Author Rachel Cohn has written more than 10 young adult novels including the popular Cyd Charisse trilogy and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (co-written by David Levithan). Dosomething.org got to ask her a few questions about the role books had during her teen years and what books have inspired her to do.

Did a book ever get you through a hard time as a teen?

My two prime "go to" books I read over and over for comfort as a teen were Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger (because I loved Franny's despair and Zooey's bathtub conversation with his mother), and Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, for the hopeless romance and "rise from the ashes" gumption of Scarlett O'Hara.

What celebrity do you think would play the protagonist in a movie version of your latest book?

My next forthcoming book which will come out this October , called BETA, is the first in a 4-book sci-fi series, about a girl who is a clone--an experimental "beta" model used to test teenage clones. The clones are replicated from dead people with superior looks. In my mind, I totally picture Dakota Fanning or Elle Fanning playing Elysia, the teen clone.

What was your favorite books as a teenager?

I loved anything by J.D. Salinger, "bodice ripper" romance novels, Stephen King, and juicy page-turners by Sidney Sheldon and Jackie Collins.

Has a book ever inspired you to do some thing for a cause?

When I was in fifth grade I read a biography of Helen Keller which inspired me to try to learn sign language and braille. I never got past mastering the sign letter alphabet but it's still my goal to one day become proficient in signing.

What can you do?

• Take part in our Epic Book Drive [1].