There have been some disappointments this year, but there were still a few outstanding triumphs in the always interesting world of youth fiction. Forget the misses and let's look again at the hits.
Chris Priestley is a writer who always comes up with the goods for teenage readers who like a good scare. His third collection of spooky stories, Tales of Terror From The Tunnel's Mouth, was well up to the standard of his first two attempts to get the hair to rise on the back of the necks. Look out for a review of Priestley's first full-length novel in the new year.
When you are a bookworm, it's great to come across a novel that doesn't remind you of anything you've read before. Rebecca Promitzer's The Pickle King is a creepy, funny, ice-cool adventure that grabs with its originality, over-the-top characters, fiendish plot and crazy action. This is certainly one for readers who want something new.
Back in the world of normal families, Judy Blundell's classy What I Saw And How I Lied is one of those superbly told novels that teens can pass to adults to prove how good youth fiction can be. The year is 1947 and the place America. Fifteen-year-old Evie lives in the shadow of her glamorous, self-centred mother. When murder unexpectedly enters Evie's life, everything is thrown into chaos. What I Saw is both a coming-of-age novel and a smart thriller.
Suzanne Collins' futuristic The Hunger Games was without question the fantasy novel of the year. Fantasy novels for teens are a bit old hat but Games showed what an imaginative writer can do with a tired formula. Collins never puts a foot wrong with her skilful creation of the futuristic world of Panem, its peoples and their lives. At 450 pages, it's an epic tale, and one of the most original of the year.
Matt Haig's The Radleys gave the teenage vampire novel a much-needed blood transfusion. This uncompromising novel is a very realistic and exciting read for older teens and young adults who are tired of romanticised blood-suckers who don't really like sucking blood. The Radleys is about to be made into a big-budget movie, so pick up the novel before it hits the big screen.
