Five Book Suggestions For Teen Read Week

Teen Read Week begins this week as a way to get young adults to continue to enjoy reading throughout their teenage years. According to Colleen Cheshire a Port Jefferson Young Adult librarian and a Patch blogger, this year's theme is Picture It @ Your Library.

"The Port Jefferson Free Library Teen Center is encouraging young adults to read graphic novels and other illustrated materials that we have in the collection," said Cheshire in . "Young Adult Librarians promote Teen Read Week by creating eye catching displays and special events."

We asked Cheshire to suggest five books in the library collection for teens to pick up during Teen Read Week. Her selections include some graphic novels and stories with illustrations or sketches in keeping with the theme.

MAUS by Art Spiegelman

This graphic novel series which has cartoonish drawings is a thrilling story about a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe and his son, a cartoonist, who is trying to come to terms with his father's heart breaking stories and the history which follows his family.

The story is a remarkable novel and also a memoir and a graphic novel. Every detail comes together and the alternating story lines of the father ans son bring together a piece of work that must be shared with people of all ages.

Teens should pick this graphic novel up during Teen Read Week and enjoy learning about history and the effects it had on families and the world. This graphic novel series is popular because it is daring and illustrates the horror of Nazi Germany while compelling the auidence with its accurate details.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney

This novel which is written in Journal format follows the life of Greg Heffley who has finally begun his Middle School career. Greg comes to realize that Middle School is filled with kids much bigger than him, boys who shave, and girls who will never be interested in him. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

This series of diary books will capture the reader in the first few pages. The stories are comical, and tweens can relate to the process of growing up and fitting in. The illustrations are hilarious and really help to connect with the narrator and characters you are reading about.

During Teen Read Week teens can belly up a few laughs will reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  Also after reading the book, they can watch the movie and compare and contrast the story lines!

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick

This 526 page book is told in both words and pictures. It is not just a novel, or a picture book or a graphic novel, but a combination of all these things. There are over three hundred pictures which help tell the story of Hugo, a twelve year old clock keeper who lives on his own and depends on secrets and theft to get him through each day. His life begins turning upside down when he realizes his life is becoming intertwined with a young girl who may put his identity and secrets in jeopardy.

The black and white sketch drawings are absolutely stunning and show off the overwhelming talent of the author Brian Selznick. This story is beyond a book. It is a piece of art that must be shared with children and adults of all ages. The story is moving and unfolds right in front of you when the overall message of the book is shared through pictures and words.

Teens should pick up this book during Teen Read Week and NOT be overwhelmed by the size of the book!  It is a quick read that will entertain and allow readers to be excited for Brian Selznick's new book WONDERSTRUCK!

I KILL GIANTS by Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura

This black and white graphic novel that was originally monthly comic subscriptions, is now bound as a series for young adults to enjoy. The story follows Barbara Thorson, who is one freak of a fifth grader. She wears bunny ears to school, conversates with pixie-faeries, is an all around smart aleck … and she kills giants. Or at least she does in her imagination!

Barbara is always angry with the world.  She cannot grasp the fact that her mother is dying and she is a very disconnected kid at school. The illustrations in this graphic novel dipict extreme emotion with each character and also show a comical side to the story. This graphic novel is recommended for older readers due to some language but is still a book that can leave an impression on a teenager.

Graphic novels are fun and make reading more enjoyabel in a sense.  Many teens today are visual learners and having pictures to go along with a story may make the experience more enjoyable. This year's Teen Read Week theme: Picture it @ Your Library is a great way to celebrate graphic novels and books with illustrations.

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

This vibrant and colorful graphic novel follows the crazy life of Raina, a girl who just wants to be a normal sixth grader.. but that may never happen! One night Raina falls and does some major damage to her front teeth. The story shows the journey Raina takes while getting braces, trying to wear head gear, going through surgery and having to wear a retainer with fake teeth!

This coming of age graphic novel explores the frustrating years of young adulthood in which we all at some point face. Teens during Teen Read Week will get a good laugh while reading this book and will connect to the main character and her journey through the teenage years. The story line is fantastic and appeals to more than just young adults.