High School Kids vs Novel

I believe that high school students have a hard time engaging in a class such as Novel. This year, I taught Novel to kids in eleventh and twelfth grade. This was a crazy journey for me, and was very new. The students came in to the class, not liking to read, and thinking it was an easy credit. Well, this to me was a challenge I'd like to accept. I decided to think like I was a high school student. What kinds of books interest me? What kinds of books can teach a lesson that they can relate to in real life? I dove in to the world of YAL, and searched for books with meanings. The first book I chose for them was Divergent. This book was one of many that students could relate to as far as what faction or "social" group they belonged to. I went through the novel study with them, and they were engaged the WHOLE time! We went and watched the movie and then did a compare and contrast assignment. This was a great book. I think that the kids had a whole new perspective of the class after reading this book, and completing the activities that were hands on that I provided for them. I'm excited for next year!