Musical Books for Teens

As listeners and fans, lots of teens turn to music for escape.  They define themselves through their favorite artists and bands, and they try on new identities by exploring new genres.  Other teens find self-expression and release through the music they create.  In this episode, you'll hear about fiction and nonfiction books that explore the importance of music in the lives of young people. 

After listening to this episode, be sure to print out this list of recommended titles to take to the library or book seller.

Books featured in this episode:

• Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going (Putnam, 2002
• Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John (Dial, 2010)
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Dutton, 2011)
• Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Knopf, 2006)
• Heavy Metal and You by Christopher Krovatin (Push, 2005)
• Beige by Cecil Castellucci (Candlewick, 2007)
• Born Blue by Han Nolan (Harcourt, 2001)
• John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth by Elizabeth Partridge (Viking, 2005)
• Hip Hop World: A Groundwork Guide by Dalton Higgins (Groundwork Books, 2009)
   

Books featured in previous episodes:

• After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam, 2008)
• Debbie Harry Sings in French by Megan Brothers (Henry Holt, 2008)
• Freddie and Me: A Coming-of-Age (Bohemian) Rhapsody by Mike Dawson (Bloomsbury, 2008)
• Countdown by Deborah Wiles (Scholastic, 2010)
• Somebody Everybody Listens To by Suzanne Supplee (Dutton, 2010)
• When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright (Simon & Schuster, 2008)
• King Dork by Frank Portman (Delacorte, 2006)
• Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel (Amulet, 2010)
• Becoming Billie Holiday by Carol Weatherford (Wordsong, 2008)