Libraries Rock!
For Teen Readers
This recommended reading list provides a broad list of books related to this summer’s theme of music. This list includes audio, braille, and large print titles and is recommended for those reading at a senior and older reading levels.
To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through WolfPAC. Identification numbers for braille books begin with BR, large print books begin with LP, and audiobooks begin with DB or DBC. All audiobooks and available braille books listed are linked to the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD) for downloading.
Airhead by Meg Cabot
DB067792
LP001921
Read by Mary Kane. Reading time: 7 hours, 28 minutes.
Sixteen-year-old Emerson "Em" Watts, an advanced-placement student who likes video games and disdains fashion, receives a "whole-body transplant" after an accident. Em is dismayed to find her mind in the body of teen supermodel Nikki Howard--a fact that she has to hide. Airhead series, book 1. 2008.
Audrey, Wait! by Blue Balliett
LP001910
While trying to score a date with her cute co-worker at the Scooper Dooper, sixteen-year-old Audrey gains unwanted fame and celebrity status when her ex-boyfriend, a rock musician, records a breakup song about her that soars to the top of the Billboard charts. Strong language. 2006.
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
DB079854
Read by Erik Sandvold. Reading time: 8 hours, 8 minutes.
Gabe is a boy born with a girl's body. With his new public-access radio show gaining in popularity, Gabe struggles with romance, friendships, and parents--all while trying to come out as a boy. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. Stonewall Book Award. 2014.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
BR021718 (UEB)
DB086228
LP030808
Read by Erik Sandvold. Reading time: 21 hours, 54 minutes.
New Jersey's most famous son tells his story. Covers his youth, how seeing Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show made him want to become a musician, his early bands in Asbury Park, his life touring with the E Street Band, and the personal stories that fueled his music. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2016.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba
DB072673
Read by Jon Huffman. Reading time: 11 hours, 4 minutes.
A Memoir of Malawi youth William, a school dropout who was inspired by a library book to build the first windmill in his village. Describes growing up on a farm without electricity, surviving famine, recycling scraps into a windmill to generate power, and inspiring others. Alex Award. 2009.
Do All Indians Live in Tipis? Questions and Answers from the National Museum of the American Indian by National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.)
BR017919
DB066795
Read by Christopher Hurt. Reading time: 6 hours, 15 minutes.
Reference queries received by the staff of the National Museum of the American Indian. Dozens of questions answered by Native Americans cover history, culture, and language. Topics include ceremonies, totem poles, myths, captivity stories, slavery, clothing, tribal enrollment, and government benefits. 2007.
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
BR019295
DB072769
Read by Mare Trevathan. Reading time: 7 hours, 28 minutes.
Eighteen-year-old Piper who is deaf, volunteers as a manager for a rock band called Dumb. While trying to make Dumb profitable, Piper learns a few things about music and business--and about herself. Gateway Book Award nominee, 2013-2014. Schneider Award. 2010.
For the Record by Charlotte Huang
DB084676
Read by Mare Trevathan. Reading time: 7 hours, 5 minutes.
As the new lead singer of the band Melbourne, former reality-show loser Chelsea has only the summer tour to make the band and their fans love her, or it is back to boring high school. Some strong language. 2015.
The Girl's Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs, and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom by Jessica Hopper
DB070028
Read by Erin Jones. Reading time: 6 hours, 36 minutes.
Guide to forming a band. Includes insider advice on songwriting, recording, production, promoting, and touring with your group. Also provides tips for dealing with stage fright and for booking performances. 2009.
The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle
DB085186
Read by Nick DePinto. Reading time: 6 hours, 25 minutes.
Sixteen-year-old Quinn, an aspiring screenwriter, copes with his sister's death, while his best friend Geoff forces him back into the world to face his new reality, starting with a college party. There, Quinn falls for a cute older guy. Strong language and descriptions of sex. 2016.
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter
DB084175
Read by Mariska Hargitay, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jeremy McCarter. Reading time: 6 hours, 5 minutes.
An account of the creation of the hugely successful musical about an unlikely topic: founding father Alexander Hamilton. The show's creator and cultural critic McCarter chronicle Hamilton from its start as a performance at the White House. Includes the full libretto with commentary from Miranda. Unrated. 2016.
Haters by Jesse Andrews
DB084063
Read by Michael Crouch. Reading time: 8 hours, 39 minutes.
When best friends Wes and Corey meet guitar player Ash, an older girl, the trio decide to ditch their jazz camp experience and embark on a raunchy road-trip adventure in search of becoming a true band. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2016.
If I Stay series by Gayle Forman
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
BR018565
DB069818
LP002648
Read by Margaret Strom. Reading time: 5 hours, 36 minutes.
Cellist and Juilliard hopeful Mia clings to life after a car accident kills her family. While observing herself during an out-of-body experience, Mia flashes through her past to determine whether to fight for survival or die. If I Stay series, book 1. Gateway Book Award nominee, 2011-2012. Some strong language. 2009.
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
BR019544
DB073562
LP002680
Read by Mark Delgado. Reading time: 5 hours, 44 minutes.
Rising rock star Adam and successful cellist Mia reunite in New York and reconnect after the horrific events that tore them apart years earlier. If I Stay series, book 2. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2011.
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
DB083876
Read by Barrett Wilbert Weed. Reading time: 6 hours, 56 minutes.
Four fan-girls follow the Ruperts, a British boy band, everywhere. But when one of them literally drags Rupert Pierpont to their New York City hotel room and ties him up, things go from hilariously complicated to deadly. Strong language and some violence. 2016.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
DB063213
Read by Elisabeth Rodgers. Reading time: 9 hours, 49 minutes.
Perennial nice girl Annabel is ostracized after vicious Sophie catches Annabel with Sophie's boyfriend. Music-obsessed Owen befriends Annabel and encourages her to be true to herself. But Annabel's family problems prevent her from telling the truth until a crisis occurs. Some strong language. Gateway Book Award nominee, 2008-2009. 2006.
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
DB071225
Read by Gabriella Cavallero. Reading time: 5 hours, 55 minutes.
Wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry invites seventeen-year-old performer Miss Nimira to sing as accompaniment to Parry's piano-playing, life-sized automaton. While Nimira rehearses with the handsome mechanical man, a being inside him communicates with her and reveals he is a trapped fairy needing help--and love. 2010.
Mozart: A Life by Maynard Solomon
DB040451
LP030113
Read by Gordon Gould. Reading time: 28 hours, 8 minutes.
In addition to his many insights into Mozart's music, Johnson also challenges the many myths that have followed Mozart, including those about the composer's health, wealth, religion, and relationships. 2013.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn
BR016896
Strangers Nick and Norah meet at a punk-rock club and experience a night of adventure. Nick, a musician, has just had a painful breakup with his girlfriend, and brokenhearted Norah also needs reassurance. The two romp through Manhattan and fall in love. Strong language. 2006.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
BR020787
DB022868
LP001684
Read by Patrick Horgan. Reading time: 17 hours, 15 minutes.
The story of an orphan boy from an English workhouse who falls into the hands of rogues and is trained as a pickpocket. 1838.
Paper Towns by John Green
DB068404
LP002830
Read by Dan John Miller. Reading time: 8 hours.
During senior year, Margo, the girl next door, entices Quentin into a night of mischief--and she then disappears. Quentin and classmates Radar, Ben, and Lacey follow the clues Margo left while they worry about her state of mind. Edgar Award. Strong language. Gateway Book Award nominee, 2010-2011. 2008.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
BR012551
DB075897
Read by Noah Galvin. Reading time: 6 hours, 22 minutes.
In 1991 Charlie is a high school freshman, reeling from his only friend's recent suicide. In a series of letters, the overly sensitive and intelligent Charlie describes making friends with two seniors, who are step-siblings, and growing up with their help. 1999.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
BR007266
DB027821
LP000663
Read by Ronald B. Meyer. Reading time: 8 hours, 20 minutes.
The story of a demented musician hiding in the labyrinth of the Paris Opera House. Known as the Phantom of the Opera, the creature masterminds a series of mysterious and terrifying events to further the career of a beautiful young singer. 1986.
Pop Princess by Rachel Cohn
DB059369
Read by Jill Fox. Reading time: 7 hours, 23 minutes.
Yearning to escape the small town where her family retreated after the death of her sister Lucky, fifteen-year-old outcast Wonder Blake gets a record contract from her sister's former manager. But Wonder soon realizes the life of a star is anything but glamorous. Strong language. 2004.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
DB060085
LP001568
Read by Victoria Gordon. Reading time: 4 hours, 51 minutes.
Eighteen-year-old Ashley has no plans for college and wants nothing to do with the senior prom at her urban high school. When disaster strikes and her desperate friend Natalia needs help, Ashley's involvement transforms her life. Some strong language. 2005.
Rose Blood by A. G. Howard
DB087378
Read by Mare Trevathan. Reading time: 12 hours, 35 minutes.
Rune's beautiful voice is linked to a mysterious affliction that worsens after her father's death. Desperate, her mother sends her to RoseBlood, a conservatory with a dark past and legend of a phantom. There, Rune befriends a strange masked boy. 2017.
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
BR019821
DB076170
Read by Colleen Delany. Reading time: 13 hours, 4 minutes.
In a world where dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce and dragons can assume human form, Seraphina, whose dragon mother died giving birth to her, grapples with her identity amid magical secrets and royal scandals. William C. Morris Award. 2012.
Siren's Call by Jayne Castle
DB083575
LP030177
Read by Lise Bruneau. Reading time: 7 hours, 35 minutes.
Hired to clear the catacombs of Rainshadow Island of alien creatures with deadly songs, Rafe Coppersmith needs to find a musician and turns to old flame Ella Morgan. Ella has a secret: she is a siren, able to sing men to death. Rainshadow, book 4. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2015.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
DB087837
LP003223
Read by Steve West. Reading time: 18 hours, 22 minutes.
War orphan and junior librarian Lazlo Strange gets an unexpected opportunity to follow his dream of seeking the mythic lost city of Weep, with the Godslayer and his band of legendary warriors. Strange the Dreamer series, book 1. Unrated. 2017.
This Savage Song: A Monsters of Verity Novel by Victoria Schwab
DB085462
Read by Martha Harmon Pardee. Reading time: 10 hours, 3 minutes.
As the heirs to opposing sides in the warring city of Verity, rebellious Kate Harker and August Flynn--a monster who can steal souls with a song--should never have met, but their connection reveals hidden truths. Monsters of Verity series, book 1. Violence and some strong language. 2016.
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti
DB071323
Read by Angela Dawe. Reading time: 7 hours, 33 minutes.
Seventeen-year-old Cassie wants a normal teen life, but her musically brilliant but paranoid new stepfather Dino Cavalli disrupts her plans. When talented violinist Ian Waters takes lessons from the famous Cavalli, Cassie falls in love against all odds. Strong language. 2005.
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
DB087619
Read by Teresa Willis. Reading time: 12 hours, 33 minutes.
An uneventful adulthood looms for Liesl, daughter of an innkeeper and musician. Her world shifts when her sister is taken by the mischievous Goblin King. Liesl journeys to the Underground to save her, and she soon faces an impossible decision. Descriptions of sex. 2017.
Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin
BR020198
DB077258
Read by Jordan Leigh. Reading time: 9 hours, 19 minutes.
Teen rocker Ritchie Sudden deals with the loss of a family member and anger issues as he writes a journal about the events that landed him in juvenile detention. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2013.