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Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books You Believe Should Be Required Reading For Teens :

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Yes, the entire series. So many people love the movies, so why not get them to love the books, too? Let's be honest - as great as the flicks are, the books are always better. Plus, this series proves that reading IS fun.

2. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Despite those who think that, perhaps, the title is a bit too loose, shall we say, this book is phenomenal. Teens mess up. Teens make mistakes, and teens cope with trauma in different ways. This book is hard-hitting and well-written.

3. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I said I hated contemps until I read this book, then I realized I had to take it back. The story has depth, the characters ring true and the heart-wrenching story lingers long after.

4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - There are a ton of obtuse classics out there that just kill me with their lack of relevance to our day in age. This is NOT one of those books. If there are any of you who haven't read this book, you are missing out.

5. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - This is not marketed for a younger audience, and a lot of the author's work escapes me to this day, but this book is powerful, heartbreaking and real. I highly recommend this to both YA and adult readers.

6. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - Whether you're religious or not, I'm sure you know the story of Noah's Ark. I don't love too many of her books, but the blend of history, sci-fi, romance and family makes this book powerful for all ages - especially teens.

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - We all know of my love of animals. This book merges the pure soul of an unbiased dog with the values of family, love, humour and a true account of the oddity that is human life. I can't recommend this book enough to teens.

8. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - I'm a huge fan of memoirs, but this one stands apart. The story of a girl growing up in a family with different dreams and lower means, this book is about coming to terms with your own identity and growing up to be your best despite what stands in your way.

9. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - I remember when I first read this book. I thought it was horrifying, fascinating, incredible, powerful and it left me speechless. The writing is brilliant and the soul of the story leaps from the pages.

10. Watership Down by Richard Adams - Don't let the premise or the length of this book fool you. Though nearly 500 pages in length, each page resonates with meaning, and the theme of man's destructive impact on nature, the importance of friendship, teamwork and perseverance and the value of family makes this a must read for teens.

Title: Redwall
Author: Brian Jacques
Publisher: Philomel
Published: January 1, 1990
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Source: Personal Copy

As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of Redwall. This dazzling story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, but has the added bonus of taking the reader right back to the heart and soul of Redwall Abbey and the characters who live there.

Redwall is the story of an ancient Abbey deep in the woods of Mossflower, a pristine forest where animals live in harmony with one another. Redwall Abbey is the heart of all of Mossflower; a place where the citizens of the land live in peace and tranquility, coexisting despite their different species and backgrounds. The land is threatened, however, by a dangerous enemy known as Cluny the Scourge, a one-eye rat warlord. Determined to overtake Redwall Abbey and claim Mossflower as his domain, Cluny will stop at nothing to gain what he seeks. Matthias, a little mouse from a humble background, however, won’t rest until he proves his worth and saves Redwall from the tyrant. And so, Matthias begins searching for the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior to save Redwall. Can he become the hero he so desperately wants to be in time?

Ok, I know what you’re thinking…a book…with animals as the characters? Don’t be so quick to judge! I started reading this series when I was about 8 years old, and I made fun of the silly covers at that age, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Redwall is the first book in a series about Redwall Abbey, a harmonious place where the animals survive in peace and tranquility. That peace is threatened when a marauding band of tyrants sets up camp in the Church of St. Ninian with the goal of conquering Redwall. Brian Jacques created a magical start to the series with a book brimming with fantastic characters and a loveable hero in Matthias that propels the book forward with every minute action.

Redwall presents a world without humans – one where the animals are every bit as human as humans, themselves. With a loveable hero in Matthias, we’re transported to a world that’s simple at its core, but perfectly portrays base human emotions from love, to greed, to the hero that lies within every one of us. The world is rich and descriptive, and Brian Jacques’ words transport you to a world that’s pure and beautiful, but plagued by destruction, very much like our own world. With epic battles, a sweet love story, a full cast of endearing characters, and a world of adventure, Redwall is the perfect start to a great series. My only major qualm with Redwall is the amount of descriptiveness spent on each feast. Frankly, I got really hungry each time, and I can now tell you every staple of food on their tables.

All in all though, I loved Redwall, and I’m pleased to say it’s one of my go-to books to read and re-read time and again. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to YA readers, especially those who enjoy a good fantasy. Fans of Watership Down will also love this book. The second book in the series is Mossflower.