what are the good books for a teen (14 yrs ) to read?

* Acceptable For younger readers

James White lived in Ireland and wrote science fiction for about 40 years until his death in 1999. He tackled the medical problems that would arise if doctor, nurse, and patient were of three different life forms. (I've worked several years in nursing homes and hospitals.) His works include:

Beginning Operations: A Sector General Omnibus includes: Hospital Station, Star Surgeon, and Major Operation. ISBN 9780312875442

Alien Emergencies: A Sector General Omnibus includes: Ambulance Ship, Sector General, and Star Healer. ISBN 9780312877705

Double Contact (about the Cinrusskin, Dr. Prilicla) ISBN 9780812568608

General Practice (includes Code Blue - Emergency and The Genocidal Healer) ISBN 9780765306630

Mind Changer ISBN 9780812541960

The Watch Below

The Silent Stars Go By

Madeleine L'Engle:

A Wrinkle in Time *

A Wind in the Door *

A Swiftly Tilting Planet *

Many Waters *

www.madeleinelengle.com

E. E. "Doc" Smith:

Triplanetary *

First Lensman *

Galactic Patrol *

Gray Lensman *

Second Stage Lensman *

Children of the Lens *

The Vortex Blaster (a.k.a. Masters of the Vortex) *

The Skylark of Space series *

Andre Norton:

Starman's Son *

Galactic Derelict *

The Time Traders *

Solar Queen

www.andre-norton.org

Ursula K. Le Guin:

The Telling *

The Word for World is Forest *

The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia *

The Left Hand of Darkness *

City of Illusions *

Planet of Exile *

Rocannon's World *

The Lathe of Heaven *

www.ursulakleguin.com

Jules Verne:

Journey to the Center of the Earth *

Isaac Asimov (a.k.a. Paul French) - I met Asimov years ago in New York City at a Science Teachers' convention. He died 1992. His works include:

David Starr, Space Ranger *

Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids *

Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus *

Lucky Starr and the Big Sun of Mercury *

Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter *

Lucky Starr and the Rings of Saturn *

Prelude to Foundation

Foundation

Foundation and Empire

Second Foundation

Foundation's Edge

Foundation and Earth

Forward the Foundation

I, Robot (Nothing like the movie!)

The Caves of Steel (Robot Series)

The Naked Sun (Robot Series)

The Robots of Dawn (Robot Series)

Robots and Empire (Robot Series)

The Currents of Space (Empire Series)

The Stars, Like Dust (Empire Series)

Pebble in the Sky (Empire Series)

The Gods Themselves

Nightfall

Nemesis

Fantastic Voyage

Gold

The End of Eternity

www.asimovonline.com

Ray Bradbury:

The Martian Chronicles *

Farenheit 451 (First published in 1953. A future totalitarian regime has banned books and they are burned.)

Dandelion Wine

The Illustrated Man

www.raybradbury.com

H. G. Wells:

The Time Machine *

The War of the Worlds *

The Island of Dr. Moreau

The Invisible Man

Larry Niven:

Ringworld

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle:

The Mote in God's Eye

Lucifer's Hammer

Edwin A. Abbott:

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Dionys Burger wrote a sequel called Sphereland which unfortunately is out of print.)

Arthur C. Clarke:

Against the Fall of Midnight *

Childhood's End

Rendevous with Rama

The City and the Stars

The Fountains of Paradise

2001: A Space Odyssey

2010: Odyssey Two

2061: Odyssey Three

3001: The Final Odyssey

www.clarkefoundation.org

Robert A. Heinlein:

Rocket Ship Galileo *

Space Cadet *

Red Planet *

Farmer in the Sky *

Between Planets *

The Rolling Stones (Space Family Stone) *

Starman Jones *

The Star Beast *

Tunnel in the Sky *

Time for the Stars *

Citizen of the Galaxy *

Have Space Suit-Will Travel *

Nothing Ever Happens on the Moon *

Tenderfoot in Space *

Green Hills of the Earth

The Past Through Tomorrow

Double Star

The Door Into Summer

Starship Troopers

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Friday

Glory Road

Time Enough for Love

The Puppet Masters

Podkayne of Mars * (This was the first science fiction I read as a child. I was hooked.)

Time for the Stars

Red Planet

Farnham's Freehold

Stranger in a Strange Land (a classic of science fiction)

www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah

Stanley Robinson:

Red Mars

Green Mars

Blue Mars

Orson Scott Card:

Ender's Game

Ender's Shadows

A War of Gifts: An Ender Story

Speaker for the Dead

Walter Tevis:

The Man Who Fell to Earth

Frederick Pohl:

Gateway

David Brin:

Earth

Sundiver

Startide Rising

The Uplift War

Brightness Reef

Infinity's Shore

Heaven's Reach

Glory Season

The Postman

Kiln People

www.davidbrin.com

Joe Haldeman:

The Forever War

James Blish:

Cities in Flight

Gene Wolfe:

Book of the New Sun

The Wizard Knight

Stanislav Lem:

Solaris

Cyberiad

Eden

The Star Diaries

Philip K. Dick:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

The Policeman Said

Flow My Tears

The Man in the High Castle

Ubik

George Orwell:

1984

Frank Herbert:

Dune

Dune Messiah

Children of Dune

God Emperor of Dune

Heretics of Dune

Chapter House of Dune

Kurt Vonnegut:

Slaughterhouse Five

Cat's Cradle

Aldous Huxley:

Brave New World

Douglas Adams:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Nancy Farmer:

The House of the Scorpion (Humans despise clones, but young Matt is the clone of El Patron and that gives him special status.

fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) - Rose's father has died leaving her an orphan. She goes to live with her Aunt Plenty and Aunt Rose. She is very lonely until she makes friends with a servant, Phoebe and then seven cousins, all boys, arrive. Life will never be the same. Publication 1875.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) - This novel about Jo and her three sisters, Meg, Amy, and Beth, is set during the Civil War. Their father has gone off to fight. It is based upon the author's life and the lives of her three sisters. Publication 1868.

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888). Publication 1871.

Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888). Publication 1886.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1816 - 1855) - This is an amazing love story. Jane, an poor orphan, grows up in the loveless home of a hate-filled aunt. Her close friend at school dies and cruel punishments are administered by the superintendent. As an adult, Jane falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. He is tormented by a terrible secret in his past. This is a true gothic tale of suspense, romance, insanity, and attempted murder. Publication 1847.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1818 - 1849) - The is the story of the tortured romantic relationship of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by Catherine's father. The tale is set on the rugged moors of Yorkshire. Publication 1847.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) - The courtship of proud Mr. Darcy and prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet is complicated by their persistent misunderstanding of each other's actions and feelings. There are many interesting characters. Mrs. Bennet is preoccupied with marrying off her five daughters. There is an impressive dowager aunt who intimidates everyone except Elizabeth. The amazingly conceited clergyman rehearses his speeches to young ladies. The story is set in the 18th century. Publication 1813.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) - Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are two very different sisters. Elinor is sensible, while Marianne is sensitive and emotional. After the death of their father, the girls, their mother, and younger sister are forced to move to a small cottage in the country. The sisters fall in love with eligible bachelors, but problems arise. Publication 1811.

Emma by Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) - Emma Woodhouse is a young lady who is intent on matchmaking. After many complications Emma finds that her scheming has served to confuse matters and hurt other people's feelings. Publication 1815.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) Publication 1814.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874 - 1942) - Orphaned red head Anne Shirley goes to live with an elderly brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island. Anne is a bookish dreamer who needs to be loved. Publication 1908. Sequels include: Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, and Anne of Ingleside.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (1907 - 1989) - Wealthy Max de Winter remarries and his new bride quickly realizes something is wrong at Manderley. In the opinion of the housekeeper, who was devoted to Rebecca, the last mistress of Manderly, the new Mrs. de Winter is timid and nervous, nothing like Rebecca. The housekeeper becomes the new bride's enemy as a horrible mystery about Rebecca unfolds. Publication 1940.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864) - A young woman, Hester Prynne, is shunned in her community of New England Puritans and forced to wear a red "A" on her chest because of her sins with the local minister, Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth, is jealous and full of vengeance. Publication 1850.

The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864) Publication 1851.

My Antonia by Willa Cather (1873 - 1947) - Antonia Shimerda moves from Bohemia to a pioneer town in Nebraska. Mr. Shimerda is homesick and cannot make a living, so he commits suicide. Antonia is strong and determined. She makes friends with Jim Burden, who lives on a neighboring farm. They grow up on the Nebraska prairie along with wolves, brown earth-owls, and rattlesnakes, and gradually Jim learns to love Antonia. Publication 1918.

O, Pioneer! by Willa Cather (1873 - 1947) Publication 1913.

The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather (1873 - 1947) - Publication 1915.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (1862 - 1910) - A young couple want to make Christmas special despite lack of funds. Each does what is necessary to buy just the right present for the other. The results are quite ironic. Publication 1906.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson (1908 - 1973) - The old stray dog certainly is ugly and a thieving rascal, but out here on the Texas frontier a dog is a good companion, especially with Dad away on a cattle drive. Publication 1956.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London (1876 - 1916) - A domesticated dog, Buck, is kidnapped and sold to gold hunters. To survive he has to learn to listen to the call of the wild and learn the ways of his wolf ancestors. Eventually, he falls into the ownership of John Thornton, whose life Buck saves twice. Publication 1903.

White Fang by Jack London (1876 - 1916) - A half wolf - half dog is nearly destroyed by the vicious cruelty of men. Publication 1906.

The Sea Wolf by Jack London (1876 - 1916)

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (1891 - 1968) - Johnny is an apprentice to a silversmith in Boston (not Paul Revere) in the days just prior to the American Revolution. An accident ends his apprenticeship. In the days following his accident he meets Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and many other men of history. Publication 1944.

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745) - Lemuel Gulliver travels to a series of very unusual and heretofore unknown lands. In one place he is a giant compared to the Lilliputians. In another, he is the size of a mouse compared to the people he finds. He also finds a floating island and a place where intelligent horses are served by humanoids. Publication 1726. This was made into a movie starring Ted Danson.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1660 - 1731) - Crusoe finds himself stranded on an uncharted island off the coast of South America for nearly 30 years. He must find food, shelter, and clothing. He survives because of his faith in God. Many years after landing on the island, he saves a man named, Friday, who is about to be eaten by cannibals and Friday becomes Crusoe's faithful servant. Publication 1719.

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss (1743 - 1848) - Fritz, Ernest, Jack, Franz, Mother, and Father survive a shipwreck and find themselves stranded on a deserted island near New Guinea. Being a religious family they offer thanks to God for all that he has provided. They salvage all that they can from the ship. They build a tree house for protection from wild animals, find food, make candles from berries, bread from roots, and a canoe from a tree. They face snakes, wolves, bears, and a lion, but are doing quite well until they discover a way to leave the island. Who will go? Who will stay? This was made into a movie a very long time ago. Publication 1812.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) - Young Jim Hawkins, an innkeeper's son, finds a treasure map among the belongings of a dead seaman. Pirates seek that very map and Jim finds himself in quite a predicament. On board ship, Jim overhears Long John Silver's plans for mutiny. This has also been made into a movie. Publication 1883.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (1828 - 1905) - Phineas Fogg tries to make his way around the globe in 80 days in order to win a bet of 20,000 pounds. He is accompanied on his journey by a servant and they implore all sorts of modes of travel (elephant, sled, balloon, etc.). Publication 1873.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1828 - 1905) - Professor Aronnax leads an expedition attempting to destroy a giant sea monster. Their efforts with harpoons are futile and the men find themselves in the water. Later, they are captured by the enigmatic Captain Nemo on his underwater vessel, the Nautilus. Publication 1870. The movie starred a rather young Kirk Douglas.

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936). - A boy is lost in the jungle of India and adopted by a family of wolves. Publication 1894.

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)

Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936) - Harvey Cheyne is a spoiled rich teenager who considers himself above the manual labor aboard the ship. Then he falls overboard and his rescued by a fisherman who insists he earn his keep. Publication 1897.

The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell (1898 - 1989) - Ramon and his father seek pearls of the coast of Baja, California. Ramon dreams of finding a valuable black pearl, but he also thinks of the monster of the deep, Manta Diablo. When he does find a black pearl he is warned that to keep it risks the wrath of the monster. Publication 1967.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (1998 - 1989) - Publication 1960.

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) - Young David Balfour went to visit his uncle after his father's death. Uncle Ebenezer wants to steal the boy's inheritance and won't stop at murder. David is soon kidnapped and on board a ship facing a life of slavery. The story is set in 18th century Europe. Publication 1886.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) - A doctor changes from a respected, mild mannered London physician into a monster by drinking a potion. Publication 1886.

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896 - 1953) - This story is set in the backwoods of Florida in the 1860's. A twelve year old boy, Jody Baxter, raises an orphaned fawn, but as the animal grows problems arise and he must set it free. Publication 1939.

The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green (1918 - 1987) - This is a folktale which began as a ballad during the Middle Ages. Robin and his band of outlaws hide in Sherwood Forest, stealing from the rich who pass by and giving to the poor in the neighborhood. Publication 1956.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green (1918 - 1987) - This is the tale of King Arthur, his Queen Guinevere, Merlin, the magician, Lancelot, and the other knights of the Round Table. It is all about chivalry, bravery, honor, and loyalty. (Publication 1950's).

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) - This story is set in Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain (a.k.a. Samuel Clemens). You will hear about how Tom got lost in a cave. There are many in the area because of all the limestone. You will also learn how Tom managed to get out of painting the fence Aunt Polly told him to paint. Samuel Clemens said that the events in this book were true, though Tom was actually based upon the combination of traits and adventures of three different boys. Publication 1876.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain )1835 - 1910) - This book has been banned by some schools and libraries. It contains a word that we no longer use, but during the time Twain was writing the word was common. Rather than rewriting history, we should learn from it. Huck lives with Widow Douglas and Widow Watson, but can not tolerate their attempts to "sivilize" him. Jim, a slave, runs away with Huckleberry who has reasons of his own to flee. Together they have quite the adventure as they travel down the Mississippi River on a raft. They experience mistaken identity, practical jokes, narrow escapes, violence, and superstition. Publication 1885.

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad (1857 - 1924) - A young navy officer is found guilty of cowardice and stripped of his rank. For many years he lives with the guilt. Eventually, he becomes the ruler of a remote Malay village where he must face the pirate, Gentleman Brown, and his crew of cut-throats. Publication 1900.

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas (1802 - 1870) - The year is 1625. A young D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and meets the three musketeers, Porthos, Aramis, and Athos, who work for Louis XIII of France. He immediately insults them. However, when the four are attacked by five of the Cardinal's guards, the young man acquits himself quite well with his fencing skills and the four become friends. They are off to many adventures. Publication 1844.

The Count of Monte-Cristo by Alexander Dumas (1802 - 1870) - Count Edmond Dantes has been imprisoned for life. After 14 years in jail, he escapes, finds a hidden treasure, and becomes very wealthy. He then seeks revenge against his old enemies. Lots of drama, intrigue, and suspense in the days of the Napoleonic Empire. Publication 1845 - 1846.

Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester (1899 - 1966) - This is the second book (of 11) in the series. The seafaring Hornblower is promoted to Acting Lieutenant under the command of an insane tyrant of a ship's captain. The ship runs aground, is attacked by Spaniards, and Hornblower saves the day. Lots of adventure. Publication 1952. Other titles include: Hornblower and the Hotspur, Hornblower and the Atropos, Beat to Quarters, and Ship of the Line.

Don Quixote of the Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) - Don Quixote, the knight-errant, and his squire and traveling companion, Sancho, have many grand adventures. Where Quixote sees armies, castles, high-born ladies, and giants, Sancho sees sheep, inns, farm girls, and windmills. The first part was published in 1605 and the second in 1615.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) - A orphaned boy in a workhouse creates quite a stir by asking for more food. He is sold as an apprentice to an undertaker and things continue to worsen. Then he meets up with a band of pickpockets lead by an old man named Fagin. (Serialised between 1837 and 1839).

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) - This is a tale of two very different places, London and Paris, during the French Revolution. Dr. Manette, who had been a prisoner in the Bastille is released to his daughter Lucie. Then Lucie's husband, Charles Darnay, is tried for treason against the French government. He is acquitted and flees from France, but returns to free someone else, and is condemned to death. Publication 1859.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) - A young boy is visits his parents' graves in a churchyard near some lonely marshes. A wretched looking convict starts up from the graves and grabs the boy by the throat. The convict threatens to kill the boy unless he does what he is told. This frightful errand is difficult for Pip. Publication 1860 -1861.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) - This book is said to be somewhat autobiographical. David is sent at a young age to work in a factory. In London, he meets all sorts of characters: Mr. Micawber, an spendthrift, and Uriah Heep, an lawyer's clerk. It is said that this was Dickens favorite of his novels. Publication 1849.

Charlaine Harris: (this series has vampires, werewolves, shifters, fae, and witches eventually) Southern Vampire Mysteries—Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead, All Together Dead, From Dead to Worse Kristen Britain: Green Rider Series-- Green Rider, First Rider’s Call, The High Kings Tomb By Mercedes Lackey (special horses and magic/psi powers) Heralds of Valdemar: Queen's Own: Arrows of the Queen ; Arrow's Flight ; Arrow's Fall The Last Herald Mage Trilogy: Magic's Pawn; Magic's Promise; Magic's Price by Tamora Pierce Song Of the Lioness Quartet: Allanah The first Adventure, In the hand of the goddess, The Woman who rides like a man, Lioness Rampant The Immortals Quartet: Wild Magic, Wolf Speaker, Emperor Mage, Realm of the Gods Protector of the Small Quartet: First Test, Page, Squire, Lady Knight Trickster Duo: Tricksters choice and Tricksters Queen A Tortall Legend: Terrier, Bloodhound(TBR)

Somewhere down the line Shakespeare is going to be required reading, so if I were in your shoes; as much as I detested Shakespeare; I would read it and try to understand it. You will be one step up on all of your peers when the time comes to comment on what you have read. I enjoy Sci-Fi/Fantasy. More so of Fantasy than Sci-Fi because there is more to work with right now in that field. Glen Cook has a funny detective series set in a fantasy world that is quite good. My main reading today though is Matthew Reilly. He writes thrillers. As for reading for a teenager you seem to be ahead of your game already, you are reading everything, teen as well as adult fiction. Non-fiction, the Black Dahlia was an interesting tale and it was never solved. Anything having to do with the oceans is a must it seems to me for anyone interested in how the ecology of the planet is headed. I have been reading everything on all subjects for over 50 years and I still find intriguing literature in all genres. Keep it up. Check out Paul Christopher great fast-paced reads that are sort of inbetween teens and adult reading. Might also, if you can find it pick up a copy of 1421, a history of when China discovered America. Fascinating read. Enjoy!

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series - J.R.R. Tolkien

"The Client, A Time to Kill, The Firm" are a few of the books written by John Grisham that have been made into movies. He has several others.

The Jason Bourne trilogy (Bourne Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum) by Robert Ludlam, are also good. Much better than the movies adapted from them.

Stephen King is a great storyteller, but his books are dark and can be unsettling. If you choose one by him I would suggest "The Stand" or "Misery".

Have a good time.

To Kill a Mockingbird

The Catcher in the Rye

Angela's Ashes

Lord of the Flies

9 Stories

Anything by O. Henry

OF Mice and Men

Canary Row

Those are all really good books and I think that a 14 year old would appreciate them.

Since you read Agatha Christie, I strongly recommend another mystery author, Dorothy L. Sayers-- her books are wonderful! I especially recommend "The Nine Tailors"-- it's fantastic!

A Yellow Raft In Blue Water by Michael Dorris, one of the main character's is a teenage girl......this book just gets me.

Try the Twilight series. It is a love story with a really good twist.. I really enjoyed the whole series.

the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked them even more than Harry Potter!! :o Trust me you will be addicted to the series!

Glory of the seas.

read the five people you meet in heaven by Mitch albom...

i read it and i fell in love...

oh my friend recommends maximum ride...

<3.