The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy novel that spins the tale of four children who discover and explore the magical land of Narnia. It’s a story of the fight between good and evil, with good prevailing in an unexpected but very familiar way. Continue reading
Category Archives: Young Adult
Audio Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Narrated by Noah Galvin
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a young adult, coming of age story that explores the challenges of being a young teenager through the eyes of a guy named Charlie. While I’m not in the target audience for the novel, I did admire that it tackled some tough issues, including mental health, homosexuality, drug and alcohol use, and sexual abuse. Continue reading
Audio Book Discussion: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, Narrated by Spike McClure
The Outsiders is S. E. Hinton’s iconic coming of age story. Published in 1967, this young adult novel’s themes of friendship, humanity, class rivalry, and trying to succeed in the face of tough odds are still relevant today. Continue reading
Audio Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Narrated by Kate Rudd and Laura Grafton
The Fault in Our Stars is best-selling author John Green’s hugely popular young adult novel about two teenage cancer patients who find each other and fall in love. I was so happy that the book lived up to its hype – The Fault in Our Stars is smart and delightful, even while dealing with a tragic subject. Continue reading
Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is Sherman Alexie’s semi-autobiographical narrative about a young native American boy torn between the hopelessness of his reservation and the promise of a better future at an all-white high school. The narrator, Junior, deals with serious topics with wit and wisdom that will have you laughing and also sometimes tearing up. Continue reading
Book Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
I Must Betray You is a gripping, historical young adult novel about a teenage boy’s struggle for freedom in the final days of Romania’s oppressive communist regime. It shines a bright light on a topic that isn’t well-known to young people, and I highly recommend it as an account of what true oppression looks like. Continue reading
“Okay for Now”, by Gary D. Schmidt
“Okay for Now” is an engaging, young adult coming of age novel narrated by fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck. Doug has a lot going on in his young life. He just moved to a new town, his father is abusive, his brother is wounded in Vietnam and he’s having a hard time assimilating into his new school. Continue reading
“The Scorpio Races”, by Maggie Stiefvater
“The Scorpio Races” is a beautifully written, young adult fantasy novel that explores love, courage and loyalty against the backdrop of an island culture that largely revolves around the carnivorous water horses that emerge on its beaches every autumn. It’s an excellent read and, happily, not just for young adults. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 