like julie of the wolves and
jane eyre that are easy reads and
that are quick one night reads and have
a great message?

To Kill A Mockingbird
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Camilla by Madeleine L'Engle

That is probably my favorite young adult book ever, I still have it and love rereading it. And I like earlier books of Lucy Maud Montgomery's series, Anne of Green Gable and Emily of New Moon. They do seem pretty formulaic and hackneyed now, but I really loved them when I was in my pre/early teens, b/c they were oddball writerly girls who went their own way. And "Franny and Zooey" really got me when I was 16/17, even though it was probably totally over my head.

13 - 18?

They need to get started on Oscar Wilde (without a doubt; he's so fantastic) and Dostoyevsky.

Jane Eyre is great, though, I must commend you for that recommendation.

Also, if they can read some of the Free Thinkers like Salman Rushdie, that will help them develop and retain their identity throughout adulthood.

And, this might sound weird, but Candace Bushnell is fabulously genius. Yes, she is the author of Sex and the City - but you know what? She is the Jane Austen of our day. She's the only one who writes of the taboo class system in America (which is acceptable (or was) in Britain, but which no one will discuss in America).

This is, of course, assuming that you are speaking of American adolescents.

Flour Babies by Anne Fine

That's for kids loads younger than thirteen, though, I think...but still, it's my favourite children's book ever. I am 21 and supposed to read nowt but baffling philosophy books but I still pick up Flour Babies every now and again. I just find it so funny and lovely and touching