A few good reads

The lazy days of summer are here. No textbooks with required reading. We can read books we actually enjoy.

So what books are at the top of teens' must-read lists this summer?

According to Anne Reierson, who works at Inklings Bookshop in Yakima, "Fantasy is the most popular genre among teens today."

Fantasy series are particularly popular, the 40-something Reierson says, citing several of them. Among teens' top picks: "The Maximum Ride" series by James Patterson, featuring genetically altered teens that can fly; the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer, an action-packed vampire and werewolf-filled love story; and "The Uglies" series by Scott Westerfield, about a girl who changes the future of the world. And that's not all.

" 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis is my favorite book series," says Cameo Fincher, a 16-year-old sophomore at Eisenhower High School. "I'm in the middle of 'Prince Caspian' now."

Also popular are the new manga books. These graphic books are based on Japanese cartoons. A couple of popular authors in this category are Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, who write and illustrate The Death Note series. This series, like many other manga books, is based on ordinary people who are given special talents to defeat evil.

What are other local teens reading?

Alina Sellers, a sophomore at Davis High School, enjoys author R.L. Stine: "I like reading horror stories," she says, adding her favorite ghost story is "The Harrowing" by Alexandra Sokoloff. But, she warns, "This book is really scary."

Are you looking for a few new books to add to your summer reading list? The following new books are all available through the Yakima Valley Regional Library System.

* "March Toward the Thunder" by Joseph Bruchac -- Fifteen-year-old Louis Nolette is an Abenaki Indian from Canada fighting for the Union in the Civil War. He hopes to see the end of slavery and earn some money along the way. But fighting the Confederates turns out to be tougher than he expected. This is a historical novel -- and a perfect read for Civil War enthusiasts.

* "Lock and Key" by Sarah Dessen -- Ruby has lived her whole life traveling from town to town with her alcoholic mother. But when her mom leaves her, she has no choice but to live with her uptight sister, Cora. Ruby struggles to fit into her new home. She finally starts to feel she belongs once she meets her neighbor, Nate, who has similar problems of his own.

* "The Luxe" by Anna Godberson -- It's 1899 in Manhattan's high society. Elizabeth and Diana Holland enjoy a life of extravagance until an accident leaves them as poor as their servants. Penelope Hayes, their friend and enemy, hides a damaging secret concerning Elizabeth's upcoming wedding. And then there's Henry Schoonmaker, the handsome bachelor that every girl in New York wishes she could marry. Once I started this book, I could not put it down.

* "Uprising" by Margaret Peterson Haddix -- This book follows the lives of three teens trying to start a new life in America during the early 1900s. You'll meet naïve Bella, who just wants to save money for her family; Yetta, who fights for equal rights among women and factory workers; and Jane, a rich girl who wants an adventure. This historical novel explores the true meaning of friendship as the trio helps each other through tragedy and misfortune.

* "Sucker Punch" by David Hernandez -- Seventeen-year-old Marcus and his 16-year-old brother Enrique live their lives on the wild side. This book chronicles their trip from L.A. with two friends. But this isn't a vacation; these brothers are packing a gun and searching for their abusive father. Make sure you finish this one; the ending is quite a surprise.

* "How They Met, And Other Stories" by David Levithan -- This is a collection of short stories about love and life. It's an enjoyable summer read that will leave a warm feeling in your heart. Told through both male and female narrators, this book covers a variety of romantic scenarios -- including finding true love at Starbucks, on an airplane, and prom. Who doesn't like a good love story?

* "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart -- Frankie has been underestimated all her life. At boarding school, she makes a name for herself by dating Mathew Livingston, the most popular guy in school. She soon discovers the Basset-Hounds, a secret, boys-only club to which Mathew belongs. Frankie goes undercover and breaks into the club. I found this story highly entertaining, and I'm sure you will, too.

* "Sunrise Over Fallujah" by Walter Dean Myers -- Robin Perry enlists to defy his father's wishes and attempt to impress his uncle. When he arrives in Iraq as a member of the Civilian Affairs Unit, he sees things that change him forever. This book shows the ugly side of war.

* "Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale" by Donna Jo Napoli -- Princess Melkorka and her sister are fleeing from the Vikings when they get kidnapped. Melkorka becomes part of the slave trade. She says nothing at all, amazing her captors and leading them to believe she is a god. She journeys throughout Ireland, never to see her family again, but still being somewhat treated like royalty. This novel is both historical and fascinating, and by the end you will wish it wasn't over.

* "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson -- Jenna has been in a coma for a year. She doesn't remember anything about her past, but then bits and pieces start coming back to her. The memories come swirling in: her childhood friends, trips to the beach, even being baptized. However, they also leave her wondering about herself. What kind of person did she used to be? Has she changed at all since her accident? These questions lead her to discover a startling secret. This futuristic novel will make you consider life in a new way.

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