Award Winning Books for Teens

Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon                                                   623.4 SHE

By Steve Sheinkin

Examines the history of the atomic bomb, discussing the discovery of the behavior of uranium when placed next to radioactive material, the race to build a bomb, and the impact of the weapon on societies around the world.

 

Flesh and Blood So Cheap                                             974.7 MAR

By Albert Marrin

Provides a detailed account of the disastrous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, which claimed the lives of 146 garment workers in 1911, and examines the impact of this event on the nation's working conditions and labor laws.

 

The Notorious Benedict Arnold                                        BIO ARN

By Steve Sheinkin

An introduction to the life of Benedict Arnold that highlights not only the traitorous actions that made him legendary, but also his heroic involvement in the American Revolution.

 

Charles and Emma                                                               BIO DAR

By Deborah Heiligman

A biography of English naturalist Charles Darwin that provides an account of the personality behind evolutionary theory and the effect of his work on his personal life, such as his relationship with his religious wife.

 

Steve Jobs: The Man Who  Thought Different                BIO JOB

By Karen Blumenthal

Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Apple mogul Steve Jobs, discussing his ideas, and describing how he has influenced life in the twenty-first century.

 

Ship Breaker                                                                         FIC BAC

By Paolo Bacigalupi

In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl.

 

What I Saw and How I Lied                                               FIC BLU

By Judy Blundell

In 1947, with her jovial stepfather Joe back from the war and family life returning to normal, teenage Evie, smitten by the handsome young ex-GI who seems to have a secret hold on Joe, finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies whose devastating outcome change her life and that of her family forever.

 

Abandon                                                                                FIC CAB

By Meg Cabot

Pierce, trying to unravel the mysterious death of someone close to her, finds herself drawn to a dark stranger, even though she believes he may be a killer.

 

Texas Gothic                                                                         FIC CLE

By Rosemary Clement-Moore

Seventeen-year-old Amy Goodnight has long been the one who makes her family of witches seem somewhat normal to others, but while spending a summer with her sister caring for their aunt's farm, Amy becomes the center of weirdness when she becomes tied to a powerful ghost.

                               

What Happened to Goodbye                                            FIC DES

By Sarah Dessen

Seventeen-year-old Mclean begins to lose sight of who she really is after she tries to reinvent herself at each school she attends after her parents' divorce and her father moves her from town to town.

 

The Fault in Our Stars                                                         FIC GRE

By John Green

Sixteen year old Hazel, who has cancer, meets Augustus at a kids-with-cancer support group and as they fall in love they both wonder how they will be remembered.

 

Death Cloud                                                                          FIC LAN

By Andrew Lane

In 1868, with his army officer father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously "unwell," fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire, where he uncovers his first murder and a diabolical villain.

 

Sean Griswold’s Head                                                         FIC LEA

By Lindsey Leavitt

After discovering that her father has multiple sclerosis, fifteen-year-old Payton begins counseling sessions at school, which lead her to become interested in a boy in her biology class, have a falling out with her best friend, develop an interest in bike riding, and eventually allow her to come to terms with life's uncertainties.

 

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks        FIC LOC

By E. Lockhart

Frankie Landau-Banks attempts to take over a secret, all-male society at her exclusive prep school, and her antics with the group soon draw some unlikely attention and have unexpected consequences that could change her life forever.

 

The Scorpio Races                                                                   FIC STI

By Maggie Stiefvater

Nineteen-year-old returning champion Sean Kendrick competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride in the annual Scorpio Races, both trying to keep hold of their dangerous water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.