Well, they're all from the kids' section of the bookshop, and I suggested them because I think they are pitched at the same age/reading skill level as Twilight - do you consider 'YA' to imply particular parametres beyond that? Valiant includes sex and drugs (I gather that in the Twilight books the protagonist does eventually get laid too - personally, I preferred Holly Black's take on the protagonist's sexual choices and empowerment to what I've seen of the sparkly mormon vampire saga, but YMMV), but Tithe and Ironside don't have shagging, iirc. Or at least - there's the implication that the protagonist's friend gets some Big gay sexin', but we don't get to see it.

Offhand, I can't remember whether the protagonists of the others eventually get some between-the-sheets action. They do have love interests, and plenty of sexual tension, and retain their own identities, their own choices & their own destinies.

but Tithe and Ironside don't have shagging, iirc.

Tithe does have a very intense, S&M relationship implied between the young gay boy (Corny) and the evil elf lord dude.

I think, though, Pix would be safe recommending anything that's marketed as YA, and shelved there, since the kids could certainly find it themselves.

That relationship in Tithe startled me, simply because whoa has YA changed since my day. I mean, back then Forever was a big deal.

I think, though, Pix would be safe recommending anything that's marketed as YA, and shelved there, since the kids could certainly find it themselves.

Well, yes and no. There's a big difference between the girls finding books themselves in a YA section and me actively recommending them as their teacher. I think I'll stay away from Tithe as a rec, but the rest sound like they'd be fine. (My guess is that they will find Tithe anyway, but I don't like taking chances with parents with students that age.) Thanks!!

Hivemind help: Does anyone remember a YA author with a last name that started with a Z? I thought it was Paul Zimmer and then Paul Zendle but I'm getting no love.

Paul Zindel, Glam.

Thanks, Amy! Trying to include what I can remember in my reading paper and I know I read some of his stuff.

The Pigman is the only title I can remember off the top of my head, but I know I read all of his stuff at one point.

Paul Zindel website. His name was so familiar. . . titles I recall are My Darling, My Hamberger , Pardon Me You're Stepping on My Eyeball and possibly To Take a Dare and David and Della.

I don't think I actually remember reading The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds but wasn't it also a play or something?

Oh, God, I forgot that one! I think it was either a play of a MOW or something.

I definitely read My Darling, My Hamburger and Pardon Me... He was great.