Awesome Reads
for Almost Teens
FICTION
Asher, Jay and Carolyn Mackler. The Future of Us. 2011.
Lexile: 690
It’s 1996 - less than half of all American high school students have ever used the internet - and Emma just got her first computer. She and her
best friend Josh power it up and log on - and discover themselves on Facebook, 15 years in the future.
Draper, Sharon. Out of My Mind. 2012.
Lexile: 700L
Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory and can remember every detail of everything
she has ever experienced.
Jones, Diana Wynne. Howl’s Moving Castle.* 2008.
Lexile: 800
Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch
turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared Wizard Howl.
Lee, Stacey. Outrun the Moon.** 2016.
Lexile: HL780
On the eve of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Mercy Wong - the daughter of Chinese immigrants - is struggling to hold her own among
the spoiled heiresses at her school. When tragedy strikes, everyone must band together to survive.
Mead, Richelle. Soundless.* 2015.
With the deaf residents of her mountain village now slowly losing their sight, Fei sets out for a forbidden place to find out why she, after a
vivid dream, is suddenly able to hear, and she learns a surprising truth about her village.
Mull, Brandon. A World without Heroes.* 2011.
Lexile: 710
Fourteen-year-old Jason Walker is transported to a strange world where he joins Rachel, also from our world, and a few rebels to piece
together the Word that can destroy the malicious wizard emperor, Surroth.
Reynolds, Jason. As Brave as You.* 2016.
When Genie and his older brother spend a summer in the country with their grandparents, he learns a secret about his grandfather and what
it means to be brave.
Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl.* 2000.
Lexile: 590
In this story about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named Stargirl
changes Mica High School forever.
Wells, Robison. Variant. 2011.
Lexile: 640
After years in foster homes, 17-year-old Benson Fisher applies to New Mexico’s Maxfield Academy in hopes of securing a brighter future.
Instead he finds the school is a prison, and no one is what he or she seems.
Wiviott, Meg. Paper Hearts. 2015.
Lexile: 600L
Based on a true story, this debut novel tells the story of how friendship sustains two girls, Zlatka and Fania, in Auschwitz.
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Doctorow, Cory. In Real Life. 2014.
Lexile: GN390L
Immersing herself in an online fantasy game, Anda confronts a difficult choice when she befriends a disadvantaged Chinese child illegally
collecting rare items in the game and selling them to other players.
Jamieson, Victoria. Roller Girl. 2015.
Lexile: 440L
As Astrid discovers that best friends aren’t always forever, she falls in love with roller derby.
Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. 2006.
Lexile: 530
All Jin Wang wants is to fit in, but when his family moves to a new neighborhood, he finds that he’s the only Chinese American student at his
school. [A Printz Award winner]
NONFICTION
Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator is Changing the World by Jack Andraka. 2015.
Lexile: 940L
This uplifting memoir by the innovative teen who, at age 15, created an early detection cancer test, shares the story behind his
groundbreaking discovery, an effort marked by his struggles with bullying and depression.
B Andraka Jack
First Flight around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers who Won the Race by Tim Grove. 2015.
Lexile: 1100
In 1924, the U.S. Army gave eight young men the mission to be the first to fly around the globe. Men from five other countries had the same
goal. The race was on!
J 629.13 GRO
Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse by Catherine Reef. 2017.
Lexile 1050
Learn more about the life and accomplishments of Florence Nightingale, the nurse best known for her work during the Crimean War, where
she saved hundreds of lives and sparked worldwide healthcare reform.
B Nightingale Florence
Rising Above: How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in their Youth to become Stars by Gregory Zuckerman. 2016.
Lexile: 1010
This inspiring collection of profiles reveals the daunting circumstances star athletes overcame to pursue their famed careers.
J 796.0922 ZUC
*Available on audio
**Available as an e-book
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