There is more for teenagers to read about than vampires (although I say anything that gets them to read is OK). Publishers call books aimed at middle and high school students young adult (YA) books. A little reality never hurt anyone. And nonfiction or fiction, books about real events or people can be just as exciting as they are informative. Here are a few to try:

"I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced" (Three Rivers Press, $12). She was barely 10 years old when her father gave her in marriage to a brutal man more than three times her age. In Yemen and other Muslim countries, that's not unusual and there is little a girl can do about it. But Nujood Ali of Yemen was determined to try. She went to court to demand her freedom. She became a shining beacon of courage for other girls. Her story isn't pretty but it's moving and will give American kids some idea of how lucky they are.

"Ashes" (Viking, $16.99) by Kathryn Lasky. Young Gabriella slowly realizes that her world, the comfortable life of academia in 1932 Berlin, is changing – and not for the better. What Hitler and his followers stand for just isn’t right. Even a 13-year-old knows that. But Gabby and the adults around her are helpless to change things. Family and friends are torn apart and, in the end, she is forced to flee.

"Sitting Bull: His Life and Legacy" (Gibbs Smith, $19.99) by Ernie LaPointe. The great-grandson of the powerful Lakota Sioux chief gives his ancestor’s life and death a poignancy other biographers probably couldn't capture. LaPointe, who was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation, uses personal accounts, letters, diaries and public records to flesh out the story of the doomed Indian leader. The book is filled with photographs of historical Native Americans.

"Woods Runner" (Wendy Lamb Books, $15.99) by Gary Paulsen. Sam, a teenager living on the Pennsylvania frontier, wasn’t really concerned with the American Revolution. But suddenly and violently his village is thrust into the war and he is forced to grow up fast. He embarks on a difficult journey to find his parents, which takes him to New York City and into danger. War isn’t fun and heroes die the same as common folk.

Carol Bicak reviews books for the World-Herald and writes for the Community Connection section.