Favorite Reads of 2023 from our North Independence Teen Advisory GroupLike this list

10 items

• The Giver

  Lowry, Lois

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  Our teens said, "It is a great dystopian that’s a movie and comic book. It’s a really good story line; it comes with a lot of emotion."

• The Running Dream

  Van Draanen, Wendelin

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  This upbeat and character-driven story about a young runner who loses a leg in a bus accident is sure to appeal to fans of "Soul Surfer" by Bethany Hamilton.

• The Hobbit

  An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic

  Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973,

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  Our teens said, "A great fantastical book about a small creature (Hobbit) that goes on an adventure with wizards, dwarves, orcs, elves, dragons and more."

• I Am J

  Beam, Cris

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  Trans teen J is running away from his friends and family in this emotionally intense book that was picks as a Best Books for Reluctant Readers in 2012! Great characters and insightful writing draw in readers.

• Twinkle Stars. Volume 4

  Takaya, Natsuki, 1973-

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  Our teens said, "Because it is about a girl that likes someone and idk… :)"

• Restart

  Korman, Gordon

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  After falling from a roof, Chase develops amnesia and can't remember anything about his life before the fall. Perhaps that is for the best, since it turns out he was actually a bully. Features a large cast of characters and multiple perspectives.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

  Rowling, J. K.

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  Our teens said, "It's a good book!"

• Magical Boy. Volume 1

  Kao Studios,

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  This highly recommended title was read for Teen Book Group. Max has a hidden heritage! As a descendent of a long line of Magical Girls, he must take on a dark, ancient evil in this fast-paced graphic novel series.

• Graceling

  Cashore, Kristin,

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  Our teens said, "Great mix of fantasy action and romance."

• The Graveyard Book. Volume 1

  Russell, P. Craig

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  This highly recommended title was read for Teen Book Group. Monster mayhem abounds in this adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Jungle Book"-inspired Newbery winner!