READING FOR ANGSTY TEENS
BOOKS YOUR YOUNG ADULT SHOULD READ

Do you remember being a teenager?

Really, truly remember? Neither do I.

I have a vague recollection of it being angsty, and since I didn’t have a video-game console I had to make do with books (glad about that, by the way…). Here are my top three picks for teens to read while eagerly awaiting the start of the school year.

Stranger in a Strange Land
This may not be an obvious choice of reading material for someone in the “I-don’t-want-to-be-different” stage of life. But it’s a good choice. Michael Valentine Smith is different, and Heinlein shows clearly what the world does to those it considers “other.” But he also gives hope in the form of Jubal and the girls, who love Michael for who he is and stand by him no matter what.

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Richard Bach’s tale of a plane-ride Messiah and his accidental disciple is filled with lessons of hope for the future and belief in one’s self. Could there be any better reason to hide the PlayStation?

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Teens and adults often see one another as alien species. Time dims memories of our youth, and our children just haven’t had the experiences we have. Yet. Bradbury reveals that growing up is less about becoming adult than uncovering the adult within.