Holiday Gift Guide

Wondering what to buy for the teen on your list?  Here are some ideas to make your shopping a little easier going into the holidays...

If they liked Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games....buy Ally Condie's Matched.

Matched (in stores November 30th) has similar themes of rebellion in a Utopian future society, with a forbidden love that you can't help but root for.

If they liked Stephenie Meyer's Twilight....buy Sophie Jordan's Firelight.

Firelight has a supernatural creature and a human, dangerous to be around one another, but with shape-shifting dragons, and a less passive female protagonist than Bella Swan.

If they liked Christopher Paolini's Eragon....buy Alison Goodman's Eon.

Eon has plenty of dragon action going on, but is steeped in a fully-realized and absorbing Chinese-based mythology.

If they liked Cassandra Clare's City of Bones....buy Kiersten White's Paranormalcy.

Both books see humans and non-humans battle supernatural creatures in action-packed stories with a good dose of romance.

If they liked J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter....buy Michael Scott's The Alchemyst.

Trying to get them to move on after Harry Potter?  This teen title is full of action, magic and danger and is the sure trick to get them addicted to something new.

If they liked Sara Shephard's Pretty Little Liars....buy Sara Shephard's The Lying Game.

Sara Shephard's new series featuring bad girls begins with The Lying Game, which hits stores on December 7th.

If they liked Lauren Kate's Fallen....buy Alexandra Adornetto's Halo.

More angels.  Halo is the first in a new trilogy of dark romance books featuring the battle between good and evil.

If they liked Kristin Cashore's Graceling....buy Elizabeth C. Bunce's StarCrossed.

Both fantasies with very capable female protagonists and political intrigue.

If they liked Markus Zusak's The Book Thief....buy Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution.

Revolution sees the award-winning author behind The Northern Lights returns with a powerful, unforgettable story about two girls whose lives become intertwined despite the centuries that separate them.

And here are some general recommendations, by genre...

Action/Adventure: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore about an alien teen living in a small town to escape the notice of his pursuers.

Horror: The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey is the critically-acclaimed book about a boy aiding a monster hunter.

Mystery: Ruby In the Smoke by Philip Pullman follows the wonderful character Sally Lockhart as she tries to piece together the mystery behind the disappearance of her father.

Romance: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han features the ultimate summer romance triangle.

General Fiction: Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford is about three sisters who make confessions in an attempt to get back in the good graces of a relative, in a novel of self-discovery and family.

Graphic Novels: Gunnerkrigg Court (Volume 1): Orientation by Thomas Siddell is a fantasy full of magic and wonder, praised by the likes of Neil Gaiman, Publisher's Weekly...and me.  I can't recommend this one enough.

Graphic Novels - Superheroes: Astonishing X-Men Omnibus by Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday is a bit pricey, but worth every penny.  Full of unforgettable characters, humor and plenty of action, this is a complete blast.

Manga: Pluto by Naoki Urasawa is based on an Astro Boy story by manga master Osamu Tezuka, and features a future populated by robots amid a murder mystery.

And if I gave just too many choices for you to decide between...my number one recommendation for a gift this holiday season is Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.  It has something for everyone: action, humor, horror, romance, and a plucky protagonist.