Young Adult Titles

I haven't done a Not What I Wanted Wednesday in a long time, but when I was working my way through a huge TBR pile recently, I came across these titles that were absolutely awesome, but just way too long and young adult for middle school. They were all really good, but I don't think I'd be able to convince my students to read them.

And look how beautifully color coordinated the list is!

Castor, H.M. VIII (432 pages)
August 20th 2013,Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

From Goodreads.com
"VIII is the story of Hal: a young, handsome, gifted warrior, who believes he has been chosen to lead his people. But he is plagued by the ghosts of his family's violent past and once he rises to power, he turns to murder and rapacious cruelty. He is Henry VIII."



Wallace, Sandra Neil. Muckers (288 pages)

  October 8th 2013 , Knopf Books for Young Readers 

From Titlewave:

"Inspired by a true story. Felix O'Sullivan, standing in the shadow of his dead brother, an angry, distant father, and racial tension, must lead the last-ever Muckers high school football team to the state championship before a mine closing shuts down his entire town."

The vintage feel of this was UNBELIEVABLY brilliant. 

Meyer, Carolyn. Beauty's Daughter. (352 pages)

October 8th 2013, HMH Books for Young Readers 

From Titlewave.com

"When renowned beauty Helen runs off to Troy with Prince Paris, her enraged husband, King Menelaus, starts the Trojan War, leaving their plain daughter, Hermione, alone to witness the deaths of heroes on both sides and longing to find her own love and place in the world. Includes historical notes."

I just don't want to have to explain the activities of the gods or what a courtesan is to 6th grade girls. While this is circumspectly done, there's some racy stuff. 

Leveen, Tom. Sick (288 pages)

October 1st 2013, Harry N. Abrams

From Titlewave.com

"Brian and his friends are not part of the cool crowd. They're the misfits, the troublemakers--the ones who jump their high school's electrified fence to skip school regularly. So when the virus breaks out, they're the only ones with a chance of surviving."

And, good example of why I should read Booklist more:

"Between the pacing and the heroes' salty, blue language (full of lovingly creative, genital-inspired insults), reluctant readers who love zombies will devour it, right up to the abrupt end."
—Kirkus Reviews