The post was based on books read by my own 14 year old, Book Boy<\/a>, and many of the books on that list are accompanied by his reviews.<\/p>\n The sheer volume of traffic that post receives suggests to me that there are a LOT of people out there desperately searching for books to engage their teen readers.<\/p>\n Being a helpful kind of author, and given that the post is around a year old now, I thought I’d update it. I know that Book Boy is not a typical reader, so I thought it might be interesting to expand our horizons to include the reading stylings of other 13\/14-year-old boys around the nation.<\/p>\n So I sent out the call, asking them to nominate the BEST book they’ve read this year – and why<\/strong> – and (inexplicably) some of them answered. (Click* the name of each book for more information about it<\/em>.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “It\u2019s a complex book but still relatable. The characters are people you would like to know. It\u2019s not predictable like a lot of other books.” Max, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n The Maze Runner series by James Dashner<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “They are a good read, full of action, different to other things I’ve read, good plot twists!” Ben, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n The Paladero series by Steven Lochran<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Paladero<\/em> has everything you can imagine, and lots of things you could never think of. I actually love it even more than Harry Potter<\/em>.” Sam, 13, Vic<\/strong><\/p>\n Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Warcross by Marie Lu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Obsidio (Illuminae #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In The Dark Spaces by Cally Black<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I know you said one, but I really liked all of these books, mostly because of the ideas the writers came up with and how the world all fits together. Obsidio<\/em> and Dark Spaces<\/em> really made you feel like you were in the characters’ world. Warcross<\/em> was just plain awesome – it was an awesome concept.” Will, 13, Vic<\/strong><\/p>\n They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “It was an extraordinary and unique premise, nothing like I’ve ever read before. Although it\u2019s about dying, it was more about friendship and how it can transform. The writing was beautiful and the plot kept me guessing right until the end.” Hamish, 13, WA<\/strong><\/p>\n The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “It’s about magic in a modern era which I find interesting. The main character Jack is a likeable person. I also like the author’s other books.” Ben, 13, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n Light (Gone series #6) by Michael Grant<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I love the whole Gone series \u2013 the storyline, the setting and the dialogue are all excellent. Light is no different. It’s the sort of story that drives you to read on no matter what else is going on and stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.’ Barnaby, 13, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n Tales from a Tall Forest by Shaun Micallef<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I found this book hard to put down! This book weaves together your favourite fairy tales with new twists. Shaun Micallef changes the way that you think about fairy tales making them funnier, darker and a new experience for the older reader.” Josh, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I found it hard to narrow it down, but this is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year (see my review here<\/a>). I’m really looking forward to her new book, On The Come Up<\/a>, which is due out here early next year.” Book Boy, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “The favourite book that I have read this year is Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber. I like it so much because it’s an entertaining and suspenseful story that combines my 2 favourite things: Star Wars and Zombies.” Karl, 14, Qld<\/strong><\/p>\n The Trial by Franz Kafka<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “It’s really well written and a good story. But I also like the backstory \u2013 it was the last book the author wrote, and when he finished it, he threw the papers on the floor and then killed himself. The pages were all over the place, but the friend he left it to had to try to rearrange it in the right order \u2013 and sometimes when you read it you wonder if he got it right.” JD, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n One Way by S. J. Morden<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “In One Way<\/em> a company is contracted to build a mars base for NASA, so to get cheap expendable astronauts so they get 8 convicts to build the base. As the building process is happening certain crew members start to die off. Frank Kitteridge has to find the killer before it’s too late. I liked this book because it delved into a new and unknown world presenting the crew with multiple hurdles and because it had me on the edge of my seat waiting for Frank to uncover the killer.” Saxon, 14, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n I think the varied responses here highlight just one thing – there’s no ONE 13\/14-year-old boy reader, so it’s about the right book for the right kid at the right time. And so I decided I’d add in a new dimension to the list this time, and called in an expert.<\/em><\/p>\n Trish Buckley<\/strong> is a teacher-librarian who blogs at Trish Talks Text<\/strong><\/a>, and who brings a critical perspective to YA literature. As she told Books + Publishing<\/a> in 2017:\u00a0 \u2018I have been reading YA novels since I was a teenager, so that\u2019s 30-odd years of context, historical reflection and knowledge … I treat them seriously. I understand that it takes all sorts of books to appeal to teenagers, so I try not to be too judgemental or cynical.\u2019<\/p>\n I asked Trish to recommend some NEW books she’s read this year that she thinks will be just right<\/strong> for 13\/14-year-old boys. She came through with two lists:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CONTEMPORARY TEEN READS<\/strong><\/p>\n Changing Gear<\/em> by Scot Gardner<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A boy on a road trip on a postie bike trying to come to grips with his beloved grandfather\u2019s sudden death. It\u2019s full of philosophical musings, quirky interactions with strangers, and a positive representation of a male teen protagonist<\/p>\n The Things That Will Not Stand<\/em> by Michael Gerard Bauer\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Covers one day at an open uni event when MC Sebastian meets enigmatic Frida, and the secrets they try to keep as they slowly develop a friendship. Witty and understated.<\/p>\n The Bogan Mondrian<\/em> b<\/strong>y<\/strong> Steven Herrick<\/strong><\/a> (spoiler alert \u2013 awful death of a lovely dog)<\/p>\n Luke hates school so spends most of his time recording memories on his prized possession, his camera. He is taken by the new girl at school, and bears witness to her ugly family situation. Very authentic and hopeful.<\/p>\n White Night<\/em> by Ellie Marney<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Bo\u2019s family lives in a country town, and his world is shaken when he meets Rory, who resides in an off-the-grid community. Builds to a tense suspenseful final show down. Offers a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of \u2018community\u2019 and a realistic portrayal of teenagers.<\/p>\n A Song Only I can Hear<\/em> Barry Jonsberg<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A funny and poignant story about Rob who is just trying to find who he really is. A clever and triumphant novel.<\/p>\n Just Breathe<\/em>\u00a0by Andrew Daddo<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Hendrix is an elite sprinter, controlled by his strong-willed father. While he meets and falls for Emily, he starts to question his priorities and his father\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SPEC FICTION (FANTASY, SCI-FI, POST-APOCALYPTIC)<\/strong><\/p>\n Ice Wolves<\/em> by Amie Kaufman<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Exciting, first in a new series, solid world building, brave but flawed main character.<\/p>\n Light Years<\/em> by Kass Morgan <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Diverse and inclusive, multiple narrators, exciting sci fi adventure.<\/p>\n Impostors<\/em> by Scott Westerfeld<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Set in the Uglies universe, new characters, suspenseful and twisty.<\/p>\n Jinxed<\/em> by Amy McCulloch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Futuristic adventure, set in an elite school where personal \u2018bots are your best friend, your communication device, and your entry into privilege and power.<\/p>\n After the Lights Go Out <\/em>by Lili Wilkinson <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Post-apocalyptic survivalist story, twisty and unpredictable, courageous main character battling the ethical dilemma involving the have\u2019s and the have-not\u2019s.<\/p>\n Hive<\/em> by A J Betts <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Unsettling dystopia, claustrophobic and tense. Main character asks all the right questions but no one\u2019s giving her answers.<\/p>\n Outwalkers<\/em> by Fiona Shaw <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Scary and thrilling futuristic novel exploring a post-Brexit England determined to keep its borders shut, from anyone coming in or going out.<\/p>\n So there we have it! I hope you find something for your teen reader here.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m Allison Tait, aka A.L. Tait, and I\u2019m the author of 11 middle-grade novels, including adventure fantasy series such as The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries, and contemporary stories including THE FIRST SUMMER OF CALLIE McGEE, WILLOW BRIGHT’S SECRET PLOT and DANGER ROAD. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n You can find out <\/em><\/strong>more about me here<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>more about my books here<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for book recommendations for young readers, join the\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Your Kid\u2019s Next Read Facebook community<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, tune in to the <\/em><\/strong>Your Kid\u2019s Next Read podcast<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and sign up for the <\/em><\/strong>Your Kid’s Next Read newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\nTHE BEST BOOK I’VE READ THIS YEAR<\/h4>\n
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THE EXPERT’S CHOICES<\/h4>\n
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