The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. First may I say, I so wish I had written these books! We love them. I started reading them because we could get more than one copy out of the library allowing me to read the same book as my daughter at the same time. (Which is lovely!) City of Bones (published March 27, 2007) City of Ashes (published March 25, 2008) City of Glass (published March 23, 2009) City of Fallen Angels (published April 5, 2011) City of Lost Souls (published May 8, 2012) City of Heavenly Fire (published May 27, 2014) We have so far read the first four books in the series and love them. Clare creates a great world within our world that readers can relate to. The topics of love, friendship and loyalty are quite relevant. The characters are quite different from each other and yet all full, rounded characters. The main characters is Clary and we read the story from her point of view. Other main characters who appear in each book include Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus, Jocelyn, and Luke. Each book also has other characters that round out the stories. There are shadowhunters, vampires, fairies and werewolves but none are ridiculous for a fantasy story. The kids are mostly relatable teens for teenage readers. The books are much better than the book. There is a fair amount of fighting and blood but nothing we found disturbing and my daughter started reading these at 12. In the fourth book there is some sexual but not sexual scenes. I guess it was just foreplay scenes. As we were reading together, my 13 year old did not find them disturbing at all. I was glad she was reading this one this year and not last year but it is merely a matter of four pages. I think it was not gratuitous however just demonstrating the bond between these two characters and necessary to the storyline. I highly recommend these books for mature kids 13 and over and their moms!

The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier

The Rag and Bone Shopby Robert Cormier is an interesting book about a detective trying to solve a murder of a little girl. It is an easy read, only 154 pages. This would be a good book for reluctant readers, especially males. The boy in the book is 12 years old and that would be a good age to read this maybe 12 - 15. It is a really quick read, not complicated but keeps your interest.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is a classic that every generation should read. Although the Lexile level is a 1030, it is written in obviously a diary format which makes it easier to read. The content and the different cultural references and wording do however make it difficult to comprehend.

For those who do not know Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who hid in an attic with her family and another family and their son in Amsterdam during World War II. With the help of outside friends they survived for two years before someone reported them in 1944, and the Gestapo came, found them and took them to the camps. Anne’s diary was found after the raid. The diary shows how she felt about war and during the formidable period of her life despite her circumstances.

This book should be read by everyone at least once in his or her life. The copy my daughter is reading now has an introduction by Eleanor Roosevelt (which is so cool) and who calls it a remarkable book.

Lexile Level 1030
ISBN-10: 067182449X
258 pages

A Child Called It

A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive by David Pelzer has become a classic because of its compelling story. Unfortunately this is memoir of unspeakable child abuse. The child is innocent and the mother is an alcoholic crazy person. The father is apathetic and the brothers helpless to do anything but watch. It will turn your stomach, yet you can’t stop turning the pages. This book does have a sequel which is worth the read as well entitled The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family. Pelzer did somehow miraculously survive this revolting abuse by his strength of spirit. How the mother even came up with the ideas to do the things she did to a child are completely beyond a rational human being. This book is like watching a car accident, you can’t stop looking or reading. It is fascinating in its horrific detail.

Reluctant readers like to read this A Child Called It, as do kids who don’t especially appreciate their lives. After reading this however that does change making this a powerful read. There is some press out there saying that Pelzer made some of this stuff up, but I personally don’t see how he could have and the brothers do admit to abuse in the home. One teacher was vocal about her concerns luckily, which seems to be why Pelzer was able to write this book. The book is easy to read and is written in the child’s point of view while the abuse is unthinkable, and I think that is why this book appeals to readers who are difficult to appeal to. Readers grow sorrier and sorrier for Pelzer as they read, but realize what kind of admirable inner strength he must have had as a child, not only write this book but to live at all.

195 Pages
Lexile: 850L

Harry Potter Series

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
— J. K. Rowling



Of course I can't do a blog on great books for teenagers without mentioning Harry Potter, the entire series of course. Half of the world has already read this amazing series created by J.K. Rowling, so this is for the half that hasn’t! Start with the first book; it is according to the kids the worst book of the series. I believe this is because Rowling had to set up her alternate witchcraft and wizardry magical world for us and introduce us to the characters we will come to know intimately by the end of the series.
When this series first came out some people said it was against religion because of the witchcraft. If that is your belief then you are missing out on some wonderful FICTION! There are seven books in the series: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Every book features Harry Potter and is best friends Hermoine Granger and Ronald Weasley.
Although this is children’s literature, it is edgy as the main villain Lord Voldemort wants to kill Harry Potter in every book. Harry, Hermoine, and Ron all grow up before our eyes making this a bildungsroman series. Readers can relate to these human parts of the story, how these kids feel and react to each other and the word around them. That is what makes this series so popular even if we can’t relate to the magical parts of these stories although we may wish we could. Adults down to kids as young as seven and eight are reading these amazing books. Readers are transported into a world that Rowling writes so clearly we can imagine the characters and setting as we read without any effort at all.
If you are not one of the 400 million people who have read these books, pick them up today!
Lexile 880L - 980L

Song of Night by Chris Abani

Song of Night by Chris Abani is a spellbinding and horrific view into the life of an Igbo child soldier whose has the “elite” job of scouting for landmines before the army walks through the war torn countryside; they are called mine sweepers. The fifteen year old boy who is telling his story is ironically named My Luck. Readers learn about My Luck’s life as he tries to find his platoon that he has been separated from. My Luck was brutally muted at 12 for his job. The worst phrase is “I took out my prick and pissed on..” It however goes so well in the story that no one flinched as read it aloud. This books is masterful because readers learn about like as a child in a war, what a child soldier thinks and feels. The writing is incredibly descriptive and moving as we learn of My Luck’s life through his memories.

I not only recommend this book for teenagers but for all adults as well. Chris Abani is an incredible author from Nigeria. He was jailed in Nigeria as they tried to silence his voice from writing compelling and telling books such as this one he wrong in Los Angeles after leaving Nigeria. My students are learning a lot reading this book and thinking a lot about what a different life other kids their age in other places and other circumstances have compared to the easy street they live on here in the United States. This is an easy and quick novella to read. Once you read it, you will be changed! I promise you will learn, grow, and never unknow what you read in this beautifully written novella. The writing by this Nigerian author will blow you away!

**Upon re-reading there is a scene where the boy of 12 if forced to rape a woman at gunpoint. This is a disturbing scene (to say the least). It's not more than four sentences but does make teens "uncomfortable." I do reiterate that Abani was thrown in jail in Nigeria for writing the truth about what was going on in his country. This is not just the story of one child soldier, it is the story of many...

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin will be enjoyed by “sciency” teens. Eli the protagonist in this story. He is 18 years old and gets a job in a genetic company with a Dr. Wyatt. His father is adamantly opposed to this job for reasons that will be revealed as one reads. This books explores the morals behind genetic engineering as Eli stumbles onto a mystery that must be solved. Of course there is a girlfriend involved. I think that kids who know about, or want to know about, the science behind DNA and genetics will enjoy this book. Although it is not politically correct to say, I think this book plays better to boys than to girls. Honestly and without malice, I do think Nancy Werlin’s Rules of Survival is heads above this good book.

ISBN: 0803726066
244 pages
690 Lexile