Every year, the American Library Association comprises a list of the 99 books considered the best fiction of that year. The target audience for the books is 12 - 18 years old (although many adults enjoy them, too!). The basic criteria is that the fiction be of good quality and appeal to the appropriate age group. Below is an annotated list of the top ten in no particular order.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - Andi is traumatized by the death of her brother and is sent to live with her father in Paris. Through the discovery of a mysterious diary, she may be able to pull her life together again.
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride - Sam uses newly discovered powers to try to defeat a corrupt rival and save the lives of his friends. (Recommended by Sherman Alexie -who is an AWESOME author!)
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi - Nailer, a boy who scavenges old ships, finds his life suddenly changes when a rich girl and her beautiful vessel wash ashore. (My husband read and liked his previous novel The Windup Girl - he's not a reader, so this is a big compliment!)
Trash by Andy Mulligan - three boys find an item of value while digging through the trash and face a corrupt politician who is after it.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - Finnikin, along with his fellow exiles, attempt to return to their cursed homeland of Lumetere.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Saenz - 18-year-old Zach enters into therapy in an effort to remember the event that haunts him and gives him nightmares.
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins - a refugee and soldier from opposite sides of a war meet and come to terms with what it means to be "one of his people."
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - a journey across the country forces two characters to come to terms with loss.
The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt - A soldier returns to be hailed as a hometown hero, but he is not the same and it is his younger brother who helps him to find himself again.
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick - a boy fights for survival in the tundra after his father dies and a man comes looking for money owed to him.
The books chosen represent a variety of genres from fantasy to thriller, but I look forward to reading each and every one of them this year. I encourage you to do so, too! Reviews will follow! :)
www.marcussedgwick.com
www.danareinhardt.net
www.mitaliperkins.com
www.benjaminaliresaenz.com
www.melinamarchetta.com.au
www.andymulligan.co.uk
www.lishmcbride.com
www.jenniferdonnelly.com
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