STILL NEEDS AUTHOR- CAN’T FIND PROFILE
As a college student caught between the young adult and adult reading sections in my public library, it is hard to make a full transition. As much as I love a good romance, sometimes I need a story driven by other plot conflicts. So here is a list of five YA novels that do not feature romance as a main plot point.
City of Thieves by David Benioff
This book follows a young man named Lev, who lives during the Siege of Leningrad. Lev loots the body of a dead pilot and finds himself in a cell with another man named Kolya. These two are given an ultimatum: find a dozen eggs for the wedding cake of a colonel’s daughter within a week or face execution. This book is compelling and heart-wrenching. It grips you from the beginning and doesn’t let go.
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
This book is a classic and has appeared on many a teacher’s reading list. Whether you are reading this for a first, second, or fifth time, it stays gold. The book is about Ponyboy Curtis, who lives in a neighborhood split violently between the Greasers and the Socs, based on class status. It’s a coming-of-age story, following Ponyboy as he navigates through tense relationships and consequences.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
This book could technically fit into a youth section, but it is still fun and compelling. If the board game Clue met an old-fashioned Scooby-Doo episode, you might find a similar plot. It’s a quick mystery with fun characters. Millionaire Samuel W. Westing has left a will and all his heirs are gathered at an estate to compete for inheritance. The winner? Whoever can find Westing’s murderer among the competitors.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King
Vera’s best friend, Charlie Kahn, is dead. The official story is that Charlie died after setting the town’s pet shop on fire, but Vera knows better. However, Vera and Charlie were not getting along before he died. Vera struggles with her guilt as she debates whether to help clear Charlie’s name. It doesn’t help that his ghost is following her around.
Although there are romantic undertones, romance is not a main plot point. This is another coming-of-age story that addresses very difficult topics.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Here’s a science fiction book to add some further variety! Earth is at war with an alien species labeled “Buggers.” Young children are chosen and trained to aid in the fight. Ender is one such child and the book follows him through his training. This is a book I thought about months after reading. It contains wonderful and imaginative world-building, while presenting readers with complicated dilemmas. Though it is the first book in a series, it can also be read alone.