This display highlights one of the most appealing aspects in Teen Fiction: unusual high schools. The brilliance in these books is that they take an ordinary experience that almost every teen can relate to, and twists it up. Sprinkles magic on it. Adds some vampires. Throws in some spies and mini skirts.
These books are set in high school (sometimes a prep or boarding school), and all involve some sort of extraordinary circumstance. Viral diseases, surprising magical powers, dystopian overlords…plus calculus and peer pressure? Scary stuff.
This list includes a mixture of genres, tied together by their school setting. When designing displays for teens, we should be working towards this multi-genre theme – show young readers the non-obvious similarities between books. Inspire them to read outside their comfort zone, without telling them to read outside their comfort zone.
Not You Average High School Book List
The Candidates by Inara Scott
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Quarantine #1: The Loners by Lex Thomas
Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Alliance by Mark Frost
Curtsies & conspiracies by Gail Carriger
Audacious by Gabrielle Prendergast
Beautiful creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Divided we fall by Trent Reedy
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Variant by Robison Wells
Harry Potter (obviously) by J.K. Rowling
By hanging the display title like a banner I was able to take up a lot of space, attract attention, and create a stylish display that appeals to everyone – without including genre specific images. Just cut out the letters, punch holes in the tops, and string them on a piece of yarn or twine and you’re good to go. Download the banner letters I made for free here:
Not Your Average High School Banner Images
What are your favourite YA not your average high school novels?
Ontarian Librarian 