One thing that all teens need, whether they are readers, writers, or none of the above, is great books that speak to them and tell them the things they need to hear. There are so many cool authors out there like Ellen Hopkins and Cyndy Drew Etler and Cheryl Rainfield, writers who are telling it like it is, but there are also really great authors who are simply allowing the reality of every day life to invade their commonplace story lines.
I can’t say enough about Katie McGarry’s teen romance, Pushing The Limits (Harlequin Teen) because it portrays characters who need each others’ support and understanding in ways that you just don’t get to read about often enough.
Raine Thomas’ new title in her science fiction/fantasy series came out, and I’m dying to get a copy just because the cover art is gorgeous. Whoever said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” never saw this one.
I will never get tired of recommending two of my favorite books for teens. Scars by Cheryl Rainfield and Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen helped me to really understand the powerlessness and fight for control over their own lives that so many teens struggle with. After reading both of these amazing books, I will never again see a girl who is a cutter and think to myself, “What a freak, she just wants attention,” just as I will never again judge a bully as someone who just wants to hurt people.
Take some time for yourself and read something awesome that speaks to you like nothing else can. Then tell everyone else about it!
