For all of the teens out there who are tired of all of the fiction and fantacy books, here is a list of meaningful non-fiction books that might peek your interest. 

Nick’s New Heart by Susan May: www.susanCmay.com

“I would like to recommend my book ‘Nick’s New Heart’. Many high school students have read it and told me how much they liked it. ‘Nick’s New Heart’ is about a boy born with majors heart defects and receives a heart transplant at one year old. Nick grows up like other kids despite being chronically ill. He is now 20 years old and Nick is attending college. Nick’s life shows the value of organ donation and the importance of the gift of life.” Susan May  

Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster after Hurricane Katrina by Allen and Linda Anerson:

          “We’ve heard from so many teens who have read and appreciated it. Some have told us it inspired them to get into the field of animal rescue as a volunteer or for a career.We wrote Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster after Hurricane Katrina, which was the largest animal rescue operation in history. We interviewed hundreds of the over 10,000 volunteers, animal organization leaders, and government officials who went to the Gulf Coast to help save animals and reunite them with their families. We also talked to people who had lost animals in the storms and floods and have some amazing reunion stories. 

          “We broadened the book to cover what is happening in animal rescue around the country and how people can get involved. This included interviews with Tippi Hedren who founded Shambala to rescue lions and tigers, etc. and other celebrity animal advocates such as Joe Montegna, Molly Sims, Tiffany Thiesan (of 90210 fame). The book won the American Society of Journalists & Authors Outstanding Book Award in 2007. The book won great reviews and awards because of its combination of dramatic stories and factual information.” Linda Anderson

You can read more about it at www.rescuedsavinganimals.com.

Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs by Jill Grimes, MD:

“The new book by family physician Jill Grimes, MD, called Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs (John Hopkins University Press) is the kind of book you wish your mother had given you when you were in high school. Dr. Grimes conveys information about the ten most common STDs in lively, short chapters that read like episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, with characters teen readers can related to–e.g., the high school quarterback, the art teacher, the pre-med student. Teen readers will get a wake-up call about “safe sex” and walk away with brand new information on how to protect themselves against preventable diseases that could mar their future happiness and health. Somehow, Dr. Grimes manages to make this subject into a real page turner.” Cathy Lewis. 

Smiling Eyes, A Cheerleading Coach’s Personal Victory by Norma Pimenta: (www.normapimenta.com)

“It is an inspirational story that is geared towards cheerleaders. Briefly it is a story about myself as a cheer coach and inspired by doctors that encourage me to write about a bizarre accident I was involved in..  I decided to write more about my journey through coaching cheerleaders and in the story is the year of the accident, the year of recovery, and how I returned to coaching again.  While learning to walk again, I returned to my volunteer job of coaching cheerleaders who later told me they never saw me as challenged.  They just always knew that I was in control. 

            “Writing a book about this experience was the best gift I could have ever given myself.” Norma Pimenta. 

Your Mailbox is Full by Justin Sachs: (www.JustinSachsOnline.com)

“[This is] a book for teenagers and young adults that sets them up for success in school and throughout life.  It covers the much needed life-skills and leadership development principles teens need but are often not taught,” Justin Sachs.