Today's Young Adult Lit is Nothing to Laught At

According to a January 9, 2005, article in the DesMoines Register, you shouldn't "laugh at 'kid lit' if you haven't read it lately. The largest generation of teens since the baby boomers is fueling a young-adult literature explosion. . ." and the bottom line is that, "...These may be some of the best books you're not reading - yet."

I'm bringing up this particular article because the author who wrote it is bringing in reviews of YA lit that can be helpful to those of us who want to know what's out there and what's worth reading. In this article, the book titled: "Bucking the Sarge," by Christopher Paul Curtis (Wendy Lamb Books, 272 pages, $15.95) Age 12 and up," is in the spotlight. So too are the following:

• "'Girl, 15, Charming but Insane' by Sue Limb (Delacorte Press, 224 pages, $15.95) Age 10 and up"
• "'The Insiders'" by J. Minter (Bloomsbury, 280 pages, $8.95, paperback). "Pass it On," (No. 2 in the "Insiders" series) by J. Minter (Bloomsbury, 346 pages, $8.95, paperback) Age 14 and up"
• "'Playing in Traffic'" by Gail Giles (Roaring Press Books, 176 pages, $16.95). Age 14 and up"
• "'Pulling Princes'" by Tyne O'Connell (Bloomsbury, 208 pages, $16.95) Age 12 and up."
• "'Rock Star, Superstar'" by Blake Nelson (Viking Books, 224 pages, $16.99), Age 14 and up."
• "'Unexpected Development'" by Marlene Perez (Roaring Brook Press, 163 pages, $16.95) Age 12 and up."

I've not read any of these yet. Have any of you? I'd be interested in knowing which ones and whether you liked them or not. I don't have time to read them all, so I'd like to narrow it down to one that you folks think is great. Please post your opinion of any of these, or recommend another you found particularly fun or interesting to read.