Looking for EASY-to-read literature

[Susan M. Clark]

Hi colleagues, I am trying to build a list for age 15 and up of easy to read literature. Have you read any novel of literary merit which was not-too-long, modern language, and of interest to younger adults?

So far, I have been thinking of:

Bel canto by Ann Patchett,
Life of Pi by Yan Martell,
Postcards from no man's land by Aiden Chambers,
The reluctant fundamentalist by M. Hamid,

All suggestions welcome, thank you in advance,
Susan Clark, Middle School Librarian, International School Basel

[Andrea Walker]

HI Susan

Don't know all of these titles but I wouldn't call the Life of Pi an easy read. Not sure if 15+yr olds would be so interested in this title either. Perhaps you have had more success than me.

A publisher I have had great success with is Barrington Stoke. They publish contemporary titles by well known authors for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. In fact one of the quotes in their catalogue is "These books are superb - I've never before had 15 year-old lads groaning because the bell has gone for the end of the lesson!"

You can choose from
Novels 14+ Reading age 8 (gritty and thought provoking stories for the older teen)
http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/search.asp?cid=9441
gr8reads for 14+ Reading age 7 (gritty, gripping and relevant stories for the older teen)
http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/search.asp?cid=9444

Hope this helps.
Regards
Andrea Walker

Teacher Librarian
Head of Library & Information Resources
Renaissance College
5 Hang Ming Street
Ma On Shan, New Territories
Hong Kong

[Faye Shortal]

I would suggest Things We Didn't See Coming - a first novel by young author Steven Amsterdam. The opening story is told from a boy's perspective at the end of 1999, when the milennium bug actually does wreak havoc. This is followed by a series of linked stories set in the post apocalyptic world as the young boy becomes an adult, and deals with issues of family, identity, relationships and the ethics of survival. Written in a clear and readable style and would be enjoyed by older teenagers and adults.