There’s a book for everyone

These books must be exciting and relevant. I always read the books that my reluctant readers choose because I want to know what appeals to them. In this case, the list features fun fiction with themes and conflicts that resonate with teens – especially girls.

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean – This tense Young Adult (YA) novel about a teenager who gets the chance to visit her favourite place on earth, Antarctica, will appeal to all readers who enjoy mystery and suspense. Sym, the main character, has no idea about the dangers she will meet on this trip. Teens will discover the need to be cautious about anything that seems a good deal after reading this book. Themes of trust abound in The White Darkness.

The author, Geraldine McCaughrean is well known and well respected for her books about mythology so many YA readers will likely try those books after reading this novel.

The Raft by SA Bodeen – After visiting her aunt on Hawaii, Robie decides to leave without telling anyone and return to her home on the Midway Atoll. When her plane crashes, Robie ends up on a life raft. Survival will be doubly difficult because no one knows Robie is missing. Teens – especially girls — enjoy this book because it is the ultimate survival story. Although Robie is dealing with the ultimate man vs nature theme, teenagers will realise this novel also deals with emotional survival that they face every day in their relationships and in school.

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart – Count this as the upper elementary/ Young Adult (YA) book that I am most excited about discovering this year. Some Kind of Courage is the story of Joseph Johnson, orphaned and alone in the wilderness of eastern Washington state with nothing he cares about in life any more but his horse.

When someone steals his horse, Joseph embarks on a journey across Washington state to get his horse back. What excited me the most is this book’s ability to lure teenage readers into the genre of cowboy fiction so that they can become interested in series like James Butcher’s The Dresden Files, Stephen King’s Gunslinger series or books by writers like Louis L’Amour.

There’s lots of action in this book set in the 19th century.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Lockler – This mermaid/romance story makes for light, fun reading perfect for all girls – especially those reluctant readers — in Forms Two to Five. This is a book about talent and changing gears when your passion and purpose in life suddenly vanishes. It’s also a book about relationships.

Elyse d’Abreau the winsome protagonist in the story is just one of six talented sisters.

Her talent is the gift of singing, but a boating accident leaves her with no voice to sing or talk. Elyse changes directions and explores her options in life while discovering some very cool mythology about mermaids on the Oregon seaside and the Caribbean.

Tobago figures heavily in this novel, providing a cool, Caribbean connection that makes this love story all the more appealling for Caribbean girls. Lockler successfully provides a Nicholas Sparks-like story for teens.

The books on this list prove that there is a book for everyone – even the most reluctant teen reader.