Contra Costa County Library Guides - Staff Picks

Staff Picks for Teens

Generation T - Megan Nicolay
The two books in this series offer hundreds of ways to recycle old t-shirts into something new and cool. Transform your wardrobe or make gifts for your all your friends. reviewed by Michele 11/18/09
The Thirteenth Child - Patricia C. Wrede
The Wild West, pioneers, homesteading and...magic? In this book, the first in a new series, popular fantasy author Wrede uniquely blends an alternate version of American history with enchantment, spells, and sorcery. Eff, the thirteenth child in her family, is thought to be unlucky and is blamed for everything. At the same time, her twin brother Lan is the seventh son of a seventh son and thought to be all powerful and lucky. Their parents move the whole family out West to get the twins away from superstitious society! I highly recommend this fast-paced, action packed book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or fantasy. Reviewed by Megan 10/01/09.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
There is no better word to describe this novel than heartbreaking. Set in 1942 Berlin, Bruno, the son of a German military officer, befriends Shmuel, a young Jewish boy imprisoned at Auschwitz, through the camp's barrier gate. Bruno is ignorant of the horrors that take place on the other side of the fence. All he knows is that he’s struck up a wonderful if odd new friendship with a boy who’s always clad in the same striped pajamas. From the painfully innocent children at its center to the horrific circumstances in which they are enveloped, there is no reprieve from the ache one feels reading this story. There is no happy ending here. Just tears. Reviewed by Shireen 03/04/09
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
This book hooked me from the very first page. It is a futuristic look at a collapsed United States where those in control keep control by a survival game. Each of the twelve districts that are dominated by the capitol must send two teenagers every year to the capitol to participate in the hunger games. There is only one victor and survivor. These games are broadcast live as reality TV for entertainment. Sixteen year old Katniss, of district twelve, volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the grueling contest between twenty-four contestants. Action packed, this is a very suspenseful book that also offers much to think about. Many themes are touched upon. Katniss and all the characters are realistic and sympathetic. The first of a trilogy. I would put it into the same category as THE GIVER. A really good read! Reviewed by Andy 1/23/09
The Wild Girls - Pat Murphy
This is my 10-year niece’s all-time favorite book, and I read it on her recommendation. She loved it for its portrayal of the friendship of two 12-year old girls who, with the encouragement of one of their dads, a tattooed motorcycle-riding sci-fi writer, write a prize-winning story and gain entrance to a prestigious summer writing workshop at U.C. Berkeley. Their friendship and their imaginations help them deal with their different but equally challenging family situations. For me, the book’s setting—the San Francisco Bay Area, especially Berkeley and the Berkeley campus, in 1972—was an added bonus. Highly recommended for aspiring girl authors, aged 9-14. Reviewed by Elizabeth 10/17/08
Smack - Melvin Burgess
Smack depicts a story of two teen runaways who descend into homlessness and chemical addiction. In an attempt to gain independence and escape their flawed home lives, Tar and Gemma run away to squat in Bristol. The harsh realities of homeless life begin to take a toll on the couple as they attempt to support themselves and their habit. This easy read depicts the couple's decline, as heroin addiction dominates their lives. Reviewed by staff 10/10/08
Luxe and Rumors - Anna Godbersen
I really liked the first book in this series, The Luxe, but after the second book Rumors I am officially obsessed. The story centers on Manhattan society's elite in the late nineteenth century, particularly the friendships and rivalries between a specific group of teenaged girls. For these girls living under the ever watchful eye of high society means the constant struggle to maintain their places within it, usually by making proper but loveless marriage matches and fiercely protecting their reputations. The pressure often proves too much, and the girls resort to extreme measures to keep up appearances. The books are rife with deceit, passion, love, and drama - enough to put any modern day TV soap opera to shame! But don't be dismayed. This is some high quality reading from a top-notch author. I stayed up all night finishing Rumors, I was that enthralled, but now I'm left hanging for the third installment. Reviewed by Shireen 9/30/08