AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. AdLit.org is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, and is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and by the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.
Books as Gifts: 2011 Holiday Buying Guide
Books make a wonderful, thoughtful gift for tween and teen readers. The books listed here are perfect for reading together as a family — or independently — to spark conversation, debate, or memories of past events in your own lives.
Wonderstruck
Age Level: 9-12
Two stories of different young people, one told wordlessly using illustration, the other in narrative, converge in this uniquely told, riveting book.
Wheels of Change
Age Level: 12-14
How the bicycle changed women's roles is presented in a lively text in an engaging format.
A Web of Air
Age Level: 12-14
Fever Crumb returns in the second (but stand-alone) prequel to the Mortal Engines series set in a distant, malfunctioning England.
Twist it Up: More than 60 Delicious Recipes from an Inspiring Young Chef
Age Level: 9-12
Food and cooking inspired a boy to combat leukemia and share mouth-watering (some more healthful than others) recipes in this well-illustrated and easy to follow cookbook.
Six Days
Age Level: 12-14
Young 'scavs' (short for scavengers) in a future London seek the treasure before it's too late in this science fiction adventure.
Sita's Ramayana
Illustrated by: Moyna Chitrakar
Age Level: 12-14
Queen Sita tells her version of her faithfulness in the face of a doubting husband, Rama, in this new version of the Hindu epic.
Scholastic Year in Sports: 2012
Age Level: 9-12
Photographs of action in college and professional sports, short text and statistics present a year of sports.
The Princess Curse
Age Level: 9-12
An apprentice herbalist, Reveka, figures out how to break the ridiculous curse afflicting 12 princesses in this original and funny fantasy.
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
Age Level: 6-9
This summer vacation is different without father and the oldest Penderwick but offers lots of laughs along the way.
Never Forgotten
Age Level: 12-14
A blacksmith calls on Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water to make sure that the enslaved children are not forgotten in this stunning tale told in rhythmic verse.
Heart & Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Age Level: 9-12
This survey of transformative events in American and African American history is presented in an informal text and striking illustrations in an oversized format.
Guys Read: Thriller
Age Level: 9-12
Short stories from well-known writers are sure to thrill and delight readers in this second of the Guys Read library.
Flyaway
Age Level: 12-14
If Isla can save the swans, perhaps she can save her father and the boy she's met.
Every Thing on It
Age Level: 9-12
Silverstein aficionados will delight in these never-before-published poems on a range of familiar topics.
An Elephant in the Garden
Age Level: 12-14
The elderly Lizzie's tale of how her mother saved a young elephant from the WWII bombing of Dresden (Germany) unfolds as she gradually reveals it to her nurse.
Drawing from Memory
Age Level: 12-14
Caldecott Medalist, Allen Say, tells his own story in words and a variety of images both rendered and photographic. This is more authentic than Say's fictionalized but equally sophisticated, highly engaging account entitled The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice.
Chime
Age Level: 14-16
Fantasy and folklore combine in this mysterious tale of a 17-year old girl and her twin who are very different.
Big Nate on a Roll
Age Level: 9-12
Nate's prominence in his scout troop is threatened by a newcomer with hilarious results.
Are You 'Normal'? More Than 100 Questions That Will Test Your Weirdness
Age Level: 9-12
Polls of readers about home & school, friends & family, sports & more lets young people know if they're 'normal' or 'weird' while affirming that they are unique.
The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth
Illustrated by: Jules Feiffer
Age Level: 12-14
The history and more of a modern American classic by well-known historian of children's literature publishing is just in time for its 50th anniversary (and the 50th Anniversary edition).
