In this episode, school librarians Donna Bird, Jennifer Horan, and my regular co-host Ruth Maloney join me to discuss the current trends in teenage fiction, whether books today gravitate more towards heavier themes rather than humor, and how these trends impact young readers. The conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities faced by librarians in curating collections that both engage and empower students. They also offer insights into guiding reluctant readers, the influence of social media on reading choices, and the need for diverse genres, including humor and fantasy, in teenage fiction. Whether you're a librarian, educator, or book enthusiast, this episode provides invaluable perspectives on fostering a love for reading among young people. Join us as we celebrate the magic of connecting the right book with the right reader and share our curated list of must-read titles for teenagers. Donna's top picks Hatchet by Gary PaulsenInternment by Samira AhmedThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsFable by Adrienne YoungScythe by Neal Shusterman Jennifer's top picks One by Sarah Crossan  Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston  The Gifted, the Talented and Me by William Sutcliffe  We Played With Fire by Catherine Barter  Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds and Danica Novgorodoff    Ruth's top picks   Needle by Patrice Lawrence, - Short but issues basedA Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge, - EscapistMaus by Art Spiegelman, - Graphic historicalThe Number 57 bus - by Dashka Slater, - thought provoking nonfictionThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - humour   Engaging and Empowering School Libraries. A membership for all school librarians https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership    This podcast is kindly sponsored by Learnics https://www.learnics.com/