The teens in our Teen Advisory Group have been involved in several recent brainstorming sessions to pick out their favorite books, music, and movies that were released this year. Their selections included all kinds of stuff — funny, weird, and thought-provoking — even stuff that will make you want to dance. 

MUSIC:

Unbroken by Demi Lovato

Her music is inspirational, emotional, and it makes you think!

Under the Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

A combination of pop and traditional music, this album will help people get into the holiday season. It will also get you ready for when YOU are under the mistletoe!

Kidz Bop 20

These albums are full of popular songs, performed by kids. The kids all love different artists, and you can hear how much those artists inspire them when they sing. The Kidz Bop albums include different types of music, like hip-hop, pop, and R&B.

Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne

He is an awesome rapper, singer, and actor. Most teens, since they know rap music and love Lil Wayne, would probably buy his music, put it on their iPods, and sing it every day. We recommend him even though he curses!

Oh, and our teens don't just love new music, by the way. They're also huge fans of Michael Jackson and the Beatles, because their music always makes them want to dance and sing along!

DVDs:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2

We've been into Harry Potter since we were little! The movies get better as they progress, because the characters get older and the movie plots get darker. These movies keep me on the edge of my seat!

Megamind

This movie is action packed and very funny. Megamind is a great movie for kids, teens, and adults!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

This movie has excellent graphics and lots of action. Plus, it's a great retelling of the original book!

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

I love this movie because Justin Bieber is so dreamy! I cried during the song, "One Less Lonely Girl!"

Green Lantern

This movie shows how the Green Lantern got his powers, and it was a lot of fun to watch. This movie has action, action, and more action!

Our teens also recommend lots of TV shows that are available on DVD, including iCarly, Wizards of Waverly Place, The Office, Criminal Minds, and How I Met Your Mother. 

BOOKS:

Legend by Marie Lu

This book is about two kids who are the same age, named Day and June. Day is a fugitive who is trying to protect his family from some sort of plague, and June is the sister of a soldier. Day is the prime suspect for the murder of June's brother Metias, but the thing is — Day is innocent! This book has a perfect way of grabbing your attention and holding on to it until the very end.

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

A 17-year-old girl named Holly Mullen has felt lonely and confused ever since her boyfriend Rod died. Now Holly is stuck taking care of her sister and her grandfather, who was struck with Alzheimer's.

First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

This book is a novel about a boy named Mal who has problems with his family and at school. He has real-life problems, too, like how his dad left and his mom has a drinking problem. He also has unusual problems, like how he believes he was abducted by aliens and thinks that one day he’s going to go with them and leave the earth behind.

Hooked by Catherine Greenman

This book is about a girl, Thea, who likes a guy named Will. They discover that they really like each other. They start to have sex and Thea gets pregnant. I think that this book will help junior high and high school girls understand what it feels like to be pregnant. If they have boyfriends, it will help girls understand what it feels like to be in love.

Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel

This collection of three novellas (What’s Happened to Me?, When the Clock Chimes, The Mysteries of Chance) tells the stories of three girls who have trouble in their lives. Each girl wants to meet her Prince Charming. I recommend this book because it might help teen girls find their own Prince Charming.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

This story happens during the winter, and when a surprise blizzard blows in, Greg Heffley is trapped inside of his house with his family. Cabin Fever is yet another great addition to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which is popular among both kids and teens.

Many thanks to Leslie, Rosalie, Tomas, Reilanni, Michael, Paola, Jose, Mike, Solen, and Christopher for all of their suggestions and reviews!