7.19.2011

Top Ten Tuesday - Books Every Teen Should Read




Hey guys! This week's TTT over at The Broke and the Bookish is about the books every teenager should read. I feel like there are a bunch of books that I've read lately that I've thought, "man, I wish I read this when I was a teenager!", so this was a fun topic for me to cover.

1. The Catcher In The Rye - one of the first books that I read as a teen that really got me excited about reading again. I know it's typically a love it or hate it book, but as a 14 year old, I really connected with it.
2. To Kill A Mockingbird - I didn't read this until I was in college and remember thinking I missed out by not reading it as a teen.
3. Speak - While I wasn't super crazy about it, I think it deals with some heavy issues that teenagers should be aware of.
4. Fahrenheit 451 - A must-read for anyone interested in the printed word.
5. The Diary of Anne Frank - This book has so much to offer- a history lesson and a connection to another teenager, this is one that young girls especially need to read.
6. The Giver - Another fantastic book that I didn't read until I was in my 20's.
7. Shine - Having just read this, it's still weighing heavily on my mind. It teaches a good lesson about tolerance.
8. The DUFF - an honest book about the pressures of being a teen and discovering yourself.
9. Invisible Man - I first read this book in my AP Lit class and it ended up being one of my favorite books of all time. I don't know if it's because of the great discussions we had, but I think everyone should read it in high school.
10. The Harry Potter series - Because every teen deserves some fun reading! If I hadn't read this series, I don't think my reading habits would be the same today.

9 comments:

  1. I have saw To Kill A Mockingbird on just about every list so far (including mint). It proves what a fantastic book it is. I also had The Diary of Anne Frank and loved Fahrenheit 451. Great list.

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  2. Some good ones here , I went with more Contemporary Edgier Teen Novels :)
    I have Speak and Shine on my List
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    http://thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/2011/07/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-should-be-on.html

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  3. I didn't include Cather in the Rye, but agree that it is a should read for teens. Ten just wasn't enough! Great list!

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  4. You've got some great choices on your list- The Giver, To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, etc.!

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  5. Yes, Invisible Man ... amazing novel!

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  6. Yay - another Holden Caufield fan! I'm surprised to not see it on more lists, but you are right that it's a love it or hate it kind of book.

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  7. +JMJ+

    I actually taught The Catcher in the Rye to high school seniors--and I was surprised at how many of them hated it! =/ The other English teacher and I had put it on the syllabus because we thought our students would relate to Holden, and then there they were, wondering why he wouldn't get a grip. (LOL!) It did lead to some interesting conversations, though I don't think I'd assign the book again.

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  8. I haven't read The Catcher in the Rye - I think I've mostly heard the "hate it" point of view, LOL. The Giver made my list too, such an excellent dystopian read!

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  9. Invisible man is one of my favorite books of all time as well. I didn't read it until college, but I was technically still a teen. I think high schoolers should absolutely read it.

    I like Catcher in the Rye, but I like Franny and Zooey better.

    Come visit me at The Scarlet Letter.

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