Wanted: Novels, Stories, and Poetry for Alternative High School

I’m hoping to get a whole bunch of books ordered for the library at my new school, and I’m looking for recommendations.

We have a very diverse group here, from voracious readers to reluctant ones, and they like everything from Orson Scott Card to Ellen Hopkins to Kerouac.

But we’re alternative, so I’m thinking that the usual high school setting as it appears in the young adult novel won’t appeal very much.

Or I’m thinking that they typical suburban issues won’t appeal very much.

At the very least, I’m looking for stuff that’s close to the edge, but maybe I’m wrong in my assumptions. Maybe our students will dig into any good read—regardless of my prejudices.

So, please comment!! I really want to get your list of top titles for the 15-19-year-old set.

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WHY IT’S SO FIRKIN HOT:

In my little town, it’s only 93 now, but it’s getting hotter, rising toward the projected high of 98, and I’ll tell you why!

Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn is coming out tonight, and we’re
experiencing the HEAT produced by the THROBBING
of thousands
of teenaged and pre-teen
hearts!

I had to send my own daughter outside so the house doesn’t burst into flames.
(I got the image below, including the text on the right, from somebody’s photobucket: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/SAS1315/Untitled-2.jpg)

Can there now be any doubt that global warming is the result of human activity?

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