List of Titles

 Required Titles

1.      The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

2.      Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

3.      The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

4.      Forever by Judy Blume

5.      Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Realistic Fiction

6.      Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard

7.      The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Award winners and Best Books

8.      The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

9.      Chime by Franny Billingsley

10.  Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

11.  Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

12.  What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Graphic Novel

13.  Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

14.  Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel

Nonfiction

15.  Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

16.  Bootleg by Karen Blumenthal

17.  Charles and Emma Deborah Heigilman

Science fiction

18.  The Future of Us by Carolyn Mackler and Jay Asher

19.  Ship Breaker by Paola Bacigalupi

Fantasy

20.  Entwined by Heather Dixon

21.  Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Paranormal

22.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

23.  The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

  

Horror

24.  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (YALSA Best Teen Fiction 2012)

25.  Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Sexuality and gender identity

26.  Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

27.  Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Humor

28.  Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner

29.  The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Mystery/suspense

30.  Madapple by Christina Meldrum

31.  Papertowns By John Green (Printz Award Nominee)

32.  Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Multicultural

33.  Absolute Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Adventure

34.  The Devil’s Paintbox Victoria McKernan

35.  Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Historical Fiction

36.  Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

37.  Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  

38.  The Firefly Letters Margarita Engle

Cross Over

39.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett

40.  The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

41.  The Lost City of Z by David Grann

42.  Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Magazines

43.   Teen Voices

44.  Seventeen

Movies

45.  The Hunger Games

46.  17 Again

Music

47.  Speak Now Taylor Swift

 

Seventeen Magazine

Critical Review:

Seventeen is primarily a fashion magazine for teenage girls, though I was pleased to find that the magazine has changed some since I was a teenager.  While the majority of the magazine is devoted to the superficial concerns, clothes, hair, and makeup, the magazine also includes articles that deal with real issues, such as safe sex and using birth control.  The magazine not only reports on issues that teens are interested in, but addresses issues that teens might be embarrassed to discuss with their parents or other adults.  I was also pleased to find that unlike fashion magazine for older readers, Seventeen, has made an effort to use models of all shapes, sizes and races, making this a truly diverse and realistic portrait of teen girls.

Interest Level:

Grades 9 and up

Similar Publications:

Teen Vogue

Subjects/Themes:

Teenage girls

Magazine Website:

http://www.seventeen.com/

Why I chose to include this magazine:

I chose to include this magazine because it is full of articles and fashion advice that is of interest to teenage girls.  

Ghostopolis

TenNapel, Doug. Ghostopolis. Scholastic, 2010. 262 pages, $24.99 ISBN: 9780545210270 (trade)

Plot Summary:

TenNapel’s graphic novel revolves around Garth, a terminally ill teen who is accidentally sent to the afterlife by affable ghost hunter Frank Gallows.  Determined to rescue Garth, Frank enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend and ghost Claire Voyent to help him travel to the afterlife.  Meanwhile, Garth finds himself in a strange land with only a ghost horse named Skinny as a friend until he runs into someone who knows him, his grandfather.  With the help of Skinny and his grandfather Garth makes it to the capitol of Ghostopolis, where he meets up with Frank and Claire who have recently landed in the afterlife.  Unbeknownst to Garth, the ruler of Ghostopolis, Vaugner sees the living boy as a threat and enlists his minions to capture him and his accomplices.  In order to return home Garth must defeat the evil Vaugner and restore peace to the afterlife. 

Critical Review:

Doug TenNapel has created a classic hero tale in his boldly illustrated graphic novel Ghostopolis.  Garth’s sudden appearance in the afterlife and his mission to defeat the evil overlord and bring peace coincides with the classic hero archetype.  TenNapel’s characters are well developed and his illustrations are bright and beautifully colored.  Ghostopolis is an edgy, fast paced, tongue in cheek tale that will leave readers wanting more. 

Genre:

Graphic Novel

Fantasy

Adventure

Interest Level:

Grades 9 and up

Similar Books:

Anya’s Ghost Vera Brosgol

Subjects/Themes:

Death/dying

Tyranny

Author’s Website:

http://tennapel.com/

Annotation:

Ghostopolis is an edgy graphic novel in which teen Garth must defeat the evil overlord of the afterlife and bring peace to Ghostopolis. 

Book Talking Ideas:

Ghostopolis tells the story of Garth a terminally ill teen that is accidentally sent to the afterlife before his time.  With the help of rescuers, ghost hunter Frank and ghost Claire, Garth must defeat the evil ruler of Ghostopolis if he ever wishes to return home to his family again. 

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose to include this book because it is edgy and darkly humorous story teens will devour. 

Anya's Ghost

Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. First Second, 2011. 221 pages, $19.99 ISBN: 9780316056212 (trade)

Plot Summary:

Walking to school one day Anya stumbles into an open pit, where she encounters the remains and the ghost of the last person to fall down the pit.  Lucky for Anya she is rescued, but the ghost hitches a ride when one of her bones ends up in Anya’s bag.  Initially Anya is annoyed by the ghosts hitchhiking, but when she helps Anya cheat on her test and impresses Anya’s crush, Anya changes her mind about having the ghost around.  That is until the ghost starts getting demanding and Anya discovers the true nature of her dead friend and how she really died.  

Critical Review:

Brosgol’s first book is a stunning graphic novel.  Anya is a funny and clever narrator struggling with fitting in without betraying her Russian and Jewish heritage.  Like many teens Anya feels like an outsider and yearns to fit in and be accepted by her classmates.  Brosgol’s graphic style of drawing is similar to the style of artist and writer Marjane Satrapi. 

Genre:

Graphic Novel

Fantasy

Multicultural

Interest Level:

Grades 7 and up

Similar Books:

Persepolis Marjane Satrapi

Subjects/Themes:

Ghosts

Teenage girls

High School

Judaism

Awards/Honors:

ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012

Cybil Award 2011

School Library Journal Best Books 2011

YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

YALSA Top 10 Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

Author’s Website:

http://verabee.com/

Annotation:

After falling down an old well Anya meets a ghost who returns home with her and becomes her new friend. 

Book Talking Ideas:

Anya’s Ghost is a creepy and funny ghost story.  The last thing Anya expected to find when she stumbled into an old well was a new friend, especially one that died over a hundred years earlier.  When Anya is rescued her new friend tags along, making herself comfortable in Anya’s house and butting into Anya’s life until she is trying to control Anya and threatening her family. 

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose Anya’s Ghost because it is a funny and fast paced graphic novel. 

Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith

Heiligman, Deborah. Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith. Henry Holt and Company, 2009. 268 pages, $18.95 ISBN: 9780805087215 (trade)

Plot Summary:

Heiligman opens her biography of the influential British scientist, Charles Darwin, right after his return to England after his five year voyage on the HMS Beagle.  Upon returning home Darwin decides his life is missing the love of a wife and a family and at age 30 he married his cousin Emma Wedgewood.  Over the course of their marriage the couple had ten children, seven that lived to see adulthood.  Darwin respected Emma immensely and even though they never did agree on religious issues, Darwin being an atheist and Emma a devote Christian.  Both Emma and Darwin were extremely well read and intelligent.  Emma acted as Darwin’s editor, helping his to strengthen his arguments and refine his research.  With Emma’s help, Darwin spent 20 years perfecting his best known work On the Origin of Species. 

Critical Review:

I was touched by the relationship between Charles and Emma.  Theirs was truly a marriage based on love and respect.  While Emma feared for her husband’s soul, she was never anything but supportive of his career and his research.  They never lost the romance of their marriage continuing to write each other love letters long after they were married.  Heiligman’s biography is a winner for those who love science and for teens who are looking for a beautiful love story. 

Genre:

Nonfiction-biography

Interest Level:

Grades 7 and up

Subjects/Themes:

Evolution

Religion

Charles Darwin

Awards/Honors:

Michael L. Printz Honor 2010

National Book Award finalist 2009

YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction 2010

Junior Library Guild Selection

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2010

Author’s Website:

http://www.deborahheiligman.com/index.html

Annotation:

Charles and Emma is the story about the marriage between pioneering scientist Charles Darwin and his devotedly Christian wife Emma. 

Book Talking Ideas:

Charles Darwin is one of the most influential scientists of all time, but he never could have accomplished all he did without the love and support of his wife Emma.  Charles and Emma is a beautiful romance between two very different people and how they managed to make their marriage work despite their different beliefs.

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose to include this book because I think it will appeal to a variety of audiences. 

They Firefly Letters

Engle, Margarita. (2010). The Firefly Letters: a Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 151 pages. $16.99 ISBN: 9780805090826

Plot Summary:

Cecilia is a young slave girl who is owned by Elena’s family.  When Fredrika comes to stay with Elena’s family Cecilia is sent to serve as Fredrika’s translator for the duration of her stay since Cecilia’s English is better than Elena’s.  Elena is twelve and very sheltered, her days are spent inside embroidering linens for her future marriage.  Meanwhile Cecilia and Fredrika become fast friends, sketching and releasing captive fireflies together about town.  Soon Fredrika asks Elena’s father to find her and Cecilia a place to stay in the country because she is concerned for Cecilia’s health.  Cecilia is pregnant and the city air has given her a severe cough.  Elena misses the friendship of the older girls while they are away, finding Fredrika’s influence has caused her to rethink her future and immediate goals.  When Fredrika and Cecilia return to the city Elena shares with Fredrika a plan she has been developing; a plan she believe Fredrika will not only approve of, but willingly assist in. 

Critical Review:

The Firefly Letters is beautifully written in verse.  The story is based on the letters of Swedish suffragette Fredrika Bremer, who visited Cuba in 1851.  Cecilia really existed and served as translator to Bremer during her stay in Cuba, but the author notes that Elena is fictional.  Engle’s verse and imagery make it easy to imagine the lush island’s warm evenings lit by the glow of fireflies above.   Engle also describes the practice of slavery as it existed on Cuba at the time.  This story is touching, written from three the viewpoints of three very different young women: independent Fredrika, sheltered Elena, and slave Cecilia.  All three lead very different lives and yet all become true friends.  Cecilia is the only one who is literally owned, but in a way all three are captives of their gender.  Because they are women they automatically have fewer rights and less say in their futures and the futures of their children.  Cecilia realizes this as she wonders about what kind of future her baby will have.  Elena wonder what kind of future she will have with the man her father chooses for her to marry when she turns fourteen in two short years.  Fredrika refused to be trapped by marriage in Sweden and leaves to travel the world.  Engle’s story was brief, under 150 pages, but it conveyed a world of feeling and emotion.  This is a true gem.

Genre:

Poetry

Historical Fiction

Interest Level:

Grades 7 and up

Similar Books:

The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle

Subjects/Themes:

Cuba

Slavery

Poetry

Women’s Suffrage

Awards/Honors:

Pura Belpré 2011 Honor Book

ALA Notable Book 2011

ALA Amelia Bloomer List 2011

Annotation:

The Firefly Letters tells the story in verse of three girls contemplating their futures in a world ruled by men.

Book Talking Ideas:

The Firefly Letters is an historical novel written in lyrical verse.  The story follows Swedish suffragist Fredrika Bremer as she visits Cuba in the 1850’s.  Fredrika is an independent, free thinker who refused to be tied down by marriage, deciding to travel the world instead.  In Cuba Fredrika meets Cecilia and Elena and changes their world and future by just being their friend. 

Why I chose to include this Book:

I included The Firefly Letters because I was blown away by the beautiful, lush verse and vivid descriptions in the novel.  

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games. Produced by Nina Jacobsen and John Kilik, 2012. Directed by Gary Ross. 

Plot Summary:

The blockbuster movie The Hunger Games, based on the book by Suzanne Collins, is set in a futuristic America Katniss volunteers to take the place of her sister in the annual Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games is a competition designed to remind the districts how unwise it is to revolt against the Capitol.  Each district must send two tributes, one female and male teenager to participate in a televised battle to the death.  Katniss’ fellow tribute is Peeta, a boy who once saved Katniss’ life by giving her bread when she and her family were starving.  While Katniss is focused on winning and returning to take care of her family, Peeta is focused on keeping Katniss safe because he is secretly in love with her. 

Critical Review:

Like the book the movie version of The Hunger Games is an action packed and fast paced adventure of survival and love.  Screen writer Gary Ross did a fabulous job keeping to Collins original story.  The costuming in the movie is superb and also faithful to the descriptions in the book.  But the best thing about The Hunger Games is Jennifer Lawrence who plays Katniss.  I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for the role.  Lawrence is a very talented, convincing and emotive actor and brought just the right touch to the role. 

Genre:

Science Fiction

Interest Level:

Ages 13 and up

Subjects/Themes:

Dystopian societies

Survival

Teenagers

Movie Trailer:

http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Annotation:

To save her sister, Katniss volunteers a tribute in the annual Hunger Games, which is a battle to the death between 24 teens where there is only one survivor.

Why I chose to include this movie:

I chose this movie because it is based on the extremely popular best selling young adult novel The Hunger Games.   

Teen Voices Magazine

Critical Review:

Teen Voices is an alternative magazine for teenage girl, that is also in part produced by teenagers as well. Each issue includes the column “Girl Talk,” an advice column “Dear D,” and reviews of books, music, and movies. Articles discuss issues that are relevant and of interest to teens.  The Fall 2011/Winter 2012 issues reported on cutting, coming out of the closet, and Facebook; all issues that are current and important to modern teens.  Unlike many other magazines aimed at teen girls, Teen Voices refreshingly does not contain a plethora of fashion and makeup advertisements.  Teen Voices concentrate on including quality content, instead filling their pages with superficial articles that are of little real value to teens.  The magazine has a clear feminist tilt and focuses on building strong women.

Interest Level:

Grades 8 and up

Similar Publications:

Bust

Subjects/Themes:

Teenage girls

Magazine Website:

http://www.teenvoices.com/

Why I chose to include this magazine:

I chose to include this magazine because it focuses on building strong women and reports on issues that are of importance to young women. 

Graceling

Cashore, Kristen Graceling. 2008.  Harcourt, Inc., 471 pages. $17.00 ISBN: 015206396X

Plot Summary:

Katsa was born Graced, marked by her different colored eyes, one blue, one green, but it was not until she was eight that her Grace manifested when she accidently killed her cousin in self defense.  Katsa despises her Grace and her uncle who has turned her into his Child Killer, sending Katsa to punish those who displease him.  To make up for the pain she inflicts Katsa forms the Council with the help of her cousin Raffin and the spymaster Oll,  The Council works to fight for the disadvantaged throughout the five inner kingdoms of Wester, Nander, Estill, Middluns, and Sunder. 

It is because of a Council mission to rescue kidnapped Grandfather Tealiff the father of King Ror of Leinid that Katsa meets Prince Po.  Believing Katsa is responsible for rescuing his Grandfather from the dungeons of Sunder Po follows her to King Randa’s court where Po and Katsa quickly bond over their similar Graces.  Po is Graced in hand to hand combat and the two become sparring partners and soon best friends.  Their friendship almost falls apart when Katsa discovers that Po’s true Grace allows him to sense the people around him, how they are feeling, where they are in relation to him and their thoughts when they turn to him.  Katsa is horrified that Po has intruded on her thoughts and Po must regain her trust. 

At Po’s urging Katsa stands up to her uncle, King Randa and leaves his court with Po in search of the person responsible for the kidnapping of Po’s grandfather.  The clues lead them to King Leck of Monsea, Po’s uncle and the discovery that Leck possesses the dangerous Grace of being able to manipulate people’s minds so that they will believe everything he says.  Along the way Katsa and Po also learn about, themselves, their Graces, and each other. 

Critical Review:

Graceling is a fantastic fantasy filled with adventure and romance.  Katsa is more than capable of taking care of herself, but she never really learns to trust until meeting Po.  I could not put Graceling down; I just had to know what was going to happen next.  Cashore does not disappoint, Graceling is filled with intrigue and adventure.  . 

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest Level:

Grades 8 and up

Similar Books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Subjects/Themes:

Strong Female Character

Independence

Magical Abilities

Awards:

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature 2009 Winner

William C. Morris Award 2009 Finalist

Andre Norton Award 2008 Finalist

Author’s Website:

http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/

Annotation:

The Lady Katsa is feared, most dare not look her in her oddly colored eyes, one blue, one green.  Her eyes mark her as one of the Graced, who are feared through the inner kingdoms, but Katsa more so than others for hers is the Grace to kill. 

Book Talking Ideas:

If you liked The Hunger Games you will love Graceling, which features another strong female, Katsa, who is gifted with the Grace to kill.  Despite Katsa’s violent gift she is a warm and caring person who despises using her destructive powers.  When Po comes searching for his kidnapped grandfather his only hope of finding him and those responsible is Katsa and his violent gift.

Why I chose to include this book:

I included Graceling because it is an adventure feature a strong female heroine.

Pink

Wilkinson, Lili. Pink. Harper Teen. 2011. 310 pages, $16.99. ISBN 9780061926532 

Plot Summary:

At her old school, Ava was the emo lesbian girl, but Ava is not sure she really is that girl.  That is the real reason Ava changes schools and enrolls in Billy Hughes, even though she told her girlfriend, Chloe she was changing school because she wanted to be more challenged academically.  It is not that Ava does not love Chloe, she is smart and sophisticated, but Ava also thinks she might like boys and wearing skirts and the color pink.  Ava is immediately embraced by popular girls Alexis, Vivian, and Ella-Grace, but she also finds friends in the unpopular Screws, who Ava does stage crew with.  Ava feels compelled to please everyone, trying to be a different person for Chloe, her popular friends and her Screw friends.  Ave will learn that by pretending to be what she is not for other people will only hurt them and herself.

Critical Review:

At first I was not sure I liked Ava very much, she was so willing to bend to those around her to be accepted, but I realized she was not really mean or hurtful at heart.  Like every teenager Ava is on a journey of discovering her identity and who she really is.  It is obvious Ava feels under a lot of pressure to be someone she is not by Chloe, her parents, and friends at school.  This is an issue that many teens will relate to; everyone wants to fit in, but is it worth it if fitting in means not being true to yourself?

Genre:

GLBTQ

Realistic Contemporary

Romance

Interest Level:

Grades 9 and up

Similar Books:

Boy Meets Boy David Levithan

Subjects/Themes:

Gay teenagers

Friendships

Relationships

Awards/Honors:

Stonewall Book Award 2012 Honor Book

Author’s Website:

http://liliwilkinson.com.au/

Annotation:

Ava uses the opportunity of starting at a new school to explore her identity and sexuality in Pink.

Book Talking Ideas:

Ava loves her parents and her girlfriend Chloe, but sometimes she does not want to be the feminist, emo lesbian that they see her as.  Sometimes Ava wants to wear skirts, make up and that most feminine of colors pink.  Ava’s desire to experiment with being feminine coincides with her desire to experiment with boys, so Ava uses the opportunity of starting a new school to discover herself.

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose to include this book because the protagonist is struggling with her sexuality, something that can be very confusing to teenagers. 

Potential Challenges:

Some readers might be offended by homosexual themes in the book; however this is a book about exploring ones sexual identity, which is something that many teens can relate too. 

Chopsticks

Anthony, Jessica and Corral, Rodrigo. Chopsticks: a novel. Razorbill, 2012. $19.99 ISBN: 9781595144355 (trade)

Plot Summary:

Chopsticks is a visually stunning story about Glory a 17 year old piano prodigy that is told though photographs, drawings, news clippings, and instant messages.  After Glory’s mother died she found solace in her music, but with the arrival of Francisco, Glory’s new neighbor and boyfriend, she begins to lose interest in performing.  For Francisco, who is new to America from Argentina, Glory is only part about New York City that he likes.  Glory and Francisco’s romance remains strong even as Glory’s father tries to separate them by planning a European tour for his daughter, but the tour is cut short when Glory mysteriously is only able to play the F and G notes of Chopsticks.  Fearing he is losing his daughter to madness, Glory’s father checks her into a rest facility after a disastrous concert a Carnegie Hall.  Now, Glory has disappeared from the rest facility without a trace and nothing is as it seems to be.

Critical Review:

Chopsticks is a wholly original story told in a new and inventive way through photographs, drawings, clippings, and IMs.  Anthony and Corral have included multimedia features and reader participation by including links to YouTube videos.  Subtle hints and clues to what really happens to Glory are included throughout the book and readers will be flipping pack pages to catch any clues they may have missed.  Instead of a traditional mystery where the puzzle is solved for the reader, Chopsticks’ mystery must be solved by the reader themselves, with an ambiguous ending that changes depending on how the reader interprets the clues. 

Genre:

Mystery

Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:

Grades 9 and up

Similar Books:

Papertowns John Green

Subjects/Themes:

Musical prodigies

Piano

Chopsticks

Mental Illness

Author’s Website:

http://chopsticksnovel.tumblr.com/

Annotation:

Chopsticks is an inventive mystery about a missing piano prodigy. 

Book Talking Ideas:

Chopsticks is an inventive and riveting mystery that the reader solves for themselves by finding and interpreting the clues found throughout the book.  Piano prodigy Glory gradually finds that she is only able to play “Chopsticks,” when she is separated from her boyfriend.  Glory continues to draw away from her father until he checks her into the rest facility from where she disappears one night.

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose to include this book because it is unlike anything I have read before and I think teens will enjoy the interactive quality to the story. 

The Outsiders

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. Speak, 1967. 180 pages, $6.99 ISBN: 0140385732X (pbk.)

Plot Summary:

Ponyboy lives with his two older brothers, Soda and Darry on the wrong side of town.  Ponyboy and the other kids in his poor neighborhood are known as Greasers and are regularly bullied and beat up by the rich kids called the Socs.  One night Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are caught by a group of Socs.  Ponyboy is knocked out and when he comes to, the Socs are all gone, except for one, the one Johnny killed to save Ponyboy.  Frightened Johnny and Ponyboy flee the town with the help of their fellow Greasers, unsure if they will ever be able to return to their homes and families. 

Critical Review:

S.E. Hinton’s classic novel The Outsiders marks the beginning of young adult literature.  Hinton tackles issues of belonging and bullies in this page turner.  Ponyboy’s narration is clear and emotive as he struggles with feelings about his parents’ deaths and his relationship with his oldest brother and guardian Darry.  As a greaser Ponyboy feels like he will always be an outsider and he accepts that he will never be more than that, until he heroically rescues children from a fire the notion that he was worth something did not occur to him.  Ponyboy and his gang are forced to grow up too fast and must confront issues they are not prepared for. 

Genre:

Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:

Grades 8 and up

Similar Books:

I am the Messenger Markus Zusak

Subjects/Themes:

Gangs

Orphans

Brothers

Author’s Website:

http://www.sehinton.com/

Annotation:

The Outsiders explores the social world of the Greasers are gang of poor teenagers who are in conflict with a rival gang of rich kids the Socs.

Book Talking Ideas:

The Outsiders is a classic tale of friendship and finding a place to belong.  Ponyboy is a greaser who lives on the wrong side of town with his older brothers, Darry and Soda.  Ponyboy and his fellow greasers are considered outsiders in his town and are regularly beat up by the rich kids calls the socs.  One night Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are caught unprepared by a group of socs and fight which will leave at least one person dead. 

Why I chose to include this book:

I included The Outsiders because it is a classic coming of age young adult novel.