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Literacy is a precious gift that should be encouraged and reinforced at every opportunity. But what if you aren’t sure which books are “in” right now? Which series do you need to buy to ensure that your gift doesn’t wind up forgotten behind the couch cushions? If you’re looking for popular and memorable young adult (YA) titles, here are just five ideas.
1. Percy Jackson
If your child loved the magic and adventure of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the next logical step in their literary journey. It’s about a young boy who discovers his true heritage as a half-human, half-demigod, and he embarks on a series of quests to prove himself to the Greek pantheon with the help of trusted friends and strange new powers. Not only is it a fun series filled with excitement and intrigue, but it will teach your teen about Greek mythology, too.
2. Animorphs
Though originally conceived as a series for middle schoolers, Animorphs quickly became a must-have for teenagers of all ages as it expanded and developed into a serious story of war, freedom and sacrifice. It follows the struggles of six young friends as they try to stop an alien invasion with the power to shape-shift into animals. Please note that this series might not be appropriate for anyone under the age of 13 due to violence and intense themes.
3. Pretty Little Liars
If you have a daughter, she’s probably already seen the Pretty Little Liars television show that set new trends in everything from lingo to fashion. Why not give her the book series that started it all? It follows the twisted and ultra-dramatic lives of four clique members who start receiving mysterious texts after the death of their leader, Allison. The texts contain secrets that they only told Allison, and they all come from someone named “A.” Could it be…?
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events
A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the adventures of three siblings trying to thwart their villainous uncle, Count Olaf, who wants their inheritance for himself. The author’s name is Daniel Handler, though you’ll probably recognize him better by his pseudonym Lemony Snicket. Handler is also involved with the TV adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events that’s coming to Netflix, so these books are perfect Christmas gifts for readers and television watchers alike.
5. Graceling
Graceling was published around the same time as The Hunger Games, so many people missed out on this intriguing world of powers, beasts and struggles for justice. The main character is a teenage girl with a supernatural gift for combat, and it becomes her destiny to fight evil kings and protect those weaker than herself. Best of all, once your teen has devoured this book, there are two more set in this universe that they can enjoy. Graceling is a gift that will keep on giving!
It can be tricky to navigate the world of young adult books, but you can’t go wrong with these five titles. Whether your teen enjoys fantastic worlds or everyday dramas, there’s something on this list that they’re sure to love, so get to shopping!
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