Great Reads For Young Adults Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lurlene McDaniel

As with many authors, McDaniel writes from experience. Her son's diagnosis of diabetes (juvenile) prompted her to explore the very real world of teens dealing with disease, physical handicaps, and even death. She writes in such a way that her books are sympathetic and relatable. McDaniel has found a unique literary niche with such novels as "I'll Be Seeing You", "Don't Die, My Love", and "Good-bye Doesn't Mean Forever".

Answer: Lois Duncan

Lois Duncan knew heartache and in my opinion it made her a better writer. She wrote a non-fiction book titled "Who Killed My Daughter?" based on the 1989 murder of her daughter Kaitlyn. Duncan has a broad range as a writer. She has written children's picture books as well as novels for teens and adults. If you are interested in this author's books, here are some titles that might help you get started: "Locked in Time", "Summer of Fear", and "Stranger With My Face".

Answer: Robert Cormier

Cormier began writing at an early age. Much of the dialogue in his novels came from listening to his own teenage children's conversations with friends. If you're looking for warm and fuzzy, you won't find it in this author's novels. His books deal with serious issues and don't necessarily end happily. "I Am the Cheese" is one of my favorite novels. Filled with suspense, the book's first-person narration by the teenage protagonist touches on the themes of loneliness and isolation, a topic many teens can relate to.

Answer: Ann Brashares

Take four teenage girls, add one pair of jeans that magically fits them all, throw in friendship and love, and you'll have Brashares' first novel "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants". Her job as an editor led to her decision to become a full-time author.

Her novels have been well-received, and some have become best-sellers. "My Name is Memory" and "The Here and Now" are other novels written by this author.

Answer: Rick Riordan

"The Lightning Thief" is the first novel in the "Percy Jackson" series. Since the books are based on Greek mythology, it's a great way to encourage teens to learn more about mythology in general. Riordan taught English for many years. He conceived the idea of creating the teenager Percy Jackson as bedtime reading for his son.

He has also written a series of adult mystery novels featuring the character Tres Navarre.

Answer: Eoin Colfer

Colfer taught elementary school before turning to writing. There are eight novels in the "Artemis Fowl" series which blend fantasy with adventure. The titular hero also appears in graphic novel form which Colfer also penned. In addition to the "Artemis Fowl" series, the author has written the novels "Supernaturalist" and "The Wish List".

Answer: Suzanne Collins

While Collins has written other books before and since "The Hunger Games", it seems that series is her chef d'oeuvre. Having worked on the writing staff of children's TV shows, particularly "Nickelodeon", doors were opened to her when she met author James Proimos, who not only hired her to join his "Generation O!" staff but encouraged her to become an author.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Answer: Walter Dean Myers

Myers began writing at an early age, encouraged by a teacher who felt that writing could give voice to words he struggled with due to a speech impediment. Although his protagonists are African-American and many of his novels take place in Harlem, a section of New York City, the characters and the challenges they face are universal.

Answer: Scott Westerfeld

Set in a dystopian future, Westerfeld's books have touched on themes that appeal to teens: non-conformity, courage, and self-discovery. Westerfeld has been a substitute teacher, textbook editor, and a ghost writer (he won't reveal who he writes for). His "Leviathan" trilogy deals with the subject of World War I, steampunk style.

Answer: Christopher Paolini

Writing a book is one thing. Trying to interest readers in the book is another. Paolini was fortunate to have been able to use his parents' own publishing company to publish "Eragon", but it was hard work and self-promotion that earned him recognition.

As any writer will attest to, getting a book published is no easy task, particularly if you're a new author. Other books in "The Inheritance Cycle" include "Eldest", "Brisingr", and "Inheritance", published in that order.