Chillin’ in the Garden State
Books about Teens in New Jersey

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci
Torey Adams, a high school junior with a seemingly perfect life, struggles with doubts and questions surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the class outcast.

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier
Not quite Indian and not quite American, Dimple Lala has been confused about her identity since she entered the world the "wrong way," causing her mother "twelve treacherous hours of painful labor." Now her best friend thinks everything Indian is a fad and her parents are trying to fix her up with the son of some close friends from India.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon
In her first year at a suburban New Jersey high school, Mary Elizabeth Cep, who now calls herself "Lola," sets her sights on the lead in the annual drama production, and finds herself in conflict with the most popular girl in school.

Dunk by David Lubar
While hoping to work as the clown in an amusement park dunk tank on the New Jersey shore the summer before his junior year in high school, Chad faces his best friend's serious illness, hassles with police, and the girl that got away.

Election by Tom Perrotta
Who really cares who gets elected President of Winwood High School? Nobody—except Tracy Flick. Tracy's one of those students of boundless energy and ambition who somehow finds the time to do everything—edit the school paper, star in the musical, and campaign for school president. But is her victory a sure thing?

Home of the Braves by David Klass
Eighteen-year-old Joe, captain of the soccer team, is dismayed when a hotshot player shows up from Brazil and threatens to take over both the team and the girl whom Joe hopes to date.

My Perfect Life by Dyan Sheldon
Ella has no interest in running for class president at her suburban New Jersey high school, but her offbeat friend Lola tricks her into challenging the rich and overbearing Carla Santini in a less-than-friendly race.

My Sister’s Bones by Cathi Hanauer
Spanning from September to May, this is a book about the eventful few months in the life of rebellious Billie, a doctor's younger daughter who is coming of age just as her beautiful older sister begins to succumb to anorexia.

second helpings by Megan McCafferty
The next Jessica Darling novel. Coming April 2003.

Shades of Simon Gray by Joyce McDonald
Seventeen-year-old Simon lies in a coma, finding his space and time overlapping with that of a man who was lynched over 200 years ago, while a member of the cheating ring he has been helping wonders if their actions have caused the plagues assaulting their New Jersey town.

Shadow People by Joyce McDonald
When his family moves to a secluded area in western New Jersey after his brother is murdered, Gabriel finds himself involved with three other teenagers, each with his or her own problems, in a series of increasingly violent acts.

sloppy firsts by Megan McCafferty
When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone.

Son of the Mob by Gordan Korman
Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent.

Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald
Dual perspectives reveal the aftermath of seventeen-year-old Michael MacKenzie's birthday celebration during which he discharges an antique Winchester rifle and unknowingly kills the father of high school classmate Jenna Ward.

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
Back in her hometown in industrial, blue collar New Jersey, sixteen-year-old Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms—a struggle that could very well mean her death.

What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci
Sixteen-year-old Claire is unable to face her fears about a recurrence of her leukemia, her eating disorder, her need to fit in with the popular crowd on Hackett Island, and her mother's alcoholism until the enigmatic Lani Garver helps her get control of her life at the risk of his own.

Research and compiled by Laura Baldwin
12/2002