2009 Top YA/mg Book Picks

This year it was SciFi and Fantasy that caught my attention and praise. The sole exception was Clay Carmichael's "Wild Things", which is just a good story, well told.

Here are my picks for The Best YA Fiction Books for 2009.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins — This sequel to the Hunger Game steps up the action as Katniss finds herself the figurehead for the movement against the Capitol's control.

It's received high praise from reviewers and at Amazon it has garnered an amazing 4.5 Star ranking with 312 reviews (as we go to print).

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0439023491
• Look Inside
  

Farwalker's Quest by Joni Sensel — After the Blind Wars people discovered 'talents' that allowed them to survive. With the return of vision in subsequent generations, these abilities remained and formed the center of existence in isolated villages across the world.

In their own little modest village, Ariel imagines that she will become a healer, while her best friend is determined to become a tree-singer. Their expectations are destroyed though when two strangers turn up looking for the mysterious pre-Blind War dart that the two youngsters discovered one day. Ariel tries to hide the discovery, but the truth that some unknown entity sent them a missive in the old technology cannot be kept quiet, and the children are catapulted on a life changing adventure.

I'm hoping this is the beginning of a series as I've just finished them book and I have nothing but praise for it. Tight plotting, wonderful characters, and good writing makes this a fine choice for tweeners on up.

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (February 17, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1599902729
  

Fire by Kristin Cashore — The prequel to the highly acclaimed "Graceling", this story is about Fire, a human monster. Rather than being hideous, in this world monsters, at least human ones, are so beautiful that they can drive regular humans insane with either lust or a hunger to kill them. Very imaginative. Filled with romance and adventure.

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Dial; First Edition edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803734611
• Look Inside
  

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan — This imaginative book takes a different approach to zombies. In Ryan's world a genetic weapon from the last war got out of hand. It turns bitten individuals into unthinking creatures whose only desire is to infect others. (Very creepy)

While it may seem that this is heavy scifi/fantasy, to call it that would be to short change this work. Forest of Hands and Teeth has it's share of mysteries and a very internal and personal dialog. The heroine is wracked with quilt and conflict as her affections are divided. This is another book that is the beginning of a series.

• Hardcover: 320 pages
  
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (March 10, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0385736819
• Look Inside
  

Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy — This is a scary one that's not going to be for everyone. But if you are up for an exciting and gruesome romp, don't wait to pick it up. (Hopefully, Rick Yancy will follow this one up with another book.)

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1St Edition edition (September 22, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1416984488
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5) by Rick Riordan — This series is just awesome. It's funny as well as action packed. Soon to be a movie.

• Hardcover: 400 pages
  
• Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books for Children (May 5, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1423101472
• Look Inside
  

Ring of Fire by Pierdomenico Baccalario — This book unfortunately suffered from a mis-description by Amazon which lead adults to believe it was not kidlit. In fact, it's a book most suited to middle-school aged kids. I thought it was well plotted and exciting. Sort of like John le Carré for middle-schoolers-- if le Carré was into magic.

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 8, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0375858954
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

Squiggle by B.B. Wurge — Nobody writes like BB Wurge. His books are funny and definitely off-the-wall. And while I loved his previous book, "Billy and the Birdfrogs", I do believe that Squiggle is even better. My husband I read this aloud to our children (boy and girl; 7 and 9) and they loved it. Good for any age if you love an imaginative romp. Middle-schoolers and younger otherwise.

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Leapfrog Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981514898
• Look Inside
• Don's Review
  

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson — Not marketed as YA, Warbreaker is a must read for Sanderson fans. Wonderfully plotted fantasy. Good world-building.

Starred Review from PublishersWeekly.

• Hardcover: 592 pages
  
• Publisher: Tor Books (June 9, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0765320304
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael — My only non-fantasy/scifi choice. Tight plotting, great characters and chapters from a cat's point of view, make this book a wonderful read. (Adults, YA and more mature MG's)

• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Front Street Press (May 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1590786270

Note about MG: YA is now being divided into YA and MG. MG books are those suitable for younger teens. They tend to have fewer 'adult situations' and no extreme violence and cursing. I've noted books below that I think fall into this category.


Here's an Addition to my list of great 2009 Reads. Maze Runner definitely deserves a place on this list.


The Maze Runner by James Dashner — Heart pounding adventure in words. Dashner starts off on a run and never slows. Innovative with a great mystery. (Adults, YA and more mature MG's)

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 6, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0385737947
• Peek Inside
  

updated 12/21/09