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
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2008 Holiday Buying Guide
Good books are gifts for a lifetime — books that connect with young readers will encourage them to read more, and more widely.
These books were chosen to engage reluctant pre-teen and teen readers and provide an alternative to TV-watching and video-gaming. Give books as gifts and watch kids read. Happy holidays from AdLit.org!
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
By Kadir Nelson
In the early days of baseball, black players were segregated into their own league. This oversized book — with magnificent artwork by Nelson — makes this era come alive.
Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf : A Year Told Through Stuff
By Jennifer Holm
Stories can be told through objects and pictures as well as through words, as this book's clever scrapbook format demonstrates. Ginny is starting 7th grade, and through the use of report cards, IMs, diary entries, cards and more, we learn all about the ups and downs of her middle school years.
Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best Kept Secrets
By John Farndon
Books of miscellany are always appealing, but this one is exceptionally fun. Each colorful page offers juicy tidbits on unexplained mysteries, spies, aliens, lost tribes, and hidden treasures.
Gregor the Overlander
By Suzanne Collins
In this first book of the five-volume Underland Chronicles, Gregor's father has disappeared from the family, and Gregor spends a lot of time in the family's New York apartment looking after his two-year-old sister Boots. When Boots falls down an airshaft, Gregor goes after her and discovers an underground society of talking roaches, rats, and more. Older teen readers (14+) might also like Collins' newest, The Hunger Games, about a reality show where the winner is literally the last one left alive.
The 39 Clues (Maze of Bones series, Book 1)
By Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan, already beloved by middle schoolers for his Percy Jackson series, starts this new series in which kids can also win real cash prizes. Amy and Dan Cahill are searching for the 39 Clues that will help their family maintain the powers they've had for generations, but other, less noble members of the Cahill clan are searching, too. Using the cards included in the book, readers can play an online game and attempt to solve the clues themselves.
Wandmaker's Guidebook
By Ed Massesa
Even though the Harry Potter series has ended, wizardry and fantasy books abound. In addition to sharing "facts" about magic and wands, the book contains its own wand for kids to personalize, decorate and use.
Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts
By Dr. Ernest Drake
The latest in the "ology" series of books (all of which would make great gifts.) This edition features fantastical — as opposed to scary — creatures like unicorns, krakens, hippogriffs, and yeti. The book includes pull-outs and samples of sea serpent skin and feathers from a winged horse.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (audiobook)
By Lewis Carroll and Jim Dale
Jim Dale, known for his reading of the Harry Potter books, re-energizes Lewis Carroll's classic story. Dale inhabits each of the characters, from the Cheshire Cat, to Alice herself, and makes the book crackle with laugh-out-loud humor. Perfect for struggling readers or for the whole family to enjoy together.
Dr. Frankenstein's Human Body Book
By Richard Walker
There are a few human body books out this year (another notable one is David Macaulay's The Way We Work) but this one is the most fun. With just the right amount of kid-friendly grossness, Dr. Frankenstein teaches about the human body parts and systems, and enlists the reader as his kid assistant to create his "human being."
Phenomena: Secrets of the Senses
By Donna Jackson
The functions of our five senses are well known, but what about a 6th sense? Does it really exist? Intuition, dreams, coincidences — what are their logical explanations? This book attempts to answer these often unanswerable questions.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
This funny, realistic book about Greg Haffley's misadventures in middle school is part cartoon, part traditional novel. There are two books in this series, with the third entry due in January, so if your kids are already fans, get them a rain check for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw.
The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West
By Sid Fleischman
Without copying Twain's style, Fleischman's biography captures its spirit as he tells the true story behind the jumping frog of Calaveras County among others (and includes the full text of Twain's story). Twain got rich, got poor, got rich, got poor and through it all shared his sometimes-true, sometimes-outlandish tales. Unique photographs and a beautiful presentation complete this package.
Thoreau at Walden
By John Porcellino
Using quotes from Thoreau, Porcellino adapts his Transcendentalist philosophy to the graphic novel format. The drawings suit the "simple life" philosophy of Walden perfectly.
The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman returns to the spooky (but not too scary) realm he visited in Coraline (another good gift choice, and soon to be an animated movie). When Bod was a toddler, his family was killed, but he unknowingly avoided the same fate by hiding in the nearby graveyard. Though the graveyard's ghostly inhabitants take care of him, is he doomed to stay in the graveyard forever?
Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide To Living an Eco-Friendly Life
By Linda Sivertsen
Environmental causes continue to engage teens, and this book will serve as a blueprint to those who wish to be greener, or maybe want others in their life to follow in their footsteps and need some support. This easy-to-read book can serve as a "green starter kit."
Airman
By Eoin Colfer
Many middle schoolers already love Colfer's Artemis Fowl series, but his new adventure is even more thrilling. Conor once a young man living an idyllic life on an island off the the coast Ireland, is imprisoned after being framed for murdering the king. While he endures cruel guards and fellow inmates, he dreams of building a flying machine to escape. Will Conor ever get his chance to fly away?
Waiting for Normal
By Leslie Connor
Addie lives in a trailer with her Mom, now that Mommers has divorced Addie's stepfather. Mommers cares about Addie in her own way, but unfortunately, she isn't able to take good care of Addie. So Addie learns to take care of herself, and mostly does a pretty good job of it. For girls who like realistic fiction, this is a highlight of 2008.
Good Masters Sweet Ladies: Voices from a Medieval Village
By Laura Amy Schlitz
This collection of stories from the citizens of a medieval village is entertaining and educational. Readers will learn about the Middle Ages through the voices of individual townspeople. The title won the 2007 Newbery Award for distinguished children's literature.
The City of Ember
By Jeanne DuPrau
Before The City of Ember was a movie, it was the first in a series of dystopian books for middle schoolers about ahe dark underground city. As the city's few natural resources dwindle, 12-year-olds, Doon and Lina, set out to determine what is really going on in Ember.
Here Lies Arthur
By Philip Reeve
This retelling of the Camelot story envisions King Arthur as a marauding warlord, leading a band of brutish thugs through fifth-century Britain. The tale is narrated by Gwynna, a waif made left homeless in the wake of Arthur's raids.
Miracle Wimp
By Erik Kraft
Tom Mayo, the miracle wimp of the title, is hated by the popular crowd, and feels like a dork, like, well, most high school kids! But through these VERY hilarious stories, and some cartoony drawings, we get to know a likeable guy figuring it all out.
Little Brother
By Cory Doctorow
Sure, Marcus is a computer dork/hacker, but when he's caught up in a DHS snare, he wasn't doing anything wrong — he and his friends were just doing a role playing game. Marcus and his friends, in both the real and virtual worlds, attempt to thwart Big Brother. A 1984 for 2008.
Nation
By Terry Pratchett
When a tidal wave destroys most of civilization, a desert island becomes the new cradle of society and two teenagers try to hold things together.
Punk Rock Etiquette: The Ultimate How-to Guide for DIY, Punk, Indie, and Underground Bands
By Travis Nichols
For teens who play in bands, who want to play in bands, who want to hang out with bands, or who just want to see bands. Nichols tells you how to promote yourself, name yourself, practice, record, tour, and more.
One Hundred Young Americans
By Michael Franzini
Photographer Franzini took pictures of 100 teens from across America. The photos show the diversity among today's teenagers — rich, poor, devout, skeptical, addicted, popular, nerdy. The teens' own words accompany their photos. This coffee table books is perfect for browsers, reluctant readers, and teens and all those who have teens in their lives.
Thirteen Reasons Why
By Jay Asher
Hannah commits suicide, and no one knows why until a cassette tapes arrive in the mail. Clay, a classmate with a crush on Hannah, listens to the tapes to understand why Hannah took her own life. Part mystery, part realistic fiction.
Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion
By Mark Cotta Vaz
Stephanie Meyers' Twilight series about teen vampires has taken young adult fiction by storm. Though the books in the series would be our first choice for gift giving, the movie companion will satisfy the legion of die-hard fans who've already read the books. Still photos and background scoop from the movie set will entice new readers, too.
Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista
By Melissa Rannels, Melissa Alvarado and Hope Meng
For the budding Project Runway contestant, Sew Subversive helps teens take things from their own closets (or from a thrift store) and redeploy them into fun, new outfits. No need to be an experienced seamstress (in fact, the book is probably too simple for those) but just one who is creative and fashionable.
Dark Dude
By Oscar Hijuelos
Dark Dude is the young adult debut from Pulitzer-Prize winner Oscar Hijuelos. Sixteen-year-old Rico leaves New York and his Cuban heritage behind and heads to Wisconsin, where he hopes to become a regular Midwesterner.
Bonechiller
By Graham McNamee
Danny and his father have recently settled into the small Canadian town of Harvest Cove. Everything is going fine, until Danny is attacked one evening by a creature. Or was he? It's so horrible he tries to block it out. As Danny researches the town and its monster, he realizes the truth is more terrifying than he ever imagined. McNamee is an Edgar-Award winning mystery and suspense writer for young adults.
No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenagers on Death Row
By Susan Kuklin
Using the inmates own words, Kuklin tells the stories of Death Row inmates sentenced for crimes they committed as teenagers. Some admit their guilt, others maintain their innocence, all admit they were "no choirboys." This book will interest teens who enjoy a crime story, including reluctant readers, and will allow for good discussion about the purpose of the death penalty.
Before I Die
By Jenny Downham
Seventeen-year-old Tessa has been living with cancer almost all her life, but now she senses the end is really near. Before she dies, she wants to experience lots of teenage drama, good and bad — sex, drugs, stealing, driving. As Tessa she does these things, and her condition worsens, she comes to terms with her life as it is and with the fact that there are many things she just won't be able to experience.
Skim
By Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
Skim is a rebellious goth girl, who's growing apart from her old friend and growing closer to her female teacher, perhaps too close.
Gay America: Struggle for Equality
By Linas Alsenas
This history of gay rights shows how many things have changed, and how some have stayed the same. Using photographs and a readable style, Alsenas tells the history of gay culture from the closet to out and proud.
Life Sucks
By Jessica Abel
Vampires are EVERYWHERE this year, but don't confuse this book with the romance-heavy Twilight books. This blood-sucking vampire has a soul-sucking job in a convenience store.
Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman
By Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bissette
Best known for the Sandman series of graphic novels, Neil Gaiman a novelist, children's author and screenwriter. This anthology includes lots of detail on Gaiman's writing, and includes some unpublished articles, poems and a lengthy interview.
Influence
By Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
The famous twins with the unique fashion sense interview stars of the fashion world about their influences. The photo-heavy title includes conversations with Diane Von Furstenberg, Lauren Hutton, shoe designer Christian Louboutin, and photographer Terry Richardson among others. The Olsens' demonstrate a real knowledge of and respect for their subjects — it's like an issue of Vogue with the twins as guest editors!
Best American Non-Required Reading
Edited by Dave Eggers
For several years, Eggers, along with students in his San Francisco writing center, have been combing presses small and large to find the best writing of interest to young adults. This year's volume contains an introduction by Judy Blume, a graphic novel excerpt from Paul Hornschemeier, and an article from The Washington Post's hilarious Gene Weingarten.
Rock and Roll Cage Match: Music's Greatest Rivalries, Decided
By Sean Manning
Video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band have made classic rock the music of choice for many teens. Here, pop culture writers attempt to resolve many of rock's greatest arguments, such as Metallica vs. Nirvana, The Smiths vs. the Cure, Radiohead vs. Coldplay. A fun read for music fans.
I Love You, Beth Cooper
By Larry Doyle
No surprise that this book will hit movie screens next year, it reads like a fast-paced, laugh-filled screenplay. When nerdy valedictorian Denis blurts out at the graduation ceremony what he's been thinking all through high school — I Love You Beth Cooper — he never expected that Beth would appear on his doorstep to take him on an adventure of a lifetime.
Conception
By Kalisha Buckhanon
Buckhanon is a talented writer of the African American urban experience. Here 15-year old Shivana becomes pregnant by the married man upstairs. Outside her Chicago apartment, she meets Rasul, and despite her pregnancy, she and Rasul may actually have a connection. Throughout the story, Shivana's unborn baby lyrically shares its past lives, or almost lives. This mix of urban fiction and magical realism resembles some of Toni Morrison's work.
