Youth books for adults

Ed, a 19 year old cab driver, is leading a passive hum-drum existence until he accidentally interrupts a robbery, and after being written about in the local paper receives a playing card with three addresses written on it. But why? This novel is part thriller-part inspirational and is written in Zusak's beautiful style. Everyone knows his other novel, The Book Thief, but I am the Messenger is just as powerful and entertaining.

It appears that, for spy Queenie, her story has come to an end. Captured by the Gustapo she's been tortured into selling out the British and revealing her story. Wein has written and authentic feeling novel that will intrigue and keep you guessing about the true nature of camaraderie and sacrifice.

Octavian is a African-American man recounting his life in the lead-up to the American revolution. In his youth he was subjected to a number of social experiments to test whether there really is equality between the races. Benefactors fund his life of privilege and surround him with philosophy and music to see how he would compare to white children under the same circumstances. His mother, an African princess, eventually loses society's favour and Octavian is made a slave. Compelling and brave this award winning novel will divide readers.

Every morning at 12:07 Conor is visited by an ancient monster that wants something from him in exchange for its visits: the truth. This book is haunting and written like a modern day fable and Conor's journey parallels his mother's degeneration due to cancer. Supported by vivid illustrations it will leave your heart raw and eyes prickling.

In a world where everyone is rewarded at 16 years of age with surgery to make you beautiful there is no ugliness. No one goes hungry, weapons have been banned, and life is good for all. When Tally discovers her friend Shay has fled to save herself from this procedure, tally discovers the true face of the society they live in. This novel will generate a lot of questions on what appearances really mean.

Nix throws the reader into this strange Sci-Fi world in which Prince Khemri, like millions of other children from the worlds around him, is stolen from his family and put into a deep slumber. During his decade-long sleep his body is fused with biomechanics and mental advancements known as 'teks' to help turn him into a fighter for the omnipresent Emperor. Sent on deadly missions, his life is constantly in danger, not only from the Emperor's enemies but from competition from his fellow princes (both male and female) as well.