Kelly McCaughrain’s top young adult book choices

FIVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED FAVOURITES:

● No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen

I’d love this even if it didn’t feature a camper van! I love all her books actually, she writes the most endearing characters and heart-warming novels.

● Noah Can’t Even by Simon James Green I laughed out loud the whole way through this one.

● Tin by Padraig Kenny (right)

Mechanical children on an adventure to find out what it really means to be human. Need I say more?

● The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay

This is a completely charming and heartbreaking story of the First World War.

● Mud by Emily Thomas

This funny, sad, incredible story is based on the author’s childhood living on a houseboat with her enormous step-family.

FIVE FAVOURITE CLASSICS:

● Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

I was completely obsessed with these as a kid. Anne wanted to be a writer so that was probably a factor.

● Moominvalley in November by Tove Jansson I discovered the Moomin books as an adult and I think they’re stunning. This one just breaks me every time I read it.

● Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Shelley wrote this when she was 18 and I’ve always considered it a teen-read because I read it when I was a teenager and was blown away by it.

● Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl is one of the best characters I’ve ever read. I defy you to not fall for him.

● Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

Don’t. I will cry.

FIVE FAVOURITES BY LOCAL WRITERS

(I think there’s loads of great stuff for children and teens coming out of NI at the moment):

● Street Song by Sheena Wilkinson (right)

I was totally hooked by this story of what happens after the ordinary teenager wins a TV talent show.

● The Unknowns by Shirley-Anne McMillan

Urban teen anarchists roaming Belfast and breaking the law to help the downtrodden — absolutely loved this unusual, beautiful novel.

● Who Do You Think You Are? by Pauline Burgess

This is a really tender portrait of a Polish family living in Belfast with a shy main character you can’t help but root for.

● Noinin by Myra Zepf The premise of this Irish verse novel is dark and thrilling — a teen is lured into danger by an online relationship and disappears. Really wish I spoke Irish so I could read this one! Might be a good time to start learning...

● Death & Co by DJ McCune This trilogy about a boy born into a family of grim reapers is fun and exciting with a hugely relatable main character.