Picture books for teens

Picture books aren’t just for kids anymore!  They are great for younger and older readers regardless of reading level.  Many of the most creative and visually stunning books are being published through this medium.  Picture books are a wonderful way to encourage teens with less advanced reading levels to learn to love reading or a great way to inspire teen readers to study more on a specific topic.  The Appleton Rotary Club has given the Appleton Library a grant to develop a collection of picture books that appeal to teens’ interests.  Some of the notable titles include:

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein
This book brings to life Philippe Petit’s daring walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.  Amazing fold-out sections provide a spectacular perspective of what it must have been like to witness this death-defying feat whether you were Philippe himself, one of the spectators 1,340 feet down or one of the police officers that eventually arrested him.

 The Tree of Life, by Peter Sis
Peter Sis’ gorgeous and complex illustrations make Charles Darwin come to life in this wonderful biography.  This is a great introduction to a daunting subject.

When Marian Sang, by Pam Munoz Ryan
This biographical picture book brings to life opera singer Marian Anderson’s struggles with racism.  The gorgeous illustrations are primarily brown and black and the text frequently evokes the gospel songs that made Marian famous. 

The Wolves in the Walls, by Neil Gaiman
Author of the highly acclaimed Sandman graphic novels, Neil Gaiman creates a scary, yet funny story about a young girl that hears noises in the walls of her house.  Of course, her family doesn’t believe her until the wolves come out!