Teen Scene
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In 1986, just before her 16th birthday, Erin recieves her mother's diary from her father, the only information he has ever provided her about the mother who died when she was a baby. The diary reveals that Erin's mother was also 16 when she wrote it, and that her favorite book was To Kill a Mockingbird and that she wrote a letter to Harper Lee, the book's author to ask if she has any advise on how someone knows if she has what it takes to be a writer. Erin also loves the book and wants to become a writer. Did Harper Lee write back to her mother? After her father's announcement to marry his long-time girlfriend, Erin suddenly leaves her family in Minnesota on a bus journey to Monroeville, Alabama to meet Harper Lee in person. She meets some very interesting characters while traveling including Epp, an overweight nerd who is trying to develop a new video game. With a frantic father and police on the lookout for her at the bus depots, Epp helps Erin realize her dream of seeing the courthouse that Lee Harper describes in her book, visiting the Lee Harper museum and even seeing her house. But will she get to meet Harper Lee herself, reputed to be a very private person who does not like visitors? Easy-to-read, this beautifully written story describes a girl who is taking a chance to fulfill her dream. It will appeal especially to girls in grades 9 and up and hopefully inspire them to take a chance on their dream too. 
Falling. Falling in love? Falling apart? Falling down? Falling flat on your face? Wilhelm’s Falling was impossible to put down. The entire novel keeps the reader turning page after page. Meet Matt Shaw, star basketball player who won’t go out for the team. Every day, after school, he walks alone, avoiding his house and the junkies that hang out there with his dealer-druggie brother. Online Matt meets another lonely, philosophical soul—Katie. Katie happens to go to the same school as Matt. Soon the two are kissing, exploring, falling in love. Yet, Matt’s brother’s drug addiction and dealing ultimately gets in the way of Matt’s relationships with everyone. Will he come out and tell the truth before someone gets hurt? Or, will Matt stay shut up in his head to protect his family? This page-turner is highly recommended for grades 9-12. 
What do you read after Harry Potter? Well, if you are interested in another series about a young wizard just learning about his powers, then this might be the book to start. This series has 4 books and begins with Ged, a 13-year-old boy also known as Sparrowhawk, who discovers his powers when he saves his village from destruction. He begins studying with Ogion and continues on to the Island of Roke for formal studies. But because he is impatient and over-confident in his abilities, he unleashes a shadow that he must confront head-on before he finds any safety. This series moves more slowly than Harry Potter and is not full of the magic found there, but is still a worthy series for the hard-core fantasy fans. Recommended for teens in grades 6 and up. You won't be disappointed. 
Is ignorance bliss or just plain blindness to the truth? Growing up, fourteen year old Toni thought she had the perfect life: wonderful parents, a great best friend, and lots of luck. Toni luck, she calls it. When she and her best friend, Julie, are separated for the summer, life begins to change. Toni luck isn’t so lucky when her father has a heart attack and she is sent to her older, and colder, sister’s apartment in New York City for 10 days. There her bliss and blindness are broken when Toni’s sister, Martine, reveals family secrets. Will she ever forgive her family? Back home, Toni starts hanging out with Julie’s crush, L.R. Faberman. Will Julie and Toni stay best friends forever? Is Toni’s luck changing or is change just part of life? 
Esperanza lives in Aquascalientes, Mexico on the beautiful Rancho de las Rosas where her family has many servants and all adore her. Her father owns much land and is very powerful. Her life is perfect and happy and Esperanza cannot imagine it any other way. But when her father is killed by bandits in an ambush, her life is instantly transformed as her mother refuses to marry Tio Luis, her father's brother, and their house and rose orchard are burned to the ground. They escape to California using false papers to elude his powerful reach and, left with nothing, must start their lives over working side-by-side with their previous servants on farm labor camps. Time passes by the growing season of crops during the Great Depression, while events like striking for better pay and working conditions are woven through Esperanza's struggle to accept her new life. This would be an excellent book for teens in grades 6 and up who enjoy historical fiction and political issues. The issue of illegal aliens and migrant workers still exists today. This book won numerous awards since it's publication in 2000 including the Pura Belpre Award in 2002. 
Eireann Corrigan uses her novel, “Ordinary Ghosts,” as a vehicle for portraying the struggles of a teen who has lost it all. Sixteen year old Emil’s mom died of cancer, his older and druggie brother took off, and his dad’s parenting skills are anything but stellar. Now, it is just Dad and Emil. Rather, now, it’s just Emil and a postcard that says “Later,” courtesy of Ethan. Emil gets through Caramoor, his prestigious all boys’ prep school, with the help of his only friend, Soma. Emil and Soma are close, but there’s one thing Emil can’t tell anyone about: the legendary master key to Caramoor left by Ethan. Traditionally the key goes to a mastermind, but somehow it has ended up in Emil’s hands. Dad goes on a nine day business trip, and Emil takes full advantage of this. Sneaking out every night to explore Caramoor, Emil thinks he is alone on campus, until he sees the light on in the ceramics studio. Emil meets Jade, the ceramics teacher’s daughter, who uses the darkened Caramoor for reasons of her own. Both lonely souls find refuge in Caramoor and in each other. It is Jade who helps Emil track down Ethan in a search for the truth about his disappearance and their mother’s death. Witty and sarcastic, this novel addresses drugs, sex, and suicide, in a casual manner, making the entire novel seem very real, as coming from the point of view of a sixteen year old boy. Though the subject matter is dark, Emil provides comic relief with his language and attitude. Readers will fall in love with Emil and share his highs, lows, pains, and joy. Highly recommended for grades 9-12. 
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