Read On... Speculative Fiction for Teens

Jamie Kallio is youth services librarian at Orland Park Public Library, Orland Park, IL.

This guide offers exciting new reading paths for students who enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal themes. With over 350 titles organized into their primary appeal characteristics and scores of thematic lists, librarians and educators will benefit from lists of contemporary selections specifically written for teens.Interest in teen fiction has grown in popularity in the last decade, especially within the fantasy and paranormal genres. This timely guide is one of the few books on the subject that lists titles that are written specifically for teens.Read On.Speculative Fiction for Teens features popular, contemporary themes ranging from vampire love and ghost stories to epic fantasy and out-of-this-world science fiction. Each of the five chapters caters to a specific area of interest-story, character, setting, mood, and language-and within the chapter, numerous lists of novels are organized by topic, with the best titles highlighted. Each of the more than 350 listed titles includes bibliographic information and a brief, punchy description.

Bibliographic information and concise descriptions for each title

Series ForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: YA, Here to StayJust Enough to Fill a (Bewitched) Teacup: A Totally Concise History of Teen Fantasy and Speculative FictionUse Me Any Way You WantChapter One: StoryTake Me Away! Historical Fantasy(Bad) Politics, as UsualLet's Go, Already! Journey StoriesYe Gods! Stories of Mythical ProportionsHoly Smokes! DragonsLook, Ma, I Can Fly!. and Other ExperimentsFantasia: Stories of Music and MagicOnce Upon a Twist: Fairy Tales Old and RetoldDead Zone: Stories from beyond the GraveHanging with the King: Arthurian FantasySomething's Afoot: Magic and MysteryStruggling with Our Demons: Battling Evil FiendsMessin' with Mother Nature: Earthly DisastersYou Give Me Fever: Plague StoriesNot Raised in a Barn: Fantastical AnimalsChapter Two: CharacterLove Bites: Vampire RelationshipsMy Poor Cold Heart: The Lives of the UndeadFalling for You: Immortal BeingsDangerous Beauties: The Realm of FaerieIt's a Wizard Thing: Masters and MagesDid I Do That? Paranormal PowersMeet the OrphansJust Like Me: Robots and ClonesYou're Such a Witch!You Talkin' To Me? Tough ChicksCourage, Lads! Boys Coming of AgeFull Moon Risin': WerewolvesBrains Need Not Apply: Zombies!Looks Aren't Everything: Shape-ShiftersUnder the Sea: MerfolkThe Book Is the Thing: Characters with a Literary EdgeTooth and Nail: Animal KingdomsBless Your Thieving Heart: CriminalsWhat's Up, Bro? Sensational SiblingsSpace Invaders: AliensChapter Three: SettingSchool Sucks: Academies for the ExtraordinaryHipsters, Jokesters, and Monsters in the Subway: Urban FantasyYou Slay Me: Medieval FantasyYo Ho Ho! Nautical FantasyThe Far East: Stories Set in Asia-or Something Like ItFollow That Dirigible! SteampunkFight the System! Corrupt SocietiesBut It Looks Like Home: Parallel UniversesGive Me Space: Exploring the Universe(s)The New Normal: Future LifeIt's About Time. TravelChapter Four: MoodI See Through You: Ghostly EncountersSlime Included: MonstersIt Was a Dark and Stormy Night: Gothic FantasyStranger with My Face: PossessionShades of Fantasy: Magical RealismCharmed, I'm Sure: Fantasy Chick LitDon't Make Me Laugh: HumorBlood and Guts: Fantastic GoreChapter Five: LanguageSimply Delicious: Lyrical FantasyPrivate Property: Diary StoriesTime for Just One: Short Story CollectionsVisual Language: Graphic NovelsMoving Pictures: Comics into MoviesLanguage Comes Alive! Spec Lit on AudioFaster Than a Speeding Bullet! Short, Quick ReadsLet Me Tell You Something: First-Person NarrativesChallenge Yourself! Adult/Teen CrossoversFrom the Masters: Epic Fantasy and Sci-FiAppendix One: AwardsAlex AwardsALA Notable Children's Books-Older Readers CategoryEdgar Allen Poe Awards: Best Juvenile Mystery NovelHugo AwardsLocus Awards: Fantasy NovelLocus Awards: Young Adult Book AwardMichael L. Printz AwardNewbery AwardYALSA Best Books for Young AdultsYALSA Great Graphic Novels for TeensYALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000)Appendix Two: Audio AwardsALSC Notable Children's RecordingsAudie AwardsAudioFile Earphones Award WinnerGRAMMY Awards (Best Spoken Word for Children)Odyssey AwardYALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young AdultsIndex