What's New in Teen Space?

New and recommended books for young adults
Image by: Amanda Booth

You Must be Layla.Yassmin Abdel-Magied
While 14 year old Layla has enjoyed attending the local Islamic School, she longs to be a real adventurer and her first step to achieving this goal is gaining a scholarship to a prestigious Grammar School. However things get off to a rough start for her as, in her first week she manages to upset her teacher with unintended cheekiness and then she gets into a fight with another student. In fact things go so badly that she ends up with a one week suspension from school. With her reputation on the line and her scholarship under threat Layla knows she has to prove that she really wants to stay at the new school. She finds out about a national robotics competition that she can enter on behalf of her school and this seems to present the perfect opportunity to redeem herself. But can she possibly come up with an idea that will not only win her the competition but also the approval of her teachers and peers? 

This is a thought provoking story that addresses prejudice, bullying and strength of character.


Image by: Amanda Booth

Lark. Anthony McGowan
Although this is the fourth book in 'The Truth of Things' series, it can also be read as a stand alone story. Brother Nicky and Kenny, long with their elderly Jack Russell terrier, Tina, decide to do a day walk on the Yorkshire Moors. It starts as a pleasant sojourn with lots of banter between the boys as they retrace a walk their father used to do as a youngster but, when it begins to snow the boys make the mistake of taking an unknown shortcut. Before long they are lost. They are ill-prepared for the blizzard conditions in which they find themselves and as the daylight hours disappear the situation becomes dire.

This is a beautifully-written, unpredictable  story that captures the bond between the brothers and highlights their resilience in the face of adversity. It is easy to read with short chapters and is printed in a dyslexia friendly format.


Image by: Amanda Booth

The List of Things That Will Not Change. Rebecca Stead
Lots of things are going on for Bea, the 12-year-old narrator of this story, which actually starts when she was 10-years-old. Her mum and dad are divorced and now Dad's getting married again, which is great as Bea loves Jessie who he is marrying. Best of all, Jessie has a daughter so she finally gets the sister she always wanted too. But, there are worries and secrets which are mounting and causing her trouble, not least with her eczema and anxiety. Change is everywhere, but fortunately not on the “List of Things that Will not Change”. Kept in a green notebook are the things that will not change, such as Mum and Dad will always love her, and they will always love each other but in a different way. The list is a rudder for Bea to use to navigate through life. However, the list can’t wash away guilt and she’s going to have to face up to the secrets she has been keeping. It’s a story is mostly in Bea’s head – which can be both funny and insightful. She is a great observer and an engaging and entertaining narrator. It’s a book that will make you smile and feel a whole lot lighter at the end. It’s my third book by this author, she never writes a dud, so also check out First Light (an eco/enviro adventure) and When You Reach Me (time-travel/sci fi) too. Recommended for good readers 10+


Image by: Amanda Booth

Aspiring. Damien Wilkins
Fifteen year old Ricky lives in the fictional Otago town of Aspiring where nothing much ever happens. He is a pretty ordinary teenager except for the fact that he is growing at an extraordinary rate; at 6'7" he already towers over his peers. Ricky's life is overshadowed by the earlier tragic death of his older brother. Each year at the anniversary of his death, Ricky's parents go through certain rituals and routines to help them cope with the overwhelming grief they still feel. Ricky's way of coping with life is to create constant mini stories in his head to liven up his everyday activities. Then he begins to see there might be more happening in his small town than he ever imagined. Who is the mysterious Mr Le Clair? Why has the daughter of his boss suddenly appeared from Auckland?

This is a story of a young man attempting to find his place in the world and trying to find out who he wants to be. It is very easy to relate to Ricky in all his awkwardness and uncertainty. I did find this story came to a bit of an abrupt end, but overall it was a very enjoyable read.