I am an avid reader and have the wonderful privilege of being a book reviewer as well. In the past half year I have broadened my horizon of book reviews to include teen fiction. Doing this inspired me to start a blog for teens, purely focused on books that are about to be released, as well as books that have made high visibility lists such as Teenreads.com Ultimate Reading List and the American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults.

Both lists are often used by schools and both are based on books that teens themselves have nominated as the best reads for their age group.

As a reviewer of mostly Christian fiction, I was excited about expanding my world to books beyond the conservative publishing group, in order to appeal to a larger audience on my blog. When I began reading the books I was both pleasantly surprised and somewhat appalled at what I was reading.

Keeping in mind that these were books nominated by teens, I was surprised at the rich literature I was reading, bursting with symbolism and poignancy.

Also keeping in mind that many of these books top school reading lists, I was concerned at the darkness and sexuality of many of them. Perhaps it is my conservative stance in life, but as a mom of future teenagers and as a professional counselor who had a primary focus on adolescent issues when in private practice, I was disturbed by some of what was being promoted by our schools.

As my concerns deepened I began to wonder if parents are aware of what our kids are reading. We are, after all, people who hit our floors running every day and who go separate ways as a family, only to say “hello” and “good night” at the end of our busy days. Who has time to know what their teen is reading?

And yet, something in my mind nagged me, a thought that parents should make an effort to know and, when possible, use the themes of the books, whether positive or negative, to generate some heart to heart discussions with their teenagers. Since not everyone likes to read, much less has the time, I thought I would create a series of articles that discuss the top books being read by today’s teens and add in some possible conversation starters that might flow from the theme of the books.

1984, by George Orwell

I was surprised to find that this book topped lists that teens themselves recommended as must-reads. I thought this was a book that hit its popularity in my teen years and just figured it was an unknown book by now.

1984 is about utopia gone wrong. The government controls its citizens via tele-screens that observe their every move within their homes and pick up their every word. Writing with pen and paper is illegal and so is falling in love. Even private thoughts are impossible because the Thought Police can peek in on your mind.

1984 is both a love story as well as a book fraught with “what if’s”, of a government seeking total control of its citizens. Not only does the government seek total control of the lives the people live, it also brainwashes them into thinking they are living the best life possible.

The main character in the book cannot fight against the intuition that there must be more than what his government is giving him and 1984 is his story of searching for that more. I, as the reader, found myself silently urging him on in his search and was intrigued at my own internal reaction to the ending of the story.

The personal note I wrote upon finishing the book was, “This book is a disturbing work of fiction, like being awake in a never-ending nightmare. It contains violence that is viewed as entertainment and overt sexuality. I could see it is considered a must-read in our schools due to the psychological and philosophical depth of the book. For those seeking to shy away from less-than-lovely tales, this is not for them. If it was movie that needed a rating, it would get an R.”

Possible Discussion Questions

What do you think of a government that has total control over its citizens?

What are your thoughts on how love and sex are presented in the book (they are presented as primarily animalistic instincts)?

How were the people so easily deceived and brainwashed by the government to believe that this was a great way of life? Are we being brainwashed today? If so, by whom, and about what?

In the book, what are the costs of thinking for oneself, apart from the main culture? What about for you today? How does your culture think and what is the cost of your thinking differently?

Alanna: The First Adventure, by Tamara Pierce

This is the first book in a series which, if the other books are like the first, I would like to finish. Alanna is a twin to Thom. He is headed to the palace for knighthood training, she to the convent to learn about being a lady who is also gifted in the art of deep magic. The irony is that Thom loaths fighting and Alanna thrives on it. Allana resents her magic and Thom wants to go deeper in his knowledge of it. The twins switch places, with Alanna pretending to be a boy and Thom pretending to be a girl. The story line leaves Thom as they part ways and follows Alanna in her adventure.

The book does have a mystical side to it, speaking of gods and goddesses, sorcery and magic. If you happen to practice the Christian faith and had a problem with the Harry Potter books, then be forewarned, you will not like this series either. Other than the magic theme, the book is clean in language and devoid of any sexuality.

Possible Discussion Questions

Why do you think Alanna resented being a girl so much? Is it easier to be a boy or a girl?

What role do you think Alanna’s father’s lack of care for her played in her life?

Why does Alanna’s gift scare her so much? What in your life scares you?

An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

This is a story of searching for predictability amidst the uncertainty that comes with being a teenager. Colin has just been dumped by his 19th girlfriend, the last in a line of 19 girlfriends all name Katherine. To escape the rejection and find a “why” to his bad luck he embarks on a road trip with his best friend Hassan. He hopes to invent a theorem that will predict the riskiness of all future relationships, based on the facts of the past relationships in his life.

The theme of friendship is strong throughout the book. The characters are a bit odd, yet they are refreshing in that they represent the “normal” teen population rather than the 90210 type of teens that TV portrays.  The language is coarse, swear words are many, and sexual references and situations are a part of the story line.

Possible Discussion Questions

If you had the ability, would you go on a road trip with your best friend? If so, what would you hope to achieve on the trip?

If you could, would you want to predict future relationships with boyfriends or girlfriends? Why or why not?

Who are your friends that hang with you no matter what (like Hassan did for Colin)?

The Killer’s Tears, by Anne-Laure Bondoux

This was an intriguing book to say the least, and my lasting reaction to it is mixed. A murderer happens upon a poor family in southern Chile. Since he needs a place to call home he ends up killing the family to make it happen. For reasons unknown to him, he spares the son, who is a mere child.

The story line is both mesmerizing and disturbing. Fatherly instinct kicks in, gradually overtaking the killer’s heart. As the years pass, the boy refers to his parents’ murder only as the “day he was born” and comes to love the man who took their lives.

Fictionally, the writing is superb. Narrative-wise, it is a story that makes the heart feel repulsed and yet curious at the same time.

Violence is a theme, as well as the battle in a killer’s heart to end the violence once and for all. The story of love conquering all is beautiful but disturbing in that it grows out of a twisted relationship. I don’t recall any swear words and the only sexuality is a sexual scene that is implied by a man and woman disappearing into a bedroom together.

Possible Discussion Questions

What do you think about the boy learning to love his parent’s murderer? Is love really that strong, that it can conquer even the greatest evil?

How does one find a love so strong?

The killer constantly battles his own murderous tendencies. What sort of things are you finding yourself battling with on a regular basis? What helps you overcome those things?

Clay, by David Almond

I found this book a puzzling read. It was told as a real life story, but I wondered throughout the entire book if it was the narrator’s dream that he would awake from at the end or if it was symbolic of fighting against the inner self, which at times can be out of control and frightening.

Davie is a young pre-teen who is tormented by a bully, Mouldy, whom he both fears and hates. As his fear grows, so does his desire for Mouldy’s death. In the middle of this situation, a mysterious and troubled young man comes to town. He singles Davie out and claims that he can make clay come alive through witchcraft. Eventually Davie helps Stephen make a life-size clay man, which they bring to life. The same night, Mouldy the bully dies and a dog in the neighborhood is bludgeoned to death.

The book grows darker the further one reads, despite its confusing presentation of the story line. There is some swearing, and evil lurks throughout the entire book.

Possible Discussion Questions

The art teacher tells his student that “All art creations are simply a representation of our internal selves.” Do you agree or disagree with this?

If you could show your internal self via a painting or art or any other medium, what colors would it have in it? What would the shapes be? What would it look like?

Are you aware of any bullying at school? Why do you think the bullies are doing what they are doing? What do you think bullies need the most in their lives?