What's Popular

This is the last week of my class, and this week's topic is books that transport teens... in other words, what they actually read. What the trends show, what the teens themselves say.

Since I only have access to a 12 year old at home (although she will loudly insist that she's a teenager when it suits her), I turned to a few websites to see which books are most popular with teens right now.

Roth, Veronica. Allegiant. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2013.

_____. Divergent. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2011.

_____. Four: Divergent Stories.New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2013.

_____. Insurgent. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2012.

The Divergent series has been extremely popular with teens (and even adults!). Like The Hunger Games, there's a strong female protagonist, a dystopian society, and lots of action. They're also both trilogies, although Roth added extra stories about Four. Perhaps most importantly, the two trilogies are being made as movies. This series has been recommended by word of mouth, displays, movie posters, and more.

Dessen, Sarah. Along for the Ride. New York: Speak, 2009.

_____. .Just Listen. New York: Speak, 2008.

_____. Lock and Key. New York: Speak, 2008.

_____. The Moon and More. New York: Viking Children's, 2013.

_____. What Happened to Goodbye. New York: Puffin, 2011.

Sarah Dessen is the master of lighthearted romance for teens. Her books are sometimes considered summer reads, particularly since many of them take place on an island in the summer. Her heroines are complex and their relationships are, too. Even though I'm calling her books romance, there's a lot more to them; her stories have heart and are satisfying on several levels. She's written a lot more books than these, but these are her most recent five books.

Clare, Cassandra. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel, 2010.

_____. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince, 2011.

_____. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess, 2013.

The Infernal Devices series is a prequel to another series of Clare's, The Mortal Instruments. Once again we have trilogies, and both series have been optioned for film. Featuring: Shadowhunters, the Pandemonium Club, clockwork creatures, a love triangle, and enough heartbreak to keep fans obsessed. These books (both sets, as well as Clare's other books) still fly off the shelves.