Lorraine, I loved both Lock & Key and Hunger Games (you will love Catching Fire too!) but I will be checking out Dead is the New Black---thanks!

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Dead is the new black by Perez(?)
Lock & Key by Dessen

We have Jellicoe Road. Very interested in reading it because of a friend's review. I loaned the book to my mentee before I read it and she's a super busy teen. I'm sure I'll get to it.

Cherylann, I loved Jellicoe Road so much--and then I passed it on to one fo the Reading Teachers and she loved it---but we booktalk to reluctant readers and this book would be a hard sell to them. But, our students who join Reading Olympics and love to read beyond the curriculum would love Jellico Road---so let me know what you think!

bj wrote: "I guess the reason it took me so long to respond is that it is easy to give titles/authors, but if I am too busy---I can't begin to answer the WHY and to WHOM would you recommend the book? I think..."

I have picked up If I Stay several times now. I will have to put that on my TBR. A Breif Chapter in My Impossible Life also sounds good.

I just thought of another good book with a strong and young female protaganist... A Corner Of The Universe.
Hattie is strong and questions why her family treats her uncle like he did not exist. She is able to see the beauty of her uncle and loves him and stands up for him. It is a great book to teach tolerance and one that I recommend to peers or siblings of kids with autism.

I know that this is going to sound sappy, but I think Anne in Anne of Green Gables. She didn't start out very well, but she picked up speed and became a winner, in my eyes. I'd like to have as much growth and development as she had.

BJ,

I hear you, the why takes some time. Hopefully more will chime in.

BJ, I've just added a few more titles to my TBR. I just got Jellicoe Road, and I'm so glad to see it on your list.

I guess the reason it took me so long to respond is that it is easy to give titles/authors, but if I am too busy---I can't begin to answer the WHY and to WHOM would you recommend the book? I think that by putting the title down in this blog, I am saying it it would be good for young adults, girls especially--so with that said:
Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas ---Anke becomes strong enough to break the abuse in her family.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins--Katniss is strong, loves her family and can subvert her feelings if the situation calls for it
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell---Evie takes a stand
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta---Taylor is independent and angry and you just root for her!
If I Stay by Gayle Forman--Mia's situation is not one I'd ever want to be in, but I loved her love of friends and family
Shive by Maggie Stiefvate---Grace knows what she wants and won't give up hope....
A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt---Simone finds that life as an adopted child is a good thing

Cherylann,

I'm a parent and literacy advocate, and I am concerned how much reading and interacting with others online teachers do. Online, you have access across the country and around the globe. The amount of information is overwhelming but it can be managed if you invest some time in finding niches that address your interests. This is not a criticism. See my comment about librarians. Teachers are the front line and often when our children blow us off, we're hoping they have that teacher who will inspire them.

Teachers can't do it all which in part is why I am the reader and literacy advocate I am. I'm reading the books, reading the blogs and reading the industry sites. Then I share the information with anybody who will take the time to read.

I joined this group specifically to learn from teachers what is going on in the classroom. In my past life, I worked in reference publishing. Librarians were my clients. What I've learned and what I see today alarms me. This country needs to take a serious look, make a real commitment and invest the resources to address the critical trends we're seeing in education.

I'll stop before I jump on my soapbox. :-)

And, yes this is a great discussion board. We have the opportunity to inform and support each other.

Let's talk about how we can increase participation.

Tara wrote: "Cherylann wrote: "I'm only a quarter of the way through, but I think Lucy in Impossible could be added to this list. I like that Lucy, from what I've read so far, doesn't give in to peer pressure ..."

I'm itching to make a B&N run, and I think Borders is doing the teacher appreciation thing so . . . I have a feeling I'll be picking up Frankie Landau and a few others from this board.

I love Nancy Werlin - Rules of Survival was so raw and gripping. Impossible is completely different, but I'm so engaged with the book. I'm using it as the "carrot" so I can get my work done.

Cherylann wrote: "I'm only a quarter of the way through, but I think Lucy in Impossible could be added to this list. I like that Lucy, from what I've read so far, doesn't give in to peer pressure (think prom dress)..."

I agree, Lucy doesn't give up even when given an impossible situation!! She is a fighter.

Hopefully, you will like it as much as me. I always recommend The Disreputable History to all my friends who have daughters or are high school teachers. Teen Feminism.

I'm only a quarter of the way through, but I think Lucy in Impossible could be added to this list. I like that Lucy, from what I've read so far, doesn't give in to peer pressure (think prom dress). It's probably too early to make a full judgement.

Tara, I'm adding Frankie Landau to my TBR.

Susan wrote: "We are group full of women but we have only 5 comments. Are group members disinterested, busy or having difficulty making recommendations?"

Susan, your observation is something that has frustrated me for the last few months. We have a lot of members, yet the same five people comment on everything. I think we need to be more creative in eliciting discussion or recruiting members.

I think as people continue to read YA, they will continue to add to your topic. I, personally, think it's a great discussion board.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

I love Frankie Landau Banks as a strong leading female. It was one of those books that I have read as an adult and wish I had read when I was in high school.

She is spunky, smart, and in her own way fights the establishment.


Enthusiasm

I loved Julie. She was modest and most of the time let her best friend take the limelight. In some ways, I guess you could say that she was a follower (but I think she maintained who she was), but she had a great heart and a pretty good head on her shoulders.

We are group full of women but we have only 5 comments. Are group members disinterested, busy or having difficulty making recommendations?

While not a fictional character, Anne Frank is a strong female voice in YA literature. I love that she, like many of the young adolescents I teach, contradicts herself and views as she tries to make sense of her world - a world that doesn't make much sense.

I also like Melinda in Speak. Her experiences and healing help her find her voice.

Finally, the lead in Raincatchers is another strong teen trying to figure out her place in the world.

I would have to recommend Hollis in Pictures of Hollis Woods. She is a kid with a lot of problems but her spunk gets her through life! She is a sweetheart with a heart of gold, even if she has a tough exterior.

Susan wrote: "What are some of your favorite YA titles with postive female leads. Why and to whom would you recommend the book?"

Thanks Daria,

I read almost exclusively female protags and I only read characters who either growth or are already strong characters. I'm surprised there aren't replies yet.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is the first book that comes to mind. I think it's got wide appeal--both girls and guys can appreciate this one because there's a ton of action and, even though it's fantasy, it's not super detailed. Here's the book trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7jwHLDpx...

I'm going to have to think a bit more, but I'll be back...

What are some of your favorite YA titles with postive female leads. Why and to whom would you recommend the book?