You'll find no dragons or magic, robots or vampires here. Just real people, in the real world, in real situations. In a good YA novel teens will find themselves and discover their world. A great YA novel will do both of those while respecting and appealing to its audience.
We are looking for a handful of the greatest teen novels of 2008. Historical, humorous, or contemporary, they must have literary merit AND a lasting effect on their readers; something teens will press into their friends' hands with fervor in their eyes and say, "You HAVE to read this book."
--Jackie Parker, organizer
Please leave a nomination -- including author and title -- in the comments below. One nomination per person, per category, please. Avoid duplicate nominations--it only takes ONE nomination to add a book to the list.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, by E. Lockhart. Hands down one of the best YA novels of the year. Frankie is smart, articulate and in many ways still typical. Every single teen who we have given this book to LOVES IT. So there you go...quality and appeal.
Posted by: Stacy | October 01, 2008 at 02:58 AM
I would like to highly recommend (nominate)Classical Comics Macbeth Original text.
The artwork is simply fantastic and the whole approach allows people who previously have not read Shakespeare to really get to grips with it in a creative and enjoyable way. My sister (teacher of English to foreign students aged 16 -18)is considering using the book too!
The book which uses the play with its full script is fab for both the traditionalist and the newcomer to Shakespeare!
All round winner!
Posted by: Mitz Baldock | October 01, 2008 at 03:43 AM
John Green's Paper Towns--I think it's out by now, isn't it?
Posted by: Libby | October 01, 2008 at 04:08 AM
I nominate Sweethearts by Sara Zarr - a book that I loved and one that our older middle school girls and high school kids are keeping very busy in the library (five copies - all out right now!).
Posted by: Kate | October 01, 2008 at 04:12 AM
I nominate Sweethearts by Sara Zarr - a book that I loved and one that our older middle school girls and high school kids are keeping very busy in the library (five copies - all out right now!).
Posted by: Kate | October 01, 2008 at 04:13 AM
Can I recommend Jane Eyre please? This is one of the Graphic versions by classicalcomics. I'm having to break up 'arguments' amongst my year 8 girls over my two precious review copies of this one.Not sure where this should go, looks like art rather than a comic to me - but I'm probably out of touch!!
Thank you
Ali
Posted by: ali bailey | October 01, 2008 at 04:53 AM
Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson
Posted by: Melissa | October 01, 2008 at 05:00 AM
My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger. By far the best YA book I have read this year.
Posted by: Kelia | October 01, 2008 at 05:13 AM
FEATHERED
by Laura Kasischke
Posted by: Sarah Miller | October 01, 2008 at 05:37 AM
The House of Dance, by Beth Kephart
Posted by: Charlotte | October 01, 2008 at 06:03 AM
I'd like to nominate The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson. It was amazing!
Posted by: Emily | October 01, 2008 at 06:10 AM
We would like to nominate Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Posted by: Teen Troves | October 01, 2008 at 06:15 AM
I'll nominate A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
Posted by: Kim | October 01, 2008 at 06:50 AM
My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson (Flux, 2008)--a sensitive, insightful view into the challenges of unwanted teen pregnancy.
Posted by: Cynthia Leitich Smith | October 01, 2008 at 06:52 AM
UNDONE by Brooke Taylor (Walker).
Posted by: Cyn | October 01, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt
Posted by: Miss Erin | October 01, 2008 at 07:01 AM
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Posted by: Andrea Vaughn | October 01, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I nominate The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, Oct 2008). This book was so well written, it gripped me and didn't let me go. Powerful and emotional, I loved it so much!
Posted by: Cheryl Rainfield | October 01, 2008 at 09:25 AM
My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger
Posted by: Maddy | October 01, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Play Me, by Laura Ruby
HarperTeen
Posted by: Cat | October 01, 2008 at 09:42 AM
The Last of the High Kings by Kate Thompson. Lighthearted fantasy, but also a bit scary, with great characters.
Posted by: Steven | October 01, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Trouble by Gary Schmidt
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Posted by: Deena | October 01, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Artichoke's Heart by Susan Supplee
Posted by: ColoradoWriter | October 01, 2008 at 09:53 AM
THE COMEBACK SEASON by Jennifer E. Smith
Posted by: Lisa Schroeder | October 01, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I'd like to nominate "Mousetraps" by Pat Schmatz in the YA-fiction category
Posted by: Nora Frala | October 01, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Girl, HERO, by Carrie Jones. I wish I could have heard John Wayne's (aka the author's) voice whispering in my ear when I was younger.
Posted by: Melodye | October 01, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I would like to nominate my personal favorite YA book for 2008 -- The Shape of Water by Anne Spollen.
Posted by: Mona Vensky | October 01, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers Scholastic Press
Posted by: kbookwoman | October 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM
The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
Posted by: K-san | October 01, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I'd like to nominate Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman.
Posted by: Becky | October 01, 2008 at 11:47 AM
The Dreadful Revenge of Ernest Gallen by James Lincoln Collier
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The Dreadful Revenge of Ernest Gallen by James Lincoln Collier
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2008 at 12:33 PM
"Season of Ice" by Diane Les Becquets. One of the best depictions of middle class in YA lit I've read this year - plus a whole lot more. It's a solid title that doesn't involve a lot of overwrought moments but should appeal to a wide range of kids who face the same questions in their own lives. (Which is the point, I think.)
I just made the cut off (release date of Jan 8, 2008).
Posted by: Colleen | October 01, 2008 at 01:13 PM
ALIVE AND WELL IN PRAGUE, NEW YORK by Daphne Grab
Posted by: Nancy | October 01, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan!!
Posted by: Eva Mitnick | October 01, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Angel by Cliff McNish!
This page-turner connects the everyday concerns of teenagers with fantasy, suspense, and the mystery of angels.
Posted by: Matvick | October 01, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I second Mousetraps by Pat Schmatz!
Posted by: Laura | October 01, 2008 at 01:45 PM
HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE by Tina Ferraro.
Posted by: Jessica Burkhart | October 01, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante
Great YA book on an in the news topic!
Posted by: Toreyy | October 01, 2008 at 03:24 PM
In case the triple nomination farther up eliminates this title, I'd say SHIFT, by Jennifer Bradbury.
P.S. If it doesn't eliminate it, then I'd say I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, by Lisa Schroeder.
Posted by: Robin | October 01, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Kindly cast my vote for Anne Spollen's Shape of Water as well. Thank you.
Posted by: Philip Pileggi | October 01, 2008 at 04:11 PM
"The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Volume 2: Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson is the most amazing work of YA fiction I have read in ages. I found myself weeping because the British lost the Revolutionary War.
Posted by: KT Horning | October 01, 2008 at 04:21 PM
I nominate Seaborn by Craig Moodie. This powerful story is a real page-turner. Each character has an authentic voice, and the descriptions are poetic. A great high-seas coming-of-age story
Posted by: amsamph | October 01, 2008 at 04:23 PM
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Posted by: Liv | October 01, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Madapple by Christina Meldrum
Posted by: Jill | October 01, 2008 at 05:15 PM
For Young Adult Fiction, I'd like to nominate Rachel Cohn's You Know Where to Find Me.
Have a lovely day! :-)
Posted by: Tez Miller | October 01, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I would like to nominate The dragon heir by Cinda Williams Chima. It's a marvelous third entry in her Wizard series.
Posted by: John Clark | October 01, 2008 at 06:35 PM
OH MY GODS by Tera Lynn Childs
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2008 at 06:36 PM
TROUBLE by Gary D. Schmidt
Posted by: Kathleen | October 01, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I would like to recommend a "Dandelions of Uganda" by Shenaaz Nanji. It is a crime not to read this captivating, poignant historical fiction novel.
Posted by: Shy | October 01, 2008 at 07:03 PM