Young adult literature is often at its best with a great series of books. Series keep readers entertained and allow them to get to know the characters and really connect with them. Following is a list of a few of the more intriguing series in the world of teen fiction, along with publication information.
The Time Quartet – Madeleine L’Engle
Acclaimed young adult fiction author Madeleine L’Engle is probably most famous for her Time Quartet series (originally published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux). In this series, the main character, Meg Murry and her younger brother Charles Wallace as they try to save the world from forces that only very “tuned in” people can sense. The books in this series are the following:
- A Wrinkle in Time (1962) ISBN 0-374-38613-7
- A Wind in the Door (1973) ISBN 0-374-38443-6
- A Swiftly Tilting Planet (1978) ISBN 0-374-37362-0
- Many Waters (1986) ISBN 0-374-34796-4
Uglies Trilogy – Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld is the relatively new author to the teen fiction series scene, but has made a big splash with his Uglies series (published by Simon and Schuster). This series follows a few teen characters living in Uglyville as the make their transformation to “pretty,” and move to New Pretty Town. In this world, all that matters is one’s appearance and making sure one fits in. However, some of these teens see the problem in this futuristic society and try to fight back by delving back into history, which, readers will find, looks an awful lot like 21st century America. The books of this series with publication information are as follows:
- Uglies (2004) ISBN 0-316-70129-7
- Pretties (2005) ISBN 0-316-70129-7
- Specials (2006) ISBN 0-316-70129-7
- Extras (2007) ISBN 1-847-38126-X
Shadow Children – Margaret Peterson Haddix
The seven books in this series have captivated audiences for almost a decade now, as they follow a few “shadow children” (children born to families who already have the maximum two children allowed) as they try to avoided detection by the Population Police, but still try to find a voice and an identity. The books in this series (published by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing) are as follows:
- Among the Hidden (1998) ISBN 0-689-81700-2
- Among the Impostors (2001) ISBN 0-689-83904-9
- Among the Betrayed (2002) ISBN 0-689-83905-7
- Among the Barons (2003) ISBN 0-689-83906-5
- Among the Brave (2004) ISBN 0-689-85794-2
- Among the Enemy (2005) ISBN 0-689-85796-9
- Among the Free (2006) ISBN 0-689-85798-5
Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
The Artemis Fowl series (published by Viking Press) is a strictly fantasy series by Irish author Eoin Colfer. It follows a teenage genius/mastermind as he tries to fulfill his money-making schemes by delving into the fairy and elvish world, often holding important members of these society hostage. The books in this series are as follows:
- Artemis Fowl (2001) ISBN 0-670-91133-X
- Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident (2002) ISBN 0-786-80855-1
- Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code (2003) ISBN 0-670-91352-9
- Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (2005) ISBN 0-141-38164-7
- Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony (2006) ISBN 0-141-38268-6
