Whitten – a horror apparently based on Hamlet.
Hunger, by Michael Grant – the sequel to Gone, and the second in what is to be a six-part series.
The Uninvited, by Tim Wynn-Jones – a mystery set in the Muskokas
Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe, by Bryan Lee O'Malley – Number five in a series; the film (starring Michael Cera) was recently shot in Toronto
A lot of what the teens are reading these days freaks me out. The world has been blown to bits and everyone's fighting over the last remaining jar of relish for dinner. Brrrr. But hey, not understanding teenagers is the price we pay for being an adult, right?
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3 comments:
Although it was intended for adults I have found some teens here in Australia interested in my new science fiction book.
The link is: www.StrategicBookPublishing.com/ScienceFictionandAlternateHistory.html
It's also on sites such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.
I've donated a number to school libraries here in Australia and the book has been well received.
Cheers
Thanks, David.
I haven't read your book yet, but I want to let GKR readers know more about it. It's called Science Fiction and Alternate History: A Collection of Short Stories.
Here's a (quite positive) review:
http://axiomsedge.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/book-review-science-fiction-and-alternate-history/
-Joyce.
Could I also suggest another book?
Women Making America--U.S. women's history written for teens
womenmakingamerica.com
School Library Journal Review of WMA
Gr 6 Up—This hefty volume surveys the role of women in American history from 1770 to the present, focusing primarily on health issues, paid work, home, education, beauty, amusements, and the arts. Each chapter includes a brief summary of historical events and then examines the common threads. Photographs, reproductions, and numerous sidebars convey information on pages filled with bright colors and lively layouts. Quotes, biographical information, facts, and vignettes place women in the context of the times. Outstanding highlights are the "Did you know?" and "Have you heard of…?" sections. There is good racial, ethnic, and age diversity in the text and in the illustrations. The bibliography offers general histories and specific chapter references. The book concludes with the authors addressing their female readers by asking "How will your passion and hard work pave the way for those still to come?…The next chapter of American history belongs to you and your children and grandchildren. What will that story be?" The book's innovative and direct approach is sure to capture the attention of young women. Classroom teachers can utilize the plethora of facts to liven social studies and history lessons, and the format is appealing enough to attract browsers.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL
Thanks!
Julie
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