required summer reading

detox ...

Even the best stories are hard to swallow sometimes when they are forced upon us. For all you high schoolers who may need some down time after those required summer reads, here are some YA picks matched to your specific detox needs.

try

after

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

To shake off the terrifying chaos of disintegrated law and order …

Geek Charming

by Robin Palmer

… a more uplifting breakdown of social order, in which friendships cross prom queen/AV club social boundaries.

or

Wildwood

by Colin Meloy

… a quirky, adventurous journey into the wild in which you won’t get nervous that children might start eating each other.

after

The Sound and

The Fury

by William Faulkner

To start to think more clearly after the extreme stream of consciousness …

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

… a story where thoughts are pretty clear, because everyone can read each others minds.

try

or

Don't Even Think About It

by Sarah Mlynowski

… a journey through inner turmoil that gets more progress and resolution.

after

Invisible Man

by Ralph Ellison

To get some space from that eerie feel of always being used to someone else’s end…

try

Where the Mountain Meets

the Moon

by Grace Lin

… a middle-grade story in which a young protagonist is empowered to make choice after choice in seeking her future, like whether to trust talking goldfish.