7 votes

What are some good young adult fiction books that are somewhat contemporary?

I really like Young Adult fiction. I am a big fan of contemporary/realistic fiction in general. Fante is probably my favorite author. Favorite YA author is Robert Cormier.

Does anyone have any suggestions on some good YA novels?

10 comments

  1. [2]
    meristele
    Link
    Omg, I love YA books. If you want ones that are not so much about romance, fantasy or sci-fi, and more about personal interaction, overcoming trials, and coming of age, try these: Hatchet, by Gary...

    Omg, I love YA books. If you want ones that are not so much about romance, fantasy or sci-fi, and more about personal interaction, overcoming trials, and coming of age, try these:

    Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
    Number the Stars, by Lois Lowrey
    Kira Kira, by Cynthia Kadohata
    Dicey's Song, by Cynthia Voight
    Shizuko's Daughter, by Kyoko Mori
    The View From Saturday, by E.L. Konisburg
    Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen.

    2 votes
    1. acr
      Link Parent
      Thank you. That's about exactly what I'm looking for. I watched part of the movie Hoot id High School never saw how it played out.

      Thank you. That's about exactly what I'm looking for. I watched part of the movie Hoot id High School never saw how it played out.

  2. [3]
    mat
    Link
    Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines series is a favourite of mine. I think there's five books now but he keeps writing more of them so I could be wrong. But I'm not sure I'd call them contemporary....

    Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines series is a favourite of mine. I think there's five books now but he keeps writing more of them so I could be wrong. But I'm not sure I'd call them contemporary.

    China Mieville's Un-Lun-Dun is great, but read Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere first (then leave a gap between the two). They are related, and Meiville intended it that way. "Realistic" on it's own doesn't quite work to describe either. You might get away with Magical Realism but that's pushing it a bit. Urban Fantasy might be better.

    1 vote
  3. Ark
    Link
    I remember enjoying the Cherub books by Robert Muchamore when I read YA. On the surface they seem like your classic young spy time books but I really enjoy simply because of the realism; the way...

    I remember enjoying the Cherub books by Robert Muchamore when I read YA. On the surface they seem like your classic young spy time books but I really enjoy simply because of the realism; the way the young agents are trained and operate is exactly how you'd expect them be if an actual young spy agency exist. Robert Muchamore clearly knows his stuff as the detail of the specific types of crime that the books explore is very high and accurate. If realistic fiction is your thing, this is the closest thing you'll get to realistic young spy agency style book series. Plus the characters are very likeable and relatable, by the end of the series you do become heavily attached to them.

    Second suggestion would be the Gone series by Michael Grant. Admittedly these are not as realistic as they involved X-Men style mutations but the premise is enticing and the storyline just gets better and better. Everyone over the age of 15 disappears, the rest are left encapuslated in a gigantic sphere out of which they cannot see. I like how the books deal with real issues that would arise in a scenario like this; what about all the kids who cannot look after themselves? What happens when the food runs out? What happens when you turn 15? The premise is not realistic as such but the way in which problems arise and are dealt with is very well done and believable. The series definitely gets darker but in a good way, highly recommend

    I'll add some more to the list if I think of any, but these two series were definitely my favourites when I used to read YA.

    1 vote
  4. [3]
    smoontjes
    Link
    I'm currently reading Finding Audrey - I'm only like 20 pages into it which is nothing I know, but it's really good so far! I love the writer's style.

    I'm currently reading Finding Audrey - I'm only like 20 pages into it which is nothing I know, but it's really good so far! I love the writer's style.

    1 vote
  5. TrialAndFailure
    Link
    I used to love the Mysterious Benedict Society series. I guess they'd count as young adult? The protagonists are like 12 or something, so it's close enough.

    I used to love the Mysterious Benedict Society series. I guess they'd count as young adult? The protagonists are like 12 or something, so it's close enough.

    1 vote