By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service

Is your child or teen looking for a good novel to read? Check out one of these new books:

If you think young-adult novels are just for teen-agers, you haven't read John Green's books.

Since 2005, Green, 31, has published three novels featuring quirky, likable protagonists trying to figure out who they are in the midst of challenging circumstances.

As a child, Steve Jenkins always dreamed of being a scientist. After all, his father was a physics professor and astronomer, and Jenkins himself spent much of his childhood immersed in the natural world, making notes and drawings of his discoveries.

When Jenkins, 56, entered North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., however, he decided to switch his major from science to art.

Caldecott Medalist David Macaulay had an idea -- an inkling, at least -- that creating a children's book on the human body might be a rather tough challenge.

As Election Day gets closer, check out these election-themed books for children and teens:

Check out some of these standout Halloween books for young readers:

Author/illustrator David Shannon gets some of his best children's-book ideas from his family.

Let's just say it flat-out: "Our White House" (Candlewick Press, $29.99) is a stunning gathering of children's-book stars, all with a single goal of illuminating a national treasure for young readers.

Jon Scieszka is a master at making reading fun for kids, as he proves once again in his latest book, "Knucklehead" (Viking, $16.99).

In 38 short, photo-filled chapters, Scieszka vividly details what it was like to grow up with five brothers (he was the second-oldest) who were always getting into some sort of trouble.

Robie Harris tackles all kinds of issues in her books for kids -- everything from sibling rivalry to sex.