List-O-Rama: A Bunch of CEFS Reader-Suggested Backlist YAs

We had such fantastic suggestions last weekend for backlist young adult novels that I had to spotlight them all into a list this week.

Thank you all for making to to-read list so enormous!

Small Steps by Louis Sachar (2006)

I may have ruined my life, but at least I got to eat some really good Chinese food.

Our friend Gabrielle Prendergast (whose book, Audacious, is one of our very much anticipated 2013 verse novels) suggested Louis Sachar’s follow up to Holes. I’m shocked I haven’t read either Holes or Small Steps because they really sound like something I’d like. All of the reviews say that you don’t need to read the first book to enjoy this one about a teen recently released from juvenile detention who’s trying to turn his life around in Austin, Texas. 

Gabrielle also suggested anything by Barry Lyga (I know she’s a huge advocate for Boy Toy in particular), Pete Hautman and  I am the Messenger by Markus Zuzak. 

{Amazon | Goodreads}

The President’s Daughter Series by Ellen Emerson White (1984)

“Meg, I want to run for President,” her mother said.

Meg choked, losing half her mouthful of soda on the table. She shoved her napkin onto the liquid, still coughing. “Are you kidding?”

Her mother shook her head.

“Oh my God,” Meg said.

I almost passed out when I heard that Ellen Emerson White’s “President’s Daughter” series had been updated and reissued, since I remember reading it in the 80s. But, it’s true. Jen suggested these books and I have to agree—I remember loving them. The series follows Meg, daughter of the first female president of the United States through the trials of being First Daughter. They’re a lot of fun and it’s very cool a new generation gets to enjoy them. 

{Amazon | Goodreads}

Violet on the Runway Series by Melissa Walker

The new Violet is a soon-to-be international runway star and evil genius. Or something.

Here’s another series recommendation, this time from another pal of ours, Racquel from The Book Barbies (if you’re not reading Racquel’s—who’s an Actual Teen—very sassy blog, you’re missing out). I admit, which I have a real affection for Melissa Walker’s writing, I’ve avoided this series because it deals with models, which kind of freak me out as a concept. However, the Violet series, which follows a shy, awkward girl as she breaks into modeling, sounds like a lot of fun, so I think I’ll give this series a try. 

She also suggested Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt (which I’ve been meaning to read for ages), The Book of Luke by Jenny O’Connell, Summer in the City by Elizabeth Chandler (this sounds like one I’d love!) and two excellent Deb Caletti novels: The Nature of Jade and Wild Roses. 

{Amazon | Goodreads}

What else would you add to our growing list of YA novels that folks need to discover?