Favorite YA Reads of 2010

The Pile of 2010

I haven’t been reading much lately because it makes me want to write instead, which I do. I’m an aunt, though, and my husband and I staked out books as our gift-giving territory long ago. When I consider what to send our 23 nieces and nephews for Christmas, I start with the books I enjoyed myself. It’s especially fun this year because several other writers who debuted with me in 2010 (Ness and Collins are not debuts, of course) have become my friends.

Here are ten of my favorite Young Adult reads for 2010, in no particular order:

1. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (“Ow? Todd?” Best talking dog)

2. Mistwood by Leah Cypess (A shape-shifter fights her amnesia)

3. The Line by Teri Hall (It bounces you back)

4. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard (Secret love, grief, and a diary)

5. Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards (A book-length poem experience)

6. Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt (Much silliness. “Princess me up.”)

7. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk (An endearing guy character)

8. The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz by Laura Toffler-Corrie (Snort out loud funny)

9. Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl (Neat historical tidbits of soon-to-be Queen Victoria)

10. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Katniss brings it on)

Just thinking of them all makes me want to go on another reading binge.  Soon!