The Children’s Book Review | January 4, 2015
Popular Books for Teens
With so many strong novels on this list, all but one young adult novel—Gayle Forman’s Where She Went—remains the same on our hand-picked list from the Best Selling Young Adult list—including The Children’s Book Review‘s number one best selling young adult book is The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy—a classic must-read for all Greek mythology fans. As listed by The New York Times, best selling young adult titles include books by super-talents John Green and Ransom Riggs. Many of the books on this list have been turned into movies, so there is a bit of a book-to-movie theme going on in the Young Adult book world! The titles listed here truly are popular books for teens (and many adults, too).
The Children’s Book Review’s Best Selling Young Adult Book
The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy
By Padraic Colum; Illustrated by Willy Pogany
”Published in 1918, Colum’s stirring telling of the Greek epics is still unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths for young readers.” —Publishers Weekly
” (Audiobook narrator) Whitfield’s (-aka- Simon Vance) distinct narration gives a clear rendition of classic myths The Iliad and The Odyssey. The reading is intelligible to children yet preserves the heroic style of the sagas. It is a treat to hear Greek words pronounced with such ease.” —Lolly Gepson
PADRAIC COLUM (1881-1972) was an Irish poet, playwright, author, a major leader of the Irish Renaissance, and a friend to James Joyce and William Yeats. Well versed in the old Gaelic myths as well as those of other cultures, he wrote a number of books for children that retell these tales. His book The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived before Achilles was a Newbery Honor Book, and he was awarded the Regina Medal for his distinguished contribution to children’s literature.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Simon Pulse | Oct. 1, 1982 | ISBN-13: 978-0020425205
Nationwide Best Selling Young Adult Books
If I Stay
By Gayle Forman
The critically acclaimed, bestselling novel from Gayle Forman, author of Where She Went, Just One Day, and Just One Year.
Soon to be a major motion picture, starring Chloe Moretz!
Publisher’s Synopsis: In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. Now a major motion picture starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Mia’s story will stay with you for a long, long time.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Speak | Apr. 6, 2010 | ISBN-13: 978-0142415436
The Fault in our Stars
By John Green
A Major Motion Picture!
TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012!
Publisher’s Synopsis: The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
Ages 14-17 | Publisher: Dutton Books | Jan. 10, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0525478812
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
By Ransom Riggs
A New York Times #1 best seller
On the New York Times Best Seller List for more than 52 consecutive weeks
Publisher’s Synopsis: Includes an excerpt from the much-anticipated sequel and an interview with author Ransom Riggs
A mysterious island.
An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
Ages 12-17 | Publisher: Quirk Books | Jun. 7, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-1594746031
Looking for Alaska
By John Green
Publisher’s Synopsis: The award-winning, genre-defining debut from #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
New York Times bestseller
Before. Miles Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .
After. Nothing is ever the same.
Ages 14-17 | Publisher: Dutton Books | Mar. 3, 2005 | ISBN-13: 978-0142402511
Where She Went
By Gayle Forman
Publisher’s Synopsis: The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed If I Stay
Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam’s point of view. Ever since Mia’s decision to stay – but not with him – Adam’s career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite – with wholly satisfying results.
And don’t miss Gayle’s newest novel, JUST ONE DAY and the forthcoming companion, JUST ONE YEAR.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Speak | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0142420898
This information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most current and up-to-date list.
Gayle Forman and John Green are mainstays on the best seller list. Have you read all of their books? For more fiction Young Adult books, follow along with our Best YA tag. With so many wonderful children and teen books being turned into movies, you may also have an interest in following our tag: Books into Movies.
