2011 Best MG/YA Books

Here are the best selling Chapter Books for 2011 as reported by the New York Times. 

We have added reading information and as September 2012, we have also inserted links to our sister-site (Good Books for Kids Lists!) where you can find information about other books in the series, or other books by the author.

ABANDON
(Abandon Trilogy #1)
by Meg Cabot

Pierce has experienced death before and barely escaped. When she moves from her old town to a town called Isla Huesos - Island of Bones - for a new start, she realizes that death wants her back. Can she escape death once again? (YA)

Word Count: 77,989
Page Count: 320
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 143876
Lexile: 770L

• Publisher: Point
• ISBN-10: 0545040647
• sample pages available

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
(Across the Universe #1)
by Beth Revis

**Starred Review** Kirkus
 
Scifi based, the action takes place on a colossally large spaceship without FLT travel. Important people are frozen. The rest of the ship has citizens that carry on with agriculture and what-not in depressing circumstances. Wasn't supposed to be like that but something went wrong a few generations back... but what?

This one has a bit of romance, some adventure, and some good mysteries to solve. Across the Universe was a good read. A Million Suns did not please as many people.

Word Count: 98,469
Page Count: 416
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 142333
Lexile: HL

• Publisher: Razorbill
• ISBN-10: 1595144676
• sample pages available

BEAUTY QUEENS
by Libba Bray
Reading Level Info: 4.4 (15 points) quiz: 144241

A plane full of pageant contestants crashes on a small tropical island. (YA)

Word Count: 105,103
Page Count:  400
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 144241
 Lexile: HL690L


 
BEST OF THE BEST
by Tim Green

A Little League player tries to keep his family together. (middle-grades)

Word Count: 48,528
Page Count: 272
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 7.0
AR quiz: 143902
Lexile: 790L


BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY
by Ruta Sepetys

**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** Booklist

15 year-old Lina, her mother, and brother are sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp, and she vows to honor her family and the thousands like hers by burying her story in a jar on Lithuanian soil. (YA)

Word Count: 64,750
Page Count: 344
Accelerated Reading level: 3.6 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 142569

• Publisher: Speak
• ISBN-10: 014242059X
• sample pages available

A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES
(The Beyonders)
by Brandon Mull

A young boy is transported to a world ruled by an evil wizard. (Tween and middle-grades)

see our Brandon Mull book List on our sister site

Word Count: 124,250
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 19.0
AR quiz: 142617
Lexile: 710L



Bloodlines
by Richelle Mead

A Moroi princess and an alchemist hide out at a private school in California. (YA)

Word Count: 115,068
Page Count: 432
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 17.0
AR quiz: 145499



Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars: HOTHEAD
by Cal Ripken Jr. and Kevin Cowherd

An all-star shortstop with one big problem: his temper. (Ages 8 to 12)

Word Count: 30,867
Page Count:144
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 5.0
AR quiz: 142574
Lexile: 810L


CLOCKWORK ANGEL
by Cassandra Clare

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gas lit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. (YA)

Word Count: 131,487
Page Count: 512
Accelerated Reading level: 5.6 / points: 21.0
AR quiz: 139502



CLOCKWORK PRINCE
by Cassandra Clare

Book #2 in the Infernal Devices series. (Clockwork Angel was at 5.6)

To see reading levels for the series, click here.

Word Count: 139556
Page Count: 528
Accelerated Reading level: 5.7 / points: 22.0
AR quiz: 148254
Lexile: HL790L


CRESCENDO
by Becca Fitzpatrick

A world where the truth is sought and feared; a sequel to “Hush, Hush.” (YA)

Word Count: 101,611
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 140675
Lexile: HL720L


CROSSED
by Ally Condie

In this sequel to “Matched,” Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky. (YA)

"Matched" received a Starred review from Publishers Weekly

Word Count: 83,432
Page Count: 367
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 147776
Lexile: HL630L

DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK

by Tom Angleberger

**STARRED Review** Kirkus

Dwight and Origami Yoda are back. But now they face Darth Paper, their nemesis, who is working hard to get Dwight suspended from school!

Word Count: 22,554
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 4.6 / points: 3.0
AR quiz: 145596

see Tom Angleberger's List here

• Publisher: Amulet Books (August 23, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 1419700278
• available as paperback from secondary market too

DELIRIUM
by Lauren Oliver

**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates )

 

95 days before she is to be permanently cure of 'love', Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot.

Word Count: 114,476
Page Count: 480
Accelerated Reading level: 6.1 / points: 18.0
AR quiz: 143097
Lexile: 920L


DEMONGLASS
by Rachel Hawkins

A young demon makes a shocking discovery about her heritage. (YA)

Word Count: 75,407
Page Count: 368
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 142167


DIVERGENT
by Veronica Roth

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

see our Divergent series List here

Word Count: 105,143
Page Count: 576
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 144400
Lexile: HL

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• ISBN-10: 0062024035
• sample pages available

Insurgent
Word Count: 106,028
Page Count: 544
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 151402



DORK DIARIES series
by Rachel Renée Russell

Tales of a junior Samuel Pepys of the female variety. (Tween and middle-grades)

See Our DORK DIARIES page with all the reading information



THE EMERALD ATLAS
by John Stephens

Three siblings discover a mysterious book that unlocks a powerful prophecy. (middle-grades)

Word Count: 101,794
Page Count: 432
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 143205
Lexile: 720L


EONA: The Last Dragoneye
(Eon #2)
by Alison Goodman

As the battle for ultimate control of her home draws near, Eona finds herself waging an internal battle that might cause more damage than the war threatening to break out across the kingdom.(YA)

Word Count:  161,828
Page Count: 637
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 25.0
AR quiz: 143199
lexile: 740L


EVERY THING ON IT
by Shel Silverstein

Poems and drawings by the genius author of "Where the Sidewalk Ends."

Reading Level Info: unknown
208 pages


THE GATHERING
by Kelley Armstrong.

A girl’s paw-print birthmark, mountain lions and other strange goings-on in a Vancouver Island town (YA)

Word Count: 77,206
Page Count: 368
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 143321
Lexile: HL640L



HADES
by Alexandra Adornetto

An angel's motorcycle ride ends up in hell. (Ages 12 and up)

Word Count: 109,878
Page Count: 432
Accelerated Reading level: 5.7 / points: 17.0
AR quiz: 146134
Lexile: 790L


HARRY POTTER FILM WIZARDRY
 by Brian Sibley
Reading Level Info: unknown

Deep background, subtext and behind-the-screen details from the moviemakers. (Ages 18 and up)
Hardcover: 160 pages

HEART OF A SAMURAI 
by Margi Preus

**Newbury Honor Winner**

In 1841, rescued by an American whaler after a terrible shipwreck leaves him and his four companions castaways on a remote island, fourteen-year-old Manjiro, who dreams of becoming a samurai, learns new laws and customs as he becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States.

Word Count: 51,267
Page Count: 320
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 139383
 Lexile: 760L 


I AM NUMBER FOUR
by Pittacus Lore

In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old alien hiding on Earth. Adventure and cliche packed! More for teens than adults.

Word Count: 100,385
Page Count: 496
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 14.0
AR quiz: 139745
Lexile: 700L


Invincible

(THE CHRONICLES OF NICK)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Nick Gautier’s days are going downhill. Sure, he's survived zombie attacks, but when he wakes he finds himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul. Add to that that the principal at his school thinks he's a hoodlum, and that the girl he's 'not seeing' has secrets... well, it could get a guy down.

see our CHRONICLES OF NICK List which features the reading levels of all the books (on our sister site)

Word Count: 69,169

Page Count: 432
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 10.0
AR quiz: 146649

• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• ISBN-10: 0312599064
• sample pages available

JUSTIN BIEBER, FIRST STEP 2 FOREVER
by Justin Bieber

Justin tells the story of his amazing journey from small-town schoolboy to global superstar.

Word Count: 29,132
Page Count: 240
Accelerated Reading level: 5.5 / points: 5.0
AR quiz:  143075



THE LEGO IDEAS BOOK
by Daniel Lipkowitz

Tips for taking the brick projects you have and making something new. (Ages 7 and up)

Hardcover: 200 pages


LEGO STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA
by DK

More than 300 mini-figures. (Ages 7 and up)

Hardcover: 208 pages




THE LOST HERO
(Heroes of Olympus)
by Rick Riordan

Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students from a school for "bad kids," find themselves at Camp Half-Blood, where they learn they are demigods and begin a quest to free Hera, who has been imprisoned by Mother Earth herself. (middle-grades and up)

you may see our Rick Riordan book list here

Word Count: 127,859
Page Count: 576
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 19.0
AR quiz: 140427
Lexile: 660L


MATCHED
by Ally Condie

In this dystopian romance, a girl rebels against a deterministic future society. (YA)

Word Count: 89,124
Page Count: 400
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 140501


MICHAEL VEY: THE PRISONER OF CELL 25
by Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey, a fourteen-year old who has Tourette's syndrome and special electric powers, finds there are others like him, and must rely on his powers to save himself and the others from a diabolical group seeking to control them.

(Book#2 at amazon- Rise of the Elgen)
the Michael Vey book list here

Word Count: 84,020
Page Count: 336
Accelerated Reading level: 3.5 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 146904
Lexile: HL500L


MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE
by James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts. Illustrated by Laura Park

**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal

Book 1. Rafe breaks every rule in the book. (Ages 8 to 12)

You can find the Middle School series list here
James Patterson's INDEX can be found here

Word Count: 30,992
Page Count: 288
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 144983
Lexile: 700L


MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN
by Ransom Riggs

An island, an abandoned orphanage and a collection of curious photographs. (Young Adult)

Word Count: 84,898
Page Count: 352
Accelerated Reading level: 5.7 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 145802
Lexile: 890L


MODELLAND
by Tyra Banks

Tookie De La Crème is an awkward girl, in a world where she doesn’t seem to belong. (YA)

Word Count: 139,293
Page Count:  576
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 21.0
AR quiz: 146228

MOON OVER MANIFEST
by Clare Vanderpool

** Newbery Medal**
** Starred Review** ALA Booklist
** Starred Review** Kirkus
** Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal

 Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past.

Word Count: 81,369
Page Count: 368
Accelerated Reading level: 5.3 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 140091
Lexile: 800L


NEVER HAVE I EVER 
(Lying Game 2)
by Sara Shepard

Emma’s investigation of her twin sister’s murder continues. (YA)

Word Count: 61,801
Page Count: 320
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 145648
Lexile: HL740L


OKAY FOR NOW
by Gary D. Schmidt

In 1968, a boy finds friendship in upstate New York. (Ages 10 to 14)

Word Count: 77,017
Page Count: 368
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 143203
Lexile: 850L


ONE CRAZY SUMMER
by Rita William-Garcia

**Newbury Honor Winner**

Delphine and her sisters spend the summer of ’68 in Oakland with their estranged mother. (Tween & UP)

Word Count: 45,483
Page Count: 224
Accelerated Reading level: 4.6 / points: 7.0
AR quiz: 135338
Lexile: 750L


OUT OF MY MIND
by Sharon M. Draper

**Starred Review** School Library Journal
 **Starred Review** ALA BookList 
**Starred Review** Kirkus

A brilliant girl with cerebral palsy longs for a way to speak.

Word Count: 56,872
Page Count: 320
Accelerated Reading level: 4.3 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 136421
Lexile: 700L


PERFECT
by Ellen Hopkins
Reading Level Info: AR generic 4

Four teenagers’ ideas of perfection are as different as the paths they take to achieve it. (YA)

Word Count: 70,016
Page Count: 320
Accelerated Reading level: 3.5 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 146550
Lexile: HL570L


THE POWER OF SIX
by Pittacus Lore

1st book of the Lorien Legacies was "I Am Number Four". In this book the story continues as the kids find one another.

Word Count: 91,624
Page Count: 416
Accelerated Reading level: 5.3 / points: 14.0
AR quiz: 146436
Lexile: 840L



STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA
by DK
Reading Level Info: generic 7

Profiles, movie stills and more. (Ages 7 to 17)

Hardcover: 208 pages


THE RED PYRAMID
by Rick Riordan

**Starred Review** Booklist
**Starred Review** School Library Journal

Siblings Carter and Sadie Kane, descendents of Egyptian magicians, must defeat the god Set after the gods are accidentally released in the present.

you may see our Rick Riordan book list here

Word Count: 124,305
Page Count: 544
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 18.0
AR quiz: 137173
Lexile: 650L

SAPPHIQUE
 by Catherine Fisher

In the sequel to "Incarceron," Finn makes it Outside to discover it is a prison of another kind. (YA)

Word Count: 97,312
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 14.0
AR quiz: 141389
Lexile: HL570L


SEIZURE
by Kathy Reichs

The Loggerhead Island Research Institute is out of funding and will have to shut down unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it.

Word Count: 90,809
Page Count: 491
Accelerated Reading level: 3.5 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 147444


SHELTER
by Harlan Coben

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

Word Count: 63,432
Page Count: 304
Accelerated Reading level: 3.7 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 146356
Lexile: HL530L

THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

by Tom

Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends are finding middle-school tough. Dwight, a classmate they consider to be a little 'weird' comes to the rescue though with the help of a Yoda finger puppet.

The story is told from multiple points of view as the kids discuss how Yoda has really helped them. Includes instructions for making your own Origami Yoda.

see Tom Angleberger's List here

Reading Information:
Word Count: 18,857
Page Count: 160
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 3.0
AR quiz: 136271
Lexile: 760L

SUMMER AND THE CITY
by Candace Bushnell

Carrie Bradshaw explores the Big Apple. (YA)

Word Count: 88,307
Page Count: 160
Accelerated Reading level: 3.9 / points: 12.0
ARquiz: 146357




SUPER DIAPER BABY 2
Invasion Of The Potty Snatchers
by Dav Pilkey

After Principal Krupp forbids George and Harold from continuing to create comics about feces, the boys begin a story about Rip Van Tinkle, a man who transforms into a puddle of urine and begins to destroy all the toilets in town.

Word Count: 4,422
Page Count: 192
Accelerated Reading level: 2.2 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 144671

See our Dav Pilkey INDEX here


SUPERNATURALLY
by Kiersten White

Evie returns to tracking paranormal creatures. (YA)

Word Count: 70,770
Page Count:  352
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 10.0
AR quiz: 144850
Lexile: HL680L


TALES FROM A NOT-SO-POPULAR PARTY GIRL
by Rachel Renée Russell

Further reflections of Nikki Maxwell on enduring middle school; a “Dork Diaries” book. (Ages 9 to 13)

See Our DORK DIARIES page with all the reading information

Word Count: 24,123
Page Count: 288
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 137932



THEODORE BOONE: KID LAWYER
by John Grisham

The “kid lawyer” uses his legal skills to find a missing friend. (Ages 8 to 12)

find the Theordore Boone book list here

Word Count: 50,657
Page Count: 272
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 137599
Lexile: 790L


THEODORE BOONE: THE ABDUCTION
by John Grisham

find the Theordore Boone book list here

Book#2 for this law-savvy boy.

Word Count: 42,646
Page Count: 256
Accelerated Reading level: 5.5 / points: 7.0
AR quiz: 144766
Lexile: 830L


THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK--  Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales
by Chris Van Allsburg and others!

Fourteen tales. (Ages 10 and up)

Word Count: 48,722
Page Count: 192
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 146840
Lexile: 840L


THE THRONE OF FIRE
by Rick Riordan

The Kanes seek the sun god, Ra; Book 2 of the Kane Chronicles. (Ages 10 and up)

you may see our Rick Riordan book list here

Word Count: 113,038
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 17.0
AR quiz: 143960
Lexile: 710L


The Gift
James Patterson and Ned Rus

Now part of a community of teens like themselves, Whit and Wisty have established themselves as leaders of the Resistance, willing to sacrifice anything to save kids kidnapped and brutally imprisoned by the New Order.

Word Count: 57,541
Page Count: 352
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 141560

You can find the WITCH AND WIZARD series list here
James Patterson's INDEX can be found here



THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING
by Catherynne M. Valente
Illustrated by Ana Juan.

Otherworldly feats. (Ages 10 to 14)

Twelve-year-old September's ordinary life in Omaha turns to adventure when a Green Wind takes her to Fairyland to retrieve a talisman the new and fickle Marquess wants from the enchanted woods. 

Word Count: 69,559
Page Count:256
Accelerated Reading level: 5.8 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 144583
Lexile: 870L


THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET
by Brian Selznick

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly 
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal 
**Starred Review** HornBook

2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal
National Book Award Finalist
#1 New York Times Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
#1 BookSense Bestseller
New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
Kirkus Best Book of 2007
New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing
American Library Association Notable Children's Book
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
2007 Quill Award Winner

When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Word Count: 25,083
Page Count: 533
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 113692
Lexile: 820L


THE LYING GAME
by Sara Shepard

**Starred Review** VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates )

A long-lost twin impersonates her dead sister to try to solve her murder. (YA)

Word Count: 63,047
Page Count: 329
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 142969



THE MAGIC OF REALITY
by Richard Dawkins. Illustrated by Dave McKean.

Dawkins extends his philosophy to children.

Hardcover: 272 pages

THE OUTCASTS
by John Flanagan

Hal and Stig may be outcasts, but they are willing to fight for what's right. They face off against rival groups to try and prove themselves.

Word Count: 105,602
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 5.5 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 147775
Lexile: 780L


THE SON OF NEPTUNE
(Heroes of Olympus #2)
by Rick Riordan

Riordan expands his cast of characters. (Tween and up)

you may see our Rick Riordan book list here

Word Count: 117,675
Page Count: 544
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 17.0
AR quiz: 146841



THE UNOFFICIAL HARRY POTTER COOKBOOK
by Dinah Bucholz

Reading Level Info: unknown

Recipes in which a dash of eye of newt would not go amiss. (Ages 9 to 12)

Hardcover: 256 pages



TIGER'S QUEST
by Colleen Houck

Danger forces Kelsey on another Indian quest to break the Tiger’s Curse. (Young Adult)

Hardcover: 496 pages
Word Count: 144,028
Page Count: 496
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 21.0
AR quiz: 144767
Lexile: 720L


THROUGH MY EYES

by Tim Tebow & Nathan Whitaker

Tim Tebow, one of the best quarterbacks in college football history, traces his path to success, his childhood as the son of Christian missionaries, and how his faith combined with his drive to succeed have made him the person he is today.

Word Count: 92,644
Page Count: 216
Accelerated Reading level: 6.9 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 146186


TORMENT
by Lauren Kate

Hidden by her cursed angelic boyfriend in a school for Nephilim, Luce discovers the meaning of the Shadows that have always followed her and begins manipulating them to learn about her past lives.

see our Lauren Kate book list here

Word Count: 99,155
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 139717


TURTLE IN PARADISE
by Jennifer L. Holm

**Newbury Honor Winner** 
**Starred Review** BookList
**Starred Review** Kirkus

11-year-old Turtle discovers that life isn't like the movies. She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935, and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida, to stay with relatives she's never met.

Word Count: 30,474
Page Count: 208
Accelerated Reading level: 3.7 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 137063
Lexile: 610L


THE TWILIGHT SAGA: THE OFFICIAL ILLUSTRATED GUIDE
by Stephenie Meyer.

A definitive guide to all things “Twilight.” (Ages 12 and up)

Word Count:117,483
Page Count: 524
Accelerated Reading level: 7.6 / points: 21.0
AR quiz: 143673

see our TWILIGHT book list here


UNCOMMON CRIMINALS
by Ally Carter

Katrina Bishop sets her sights on the infamous Cleopatra Emerald; a Heist Society book. (YA)

Word Count: 61,988
Page Count: 304
Accelerated Reading level: 5.3 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 144768
Lexile: 790L


UNDERDOGS
by Mike Lupica

Small but fast twelve-year-old Will Tyler, an avid football player in the down-and-out town of Forbes, Pennsylvania, takes matters into his own hands to try and finance the city's football team, giving the whole community hope in the process.  (Tweens and up)

Word Count: 61,744
Page Count: 272
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 145509
Lexile: 840L


WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER
by Jenny Han.

A young woman is torn between two brothers. (YA)

Word Count: 59,358
Page Count:  304
Accelerated Reading level: 3.9 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 145094
Lexile: HL570L


WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE
by Sarah Dessen

A girl rediscovers herself after her parents’ bitter divorce. (YA)

Word Count: 105,444
Page Count:  402
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 143325
Lexile: HL760L


WHERE SHE WENT 
(book#1, see IF I STAY) 
by Gayle Forman

Adam, now a rising rock star, and Mia, a successful cellist, reunite in New York and reconnect after the horrific events that tore them apart when Mia almost died in a car accident three years earlier.

Word Count: 55,415
Page Count: 208
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 8.0
AR quiz: 143768
Lexile: 800L


WILDWOOD
(The Wildwood Chronicles, Book I)
by Colin Meloy

A girl's brother is kidnapped by crows. (Ages 9 and up)

Word Count: 118,138
Page Count:  560
Accelerated Reading level: 6.3 / points: 19.0
AR quiz: 146438



WOLFSBANE
by Andrea Cremer

Calla forges an alliance with her masters' enemies and tries to rescue her pack from imprisonment in Vail. (YA)

Word Count: 84,852
Page Count: 400
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 145426
Lexile: HL630L


WONDERSTRUCK
by Brian Selznick

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly 
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal
 **Starred Review** Booklist

Another fabulous book from Brian. Like The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this story is a mix of graphic novel and words.

Word Count: 26,125
Page Count: 464
Accelerated Reading level: 5.4 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 146551
Lexile: 830L


See our other Must Read book lists!
--2013 Teen & Young Adult books
--2013 Best Middle-grade Books
--2012 Best MG/YA Books
--2012 Best Paperbacks - all ages