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2006 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

The Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list is created by the Young Adult Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.  Books are chosen that teens, ages 12-18, will pick up on their own and read for pleasure.

2004 Quick Picks

2005 Quick Picks

Nonfiction | Fiction

Nonfiction

Cosmo Girl Quiz Book:  Discover Your Personality

A question and answer book that will allow teens to find out what makes them tick.

Happy Kitty Bunny Pony:  A Saccharine Mouthful of Super

Cute   Containing over 200 images from the print and advertising archives of the Charles S. Anderson Design Company in combination with a hilarious text by the legendary Michael J. Nelson, this book is an amazingly rich and sharply funny testament to America's fascination with cute things.

MAD about the '90s:  The Best of the Decade

From MAD magazine.

Seventeen Presents Traumarama!:  Real Girls Share their

Most Embarrassing Moments Ever   From Seventeen magazine.

Teen People Celebrity Beauty Guide:  Star Secrets for

Gorgeous Hair, Makeup, Skin and More!

50 Cent.  From Pieces to Weight:  Once Upon a Time in

Southside, Queens  Featuring unpublished poetry and lyrics taken directly from his journals and scrapbooks, as well as behind-the-scenes photos taken by 50 Cent himself, this is an unprecedented look into the world of one of the most talked about artists in popular music today.

Hiromu Arakawa.  Fullmetal Alchemist series, Volume 1

Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world, somewhere between magic, art, and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabble in these powers to grant their dearest wish, they become slaves of the military-alchemical complex.

Hiromu Arakawa.  Fullmetal Alchemist series, Volume 2

Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world, somewhere between magic, art, and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabble in these powers to grant their dearest wish, they become slaves of the military-alchemical complex.

Hiromu Arakawa.  Fullmetal Alchemist series, Volume 3

Graphic novel.

Hiromu Arakawa.  Fullmetal Alchemist series, Volume 4

Edward Elric is trapped and injured in a laboratory with his enemies Lust and Envy.

Steve Baltin.  From the Inside:  Linkin Park's Meteora

During their 2003-04 world tour to promote their latest multi-platinum effort, Meteora, Linkin Park brought in photographer Greg Waterman and others to document their experiences on and off the stage. The results come alive in this essential book, filled with deluxe full-page, full-color photos on premium paper, with candid captions, written by the band members themselves.

Jim Benton.  It's Happy Bunny:  Life.  Get One

Everyone's favorite bunny with attitude presents words of wisdom for all life's endeavors: When life gives you lemons, use them to squirt lemon juice into the eyes of your enemies. Love makes the world go 'round. But face it, cash is better. Always remember, your enemies are just friends that really really bite!

Jim Benton.  It's Happy Bunny:  Love Bites

Inside this funny full-color gift book, you will find tips on dating, crushes, and dealing with secret admirers from a bunny with attitude. You'll learn...how to show you care: "It's cute how you think I'm listening." How to let someone down gently: "Wow, you're dumb! Would some candy make you feel better about that?" How to ask someone out: "Give me your number. Like I'd ever call you!" And how to handle other delicate situations...because it's never a bad time to tell someone they smell like butt.

James Buckley, Jr.  Scholastic Book of Firsts

Ben Caldwell.  Fantasy!  Cartooning

Learn to draw heroes, villians, fairies, dragons and more.

Robert Caprio.  Are We There Yet:  Tales from the Never-

Ending Travels of WWE Superstars  Popular WWE superstars--such as The Big Show, Triple H, Lita, and Stone Cold--share crazy and hilarious road-trip stories.

Lori Carlson.  Red Hot Salsa:  Bilingual Poems in Being Young

and Latino in the United States  In Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States, Latino poets tell us, in English and in Spanish, who they are, where they are, and what their hopes are for the future.

James Davis.  Skateboarding is Not a Crime:  50 Years of

Street Culture  Skateboarding is a sport with its own philosophy and culture and these are explored in this book along with the history, and skateboarding technique instructions. Dramatic action photography throughout.

Jim Adgar.  Bad Cat

Brooding, deranged, antisocial, these are kitties with attitude and borderline personality problems-ah, but what hilarious fun it is to read about them. All 244 photographed in terrifying full color in their most unflattering moments, with a quote plus vital stats: name, breed, age, and hobby. Get to know them. Then see if you can ever forget them.

Jon Finkel.  Greatest Stars of the NBA:  Jason Kidd

Traces the basketball career of the NBA star Jason Kidd, from 1992 through 2004. Illustrated with photos of actual games. Includes statistics, breakdowns of his best-known moves, and a timeline of major events.

Jon Finkel.  Greatest Stars of the NBA:  Kevin Garnett

Traces the basketball career of the NBA star Kevin Garnett, from 1995 through 2004. Illustrated with photos of actual games. Includes statistics, breakdowns of Kevin's best-known moves, and a timeline of major events.

Jon Finkel.  Greatest Stars of the NBA:  Shaquille O'Neal

In Cine-mange formate, a look at the career of superstar player Shaquille O'Neal, his moves and great moments on the court.

Jon Finkel.  Greatest Stars of the NBA:  Tim Duncan

In Cine-manga format, a look at the career of superstar basketball player Tim Duncan and his moves and great moments on the court.

Mike Flaherty.  American Chopper:  At Full Throttle

In addition to new details about Orange County Choppers' amazing theme-bikes, "American Chopper Full Throttle" revs up the amusing familial drama and professional triumphs that make the show so popular. Fans will devour the revealing interviews, candid photos, a background history of choppers, and a detailed tour of Orange County Choppers, the setting for the show.

Jeff Foxworthy.  Jeff Foxworthy's Redneck Dictionary: 

Words You Thought You Knew the Meaning of   A hilarious parody of traditional pocket dictionaries is delivered by the largest-selling comedy recording artist in history, based on his mega-hit show "Blue Collar TV."

Nicholas Ganz.  Graffiti World:  Street Art from Five

Continents   Ganz, a German graffiti artist also known as Keinom, traveled around the world to create this comprehensive survey of graffiti art. In addition to over 2000 vivid illustrations, he provides a history of the art and interviews with some of the artists.

Omari Grandberry.  O

Former B2K star Omari Grandberry chronicles all that happened within the group, from day one until its breakup. Omari also shares with fans a more personal side, including his likes and dislikes, what's important in relationships, his spiritual foundation, and some general opinions on the world at large.

Sherri Haab.  The Hip Handbag Book:  25 Easy-to-Make

Totes, Purses and Bags We all know handbags are fun to carry, but who knew they could be so much fun to make? The Hip Handbag Book is jam-packed with projects to stimulate your creative juices and satisfy your fashion instincts. Look inside to make an assortment of cool and creative bags. Most of the handbags can be made in an afternoon using easy-to-find craft supplies. Clear and simple steps and inspiring photographs guide you from start to finish.

Christopher Hart.  Manhwa Mania:  How to Draw Korean

Comics    Learn how to draw Korean comics with this tutorial that steps budding artists through the entire range of manhwa characters--from the extreme fighting-machine heroes and giant beasts, to the sexy women, anti-heroes, and evil warlords.

Son Hee-Joon.  PHD:  Phantasy Degree Vol. 1

Sneaking into the Demon School Hades, Sang finds a way to become a monster and begins a fantastic adventure in a devilish domain.

Son Hee-Joon.  PHD:  Phantasy Degree Vol. 2

The monsters are the good guys as the Medusa Guild attempts to seal the doorsto all the Mahgae's.

Jared and Jerusha Hess.  Napoleon Dynamite:  The Complete

Quote Book   Quotes from the movie.

Alicia Keys.  Tears for Water:  Songbook of Poems and Lyrics

Poems by Alicia Keys along with lyrics from her songs.

Nancy Kilpatrick.  The Goth Bible:  A Compendium for the

Darkly Inclined From their historical origins as a Germanic tribe in the sixth century who fought along side the Romans against the Huns to their current incarnation as creatures of the night, The goth Bible presents the most complete and broad perspective of this society, culled from hundreds of interviews with bands, artist, designers, and goths from all walks of life.

Robert Kirkman.  Invincible:  The Ultimate Collection,

Volume 1  Mark Grayson appears to be a normal teenager with one exception--his father is the most powerful super hero on the planet and it seems lately that Mark may have inherited some of his father's powers. This volume collects the first 13 of their adventures.

Billy Lane.  Chop Fiction:  It's Not a Motorcycle, Baby, It's a

Chopper  Two things distinguish Billy's creations: artisanship and technology. What makes Billy's work unique is that he combines both of these seemingly disparate elements. His choppers are first and foremost works of art, perhaps more so than any other builder.

Lela Lee.   Angry Little Girls

"South Park" for girls, this hilarious collection of comics is perfect for young women everywhere. Anger has never been so funny.

Jeph Loeb.  Superman Batman:  Public Enemies, Volume 1

When longtime Superman nemesis Lex Luthor, now president of the United States accuses Superman of a horrible act against mankind, an unlikely alliance is forged between two of the most popular super-heroes on the planet. The Man of Steel pairs up with the Dark Knight to defend against a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes whose mission is to bring Superman in dead or alive.

Steve Miller and Bryan Baugh.  Scared!  How to Draw

Fantastic Horror Comic Characters  Baugh and Miller have created this guide to meet the increasing interest in the horror genre in film, comics, and graphic novels. This is the perfect book for aspiring artists.

Minya Oh.  Bling Bling:  Hip Hop's Crown Jewels

Jewelry of the Hip Hop celebrities.

Tsugumi Ohba.  Deathnote:  Volume 1:  Boredom

Light tests the boundaries of the Death Note's powers as L and the police begin to close in. Luckily Light's father is the head of the Japanese National Police Agency and leaves vital information about the case lying around the house. With access to his father's files, Light can keep one step ahead of the authorities. But who is the strange man following him, and how can Light guard against enemies whose names he doesn't know?

Chris Palmer.  Streetball:  All the Ballers, Moves, Slams and

Shine  A celebration of the history and lore of streetball, this illustrated guide also includes an inside look at the players and moves, as well as tips to help readers improve their game.

David Perel.  Bat Boy Lives!  The Weekly World News Guide

to Politics, Culture, Celebrities, Alien Abductions, and the Mutant Freaks that Shape our World  All the news that's not fit to print is found in this fascinating compendium of the best of "Weekly World News."

Ted Polhemus.  Hot Bodies, Cool Styles

Body paint, tattoos, scars and more techniques in self adornment.

Michael Powell.  Superhero Handbook

Discover your secret powers!  Choose a superhero name!  Save the world!

Andy Riley.  Return of the Bunny Suicides

Return of the Bunny Suicides follows over 100 bunnies as they find ever more bizarre ways to end their fuzzy little existences. From swimming with nibbly fish to hiding under an elephant's footstool, no stone goes unturned (or undropped) in the twisted little creatures' next installment.

The RZA.  The Wu Tang Manual

The first definitive book from hip-hop's original dynasty, for the hard-core Wu-Tang disciple and the recent initiate alike.

Karine Steffans.  Confessions of a Video Vixen

Rika Sugiyama.  Comic Artists - Asia:  Manga Manhwa

Manhua  

Daniel Wilson.  How to Survive a Robot Uprising:  Tips on

Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion 

Fiction

Jaime Adoff.  Jimi and Me

After his father's tragic death, twelve-year-old Keith James moves from Brooklyn to a small midwestern town where his mixed race heritage is not accepted, but he finds comfort in the music of Jimi Hendrix and the friendship of a white classmate.

Holly Black.  Valiant:  a Modern Tale of Faerie

Seventeen-year-old Val runs away to New York City, where she falls in with a gang of squatters who live in the city's subway system and consort with faeries, trolls, and other strange creatures.

Alex Bradley.  24 Girls in 7 Days

Jack Grammar, average American senior, has no date to the prom. Or so he thinks. Percy and Natalie, Jack's so-called best friends, post an ad in the classified section of the online version of the school newspaper. They figure it couldn't hurt. After all, there's not much in this world sadder than Jack's love life. Soon Percy and Natalie have assembled a list of girls eager to go to the prom with Jack, including one mysterious girl known only as FancyPants. He has just seven days to meet and date them before he will ask one special girl to the prom.

Tracy Brown.  Criminal Minded

Brown tells the tale of the rise and fall of two young men determined to conquer the world, and the story of the women who loved them too much.

Morgan Burke.  Get It Started

The party room. On Manhattan's Upper East Side. Everybody's fabulous. No one gets carded. Then someone dies. The Party Room is where the prep school crowd goes to drink up and hook up. The cocktails are chill and the bartender's hot. Everyone knows everyone -- except the guy that Samantha Byrne leaves with one night. The next day Sam's missing. Then she's found dead in Central Park, murdered brutally. It looks like a copycat killing of another girl who was murdered years earlier. By someone from Talcott Prep. The killer is one of them. He knows where they live. And where they play.

Morgan Burke.  After Hours

On Manhattan's Upper East Side. Everybody's fabulous. No one gets carded. Then someone dies. Kirsten is still recovering from the death of her best friend, Samantha. And trying desperately to forget that she hooked up with Kyle -- before she knew he was the Prep School Murderer. Kirsten's out every night hitting the clubs and the Party Room. She's partying hard to forget the pain. Then one night in the Hamptons, Kyle shows up. He tells Kirsten a different story. He's not the one who killed all those girls. Kirsten wants to believe him. But then, it's too late.

Morgan Burke.  Last Call

The Prep School Killer is dead. Finally Kirsten can go on and leave the nightmare of her best friend Sam's murder behind her. Kirsten's at NYU now, but she still slips back to the Party Room on the Upper East Side of Manhattan-- where the horror all began. But it's quiet now. Just Kirsten and her old friends and a mojito or three. Then the killer strikes again. And again. The killer wasn't Kyle after all. Someone's looking to settle the tab. Don't be the last one when the bar closes.

Kate Cary.  Bloodline

In this story told primarily through journal entries, a British soldier in World War I makes the horrifying discovery that his regiment commander is descended from Count Dracula.

Cecil Castellucci.  Boy Proof

Feeling alienated from everyone around her, Los Angeles high school senior and cinephile Victoria Denton hides behind the identity of a favorite movie character until an interesting new boy arrives at school and helps her realize that there is more to life than just the movies.

Chynna Clugston.  Queen Bee

Starts a new school; determined to stop being a social outcast; tries to be friends with the popular girls; has psychokinetic powers.

John Coy.  Crackback

Miles barely recalls when football was fun after being sidelined by a new coach, constantly criticized by his father, and pressured by his best friend to take performance-enhancing drugs.

Zoey Dean.  Blonde Ambition

While Anna's new job as intern on the hottest television show brings her into contact with an interesting new man and helps her see how possessive Ben has become, Cammie sets her sights on Adam.

Joseph Delaney.  Revenge of the Witch:  Book One:  The Last

Apprentice   Young Tom, the seventh son of a seventh son, starts work as an apprentice for the village spook, whose job is to protect ordinary folk from "ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties."

Matt De la Pena.  Ball Don't Lie

Seventeen-year-old Sticky lives for basketball and plays at school and at the Lincoln Rec Center in Los Angeles but he is unaware of the many dangers--including his own past--that threaten his dream of playing professionally.

Carl Deuker.  Runner

Living with his alcoholic father on a broken-down sailboat on Puget Sound has been hard on seventeen-year-old Chance Taylor, but when his love of running leads to a high-paying job, he quickly learns that the money is not worth the risk.

Sharon Flake.  Bang!

A teenage boy must face the harsh realities of inner city life, a disintegrating family, and destructive temptations as he struggles to find his identity as a young man.

John Flanagan.  The Ruins of Gorlan  

When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger.

Aimee Friedman.  South Beach

Hot sand. Hot clubs. Hot guys. What more could two girls want? Try the same guy ...

Beth Goobie.  Something Girl

Sophie is in a Lot of trouble. She is on probation for stealing and is doing poorly at school. Her mom doesn't really talk to her, and the other adults in her life are pressuring Sophie to talk about her bruises. Sophie worries that if she tells, she will be sent to live in a group home. Her friend Jujube is the only person who knows the truth, and now Jujube, too, wants Sophie to speak up.

Vicki Grant.  Dead-End Job

Frances works the night shift at a local convenience store, dividing her time between restocking shelves and working on her art. Her routine is broken one night when Devin comes into the store. He claims to be the son of a famous local artist and offers her advice on her drawings. Although he seems to know way too much about her, Frances decides, against the advice of her boyfriend, that he is odd but harmless. By the time she realizes the danger she is in, Devin is completely obsessed with her and convinced that if he can't have her, no one will. Frances will be forced to use all her strength to escape from Devin.

John Green.  Looking for Alaska

Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.

Carl Hiaasen.  Flush

With their father jailed for sinking a river boat, Noah Underwood and his younger sister, Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of this floating casino is emptying his bilge tanks into the protected waters around their Florida Keys home.

Anthony Horowitz.  Raven's Gate

Sent to live in a foster home in a remote Yorkshire village, Matt, a troubled fourteen-year-old English boy, uncovers an evil plot involving witchcraft and the site of an ancient stone circle.

Anthony Horowitz.  Scorpia

After being told that his father was an assassin for a criminal organization, fourteen-year-old Alex goes to Italy to find out more and becomes involved in a plan to kill thousands of English schoolchildren.

David Klass.  Dark Angel

When his older brother is released from prison, seventeen-year-old Jeff's family secret is revealed, causing upheaval in his home, school and love life.

Christopher Krovatin.  Heavy Metal and You

High schooler Sam begins losing himself when he falls for a preppy girl who wants him to give up getting wasted with his best friends and even his passion for heavy metal music in order to become a better person.

E. Lockhart.  The Boyfriend List:  15 Guys, 11 Shrink

Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs, and Me, Ruby Oliver A Seattle fifteen-year-old explains some of the reasons for her recent panic attacks, including breaking up with her boyfriend, losing all her girlfriends, tensions between her performance-artist mother and her father, and more.

Carrie Mac.  Charmed

Izzy finds she is one in a long line of girls ensnared in prostitution, with no way to escape.

Melody Mayer.  The Nannies

Kiley, Lydia, and Esme, three teenagers from very different backgrounds, befriend one another while working as nannies for wealthy employers in Beverly Hills, California.

Adam Meyer.  The Last Domino

Vulnerable following his brother's suicide, a high school boy comes under the thrall of a darkly violent classmate and events at home and at school go chillingly out of control.

Stephenie Meyer.  Twilight

When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human.

Leslea Newman.  Jailbait

In 1971, unpopular and lonely tenth-grader Andi--teased at her Long Island high school for her large breasts and ignored at home by her distant parents--builds a fantasy romantic life around her clandestine, sexual relationship with a man in his thirties.

Sean Olin.  Killing Britney

Britney is the girl everyone loves to hate. Ever since Britney transformed herself from freak-and-geek to the most popular girl at school, her life has been touched by tragedy. First it was her mom, who drowned on a family rafting trip. Then her hockey-star boyfriend, Ricky, was killed in a hit-and-run. When the deaths continue to pile up, everyone fears for Britney. Sure she's popular, blond, and fabulous. But is that enough reason for someone to want to... kill her?

James Patterson.  Maximum Ride:  The Angel Experiment

After the mutant Erasers abduct the youngest member of their group, the "birdkids," who are the result of genetic experimentation, take off in pursuit and find themselves struggling to understand their own origins and purpose.

Malcolm Rose.  Traces:  Framed!

A thrilling new mystery series set in a parallel world begins and introduces 16-year-old Luke Harding, the youngest person ever to qualify as a forensic investigator. Together with his right-hand robot Malc, equipped with lasers and scanners for finding clues at the toughest of crime scenes, Luke tackles some of the most bizarre mysteries.

Malcolm Rose.  Traces:  Lost Bullet

Luke Harding, a 16-year-old, newly qualified forensic investigator, is called in on his first murder case when fellow student Crispin Addley is found with an arrow in his heart .

Malcolm Rose.  Traces:  Roll Call

In a futuristic London, sixteen-year-old forensic investigator Luke Harding and his robotic assistant, Malc, investigate a series of murders in which there are no traces of a murder weapon, and the only thing the victims seem to have in common is their name.

Darren Shan.  Lord Loss

Presumably the only witness to the horrific and bloody murder of his entire family, a teenage boy must outwit not only the mental health professionals determined to cure his delusion, but also the demonic forces only he can see.

Susan Shaw.  The Boy from the Basement

A twelve-year-old boy is confined to his basement without food or clothing.

Neal Shusterman.  Dread Locks:  Dark Fusion, Book One

Accustomed to a carefree existence, fourteen-year-old Parker Baer meets the girl next door and finds his life taking a menacing turn as he begins to absorb some of her terrible powers.

Neal Shusterman.  Red Rider's Hood:  Dark Fusion, Book Two

After learning that there are werewolves in his city, a sixteen-year-old is even more surprised to discover the identities of the hunters who drove them out decades earlier, but he soon infiltrates the Wolves gang to help destroy them for good.

Brian Sloan.  A Really Nice Prom Mess

Gay high school senior Cameron Hayes endures a disastrous prom night when forced to take a girl as his date, and after fleeing the dance in disguise, he finds himself involved in a surprising on-stage performance, a high-speed police chase, and unexpected revelations.

Walter Sorrells.  Fake ID

After a lifetime of moving and assuming new identities, sixteen-year-old Chass begins to piece together the disturbing past that haunts her and her mother and which involves a mysterious tape, a deceased popular singer, and the secrets of several people in a small Alabama town.

Natalie Standiford.  Breaking Up is Really, Really Hard to Do

The continuing story of three high school sophomores, Holly, Madison, and Lina, as their love lives and those of their friends take unexpected turns, assisted by the girls' matchmaking services.

Natalie Standiford.  The Dating Game

When three high school sophomores set up a weblog as a class project to research whether girls or boys are more sex-crazed--and to play matchmaker, their own messy love lives become even more complicated.

Jeff Stone.  The Five Ancestors:  Monkey

After soldiers of the new Emperor, led by Ying, engage in a fierce battle with the warrior-monks, Malao "the monkey" and his brothers rely on the ancient arts to help set things right.

Jeff Stone.  The Five Ancestors:  Tiger

Five young warrior-monk brothers survive an insurrection and must use the ancient arts to avenge their Grandmaster.

Cate Tiernan.  Balefire:  A Chalice of Wind

Separated since birth, seventeen-year-old twins Thais and Clio unexpectedly meet in New Orleans where they seem to be pursued by a coven of witches who want to harness the twins' magickal powers for its own ends.

Cate Tiernan.  Balefire:  A Circle of Ashes

While Daedalus schemes to use the coven's power for his own dark purposes, seventeen-year-old twins Clio and Thais seek to learn who is trying to hurt them and, in the process, discover that Thais's magick has explosive power.

Paul Volponi.  Black and White

Two star high school basketball players, one black and one white, experience the justice system differently after committing a crime together and getting caught.

Matt Whyman.  Boy Kills Man

Two thirteen-year-old boys, blood brothers and best friends, get drawn into a dangerous, violent world on the streets of a troubled Columbian city.

Lori Aurelia Williams.  Broken China

China Cup Cameron, a fourteen-year-old single mother with only her paralyzed Uncle Simon for support, takes on tremendous personal debt in hopes of a beautiful funeral after her daughter dies.

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