Last week the Los Angeles Times published an editorial commenting on an upswing in young adult literature sales among grownups (you know, people whose days of first crushes, driver’s ed and SAT prep courses are long behind them). Whereas hardcover sales were down across the publishing industry — a 17.8% dip for the first half of 2009 versus the same period in 2008 — children’s/young adult hardcovers were up a whopping 30.7%. Come to think of it, we have seen more than a few power-suited dudes on the subway with their noses buried in a Harry Potter book.
Of course, not all YA novels are created equally, so we’ve cobbled together ten favorites — from contemporary to classic — of the best young adult reading for any age.
Going Bovine
Sixteen-year-old Cameron is forced to come to grips with his own mortality when he is diagnosed with… mad cow disease. This darkly funny novel combines elements of romance and tragedy while providing a crash course in existentialism and the examined life worth living.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Craig Gilner is one of many driven students at Manhattan’s prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School. His lofty ambitions take their toll after years of over-achieving: Craig hits rock bottom and winds up in an institution following a suicide attempt. The book explores this generation’s pressure to succeed without getting lost in the serious subject matter. For instance, Craig’s requisite extracurricular activity for his college application: tae bo classes.
The Book Thief
The Book Thief unfolds in Nazi Germany circa 1939. Narrated through the point of view of Death, the story focuses on Liesel Meminger. Liesel and her brother are left in the care of foster parents after their mother is sent to work at Dachau. She becomes fixated on reading as a form of escapism and begins to swipe books every chance she can get — from Nazi book burnings to the mayor’s house.
Catherine, Called Birdy (rpkg) (Trophy Newbery)
Corpus bones, Catherine called Birdy is not your typical maiden from the Middle Ages. Catherine keeps a diary of her life, capturing the daily doings of a young person during the time period: spinning, untangling said spinning, tallying the number of fleas found throughout the day, and preparing to be married off “like a cheese to some lack-wit.”
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Riddled with health problems since birth but determined to make something of himself, Junior decides to seek schooling outside of the Indian Reservation where he lives. He enrolls at a predominantly Caucasian school where the only other Indian present is the school mascot. Junior’s aspiration to become a cartoonist is mirrored by illustrations and art throughout the book.
The Westing Game
Following the murder of publishing magnate Sam Westing, 16 people are tasked with solving the mystery of his death. The group moves in to Sunset Towers to work in teams and solve the mystery while living in close quarters. The hitch? The murderer is living among them and the $200 million inheritance is riding on the resolution of the case.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age novel that follows Charlie through his freshman year of high school. An introvert to the point of paralysis, the book is comprised of a series of letters to an unnamed recipient. Charlie is slowly drawn out of his shell as he befriends other misfits and is exposed to situations that force him to act rather than ride out every experience on the sidelines.
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Status quo: while the movie was good, the book is better. Nick and Norah meet at a concert and play along as if they are dating to rouse jealousy in Nick’s ex-girlfriend. What ensues is a fast-paced romp through Manhattan nightlife filled with humor, budding romance, and good music.
Looking for Alaska
Miles Halter leaves his hometown behind in favor of boarding school and thrill seeking in this novel. Away from home and truly on his own for the first time, Miles befriends a group of kids at school led by the school’s queen bee, Alaska. The book is divided into two sections, Before and After, between which the circle of friends have their world rocked by an unsettling event.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Following the death of her father, Kit Tyler is uprooted from her plush life in the West Indies and forced to move in with puritanical relatives in Connecticut. Unable to fit in with the drab townsfolk, Kit befriends Hannah Tupper, an older woman suspected of practicing witchcraft. An approachable, well-written look at witch hunting and social displacement.
‘Splain us your own favorites in the comments.
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75 Responses
I really liked the Persistent Gaffers of Frip by George Saunders which is not on the list.
I’ll add the first “you forgot”:
Cory Doctorow _Little Brother_
http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/
King Dork by Frank Portman, the guy from the Mr. T Experience, is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m not a YA fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I hated Catcher in the Rye and was really into how much the kid in this book hated the Catcher Cult too. I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t love King Dork.
O, you must have made a mistake by not putting Shell Silverstein on the list! The book ‘ The missing piece’. Its an alltime favourite..
[...] Flavorpill picks their “10 Best Young Adult Books for Grownups.” [...]
I could not finish It’s Kind of a Funny Story; too painful to read although I loved the author’s other books. I agree with several of the choices- Adults should absolutely read Perks of a Wallflower, Looking for Alaska and Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Loved the concept of the “makeout fakeout” in King Dork! Some of the other choices are a bit juvenile although they are fantastic books. How about teen books by Joyce Carol Oates? Freaky Green Eyes? After the Wreck?
Great list, Bailey! Does it get any better than the Westing Game?!
I love Looking for Alaska. And John Green in general.
Freak The Mighty. One of my favs.
thanks for The Westing Game, that’s a great one! i’d like to suggest Holes by Louis Sachar, Stargirlby by Jerry Spinelli, and Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen.
Teach Me by R.A. Nelson.
*sniff* no Harry Potter?
No offense, but this list kind of sucks. You put a lot of newer, “popular” books, but the ten best? Maybe the ten best that are most recent, and that’s reaching. The only redeeming quality here is the addition of “The Westing Game.”
And “Perks”? Siiiigghhhh, no.
Good list, especially John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’. I’d add MT Anderson’s ‘Burger Wuss’ and Bradley Orion’s ‘The World is Spinning Faster Each Day’ to the list.
[...] These ten young-adult books are grownup-friendly. [...]
Anything by John Green is golden. I was also recently enthralled by “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
“The Book Thief” is a beautifully written book. Great pick.
Looking for Alaska = win
DFTBA
as a writer for a blog devoted to adults who read YA (www.foreveryoungadult.com), i applaud this list but have to ask: WHERE IS HUNGER GAMES?!!! out of all of the books reviewed and discussed on our site, the “hunger games” trilogy is by far the most popular, inspiring intense debates (peeta vs gale) and rabid fandom (you can even get yr own hunger games name on our site!). whenever i’m trying to convert one of my (adult) friends to the YA genre, “hunger games” is the first book i loan them. and let’s just say it’s the most effective gateway drug, ever.
three of these “young adult novels” are actually children’s books: the speare, the raskin, and the cushman. get it right.
Get “Going Bovine” on audio! It’s simply divine! So cheecky, so funny!
Francesca Lia Block’s Weetzie Bat books!!!
also any of Adam Rapp’s young adult books – especially “Little Chicago”…
and “The Higher Power of Lucky” by Susan Patron…
and the Boxcar Children…
and Trumpet of the Swan…
Where the Red Fern Grows…
oh don’t get me started.
(and LOVE LOVE Witch of Blackbird Pond)
I second Hunger Games. The sequel, Catching Fire, came out last year and is almost as good. It’s hard to capture the magic twice, but it definitely is a worthy addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one this August.
Not a bad list. The Westing Game rules. I agree with the comments above re: Potter, King Freak and Hunger Games. Also, Artemis Fowl series.
all of the madeleine l’engle books for sure!
a wrinkle in time
a wind in the door
a swiftly tilting planet
and more…
The Giver by Lois Lowry, for sure. One of my all-time favorite books.
I second Madeleine L’Engle, at the very least her The Wrinkle in Time. Amazing.
I like the list (other than the omission of Hunger Games) and will definitely have to pick up the ones I haven’t yet read.
I wrote a similiar post about all the YA fiction I’ve been reading lately, lots of good stuff here: http://lizsink.blogspot.com/2010/02/for-love-of-books.html
“Throwing Like a Girl” by Weezie Kerr Mackey is a delightful read! Great characters, important messages, and a situation that many of us can relate to. I loved it.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I love the Dream series by Lauren Mechling. It’s new, so it’s hard to compare with books that have been around for decades, but my 13-year-old niece fell for both of the books (Dream Girl and Dream Life) hard.
Really? No one’s mentioning any of S.E. Hinton’s books? “The Outsiders” remains one of my faves, but I love all of them (“Tex,” in particular, is kind of a forgotten gem.
Definitely Weetzie Bat and Madeleine L’Engle; as a “real adult” I still find myself coming back time and time again to these books.
I’d also like to put up Sloppy Firsts and the other Jessica Darling books by Megan McCafferty. Hilarious and smart, I think Ms. McCafferty put it best herself, “I wrote a book I would’ve wanted to read in high school.”
Phillip Pullman’s _His Dark Materials_ trilogy is amazing, starting with _The Golden Compass_.
Here’s a 3rd rec. for _The Hunger Games_. I’m almost gnawing my arm off waiting for the 3rd of that trilogy to come out this summer.
At a slightly lower reading level, _The Island of the Blue Dolphin_ still stands the test of time when I reread it.
The Phantom Tollbooth!
and anything by Avi, but some of my favorites were The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Something Upstairs.
Wow, Catherine called Birdy! I’ve never seen that book on any list, and I’m so glad to see it here. It might be for a slightly younger than young adult crowd, but it held up well when I reread it recently.
Highly recommended.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson should be on this list. Or anything by her for that matter.
Love the list. Writing it all down. Thank you.
Would add: ANYTHING by Spinelli. Stargirl is brilliant. But Maniac Magee, Eggs, etc. I think he’s the best writer working today in any genre. Also, second The Hunger Games.
King Dork!
all the recent hubub about tim burton’s alice in wonderland and no one mentions the looking glass wars trilogy? SO much better than that piece of trash (i’m sorry, he ripped the books off).
while not for grown ups per se, anyone who enjoyed harry potter should check out the artemis fowl series. very imaginative, and fitting to suggest on st patty’s day. you’ll get why if you read it.
I’m with Melanie and Ada, Francesca Lia Block’s Weetzie Bat books, Boxcar Children, Where the Red Fern Grows, Wrinkle in Time. Witch of Blackbird Pond is a favorite, too. The only one on the list above that truly interests me is Perks of Being a Wallflower.
I take that back, The Book Thief sounds fantastic.
The Book Thief IS fantastic, and Yes and Yes again to the Philip Pullman trilogy
What about I Capture the Castle, Member of the Wedding, most anything by Lloyd Alexander (esp. The Arkadians), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Summer of My German Soldier, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase…..
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M.T. Anderson’s ‘Feed’ is absolutely brilliant and should be on the list!
I would also stand by the Paula Danziger books of yore, particularly ‘this place has no atmosphere’ and ‘remember me to harold square’. ahh. old school YA was the best.
Would agree with Francesca Lia Block suggestions too!
Ender’s game by Orson Scott Card
Graveyard Book by neil gaiman
Pushcart War by Jean Merrill
oh and “The Blue Hills” by elizabeth Goudge
Gentlemen by Michael Northrop.
I second Ender’s Game, as well as Ender’s Shadow, one of the best sequels!
Also love the Pullman series, and like those and the Potter and Lord of the Rings series are the Books of Pellinor by Alison Croggon, the fourth and final one just came out in paperback and I cannot put it down!
In addition, Daniel Quinn books (Ishmael, My Ishmael, After Dachau, and Story of B) are awesome, though not TECHNICALLY YA (but totally should be!)
King Dork.
If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever? M.E.Kerr
The Keeping Days Norma Johnston
Anything by Madeleine L’Engle
“The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness. Best talking dog ever, “Poo, Todd, poo.”
Add another for the Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Suzanne Collins is amazing. Also add another tally for Harry Potter.
I completely agree with “The Book Thief” being on this list. It will break your heart and put it back together again. I think this should be mandatory reading because it’s that beautiful. Markus Zusak’s writing is lyrical, poignant and completely mesmerizing. If you haven’t read it, get it now!!
and what about CS Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narina”? Makes Harry Potter look inspid. Is the collective memory so short?
I don’t know most of these books, but thank you for reminding me of The Westing Game. I just reread The Witch of Blackbird Pond before trading it online, and it lived up to my memory of it. So many historical fictions for adults quickly turn into sappy melodrama, especially when there are romantic plots, but this book handles everything with subtlety and simplicity.
Nice list! I didn’t see Un Lun Dun by China Mieville mentioned. Great reading for any age.
The best book I’ve read so far this year – ‘The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet’ by Reif Larsen. Check out the website too.
The Book Thief was such an amazing read! I am adding that to my top favorites. Also: Percy Jackson series (for Potter fans) cause it’s a great mix of adventure and humor, Love is the Higher Law is another great one by David Levithan (author of Nick and Norah), If I Stay by Gayle Forman (so touching), and yes I too loved The Graveyard Book! Of course, my all time favorite series is Harry Potter :) The best!! I love how no one mentioned Twilight. Thank you. LOL
As soon as I saw the title, I thought of The Book Thief and Looking for Alaska. I’m dying to re-read them both.
Like Maria, I think this list has the wrong name; they’re all recent. Does anyone read Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea trilogy any more?
what is with people clamoring for harry potter…. as if people need a list to know about that book… c’mon.
His Dark Materials- though already mentioned, but a truly great trilogy and then of course, the Tolkien trilogy- Lord of the Rings, another truly great one.
Persepolis was amazing graphic novel and film.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud is fantastic. It was so good in books one and two I thought for sure he’d crash and burn at the end – how could he possibly come up with a befitting ending? But he did, and this series is among the best best books I’ve read, regardless of genre.
CROSSING by Andrew Fukuda, coming in April, has been proclaimed by everybody who has read the ARC and commented back to me as one of their all-time favorite books. From a 17-year-old highschool football star to a 47-year-old woman, they’ve all read the book in one sitting. I can’t get the book out of my mind…it’s unlike anything I’ve read before.
My top ten:
M.T. Anderson, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party;
E. Lockhart, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks;
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
Charles Portis, True Grit
Cynthia Voigt, Homecoming
Susan Beth Pfeffer, Life as We Knew It
Terry Pratchett, Nation
Edward Bloor, Tangerine
Nancy Farmer, The House of the Scorpion
John Marsden, Tomorrow, When the War Began
[...] March 24, 2010 by thiszine Recently, a Los Angeles Times article mentioned that more adults are reading YA (young adult) novels than in previous years and sales of YA books are one of the few bright spots in a floundering publishing industry. Over at Flavorwire, the editors picked their selection of the ten best YA books for adults. [...]
“Things Not Seen” by Andrew Clements. I could not put it down!
Look like a good list! I’m jotting down these books esp. The Westing Game which I heard a lot of good things about buy have yet to read.
Anything to add,… umm… I also like Megan Whalen Turner’s books, especially “The Queen of Attolia” and “The King of Attolia” which are really fantastic. A kid might get some part of the fun, but reading it as an adult adds a lot more understanding to it.
So many on here that I enjoyed (although I have to say, wasn’t a fan of Looking for Alaska). In addition to those already mentioned, would like to add “A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray”, “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan, “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman, “Gone” by Michael Grant, “The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm” by Nancy Farmer (although I’ve heard lots about her “House of the Scorpion”, which I thought was a good middle-school pick, I’d never heard of this before our librarian recommended it). Also, “A Northern Light” by Jennifer Donnelly was so good, I got it added to our summer reading list (yes, I’m an English teacher). Childhood favorites– where’s E.L. Konigsburg? I so identified with Claudia in “From the Mixed-Up Files…” :-) Oh, one more thing: maybe not the very best books ever, but the “Luxe” series has been universally enjoyed by students of all ages and levels, as well as my chronologically adult best friend.
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An excellent list, and I was thrilled to see John Green’s Looking for Alaska included! I greatly admire Green. His books are an inspiration, as is his rather popular YouTube vlog videos.
Thank you for such a fun post!
The Vampire Academy series. It is REALLY good! Action, romance, drama, and so much more theis books are a great read!
I’m surprised no one mentioned Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher – brilliant concept, dark, touching, funny in parts, haunting. I alos loved Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Indians are from India! Any writer worth his or her salt should know that. Sigh.
Funny. There are a few of my all-time favorite YA reads listed here (The Book Thief, Going Bovine, Looking for Alaska, The Absolutely True Diaries, Perks of Being a Wallflower) along with some of my least-favorite ever. What about the Hunger Games? That’s probably one of the most-read books of all time at this point, no?
People need to learn the difference between YA and juvenile fiction. >.>
But I’m with everyone else; the Hunger Games should’ve been on there. And personally, I like Paper Towns more than Looking for Alaska, but either way, I’m glad John Green’s on the list. ^_^
Also, I’d like to second nova’s recommendations of the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, and Gone by Michael Grant. All of them are REALLY, really good.