Lisey’s Story: A novel by Stephen King Two years after the death of her husband Scott, celebrated author Lisey Debusher Landon sets out to sort through his papers and finds herself drawn into the nightmare world where Scott got his inspiration--Boo'ya Moon. In the end, Lisey's deliverance comes from the lessons she learned and the peace she makes with herself. One of King’s finest works.

Kissing the bee by Kathe Koja While working on a bee project for her advanced biology class, quiet high school senior Dana reflects on her relationship with gorgeous best friend Avra and Avra's boyfriend Emil, whom Dana secretly loves. Poetic, realistic and filled with memorable characters, this novel captures first love’s exquisite, earth-shattering joy and the struggle and thrill that come with claiming one’s own life.

Rooftop by Paul Volponi Still reeling from seeing police shoot his unarmed cousin to death on the roof of a New York City housing project, seventeen-year-old Clay is dragged into the whirlwind of political manipulation that follows. This thoughtfully crafted, deceptively simple story knits together a high-interest plot crackling with street slang that will engage teen readers.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson After finally getting noticed by someone other than school bullies and his ever-angry father, seventeen-year-old Tyler enjoys his tough new reputation and the attentions of a popular girl, but when life starts to go bad again, he must choose between transforming himself and giving in to his destructive thoughts. Anderson's taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down.

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley Calliope and Eliot, two fifteen-year-olds in Asheville, North Carolina, begin to acknowledge some unpleasant truths about their parents and form their own ideas about love. Readers who wish that Romeo and Juliet had a happier ending will find much gratification in this more uplifting story.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer When the Cullens leave Forks rather than risk revealing that they are vampires, it is almost too much for eighteen-year-old Bella to bear, but she finds solace in her friend Jacob until he is drawn into a "cult" and changes in terrible ways. Just as exciting as Twilight, New Moon will more than feed the bloodthirsty hankerings of fans of the first volume and leave them breathless for the third.

King Dork by Frank Portman "King Dork" Tom Henderson discovers his late father's copy of The Catcher in the Rye, and the coded messages hidden within lead him to investigate his dad's death, exposing past corruption and present scandals. Portman's hilarious satire of high school rituals keeps the pages turning in this mystery novel.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock After spending her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school's rival football team, sixteen-year-old D.J. decides to go out for the sport herself, not anticipating the reactions of those around her. A fresh teen voice, great football action and cows- this novel has something for everyone.

Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga A fifteen-year-old "geek" who keeps a list of the high school jocks and others who torment him encounters Kyra, Goth Girl, who helps change his outlook on almost everything, including himself. Fanboy's whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice adds a fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with bullying and their own feelings of helplessness, rage, and being misunderstood.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang American Born Chinese is a well-crafted graphic novel that aptly explores issues of self-image, cultural identity, transformation, and self-acceptance. In a series of three linked tales, the central characters encounter shame, racism, and friendship.