Novel pastimes for teens who like to read

If you think teens turn off critical-thinking skills and steer

clear of the pleasures of reading over summer vacation, you haven’t

been to the Newport Beach Central Library recently. Lining the Teen

Center bulletin board like so much literary wallpaper are critiques

of novels, nonfiction and biographies enjoyed by participants of

“Book Raiders Dig Reading,” the 2002 summer reading program for

seventh- through 12th-graders.

Fantasies are high on teens’ reading lists. Of Lloyd Alexander’s

“The Arkadians,” one eighth-grader writes, “A poet-turned-donkey, a

runaway clerk and a pythoness are on the run, seeking Lady-of-the

Wild-Things for different reasons. A great, exciting, unpredictable

book!”

In a similar genre is Donna Jo Napoli’s “The Magic Circle,” called

“a twisted version of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ ” by another teen. “This

version is from the witch’s point of view, and she is not as cruel as

you might think,” this reader writes.

Twists on contemporary realities figure into teens’ favorites.

“When Allison is hit by a car and goes into a coma, she finds herself

in 1906, in the body of Becky Thompson,” writes a teen of Marisa

Montes’ “A Circle of Time.” “She is told to help Becky, but she

doesn’t know how.”

In a more realistic vein is Linda Sue Park’s “When My Name Was

Keoko,” a novel about Tae-Yul, Sun-hee and their Korean family during

World War II. Rated a “rad read” by an eighth-grade fan, the story

reveals “how the Japanese succeed in taking away everything in their

lives, and then almost their lives.”

Our multicultural heritage also is a theme in historical fiction

by Aidan Chambers. “Postcards from No Man’s Land” is about a boy who

goes to Amsterdam to visit the grave of his grandfather, who died

during World War II. What he finds there is unexpected, and will

change his life forever.

For animal lovers, one teen recommends “Chicken Soup for the Cat

and Dog Lover’s Soul,” edited by Jack Canfield. “This book has many

stories about animals,” she writes. “Some are about companionship and

saying goodbye. All are about the magical bond between people and

pets.”

When not reading, many teens have attended Central Library

screenings of popular films. Some have enhanced the experience by

reading the book on which the film was based. In this camp are

several who have enjoyed “A Walk to Remember,” the final movie of the

summer series.

Of Nicholas Sparks’ bittersweet love story, one teen writes, “‘A

Walk to Remember’ is about a 17-year-old boy who finds his true love.

Jamie is shy and bookish. Landon is kind of a rebel.”

Find out what happens in one of Hollywood’s most touching takes on

first romance at 7 p.m. Wednesday when “Make Way for Movies”

concludes. Come for fun, free popcorn and a celebration of this

year’s summer reading program for young adults.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach

Public Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in

collaboration with “Book Raiders Dig Reading” participants.