Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Top 9 Young Adult Books of 2009





The Top 9 Young Adult Books of 2009
(According to Janna)

I am thrilled to report that more and more great YA books keep coming out and that just excites me since I have 6 children and I want quality, excellent books available for them when they are reading age! Some of these books are in a series and the previous books may have shown up in lists before, but there are also new books that I just got exposed to this year - great stuff - check out all 9 on the list. And then check for the giveaways at the bottom...


#1 in 2009 - So Not Happening & I'm So Sure by Jenny B. Jones...
Well, well, well! The Charmed Life Series has beaten out all the other YA books and series' for the coveted #1 spot in the Top 9 YA Books of 2009! And it is well deserved. Jenny has come up with a wonderful heroine put in the most unusual of situations and filled to the brim with Jenny's most unique and hilarious humor. It is a win/win combination that makes these books gems!

What do you get when you take Paris Hilton, marry her mom to a small town Oklahoma farmer with a secret regarding spandex, one step brother that is a brilliant, 6 year old, wannabe super hero and another step brother who drives a hearse to school. Mix in some mysterious deaths, some friend issues and the downside of blogging and what do you have? You have Bella Kirkwood, Jenny B. Jones' newest heroine and you have a hit!



I can't say enough good things about this series and recommend it to anyone, teen or adult that loves a good laugh, a great story, hilarious characters and unlikely events - PERFECTION! And now we have "So Over My Head" to look forward to in April!








#2 in 2009 - Gatekeepers, Timescape & Whirlwind by Robert Liparulo...
Books #3, #4 and #5 in Robert's Young Adult series continue to blow my mind. A family living in a house where there is a secret 3rd level that has portals to different times and places... where good and bad can happen. Xander and his brother David are trying to save their mom who got kidnapped by someone from long ago and took her back with him. Their dad and younger sister are determined to help but can they save Mom without losing their own lives? And what about Taksidian, who is out to get them because he wants the house and all the secrets it holds? Everything is getting more and more dangerous - and now I have to wait until March for "Frenzy" to come out!



















#3 in 2009 - Be Strong & Curvaceous, Who Made You A Princess & Tidings of Great Boys by Shelley Adina...
Books #3, #4 and #5 in this series made my list because they are fantastic additions to this great series by Shelley. Following the lives of 5 girls that become friends at a private school. Each book is from the perspective of a different girl and here we get to see through the eyes of Carly, then Shani, then Lady Mac. I loved getting to know these girls and their escapades. I actually just finished reviewing the #6 book in this series and it wrapped everything up beautifully. I am actually having a huge giveaway right now on that review and I will link it to this because I want everyone to have a chance to win this great series!













#4 in 2009 - A Little Help From My Friends by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt...
Surprise, surprise - this is actually book #3 in this series, and somehow I missed it up until this point, definitely my loss! What a great series about 4 girls that meet in detention as freshmen in high school and the teacher has them each write a paper telling about an important event in their lives. Each of the 4 shares an instance where they were saved when they could have died and the teacher dubbed them "The Miracle Girls". After that these 4 girls from different backgrounds and situations became unlikely friends. Each book is told from the eyes of one of the girls and each one is a different year of high school. This book deals with Zoe and her junior year - along with some help from Christine, Riley and Ana. Wonderful series!!!


#5 in 2009 - All That Glitters / Truth or Dare by Nicole O'Dell...
Does anyone remember those books, "Choose Your Own Adventure"? You know, you'd read a little story and then there would be a point where you would make a choice... do you go through the forest or take the boat down the river, and the choices you make impact the outcome of the book? I loved those books when I was younger but they don't make them anymore... until now that is!
Now Nicole O'Dell has come along with something even better for my daughters! She is developing this series of books called "Scenarios" where she has a wonderful storyline in each book with great characters and then about 9 chapters into the book the main character is presented with a dilemma and they have to make a choice. You are then instructed to make your choice and then turn to the corresponding page. You then read the next three chapters where the consequences are played out accordingly. Then there are 3 more chapters with the alternate ending. It is such a great start to a new series and my 13 year old loved them! More are coming out this Spring.


#6 in 2009 - It's NOT About Him by Michelle Sutton...
Can we say "Book #2"? Of course! It's NOT About Him is the follow-up to Michelle's breakout novel "It's NOT About Me". Many of the same characters are in it but we focus on Jeff and Susie this time. Susie is pregnant and trying to decide about adoption. She is pretty sure that is what she wants to do, but Jeff is her good friend and he is adopted himself and is trying to convince her to marry him and keep the baby. What is best for Susie? What is best for the baby? Do Susie and Jeff really love each other? Michelle's writing isn't called Edgy Inspiration for nothing... her writing is not for young teens but it is important for teens that are exposed to the kind of issues she deals with (drinking, pre-marital sex, relationships, etc...). Well written and great for high schoolers and college age.


#7 in 2009 - Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court by Chuck Black...
Here again we have a book #2 that is just the start of a phenomenal series that will impact families for a long time to come. Sir Kendrick & the Castle of Bel Lione was just the beginning and Sir Bentley comes along and makes a striking 2nd book. Now Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart and Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue are books #3 and #4 in the series (Lady Carliss releases in March) and I'll be ordering those myself now. And if you haven't read Chuck's Kingdom Series then you need to add those to your wish list as well.









#8 in 2009 - Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith by Eric Reinhold...
This is book #2 in the series and Eric is off to a great start with these books that will delight boys maybe even more than girls (but girls will love them too!). Ryann is a 12 year old boy who loves hanging out with his best friends Terrell and Liddy. One day he has a visit from Gabriel which leads him on an adventure to a world called Aeliana where the animals talk and humans are few. It has a very Narnia-esque feel and is captivating. The beauty of this book to me is the way Eric shows spiritual warfare in such a way that it is easy for kids to understand. Searching the scriptures for answers, praying for wisdom, leaning not unto his own understanding... these are the ways Ryann finds answers on his quest against darkness. It starts with book #1 Ryann Watters and the King's Sword and this is only book #2. I can't wait to see what Eric has in store for his readers next!












#9 in 2009 - Spring of Candy Apples by Debbie Viguie...
This is the final book in a wonderful series for teen girls. Not only did I love this series, but my 13 year old daughter loved it so much she has had 4 of her friends read it as well. A wonderful girl named Candace goes through all 4 seasons (the Sweet Seasons series) starting with The Summer of Cotton Candy, The Fall of Candy Corn, The Winter of Candy Cane and ending with The Spring of Candy Apple. In each book she has a seasonal job at an amusement park where she lives and she has to learn how to blend her family, friends and faith with her new job and all the characters she meets at work. It is just a fun series that follows Candace through a year of her life and this final installment wraps things up beautifully. I'm just sad that there won't be anymore!


























So there we have it! All 9 winners in the YA category! I strongly encourage you to add these books to your wish lists and to-be-read lists if you have not already had the pleasure of reading them! To start some of you off I have some great giveaways though...

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I have to offer -

"It's NOT About Me" by Michelle Sutton from the #6 winners spot! It's book #1 so you can start the series off if you haven't already.

"Timescape" by Robert Liparulo from the #2 winners spot! This is book #4 and you definitely want to read them in order so if you don't have them already and you win, you will have to get the first 3 before you dive into this one - trust me!

Shelley Adina's publisher (#3 winners spot) has graciously offered to giveaway 3 copies of her newest release, #6 "The Chic Shall Inherit The Earth" alone with an entire set of all 6 books to one lucky winner! Isn't that amazing!!! Go to my review of "The Chic Shall Inherit The Earth" and post a comment there to be entered for those 4 chances to win.

Leave a comment on this post telling me which of these books you have read or what might've caught your eye and be sure to have your email address on there too and you will be entered for Timescape and It's Not About Me. Good luck! The drawings for all 6 chances to win will be January 31st!
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30 comments:

Linda said...

I've read It's Not About Him and loved it. What catches my eye here is It's Not About Me, a great resource for helping girls who find themselves pregnant outside of marriage. Thanks for the opportunity to win it. Please enter me.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Julie Lessman said...

I'm with Linda ... I'm not normally a YA reader, but I LOVED It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton (as well as It's Not About Me). Great choice, Janna!

Hugs,
Julie

Lady Araujo said...

It's Not About Me is the book that I'd would love to read.
This YA list is awesome. I love YA.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

hippmom said...

Well, we have started purchasing and/or have read something from almost every one of these series. Both my 13 year old and I love the House of Dark Shadows series and we need Timescape next!! Haven't read any of Michelle Sutton books or your #1 picks by Jenny B Jones. I'll have to look into this!

angelahipp (at) charter(dot) net

Mark said...

I've read the Robert Liparulo books, but would love to win Timescape to pass on to a friend
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cherie J said...

I have the first 4 books from Shelley Adina's books and love them. They are actually on my keeper shelves. Have not read It's Not About Him or the Liparulo series. Debbie Viguie series sounds great! I have also read the first two books in the Miracle Series and enjoyed them. Definitely a great selection of books as winners. I too have been impressed by the good books the YA category has been collecting. It's nice to have a great new variety to choose from.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of them. But Shelley Adina's books sound wonderful.
13rubberduckies [at] gmail [dot] com

Cameron said...

The Dream House Kings series is awesome and Timescape is a great continuation!

camvan89 [at] hotmail [dot] com

tarran said...

Never read any of the above, but i have read house of Dark Shadows so i am really interested in reading the others so thats what caut my eye.

Bearofnaturespirit@yahoo.com

Nancye said...

I haven't read any of the books on the list. They all look great!! I would be glad to win any of them. I think I would especially like the Jenny B. Jones books.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

Wow, thanks for the mentions everyone. The only author up here that I haven't read is Debbie Vigue. I have read Shelly Adina but do not have The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth. Cute titles all of them...I am a HUGE Jenny B. Jones fan. She's my favorite YA author bar none. :)

Anonymous said...

I have to say Robert Liparulo's Teen books are the best mystery books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of books. I have recommended them to many people and they all love them.

Fencer

Ginny said...

I haven't read any of these, but the Gatekeepers, Timescape & Whirlwind by Robert Liparulo...
Books #3, #4 and #5 in Robert's Young Adult series looks very good. I'm going to look into book #1

cathikin said...

I have also noticed there were a great multitude of YA books this past year. I also noticed that the classification seems to stretch further all the time. In my mind, it should be for teens and college age, yet many titles are more for middle grades. Like the Eric Reinhold and Chuck Black books. As a former youth leader and 7-12 teacher, my heart (and mind, too, I guess) is still with those ages. Lot of words to say I appreciate your list.

I read Gatekeepers by Liparulo but want to read Timescape and Whirlwind; I need to find out how it ends! So I would love to win one of them. Thank you!

Cathi H.
chassan2@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd really like to read Timescape, I have the first two, but haven't had a chance to read them yet

rebornbutterfly (At) sbcglobal (dot) net

Jolene said...

Great selection of reading for young adults. Glad to see so much available. I haven't read any YA but if I win I might!!

Jolene

apple blossom said...

I'd love to win Shelley Adina's books. I have Michele's and Robert's books. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of these books, but Gatekeepers caught my eye. I like a good mystery.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to be entered for "It's Not About Me," please!! I have actually not read any of these books but have seen all of them reviewed on other book sites. Several are on my watch list, especially the Debbie Viguie books because I have worked at a theme park and it had a wonderfully positive influence on my life.

Thanks for the chance to win!
author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

Anonymous said...

ALL of these books sound wonderful...would love to read 'em all :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

Winning Readings said...

All of these look great - I'd especially love to read your #1 pick, of course! I've got #6 of the Shelley Adina series and would love to read the rest, also.

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Katy said...

The Chuck Brown Kingdom Series sounds like something I'd enjoy, and I love the covers on the Liparulo series. :)

srfbluemama at gmail dot com

misskallie2000 said...

"Timescape" by Robert Liparulo, the cover caught my eye and my 13 & 15 yo grandaughters would love to read this series. Should I win I will locate the first 3 books.

It's Not About Me would probably be OK for my 15 yo but the 13, I am not so sure. Would have to check this out.

Thanks for the wonderful list of YA books as now I can begin locating for my grandaughters.
Thanks for great giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

It's Not About Me has definitely caught my eye! It has been getting a ton of positive reviews and since it's on your list I'm sure it's awesome! I would love to read it. I love YA fiction but haven't really read any that is considered Christian. Thank you for the awesome opportunity to read one of these books! :-)

xoxo~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

EVA SB said...

Timescape has definitely caught my eye. In fact I was following a link about that book when I happened on your blog.

eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

Marie said...

I loved So Not Happening, it was wonderful!

marielay@gmail.com

Aik said...

I'd love to read #1 in 2009 - So Not Happening!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Anne said...

I've read the Cotton candy series at #9, my 13 year old loves those books. I'd love to read GateKeepers.

ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Janna said...

And the winners have been selected!

Janna said...

Congratulations and be sure to check out my new list for Top 9 Most Life Changing Books of 2009 that just went live today!

The winners were drawn from these entries and also the entries from the Shelley Adina post were added to the drawing for those books.


It's Not About Me by Michelle Sutton goes to ... Cherie J.

Timescape by Robert Liparulo goes to ... cathikin

The entire set of 6 books by Shelley Adina goes to ... simply stacie

And the 3 winners of "The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth" by Shelly Adina are...
renee (steelergirl83)
wendy (ebeandebe)
cara (cara.putman)