THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES ASSOCIATION A DIVISON OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION young adult librarylibrary servicesservices

VOLUME 10 | NUMBER 3 SPRING 2012 ISSN 1541-4302 $17.50

INSIDE:

Belpre Awards Great Graphic Novels Listening for the Best and much more! AwardsIssue

The official journal of The Young adulT librarY ServiceS aSSociaTion young adult library services

VOLUME 10 | NUMBER 3 SPRING 2012 ISSN 1541-4302

The View from ALA Plus: 4 All About Amelia 2 From the Editor The Amelia Bloomer Project Megan Honig By Jennie. S. Law, Maureen McCoy, Beth Olshewsky, and Angela Semifero 3 From the President Sarah Flowers YALSA Perspectives 45 Guidelines for Authors 7 Save the Date for November’s Young 45 Index to Advertisers Adult Literature Symposium! 46 The YALSA Update By Patty Carleton 9 From Best Books to Best Fiction Embracing Change in YALSA’s Selection Lists By Terri Snethen

Hot Spot: Awards 12 YALSA Announces 2012 Award Winners and Book and Media Lists 30 Listening for the Best Amazing Audiobooks for Teens By Jeri W. Cohen and Cathy Andronik 32 Cultivating Latino Cultural Literacy Pura Belpre Award-Winning Books in Library Programming for Teens and Tweens By Jamie Campbell Naidoo About This Cover 37 Evildoings, Deadly Exes, and Rock and Roll! Find the best books and media for young adults Read- and Listen-Alikes Supporting the each year with YALSA’s Best of the Best! At Fabulous Films for Young Adults 2012 List www.ala.org/yalsa/best, you’ll find downloadable By the 2012 Fabulous Films for Young Adults Committee tools to promote these titles in your library. Materials were created through funding from the 39 Discovering Greatness: YALSA’s Great Friends of YALSA, www.ala.org/givetoyalsa. Graphic Novels for Teens List You can also join the Best of the Best Reading By Joy Kim and Rachael Myers Challenge at The Hub, http://yalsa.ala.org/thehub, 42 The Cybils: Book Awards from the through July 1. Blogosphere By Jackie Parker 2011–2012 YALSA Editorial Advisory Committee (providing advisory input for the journal) Kimberly Bolan Cullin, chair, Indianapolis, Ind.; Jennifer Brannen, Durham, N.C.; from the Katherine Covintree, Providence, R.I.; Laura Pearle, Carmel, N.Y.; Cindy Welch, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Whitney Winn, Golita, Calif.

YALSA Executive Director Beth Yoke Editor Editor-in-Chief Megan Honig Megan Honig Managing Editor Stephanie Kuenn Circulation s the range of materials available to and published for Young Adult Library Services (ISSN 1541-4302) is published four times a year by the American Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL young adults continues to grow, keeping up with what’s 60611. It is the official publication of the Young Adult Library Services Asso- new, well crafted, and appealing to teens becomes a bigger ciation (YALSA), a division of ALA. Subscription price: members of YALSA, A $25 per year, included in membership dues; nonmembers, $70 per year in the and bigger task. YALSA’s awards and lists are a powerful tool for U.S.; $80 in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Back issues within one year navigating the growing field of young adult media. of current issue, $17.50 each. Periodicals class postage paid at Chicago, Illinois and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to In this issue, learn about some of the many awards, lists, and Young Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Members: committees that help librarians, teens, and fans discover the best of Address changes and inquiries should be sent to Membership Department, Changes to Young Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. the best. Insiders from several YALSA committees—and a couple Nonmember subscribers: Subscriptions, orders, changes of address, and inqui- of committees outside YALSA—discuss what makes their work ries should be sent to Changes to Young Adult Library Services, Subscriptions, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press 5; unique and how librarians across the country can use a variety of fax: (312) 944-2641; [email protected]. awards and lists in their own collection development and Statement of Purpose programming. Young Adult Library Services is the official journal of the Young Adult What books complement the titles on the Fabulous Films for Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. YALS primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education for Young Adults list? How can librarians use Pura Belpre award- librarians serving young adults, ages twelve through eighteen. It will include winning titles to promote Latino cultural literacy? What makes an articles of current interest to the profession, act as a showcase for best prac- tices, provide news from related fields, publish recent research related to YA “Amazing Audiobook” amazing? Find the answers to these librarianship, and will spotlight significant events of the organization and questions and more, as well as copies of all YALSA of YALSA’s offer in-depth reviews of professional literature. YALS will also serve as the official record of the organization. 2012 awards and lists. Production Plus, get up to date on the Best Fiction for Young Adults Cadmus Communications Committee (formerly Best Books for Young Adults) and an Advertising introduction to the Cybils, a list created by book bloggers. Bill Spilman, Innovative Media Solutions; 1-877-878-3260; fax (309) If you appreciate this issue of Young Adult Library Services 483-2371; e-mail [email protected]. View our media kit at www.ala.org/yalsa/mediakit. YALS accepts advertising for goods or services of (or even if you don’t), we need your help! Take our YALS interest to the library profession and librarians in service to youth in particular. readership survey, available on the web at http://www. It encourages advertising that informs readers and provides clear communica- tion between vendor and buyer. YALS adheres to ethical and commonly surveymonkey.com/s/yals2012. This short survey will help us accepted advertising practices and reserves the right to reject any determine what kind of articles and topics to cover in future issues advertisement not suited to the above purposes or not consistent with the aims and policies of ALA. Acceptance of advertising in YALS does not and will give you a chance to share your needs and opinions. And as imply official endorsement by ALA of the products or services advertised. always, you can send feedback, article submissions, and more to Manuscripts [email protected]. YALS Manuscripts and letters pertaining to editorial content should be sent to YALSA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; e-mail: yalseditor@gmail. com. Manuscripts will be sent out for review according to YALS’s established referee procedures. Visit www.ala.org/yalsa for further information. Indexing, Abstracting, and Microfilm Young Adult Library Services is indexed in Library Literature, Library & Information Science Abstracts, and Current Index to Journals in Education. Microfilm copies of Journal of Youth Services in Libraries and its predecessor, Top of the News, are available from ProQuest/Bell & Howell, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992. 1 Ó2012 American Library Association All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scien- tific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other photocopying, reprinting, or trans- lating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions.

2 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 from the President Sarah Flowers

find that I have been thinking quite a all of these at www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.) bit about YALSA’s awards and selected All of these lists give us plenty to read and I lists recently. talk about, and offer us guidance in For one thing, I am back from Dallas, selecting materials for our libraries. and ALA’s Midwinter Meeting, where I had Immediately after Midwinter, the privilege of emceeing this year’s Youth YALSA previewed its new free iPhone Media Awards program and announcing all app, Teen Book Finder, at the of YALSA’s winners: Printz, Morris, Congressional Internet Caucus’s Tech committee members and YALSA members Nonfiction, Edwards, and Alex (it was Expo. By the time you read this, the app at large were satisfied with the lists, with no ALSC’s turn to announce Odyssey). One of should be available on the App Store (and major changes recommended. One concrete the great pleasures of that event is watching will be coming soon to Android, as well). It result that came from the task force’s work the committee members as their awards are will help teens, librarians, teachers, and is that there will be a new task force to announced and seeing their joy as the rest of parents search (by author, title, genre, and create a manual for the Excellence in the audience acknowledges their choices. It is award/list) the past several years’ worth of Nonfiction Award Committee. The board also fun to spend the rest of the day running books from YALSA’s awards and selected also discussed the feasibility of piloting one into friends and colleagues and asking, “Have lists, and link immediately to the nearest of our awards or lists as an all-virtual you read . . . ?” “What did you think library where users can find the books. It committee; an ad hoc committee of the about...?”“Canyoubelieve...?” will be a great opportunity to get the word board will continue to explore that option. This year, it was also quite interesting out about some terrific books. YALSA’s awards and selected lists are to watch how our awards can really make a Then, I have been thinking about a huge part of what we are known for. And difference to an author and a book. John YALSA’s lists and awards because there the committees that create these lists Corey Whaley’s book Where Things Come were several related issues on the board’s provide many of the opportunities for our Back, winner of both the Morris and Printz Midwinter agenda. (See www.ala.org/ members to be engaged and participate in Awards, stood at #97,910 on Amazon sales yalsa/2012-midwinter-board-documents YALSA’s work. But think about it: we’re rankings before the announcement. Two for links to the board documents.) We talking about twelve committees, with a hours later, it was at #328, rising to #76 discussed a new social media policy for total of 124 members, which means only later in the day, and settling back down to YALSA’s committee members. We saw a about 2.5 percent of YALSA’s more than #117 the following day. Next year, it would draft of the new manual for the Odyssey 5,200 members are involved on selection be interesting to check WorldCat to find Award Committee. We had a report from and award committees at any one time. out how many library copies were owned the Awards and Selected Lists Evaluation Yet, there are other ways every before and after the announcements.1 In task force. This task force spent a year member can be involved in YALSA’s any case, it is clear that YALSA’s awards looking in particular at the usefulness and awards and selected lists. Here are a few have a dramatic ripple effect. effectiveness of the new expanded suggestions: And then came the week after nominations lists for the Alex and Midwinter, when the selected lists were Nonfiction Awards, and at how the new l Read YALSA’s literature-based rolled out: Best Fiction, Amazing structure of the Best Fiction for Young blog, The Hub, every day, and Audiobooks, Fabulous Films, Great Adults Committee was working. The task contribute in the comments section Graphic Novels, Quick Picks, and Popular force surveyed current and past members of (www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub). There’s a Paperbacks. In addition, the vetted all three committees, analyzed the lists Monday poll every week (favorite nomination lists for the Nonfiction and created by the committees, and surveyed Alex Awards were released. (You can find YALSA members. Generally, both (continued on page 8)

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 3 feature The View from ALA

committee uses the process of consensus, taken from traditional feminist decision- All About Amelia making, to determine selection. When many books continue to present stereotypical images of women and The Amelia Bloomer Project girls, young people of all genders need to be able to find books that celebrate courageous women and girls who are portrayed not simply as “spunky” or By Jennie. S. Law, “feisty,” but as brave, confident females actively shaping their own destinies and Maureen McCoy, breaking barriers to defy stereotypes and societal limitations. Girls need books that Beth Olshewsky, will help them to recognize, understand, and resist systemic sexism around them, to and Angela Semifero claim their voices, and to be self-possessed. These books also encourage girls and young women to overcome issues of body image and to love themselves for whom ach year, the Amelia Bloomer popularize the style of dress known as they really are, in defiance of the Project creates an annotated list of “bloomers”: full-cut pantaloons worn under mainstream media’s ongoing obsession E recommended books for children a shorter skirt. Like its namesake, the with glamour, weight loss, and and teens that embody feminist principles. project is unique: among ALA book conventional appearance. In the process, Initiated in 2001, the project is named for selection committees, it differs in both its new cultural contexts are created, honoring Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818–1894), an content and its process. Books on the the diversity, validity, and beauty of all girls American writer and newspaper editor Amelia Bloomer Project list are selected for and women. who campaigned for temperance, women’s subject—significant feminism—not Finding current, high-quality books rights, and dress reform. She helped format, language, or translation, and the with significant feminist content and strong appeal to young readers cannot generally be accomplished using library catalogs or JENNIE S. LAW is a youth services librarian for DeKalb County databases. Although other online Public Library right outside Atlanta, Georgia. She is an incoming bibliographies can help, they can quickly cochair for The Amelia Bloomer Project 2013. become dated, may be limited to the MAUREEN MCCOY is a branch manager and a children’s librarian at creator’s personal experience, and may include feminist titles mixed in with a wide the Brooklyn Public Library. She received her MLIS from McGill variety of other books. University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She is an Immediate Past To identify suitable titles, committee Cochair for The Amelia Bloomer Project 2012. members read hundreds of promising BETH OLSHEWSKY is the Library Media Supervisor for the Tulare books every year. They seek beyond the County Office of Education, working collaboratively with school better-known review sources, delving into districts in the Central Valley of California and the western small press catalogs, websites, and popular foothills of the Sierras. She is an Immediate Past Cochair for The and feminist media to find books that meet Amelia Bloomer Project 2012. all four criteria for nomination: 1. Significant feminist content, 2. Excellence ANGELA SEMIFERO is the Director of the Marshall District Library in writing, 3. Appealing format, and 4. Age in Marshall, Michigan. She has taught as adjunct faculty for the appropriateness for young readers. Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science. Potential titles must also be published She is an incoming cochair for The Amelia Bloomer Project 2013. in the United States within the previous

4 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Law, McCoy, Olshewsky, and Semifero

eighteen months of the current calendar Once the list is created, its range of There are a variety of online spaces to find year—this year, the committee considered age levels and reading interests lends itself information and connect with the Project, books published between July 2010 and to a multiplicity of uses. From reader’s including the ALA Connect discussion December 2011. This generous window advisory and recreational reading, to teen forums. allows members to consider any titles book clubs and assignment help, the There are also several online forums that may have been overlooked the list’s annual production ensures that for readers to participate in book previous year. Books published outside there are always current titles to discussions and to learn about feminist the United States must have a US reflect the ever-shifting needs and authors and events. The Amelia Bloomer publication date that falls within the interests of children and teens. The list Project has had a participatory web stated range. Previously published provides a great starting point for women’s presence since 2008, when a MySpace site books can be considered if they are history displays and programming—many was established. In 2009, the committee reissued with significant changes or of the authors represented by the list are established a blog at www.ameliabloomer. additional content. Books for adults, with spread around the country and can be wordpress.com. Each official nomination is crossover appeal to teens, are also contacted to speak at school and public posted to this site throughout the considered. libraries. nomination year. Readers are always While committee members work hard During other months of the year, let welcome to comment on nominations and to identify potential titles, this task cannot your imaginations run wild! Host a “make participate in discussions on the blog. be accomplished alone. The committee your own” female superhero comic Recommendations can be submitted welcomes field recommendations that meet program! How about a self-defense through the blog or via e-mail at the stated criteria, from youth and the workshop, a riot grrrl music party, or a T- [email protected]. Teen adults who care about them. Field shirt program featuring feminist slogans? opinions on nominated titles are nominations are read by one or more The Project recently celebrated ten years of encouraged because this feedback is a committee members, who evaluate them selecting quality feminist literature for valuable resource to the committee during according to the same criteria used for youth, and there are many more titles to deliberations. nominations generated internally. After enjoy and celebrate—consult a complete Ideally, any programming or reader’s reading, field nominations are either archive of past lists through the blog or via advisory related to the Amelia Bloomer confirmed and made official, or disallowed the ALA Feminist Task Force website at Project list will include both young for not adequately meeting one or more of http://libr.org/ftf/bloomer.html. people of all genders. A major purpose of the criteria. The committee members then Support for the Amelia Bloomer the list is to expose children and teens to read, take notes, and deliberate upon all the Project is not limited to reading and these extraordinary stories of girls and nominated titles—no small task. This year recommending the titles on the list. The women, both real and imagined. As they saw 133 nominations! Amelia Bloomer Project Facebook group broaden their understanding of women’s During Midwinter Meeting, each allows users to connect with a variety of history and the ongoing struggles for nomination is discussed individually until people who support the work of the equality and respect faced by girls and consensus is reached about whether or not Project. These include committee women at home and around the world, to include the book on the list. The members, Feminist Task Force members, they shape their awareness not only of the diversity of subjects and reading levels authors, publishers, and educators across world as it is but also of the world as it found in these books is also reflected in the the country. The latest information about could be. committee’s membership. Representing a committee activities is posted to the group This year’s list is filled with books that range of geographic regions around the wall along with current nominations. Users clearly illustrate the struggles of the past, United States, members work in public, can also find pictures from events such as the balance of the present, and hope for the academic, and school libraries, in urban the Amelia Bloomer Breakfast at the ALA future in feminism. Ellen Levine’s In centers, mid-sized cities, and rural regions. Annual Conference. Past events have Trouble, inspired by the author’s interviews Their individual experiences enrich featured speakers such as Laurie Halse with American women who came of age Midwinter discussions but they share a Anderson, Sharyn November, and during the 1950s and 1960s, tells the story common love of youth literature and a Margarita Engle. A Twitter feed of two teen girls from that era who passion for feminism reflected in these (@ameliabloomer) connects followers with accidentally become pregnant, the decisions materials. feminist publications and organizations. they make regarding their condition, and

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 5 All About Amelia

how they push into the unknown to create a future for themselves. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney is a contemporary story about a young woman, Alex, who is drugged and date- raped on her private school campus. The Mockingbirds, a secret student-led organization, offer Alex a chance at justice when she is faced with institutional ignorance, marking a big change in cultural attitudes toward young women who are sexually assaulted. Malinda Lo’s Huntress exemplifies a futuristic vision of feminism, set in a society where women are autonomous, brave, and powerful people as a matter of course. The list can be accessed at http:// ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/2012/ 01/22/announcing-the-2012-amelia- bloomer-project-top-10-list/. Now more than ever, girls and boys, men and women, need positive feminist role models. We need to be reminded that brave people of all genders paved the way to the rights we enjoy today. We need to see a new future with greater equality for all— regardless of gender. We need real-life heroes and positive, fully realized female superheroes. The Amelia Bloomer Project celebrates women who have shaped history, who are blazing new paths, and who are identifying solutions to contemporary challenges. Our members hope that all young readers will have an opportunity to experience the spectrum of feminism represented in these titles. These books help make transformations possible, in young people, in the actions they take to transform the world around them, and in the shaping of the future we share. YALS

6 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 feature YALSA Perspectives

ovember is just around the corner. Make plans now to Save the Date for N attend the YA Literature Symposium in St. Louis, November 2–4. Put it in your budget request; save your nickels. Plans are shaping up for the best November’s Young symposium ever—and why not? It is THE NEXT BIG THING! More than sixty-five applications for programs and research papers were received, Adult Literature and from those, the planning committee selected three preconferences and seventeen programs. Other events include a Symposium! presentation of three selected research papers and a luncheon with authors Patricia McCormick and David Levithan. This will be one busy and enriching weekend! By Patty Carleton As we considered the proposals, several themes emerged.

Trend-Spotting the apocalypse? Where are science redefine the classic canon to include fiction, fantasy, and steampunk today’s popular titles. Predicting fads, staying ahead of ever-more heading? Several presenters offer their savvy teens—this seems to be a concern of predictions. many YA librarians. Nothing says “uncool” Diversity like last year’s fad. Fortunately, there are tools andtipstohelpusspotthenextbigthing— Looking to the Past Teens ask for, and increasingly find, whether in literature, publishing, reading to Predict Our Future contemporary realistic fiction that will help programs, or technology—before it’s passe. them find their way in an ever-more diverse Even as we move forward, we want and shrinking world. Rural or urban, in the Transliteracy and to look backward. Several presenters United States or in Australia, gay or straight, Transmedia will look to what was hot to predict white, black, multiethnic, or biracial, teens the next big thing. They address the want to see themselves in the books they Using video, websites, apps, and text question of “staying power” as we read. Workshops will address these concerns. messages, publishers are taking stories beyond books and across media. How can YA librarians capitalize on these tools to help the next generation become a generation of PATTY CARLETON earned her MLS at the University of North readers? What role can social media play in Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1989. She has worked at St. Louis Public getting teens talking about what they are Library since 1989, as an assistant branch manager, manager, and reading? Even as teens abandon paper books, children’s librarian. Since 2004, she has been Director of Youth how can YA librarians help them have rich Services at SLPL. She is an active member of ALA, ALA-SC, and reading experiences? YALSA. She served on the 2002 Newbery Committee, the Coretta Scott King Award Committee (2003–2004), and the 2007 Sibert Post-Apocalypse Award Committee, and currently serves on the Children’s Notable Dystopian fantasy is hot now, but Books Committee. She was a member of the YALSA Wrestlemania what happens when we’re done with Reading Challenge Jury in 2010.

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 7 November’s Young Adult Literature Symposium!

Blurring Genre Lines suggest ways to make author visits more At this writing, presenters are not interactive (and interesting) for both the confirmed, so we can’t divulge details. But As young adult literature grows, it moves into author and the teen audience. Other anticipate a visionary keynote speaker, new frontiers and challenges boundaries. The programs will model ways to use exciting workshops, networking with old genre classifications don’t work anymore. technology in literature-based programs colleagues, and FUN! Registration will be A sci-fi-mystery-romance, written in verse, and explore the effect participatory fan open by April 1; meanwhile, stay up to with graphic illustrations, about an angst- culture and Internet publishing have on date on the latest symposium news at ridden vampire or time-traveling zombie who teen literature. www.ala.org/yalitsymposium. doesn’t get along with their parental unit And I hope you’ll join me for a tour could be the next bestseller. The Young Adult of St. Louis Libraries—one of the Literature Symposium will help you Hearing from Teens preconference offerings. See you in understand, appreciate, and sell these blended and Authors St. Louis—Gateway to the West, and in and evolving genres. November, gateway to The Next Big In keeping with YALSA tradition and Thing. YALS good YA practice, many programs include Practical Programs and input and feedback from outside the Services to Help You library profession. The YA Lit Symposium Help Teens Find “The promises an exciting mix of viewpoints, Next Big Thing” from teen guys talking to guy writers, publishers, and editors, to well-known Presenters will share programs that authors and fresh voices with new have worked. A panel of authors will perspectives. from the President (continued from page 3) l star-crossed lovers, best made-up teenstopten). The nominations are better on the Morris and Nonfiction Awards, profanity, best siblings) and tweets of posted on Support Teen Literature thanks to the fact that their shortlists were the week every Friday. There are Day in April, and readers ages 12 to revealed in December, having read four of the author interviews, booklists, and 18 vote online in August and five Morris finalists (of course, the one I essays about anything to do with YA September, with the list announced hadn’t read was the winner!) and three of the literature. I know there are plenty of during Teen Read Week in October. five Nonfiction finalists, including the winner. you out there with opinions: here’s a l Promote the lists and awards in your I had read one of the ten Alex winners, and great chance to share them. library or school, with teachers and had listened to none of the Odyssey winners. l Encourageyourteensand your colleagues parents, and, of course, with teens. Go I had read all of the books by Susan Cooper to nominate books for YALSA’s Reader’s to www.ala.org/yalsa/best to find named in the Edwards citation, but it has Choice list (www.ala.org/yalsa/ downloadable tools that will help you been so long that I am reading them again. So readerschoice) and be sure to vote for promote YALSA’s Best of the Best. I have my work cut out for me, although it’s your choices when the nominations are Logos, bookmarks (that you can nothingincomparisontotheworkofthe announced in November. customize with your library’s committees who are already reading and l Get your teens or your library or information), spine labels, and more are listening for next year’s winners. YALS school colleagues to read the Morris available to help you get the word out. and Nonfiction shortlists in December and January and have your own mock Sonowitistimeformetogetbackto Reference award discussion. reading all of this year’s award winners and 1. “Newbery/Caldecott/Printz winners equal l Do a Mock Printz with teens or colleagues. honor books. Full disclosure: at the time of sales,” EarlyWord (blog), Jan. 23, 2012, l Encourage your teens to vote for the the announcement, I had read only one of the www.earlyword.com/2012/01/23/ Teens’ Top Ten (www.ala.org/yalsa/ five Printz Award and Honor books. I did newberycaldecottprintz-winners-equal-sales/.

8 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 feature YALSA Perspectives

s a new high school librarian in 2002, I was given the task of From Best Books A beefing up our young adult literature collection. I immediately turned to YALSA’s booklists and book awards as a starting point. The Best Books for Young to Best Fiction Adults (BBYA) list in particular was extremely valuable, and I’m proud to say that my high school library now has a superb collection of young adult fiction, Embracing Change in nonfiction, and graphic novels that continues to grow. As my knowledge of young adult YALSA’s Selection Lists literature expanded, I decided to complete the YALSA application form and volunteer for a selection committee. I By Terri Snethen remember squealing out loud in October 2008 when I received word that I had been chosen to serve on the BBYA 2009 committee. After two years, I was asked to serve as chair for BBYA 2011. As the The reasons for these changes were to The YALSA board also specified that at beginning of my term as chair approached, allow each award and list committee to the end of the first year a task force would I became aware that changes were being focus on a single format, genre, or audience be formed to evaluate the success of the proposed to several of YALSA’s lists and and to make sure that the workload for modifications to the committee and its awards—including BBYA—that would committee members was manageable. In charge. impact the work and focus of the recent years, YALSA has added awards In January 2011, the first-ever BFYA committee. The YA library world was and lists that focus on nonfiction, graphic list was released with ninety-nine titles. As abuzz with what these changes would novels, adult novels for young adults, and chair, I was so proud of the work of the mean for BBYA. What have I gotten various other formats, such as films and committee. We worked tirelessly to ensure myself into? I wondered. audiobooks, and it was thought to make that our readership was high and spent A little history might be in order here. sense for each group to focus on one genre hours at the committee table during Since the 1930s, ALA committees have or format. Annual Conference and Midwinter been compiling a yearly list of the best There were a few other changes in the Meeting to create a list and top ten. books for young people. The committee proposal as well. Previously, titles that had Overall, the revisions in the committee and list have undergone several won the Printz Award and Honors were charge did not have much of an impact on modifications in both name and charge automatically included in the BBYA list, our actual work. While veteran members over the years, and in 1966 became Best but under the new proposals, those titles commented on missing the chance to read Books for Young Adults. At Midwinter would no longer be automatically added to new nonfiction and graphic novels, overall Meeting 2010, the YALSA board BFYA. Another difference from previous our reading load was about the same as proposed and approved the first significant years was that all selection committee before, and we found a great deal of YA alterations to BBYA since its inception. members would now have two-year terms fiction to recommend and discuss. While These alterations included changing the rather than the previous three-year terms. there was, as always, discussion and some name from Best Books for Young Adults to Best Fiction for Young Adults (BFYA) and updating the committee charge to TERRI SNETHEN is a librarian at Blue Valley North High School in focus only on works of fiction published for Overland Park, Kansas. She served on BBYA 2009 and 2010 and young adults. This meant no graphic was the chair of BFYA 2011. In 2009, her library won the School novels, no nonfiction, and no adult fiction. Library Media Program of the Year from AASL.

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 9 From Best Books to Best Fiction

criticism from YALSA membership about 50 percent of the lists, with fantasy, used for training and curriculum what did and did not make our list, we paranormal, dystopian, and historical support. were confident that our list comprised the fiction being the next largest genres l Committee members overwhelmingly best YA fiction from the previous sixteen represented. We found that the lists all (79 percent) replied that the reading months. contained relatively few titles in the genres load was “about what I expected” for In 2011, YALSA formed the Book of science fiction, horror, and comedy, both BBYA and BFYA. Committee Evaluation Task Force to again perhaps reflecting trends in the YA l Many felt that reducing the BFYA evaluate the changes in BFYA as well as publishing industry. term to two years would negatively the Alex Award and the Nonfiction After the surveys had been distributed impact the quality of discussion, Award. Because I had been the first chair and compiled, we had a lot of data to continuity of the committee, and of BFYA, it made sense for me to be part dissect. Most of the questions allowed balance of new and veteran members. of this task force. Our group was led by respondents to add comments, which were Some suggested a third optional year. Pam Spencer Holley, and Shari Fesko and extremely helpful. Here are some of the l Seventy-seven percent felt that serving I agreed to head up the evaluation of BBYA and BFYA survey highlights: on BBYA and BFYA enhanced their BFYA. Our first task was to create an ability to discuss and select books for evaluation tool—a survey—that would be l Fifty-seven percent of respondents teens. used to gather feedback from current thought that the right number of l One hundred percent appreciated the BFYA members, former BBYA members, books was selected. chance to interact with peers who are and the library community at large. We l Sixty-one percent thought that no also passionate about teens and came up with questions designed to quota or maximum number of titles reading and felt that it was a valuable determine usage of the list, the quality and should be required. opportunity to lend their time and number of titles for the designated age l Fifty-four percent thought that titles talents to YALSA. range, the genre makeup of the list, the for the younger end of YA were workload and term lengths of committee underrepresented. In October 2011, the task force sent a members, the effectiveness of the list as a l Sixty-five percent thought that summary of the survey results to the collection development tool, and the effect limiting BFYA to only those titles YALSA board for their fall meeting. The on the list from revisions to the Alex published for YA was not a problem. last order of business for our task force was Award and Excellence in Nonfiction l Fifty-six percent responded that to distill all this information down into just Award. The nineteen-question survey was removing adult titles from BFYA a few recommendations that the YALSA sent to committee members from BBYA improved the quality of the list. board would consider at Midwinter 2009 and 2010 and BFYA 2011 and 2012. l Fifty-nine percent responded that the Meeting 2012. Our recommendations Other task force members created surveys Nonfiction list of vetted titles did not were: to evaluate the changes to the Alex Award compensate for removing nonfiction and the Excellence in Nonfiction Award. from BFYA. 1. The length of the BFYA list should As we waited for responses to the l Results were split 50/50 on whether not be limited to a specific number but surveys, we took a look at the first BFYA the Alex Award list of vetted titles kept as it is and determined by the list and compared it to the last few BBYA compensated for removing adult titles votes of the committee. lists. Here are some of the things that from BFYA. 2. Because adult titles and nonfiction are stood out to us: In general, the BBYA and l Sixty-seven percent felt historical adequately represented on other lists, BFYA lists tend to lean to the older teens fiction was the most underrepresented it is appropriate for BFYA not to in the age range. The length of the list has genre in the 2011 BFYA list. contain either of these. been steadily growing: eighty-six titles in l Comments about genre and age 3. The number of titles representing a 2009, ninety in 2010, and ninety-nine in representation favored not attempting certain genre, age group, or gender 2011 (the 2012 list has 113!). We to balance the list. should not be limited or required. wondered if this increase reflects the l Librarians use the list primarily for 4. YALSA should keep careful watch increasing number and quality of YA books collection development, booktalking, that there is an equal balance of first- being published in recent years. We also displays, reader’s advisory, and book year members and more veteran found that realistic fiction made up about clubs. To a lesser degree, the list is members on each year’s BFYA

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committee to maintain the continuity and quality of the list.

It seems clear from the survey responses and comments that BFYA is a valuable tool for YA librarians and one about which many feel passionate. All who serve on this committee do a tremendous amount of work, and we should be grateful that there are people willing to put other aspects of their lives on hold to spend a couple of years reading approximately a book a day. Several respondents commented that the changes from BBYA to BFYA have simply created a different list—not better or worse, just different. It will remain to be seen how the changes to BFYA will affect the list over time, but I think it can be said that BFYA is one of YALSA’s most valuable tools. For me, my years on BBYA and BFYA were extremely rewarding. Although I was nervous about chairing the inaugural BFYA Committee, the other members took to the changes with enthusiasm and hard work and made it one of the most outstanding endeavors of my career. I made countless new friends and gained a new appreciation for how passionate YA librarians are about books and teens. I read more than I ever thought possible and spent countless hours making notes and organizing and reorganizing the stacks of books that overtook my house. In the last year, since ending my tenure on the book selection committee, I have read more adult titles and have gone back to some old hobbies that went by the wayside. I will always cherish my BBYA and BFYA days. In all, my experience has lasted four years, ending with this task force. Maybe it’s time to volunteer for another committee. YALS

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 11 feature Hot Spot: Awards

l The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston, YALSA Announces published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (ISBN: 9780061966903) 2012 Award l The Talk-Funny Girl by Roland Merullo, published by Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Winners and Book Random House (ISBN: 9780307452924) and Media Lists The official nominations for the 2012 awards are available online at www.ala.org/ yalsa/booklists/alex. The 2012 Alex Awards committee is: Chair Karen Keys, Queens Library, Long s part of ALA’s annual Youth l In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard, Island City, N.Y.; Amy Cheney, Alameda Media Awards, YALSA published by Little, Brown and County Juvenile Hall Library, San A announced its six literary awards Company, a division of Leandro, Calif.; Meghan Cirrito, Queens at Midwinter Meeting in Dallas on January Hachette Book Group (N.Y.) Library; Danielle Dreger-Babbitt, 23: the Alex, Edwards, Morris, Nonfiction, (ISBN: 9780316084475) Sno-Isle Regional Library Mill Creek Odyssey, and Printz awards. In addition, l The Lover’s Dictionary by David (Wash.) Library; Crystal Faris, Kansas YALSA announced the titles on its Levithan, published by Farrar, City (Mo.) Public Library; Ann Perrigo, selected booklists: Amazing Audiobooks Straus and Giroux Allegan (Mich.) District Library; Tina for Young Adults, Best Fiction for Young (ISBN: 9780374193683) Pounds, Edison High School Alexandria, Adults, Fabulous Films for Young Adults, l The New Kids: Big Dreams and Va.; Scott Rader, Hays (Kan.) Public Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Popular Brave Journeys at a High School for Library; Ellen R. Wathen, Walnut Hills Paperbacks for Young Adults, and Quick Immigrant Teens by Brooke Hauser, High School, Cincinnati; and Ian Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. published by Free Press, a division of Chipman, Booklist magazine, Chicago. Simon and Schuster (ISBN: 9781439163283) l The Night Circus by Erin Margaret A. Edwards Award Awards Morgenstern, published by Doubleday, a division of Random The Margaret A. Edwards Award, Alex Awards House (ISBN: 9780385534635) established in 1988, honors an author, as The Alex Awards are given to ten books l Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, well as a specific body of his or her work, written for adults that have special appeal published by Crown Publishers, an for significant and lasting contribution to to young adults, ages twelve through imprint of the Crown Publishing young adult literature. The annual award is eighteen. The winning titles are Group, a division of Random House administered by YALSA and sponsored by selected from the previous year’s published (ISBN: 9780307887436) School Library Journal magazine. It books. The award is sponsored by the l Robopocalypse: A Novel by Daniel H. recognizes an author’s work in helping Margaret A. Edwards Trust. The 2012 Wilson, published by Doubleday, a adolescents become aware of themselves winners are: division of Random House (ISBN: and addressing questions about their role 978038553850) and importance in relationships, society, l Big Girl Small by Rachel DeWoskin, l Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, and in the world. published by Farrar, Straus and published by Bloomsbury USA Susan Cooper is the recipient of the Giroux (ISBN: 9780374112578) (ISBN: 9781608195220) 2012 Margaret A. Edwards Award

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honoring her significant and lasting Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the contribution to writing for teens for The published by Lee and Low Books; and Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Dark Is Rising Sequence: Over Sea, Under Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, Along the Way) by Sue Macy, published by Stone; The Dark Is Rising; Greenwitch; The published by Philomel Books, an imprint National Geographic Children’s Books; Gray King; and Silver on the Tree. of Penguin Young Readers Group USA. and Music Was IT: Young Leonard Susan Cooper will be honored at the Members of the 2012 William C. Bernstein by Susan Goldman Rubin, YALSA Edwards Award Luncheon and Morris Award are: Chair Teri Lesesne, published by Charlesbridge. presented with a citation and cash prize of Department of Library Science, Sam For more information, including a list $2,000 during the 2012 ALA Annual Houston State University, Huntsville, of official nominations, please visit Conference in Anaheim, California, June Tex.; Adrienne Butler, Oklahoma www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction. 21–26. Department of Libraries, Oklahoma City; Members of the 2012 YALSA Award Members of the 2012 Edwards Sarah English, Omaha (Neb.) Public for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Committee are: Chair Susan Fichtelberg, Library; Krista Hutley, Englewood (Colo.) Adults award committee are: Chair Woodbridge (N.J.) Public Library; Amy Public Library; Angela Leeper, University Jennifer Hubert, Little Red School House Joanne Chow, The Brearley School, New of Richmond (Va.) Curriculum Materials and Elisabeth Irwin High School, New York; Jonathan Hunt, Modesto City Center; Rachel McDonald, King County York; Mary Burkey, Olentangy Local (Calif.) Schools; Walter M. Mayes, The Library System, Issaquah, Wash.; Amanda Schools, Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth Girls’ Middle School, Palo Alto, Calif.; and L. S. Murphy, Warren-Trumbull County Burns, New Jersey State Library Talking Kate McNair, Johnson County Library, Public Library, Warren, Ohio; Sarah Book and Braille Center, Trenton, N.J.; Shawnee Mission, Kan. Okner, Three Rivers Public Library Betty Carter, Consultant, Coppell, Tex.; For more information, please visit District, Channahon, Ill.; Ed Spicer, Diane Colson, Youth Services Librarian, www.ala.org/yalsa/edwards. Reviewer, Michigan Reading Journal, Palm Harbor (Fla.) Library; Megan Fink, Allegan, Mich.; Betsy Levine, San Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day Middle Francisco Public Library, Administrative School; Pam Spencer Holley, Consultant, William C. Morris Award Assistant; and Gillian Engberg, Booklist Hallwood, Va.; David C. Mowery, The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, magazine, consultant, Chicago. Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Mary first awarded in 2009, honors a debut Anne Nichols, Kent State University of book published by a first-time author Library and Information Science, Kent, writing for teens and celebrates YALSA Award for Excellence Ohio; John Sexton, Greenburgh, New impressive new voices in young adult in Nonfiction York; and Dan Kraus, Booklist magazine, literature. The award’s namesake is The YALSA Award for Excellence in Chicago. William C. Morris, an influential Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the innovator in the publishing world best nonfiction book published for young and an advocate for marketing books adults (ages 12–18) during a November 1– Odyssey Award for children and young adults. October 31 publishing year. The Odyssey Award is given to the Where Things Come Back by John The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True producer of the best audiobook for Corey Whaley and published by Story of Adventure, Heroism and Treachery children and/or young adults, available in Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an by Steve Sheinkin won the 2012 award. English in the United States. The award is imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Finalists are Sugar Changed the World: A jointly administered by the Association for Publishing, won the 2012 Morris Award. Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Library Service to Children (ALSC) and The 2012 Morris Award finalists, Science by Mark Aronson and Marina the Young Adult Library Services announced in December, include The Girl Budhos, published by Clarion Books, an Association (YALSA), divisions of the of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; ALA, and is sponsored by Booklist published by Greenwillow Books, an Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the magazine. imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; Paper Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen The 2012 Odyssey Award was given Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard, published Blumenthal, published by Flash Point/ to Listening Library, an imprint of by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, House Children’s Books; Under the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; Random House, Inc., for its production of

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the audiobook Rotters by Dan Kraus, Books for Young Readers, an imprint of l Are These My Basoomas I See Before narrated by Kirby Heyborne. Honor Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, Me? by Louise Rennison, read by recordings were Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri, won the 2012 Printz Award. Honor books Stina Nielson. Recorded Books, narrated by JD Jackson and produced by are Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler, 2010. Brilliance Audio; Okay for Now by Gary D. art by Maira Kalman and published by l Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, read Schmidt, narrated by Lincoln Hoppe and Little, Brown and Company, a division of by Libba Bray. Scholastic Audio, produced by Listening Library, an imprint Hachette Book Group; The Returning by 2011. of Random House Audio Publishing Christine Hinwood and published by Dial l Carter’s Big Break by Brent Crawford, Group, Random House, Inc.; The Scorpio Books, an imprint of Penguin Group read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Races by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Young Readers Group USA; Jasper Jones Audio, 2011. Steve West and Fiona Hardingham and by Craig Silvey and published by Alfred A. l Chime by Franny Billingsley, read by produced by Scholastic Inc., Scholastic Knopf, an imprint of Random House Susan Duerden. Listening Library, Audiobooks; and Young Fredle by Cynthia Children’s Books, a division of Random 2011. Voigt, narrated by Wendy Carter and House; and The Scorpio Races by Maggie l Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey, produced by Listening Library, an imprint Stiefvater and published by Scholastic read by Steven Boyer. Recorded of Random House Audio Publishing Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. Books, 2010. Group, Random House, Inc. For more information, please visit l Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve, read For more information, please visit www.ala.org/yalsa/printz. by Philip Reeve. Scholastic Audio, www.ala.org/yalsa/odyssey. Members of the 2012 Printz Award 2011. Members of the 2012 Odyssey Award Committee are: Chair Erin Helmrich, Ann l How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg, Committee are: Chair Lizette D. Arbor (Mich.) District Library; Jerene read by L.J. Ganser. Recorded Books, Hannegan, Easton, Md.; Carrie Scott Battisti, King County Library System, 2011. Banks, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Issaquah, Wash.; Sophie Brookover, l Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith, read Kate Capps, Olathe (Kan.) Public LibraryLinkNJ, Piscataway, N.J.; Patty by Mark Boyett. Brilliance Audio, Library–Indian Creek Branch; Viola Dyas, Campbell, Fallbrook, Calif.; Todd 2010. Oakland, Calif.; Cathy Lichtman, Krueger, Baltimore County (Md.) Public l Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud, Plymouth (Mich.) District Library; Library; Gregory Lum, Jesuit High School, read by Simon Jones. Listening Barbara Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Portland, Ore.; Joy Millam, Valencia High Library, 2010. Library System, Bellport, N.Y.; Jennifer R. School, Fountain Valley, Calif.; Elizabeth l Wake of the Lorelei Lee by L.A. Meyer, Sommer, Wright Memorial Public Library, Saxton, Cleveland Public Library; Drue read by Katherine Kellgren. Listen Dayton, Ohio; Beatriz Pascual Wallace, Wagner-Mees, Los Angeles Public Library; and Live Audio, 2010. Seattle Public Library; and Sue-Ellen Gail Zachariah, Keene (N.H.) Public Beauregard, consultant, Booklist magazine, Library; and Ilene Cooper, Booklist For more information, including the Chicago. magazine, Chicago. full list, please visit www.ala.org/yalsa/ audiobooks or see page XX of this issue. Michael L. Printz Award Book and Media Lists Members of the 2011 Amazing The Michael L. Printz Award honors the Audiobooks Committee are: Chair Jennifer best book written for teens each year. The Amazing Audiobooks for Lawson, San Diego County Library; award, first given in 2000, is named for the Young Adults Catherine Andronik, Brien McMahon late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, Kansas, The 2012 Amazing Audiobooks list, High School, Norwalk, Conn.; Joanna school librarian known for discovering and comprised of thirty-two fiction titles and Axelrod, Escondido (Calif.) Public Library; promoting quality books for young adults. one nonfiction, features recordings Jennifer Campbell, Notre Dame de Sion The award is administered annually by covering a wide range of interests for young High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Lynn YALSA and is sponsored by Booklist adults from realistic fiction to fantasy and Piper Carpenter, Birmingham (Ala.) magazine. humor. In addition to the full list, the Public Library; Jeri W. Cohen, Patchogue- Where Things Come Back by John committee chose the following recordings Medford (N.Y.) Library; Donna S. Cook, Corey Whaley, published by Atheneum as its top ten: Central High School, Independent School

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District, Pollok, Texas; Sara E. Fitzgerald, The full list with annotations can be County Library System, Bellevue (Wash.) Martin County Library System, Stuart, found at www.ala.org/yalsa/bfya; Library; Sarah Chaar, Kansas City (Kan.) Fla.; Gretchen Kolderup, New Canaan reproducibles of the full list are available at Library; Kim Christofferson, Garden (Conn.) Library; and Courtney Saldana, www.ala.org/yalsa/bfya. Grove (Calif.) Regional Library; Molly administrative assistant, Ontario (Calif.) The members of the Best Fiction for Collins, Burlington (Mass.) Public Library; City Library. Young Adults Committee are: Chair Patti Jennifer Longee, Durham (N.C.) Academy Tjomsland, Mark Morris High School, Middle School; Nicola McDonald, Longview, Wash.; Jennifer Barnes, Malden Brooklyn Public Library (N.Y.); Andrea Best Fiction for Young Adults (Mass.) Public Library; Carol A. Edwards, Sowers, Joliet (Ill.) Public Library; and YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Denver Public Library; Debbie Fisher, Sarah Bean Thompson, The Library booklist annually selects outstanding titles Central Falls (R.I.) High School; Michael Center, Springfield, Mo. of fiction written for young adults that are L. Fleming, Pacific Cascade Middle School of interest and value to teenagers. This Library, Issaquah, Wash.; Clio Hathaway, year’s list of 112 books was drawn from 211 Hayward (Calif.) Public Library; Diana Great Graphic Novels for official nominations and comprises a wide Tixier Herald, Genrefluent.com, Glade Teens range of genres and styles, including Park, Colo.; Janet Hilbun, University of YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens contemporary realistic fiction, fantasy, North Texas Department of Library and committee named its 2012 list of fifty-six horror, historical fiction, and novels in verse. Information Science, Denton; Alissa titles, drawn from seventy-eight official The Best Fiction for Young Adults Lauzon, Haverhill (Mass.) Public Library; nominations. The graphic novels, committee also created a Top Ten list of Shelly McNerney, Blue Valley West High recommended for those ages 12–18, meet titles from the final list: School, Overland Park, Kan.; Stacey the criteria of both good quality literature McCracken, W.F. West High School, and appealing reading for teens. l Carson, Rae. The Girl of Fire and Chehalis, Wash.; Shilo Pearson, Chicago In addition, the committee created a Thorns. HarperCollins Publishers/ Public Library; Judith E. Rodgers, top ten list of titles that exemplify the Greenwillow Books, 2011. Wayzata Central Middle School, quality and range of graphic novels l Cohen, Joshua C. Leverage. Penguin Plymouth, Minn.; Ted Schelvan, Chief appropriate for teen audiences: Group USA/Dutton Juvenile, 2011. Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground, l King, A.S. Everybody Sees the Ants. Wash.; Gillian Engberg, Booklist l Amir and Khalil. Zahra’s Paradise. Little, Brown Books for Young consultant, Chicago; and Carol Steen, First Second, 2011. Readers, 2011. administrative assistant, Columbia Valley l Bendis, Brian Michael and Alex l McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. Under the Gardens, Longview, Wash. Maleev. Scarlet. Marvel/Icon Comics, Mesquite. Lee and Low Books, 2011. 2011. l Myracle, Lauren. Shine. Abrams/ l Brosgal, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. First Amulet Books, 2011. Fabulous Films for Young Second, 2011. l Ness, Patrick. A Monster Calls. Illus. Adults l Gladstone, Brooke, Josh Neufeld, and by Jim Kay. Candlewick Press, 2011. The 2012 Fabulous Films for Young others. The Influencing Machine: l Sepetys, Ruta. Between Shades of Gray. Adults offers twenty-five titles based on Brooke Gladstone on the Media. W. W. Penguin Group/Philomel Books, the theme “Song and Dance.” The list Norton and Company, 2011. 2011. includes films, both fiction and nonfiction, l Langridge, Roger, Chris Samnee, and l Stiefvater, Maggie. The Scorpio Races. that showcase varying genres of music and others. Scholastic Incorporated/Scholastic dance from around the world. The l Thor: The Mighty Avenger V. 1. Press, 2011. complete list, including annotations, can be Marvel, 2010. l Taylor, Laini. Daughter of Smoke and found at www.ala.org/yalsa/fabfilms and l Thor: The Mighty Avenger V. 2. Bone. Little, Brown Books for Young on page XX of this issue. Marvel, 2011. Readers, 2011. Members of the Fabulous Films for l McLeod, Kagan. Infinite Kung Fu. l Zarr, Sara. How to Save a Life. Little, Young Adults Committee are: Chair Sarah Top Shelf, 2011. Brown Books for Young Readers, Sogigian, Massachusetts Library System, l Mori, Kaoru. A Bride’s Story V. 1. Yen 2011. Marlborough, Mass.; Amy Anderson, King Press, 2011.

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l Nicolle, Malachai and Ethan l Adventure Seekers: Discover Your Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, Nicolle. Axe Cop V. 1. Dark Horse, Destiny; Accept the Challenge; Tights Cypress Hill Branch; Sarah B. Hill, Paris 2011. and Cape Not Required. (Ill.) Cooperative High School; Jennifer H. l Ralph, Brian. Daybreak. Drawn and l Forbidden Romance: Oh So Wrong, Korn, Public Library of Cincinnati and Quarterly, 2011. But Oh So Right. Hamilton County, Ohio; Ellen Loughran, l Shimura, Takako. Wandering Son V. l Get Your Geek On: Talk Nerdy to Pratt Institute, New York; Kelly C. 1. Fantagraphics Books, 2011. Me. Metzger, Dedham (Mass.) Middle School; l Sticks and Stones: From Elizabeth Schneider, Monrovia (Calif.) The complete list with annotations Cyberbullying to Cold Shoulders, It Public Library; Shanna Smith, Mesa can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/ggnt; a All Hurts. County Public Library District, Grand reproducible of the full list can be found on Junction, Colo.; Mari S. Smith, Cicero, Ill.; page xx of this issue. The committee also selected the Sandy Sumner, Morehead (Ky.) State Members of the Great Graphic following titles as its Top Ten list: University; Kate Toebbe, Public Library of Novels for Teens Committee are: Chair Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; Joy Kim, Pierce County Library System, l Black, Holly and Cecil Castellucci, Sarah Townsend, Norfolk (Va.) Public Tacoma, Wash.; Tessa Barber, Carnegie eds. Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Library; and Melanie Wachsmann, Lone Library of Pittsburgh (Pa.); Chris Durr, Herd. Little, Brown Books for Young Star College-CyFair Branch, Cypress, Tex. Kirkwood (Mo.) Public Library; Readers. 2010. Summer Hayes, King County Library l Carroll, Michael. Super Human. System, Tukwila, Wash.; Jesse Karp, Speak. 2010. Quick Picks for Reluctant Little Red School House/Elizabeth l Falkner, Brian. Brain Jack. Ember. Young Adult Readers Irwin High School, New York; Candice 2011. The Quick Picks list suggests books that Mack, Los Angeles Public Library; l Giles, Gail. Shattering Glass. Simon teens, ages twelve through eighteen, will Matthew Moffett, Fairfax (Va.) County Pulse. 2003. pick up on their own and read for pleasure; Public Library; Rachael Myers, l Harbison, Paige. Here Lies Bridget. it is geared to the teenager who, for Horace Mann School, Bronx, N.Y.; Harlequin Teen. 2011 whatever reason, does not like to read. The Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend (Ore.) l Lindner, April. Jane. Poppy. 2011 2012 committee selected 117 titles, drawn Senior High School; Steve Teeri, l Loux,Matthew. Sidescrollers. Oni from 227 nominations, as well as a Top Detroit Public Library; Dorcas Wong, Press. 2006. Ten list: San Francisco Public Library; Katy l Moore, Perry. Hero. Hyperion. Hepner, administrative assistant, St. 2009. l Aguirre, Ann. Enclave. Macmillan/ Tammany Parish Library, Mandeville, l Tsang, Evonne. My Boyfriend Is a Feiwel and Friends, 2011. La.; and Ian Chipman, Booklist consultant, Monster 1: I Love You to Pieces. l Almerico, Kendall and Tess Chicago. Lerner/Graphic Universe. 2011. Hottenroth. Whoogles: Can a Dog l Waldorf, Heather. Tripping. Red Make a Woman Pregnant?. . . and Deer Press. 2009. Hundreds of Other Searches That Make Popular Paperbacks for You Ask “Who Would Google That?” Young Adults The full list, with annotations, can be F + W Media/Adams Media, 2010. The Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults found at www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/ l Beever, Julian. Pavement Chalk Artist: Committee creates lists of books to poppaper; reproducibles of the full list can The Three-Dimensional Drawings of encourage young adults to read for be seen on page xx of this issue. Julian Beever. Firefly Books, 2010. pleasure. The lists of popular or topical Members of the Popular Paperbacks l Booth, Coe. Bronxwood. Scholastic, titles are widely available in paperback and for Young Adults Committee are: Chair Inc./Push,2011. represent a broad variety of accessible Valerie Davis, Campbell County Public l Dugard, Jaycee. A Stolen Life: themes and genres. Library, Newport, Ky.; Amber Creger, A Memoir. Simon and Schuster, This year’s PPYA committee Chicago Public Library, Woodson 2011. produced four lists of titles arranged by the Regional Library; Franklin Escobedo, l Elkeles, Simone. Chain Reaction. following topics: Oceanside (Calif.) Public Library; Lisa Walker and Company, 2011.

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l Haugen, Brenda. The Zodiac Killer: Terror and Mystery. Capstone/Compass Point Books, 2010. l Patterson, James. Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life. Illus. by Lara Park and Chris Tebbets. Little, Brown and Company, 2011. l Snider, Brandon. D.C. Comics: The Ultimate Character Guide. DK, 2011. l TenNapel, Doug. Ghostopolis. Scholastic Inc./Graphix, 2011.

The full list of Quick Picks with annotations can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/quickpicks; a reproducible of the full list is available on page xx of this issue. Members of the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Committee are: Chair, Heather Gruenthal, Anaheim (Calif.) Union High School District,; Elsa Black, Phoenix Public Library; Tammy DiBartolo, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, La.; Jamison Hedin, Ludlow (Mass.) High School; Becky Jackman, New Providence Middle School, Clarksville, Tenn.; Brenda Kilmer, Miami-Dade College, Florida; Stacy Lickteig, Omaha (Neb.) Public Schools; Ann Pechacek, Worthington (Ohio) Libraries; Sherry Rampey, Gaston, S.C.; Ellen Spring, Rockland (Maine) District Middle School; and Anita Buers, administrative assistant, Anaheim (Calif.) Union High School District. YALS

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28 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 YALSA Announces 2012 Award Winners and Book and Media Lists

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 29 feature Hot Spot: Awards

can actually expand the personal reading experience, revealing nuances in Listening for the Best interpretation and characterization that a casual reader might miss. Some readers, for instance, find Todd’s frequent repetition of Amazing Audiobooks words and phrases in The Knife of Never Letting Go redundant and annoying. But in Nick Podehl’s narration, which was named for Teens an Odyssey Honor title in 2011, the repetitions are inflected to give each one a slightly different meaning, just as repetitions in a piece of classical music are By Jeri W. Cohen not meant to be identical, but subtly different, with forward momentum. and Cathy Andronik And, just as readers tend to have favorite authors, audiobook listeners quickly discover the major voices in the world of narration. Katherine Kellgren, tried listening to an audiobook experiences—with the medium. A year of Nick Podehl, and MacLeod Andrews are once. I didn’t like it.” How often listening to, literally, hundreds of books joining the ranks of people like Jim Dale, “I have you heard that from teens opens one’s ears to the finer points of whose outstanding work on the Harry in your library? Maybe they just didn’t audiobook production. Potter series audiobooks helped make him listen to the right audiobook! That’s just One fact quickly becomes clear: the star of the previous generation of one of the reasons YALSA’s Amazing audiobooks are just like print books in that narrators. Contrary to popular opinion, not Audiobooks for Young Adults Committee they’re not all alike in quality. Some are all audiobook personalities are stage, creates an annual list. better than others, and the good ones can screen, or television actors—and acting Of course, the committee includes be good in a variety of ways. Many readers credentials are not a prerequisite for an members who have been die-hard say they like using their imaginations to see amazing performance. In the same way, audiobook addicts for years, but just as and hear characters in their minds and feel while authors may know their characters many might come to the group with that the listening experience interferes with intimately, “read by the author” is far from few experiences—or even negative this process. A good audiobook production a guarantee of a quality narration; some are better than others at an oral interpretation of their work. This year’s list includes two JERI W. COHEN is the Assistant Department Head of the Young books read by the author, Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve and Beauty Queens by Libba Adult/Audiovisual Services Department at the Patchogue- Bray. In both cases, the authors’ intimate Medford (N.Y.) Library. Although she has been an avid audiobook knowledge of their stories lent extra depth listener for more years than she cares to remember, this is her and greater understanding of the characters first YALSA committee involvement. She has written a chapter for and setting. the forthcoming ALA publication Bringing Visual, Literary, and The mission of the Amazing Performing Arts into the Library. Audiobooks Committee is to “select, CATHY ANDRONIK is the Library Media Specialist at Brien McMahon annotate, and present for publication an High School in Norwalk, Connecticut. Besides being a member of annual list of notable audio recordings significant to young adults from those YALSA, she also belongs to ALA, AASL, and CASL (Connecticut released in the past two years.” We hope Association of School Librarians). She has written several this list will function not only as a list for biographies for children and young adults, including Hatshepsut: recommended listening, but also as an aid His Majesty, Herself; Wildly Romantic;andStephen Colbert. when libraries are deciding on purchases.

30 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Cohen and Andronik

Each book on the completed list has been discussion was always civil and we learned  Does the audiobook help make the listened to by at least six librarians, each from each other as we delved into the material accessible? In some cases, the bringing a unique perspective, knowledge, nuances of what makes an audiobook target audience may find the and preferences. This year’s list comprises “amazing.” We considered production audiobook more accessible than the thirty-two titles, covering a range of genres, quality, narration quality, tone, tempo, and print version. settings, characters, and target age ranges, suitability of the production to the material.  Production quality must be all beautifully narrated and produced. A We found cases where the narration professional, without obvious flaws. top ten list was also selected. As enhanced the text; we also found cases The volume, tone, and voice quality Committee Chair Jennifer Lawson said, where we felt the narration did not do the must be consistent, without obvious “We hope this list will have something that book justice. We discussed the finer aspects dubbing or sudden, inexplicable every teen will enjoy.” of a variety of foreign accents, the changes. Eight librarians from around the pronunciation of individual words, the range  All words must be pronounced country, with the invaluable help of an of the narrator’s voicing of the different correctly, although a title is not administrative assistant assigned by characters—using accent, inflection, tone, automatically disqualified if an error is YALSA, listen to two to three hours of and qualities that either brought the minor. Pronunciations can be audiobooks a day to determine the best of characters and story to life, or did not. regional, and the committee must the best, based on quality and teen appeal. According to ALA policy, the verify if a word that seems to be Committee members receive titles from the committee’s criteria to consider when wrong is actually correct for the place publishers. The committee chair is listening and making selections include the and time where the story responsible for maintaining the connection following: is set. with the publishers, making sure they  All recordings submitted to the appreciate why they should submit titles  Content should appeal to listeners committee must include informative for consideration, and being the contact between the ages of twelve and packaging. point for any questions. The nomination eighteen. Each title selected can be period starts February 1 and ends suited to part of that range; material We hope this year’s list, online at December 1, so our list of titles to consider does not need to be family-friendly or www.ala.org/yalsa/audiobooks and in print is complete before Midwinter Meeting appeal to adults. In all cases, the here in Young Adult Library Services, will be where the list is compiled. FedEx and UPS committee considers the intended useful to libraries in making delivery persons made almost daily visits at audience. recommendations and purchasing some points during the year, and we were  If material has been adapted, it must decisions. The Top Ten list will be all excited to open the boxes and see what remain true to, expand upon, or distributed to libraries that registered for goodies we had received! Field nominations complement the original work. For Teen Tech Week. made by the public and ALA members example, sound effects were often used Interested in joining the committee? were also accepted for consideration. to enhance the audiobook. Graphic Use the online application form found Each title received or nominated was elements cannot be heard, so the at http://yalsa.ala.org/forms/ assigned to a committee member. The first audiobook must stand without them. selectionvolunteer.php. Members must listener made a determination of how to  Voices, music, sound effects, and belong to YALSA, and new committee proceed with the book: nominate, request a language must be used effectively. appointments are made annually. Each second listener to help decide, or not Inappropriate sound effects or badly appointment is for two years. Members nominate for the list. Courtney Saldana, our pronounced words distract listeners meet at both Annual Conference and able and dedicated administrative assistant, from the story being told. Midwinter Meeting and maintain an active maintained lists of all the titles we received  The material must be suited for audio online discussion throughout the year. You and divided them among the committee presentation. A work that is primarily don’t need to love audiobooks going into members by length, so we each had an equal illustrations, for example, may not the committee, but you must commit to amount of listening to do. A Web forum translate well into audio. many hours of listening, and you will provided by ALA let the committee  The performer or performers and the certainly appreciate them and your fellow members discuss the titles online. While we text must complement each other, committee members at the end of your all had personal favorites to champion, forming a cohesive presentation. term. YALS

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 31 feature Hot Spot: Awards

the 1920s and 1930s and later in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2011, the Pura Belpre Cultivating Latino Award celebrated its quincea~nera, marking fifteen years of works that carry on the mission first started by that energetic and Cultural Literacy visionary librarian so long ago. Collectively, books receiving the award represent multiple Latino cultures and introduce readers to protagonists exploring Pura Belpre Award- what it means to be Latino throughout the United States and Latin America. These titles range from picture books and poetry Winning Books in Library collections to informational books and novels with appeal to not only children but also tweens and teens. Belpre award- Programming for Teens winning works are excellent resources for YA librarians seeking avenues to cultivate an appreciation and understanding of the and Tweens many voices that represent the Latino cultural experience. These books allow Latino youth to explore elements of their By Jamie Campbell Naidoo own cultural heritage and to find other tweens and teens like themselves who are often living between two worlds: one representing the predominant American culture with a strong emphasis on stablished in 1996 by the National cultural experience in an outstanding work independence, and one encompassing their Association to Promote Library of literature for children and youth.”1 The home culture that stresses the importance E and Information Services to award’s namesake, the first Puerto Rican of family and community. For Latino Latinos and the Spanish Speaking librarian in the New York Public Library youth, Belpre titles can assist with their (REFORMA) and the Association for system, was dedicated to bringing rich ethnic identity development, promoting Library Service to Children (ALSC), the stories imbued with Latino cultural cultural pride and reinforcing a positive Pura Belpre Award recognizes Latino elements to the children and youth that she self-image. authors and illustrators “whose work best served in barrios and ethnically diverse Tweens and teens that are non-Latino portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino neighborhoods throughout the city from can also greatly benefit from reading Belpre Award books. These titles offer non- Latino youths an opportunity to learn JAMIE CAMPBELL NAIDOO is an Assistant Professor at the about the rich cultures of their classmates University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies and help them develop an appreciation for where he teaches courses in diversity, public libraries, and the contributions of Latinos to U.S. history children’s and young adult services. A former youth services and culture, thereby promoting Latino coordinator and school librarian, he is the Chair of the 2012 Pura cultural literacy. For non-Latino youths, Belpre Award Committee, a member of REFORMA, and the Belpre works provide a window into a world that may not be too different from Director of the National Latino Children’s Literature Conference. their own. These youths learn that their His book Celebrating Cuentos: Promoting Latino Children’s Latino counterparts also struggle for Literature and Literacy in Classrooms & Libraries is available from independence from their families, undergo Libraries Unlimited. similar social challenges associated with

32 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Naidoo

adolescence, and experience the same desire to develop a unique identity. In other Pura Belpre Award-Winning Titles with Tween & words, Belpre books help non-Latino Teen Appeal youths to understand real Latino cultural experiences, rather than the ones painted by stereotypical literature, outdated Alvarez, Julia. Before We Were Free. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, instructional materials, and inaccurate 2002. textbooks. Alvarez, Julia. Return to Sender. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2009. Bernier-Grand, Carmen and David Diaz. Cesar: ¡Sı, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! Tarrytown, N.Y.: Marshall Cavendish, 2004. Belpre Winners and Bernier-Grand, Carmen and David Diaz. Diego Bigger Than Life. Tarrytown, N.Y.: Honor Books for Young Marshall Cavendish, 2009. Adults Bernier-Grand, Carmen. Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! Tarrytown, N.Y.: Marshall Cavendish, 2007. Approximately seventy books have been Cofer, Judith Ortiz. An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio. New York: Orchard/ recipients of either Belpre medals or Scholastic, 1995. honors since the award’s inception. While Engle, Margarita. Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck. New York: many of the books can be used with tweens Henry Holt and Company, 2011. and teens by creative YA librarians, specific Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. New titles hold special appeal for this audience York: Henry Holt and Company, 2006. and provide librarians with springboards Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom. New York: for vibrant book discussions, art projects, Henry Holt and Company, 2008. studies in visual literacy, digital storytelling Garza, Xavier. Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha activities, and much more. The sections Libre Thriller. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press, 2011. that follow profile various Belpre books Jimenez, Francisco. Breaking Through. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for under thematic headings and provide Children, 2001. suggestions for youth programming for Jimenez, Francisco. Reaching Out. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, tweens and teens. 2008. Martinez, Victor. Parrot in the Oven: Mi vida. New York: Harper Collins, 1996. Daily Experiences of McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. Under the Mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2011. Latino Youth Montes, Marisa and Yuyi Morales. Los Gatos Black on Halloween. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2006. Books that examine the day-to-day lives of Osa, Nancy. Cuba 15. New York: Delacorte Press, 2003. Latino tweens and teens are often some of Ryan, Pam Munoz.~ Becoming Naomi Leon. New York: Scholastic, 2004. the most powerful and heart-wrenching Ryan, Pam Munoz.~ Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic, 2000. titles on the Pura Belpre Award list. These books cover topics such as terminal illness, anti-immigration laws, poverty, gangs, and substance abuse. Like other YA books, Latino subcultures: Mexican, Puerto Rican, had a hand in caring for her brothers and these titles also include their fair share of Cuban, etc. Tween and teen characters are sisters. As the first child and oldest teenage angst, teen-family conflicts, school often portrayed in these books as fluidly daughter in the family, she has a very and peer relationships, and typical teen moving across borders real and metaphoric. strong connection to her mother, which drama. However, because these books are In the 2012 Belpre Author Award strengthens as she matures. Lupita’s family strongly rooted in the Latino cultural book, Under the Mesquite, written by is not rich, but they have always had experience, they also highlight the close Guadalupe Garcia McCall, the main enough. When her mother is diagnosed bonds of family and community, conflicts character, fourteen-year-old Lupita, faces with cancer, everything changes for Lupita. with machismo attitudes, and distinct the loss of her mother to cancer.2 The Written in an emotive, sometimes funny, cultural elements endemic to particular oldest of eight children, Lupita has always sometimes heartbreaking voice, this novel

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 33 Cultivating Latino Cultural Literacy

Not just a book for Latino youth, discovers that the Guardian Angel is his Lupita’s story holds appeal to teen girls mother’s long-lost brother that the family from all cultural backgrounds that enjoy thought was dead or at the very least books about overcoming life’s heartbreaks missing in action. The Guardian Angel and struggles such as those presented in decides that he would like to retire and Lurlene McDaniel’s titles. The book will have someone carry on the luchador also attract tweens and teens that have lost tradition in the family—will it be Lalo or a parent or relative, particularly to cancer, Max? The humorous text beckons readers serving as a form of bibliotherapy. into Max’s story, and there is just enough Belpre-winning titles such as Under suspense to carry the narrative forward. the Mesquite, Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida Drawing upon his own enthusiasm for by Victor Martinez, or An Island Like You: lucha libre, Garza successfully captures the Stories of the Barrio by Judith Ortiz Cofer thrilling excitement that a Mexican provide readers with insight into the American tween demonstrates when he private thoughts and secret emotions of the discovers that his favorite lucha libre Latino teen protagonists.3 By exploring wrestler will be in his hometown and might these experiences with the characters, be a family relation. tweens and teens can be encouraged to Non-Latino readers are introduced to record their own personal narratives an aspect of Mexican culture unknown to through journal-style writing, poetry, or most outsiders and can make intercultural digital storytelling. A digital storytelling connections between WWE wrestling and in free verse captures Lupita’s journey to program can ask young adults to write a that of lucha libre wrestling. The strong self-discovery. From the opening poem, script for a specific event or instance in their bond of familia and community in the readers are immediately drawn into the lives and then create a digital story with Latino culture is realistically portrayed in world of Lupita, sneaking glances in long- personal photos, music, and narration or the interactions of Max and his extended forgotten purses and holding gross tesoros record a live version of the story via a digital family. Male youth from all cultural that bind the teenager to her mother. The video recorder. If young adults write backgrounds will devour this book, and it well-executed poems slide effortlessly journal-style narratives or poetry, they can would be perfect for reluctant readers across the page in a beautiful rhythm, share their work at an open mic night. because librarians can convince them that conveying Lupita’s joys and sorrows. The Alternatively, the library can compile teens’ the book is only half as long as it looks due book radiates with many Mexican and writings in a zine or self-published book and to the bilingual format. A great way to Mexican American cultural references, add the compilation to the YA collection. introduce reluctant readers to elements of from Mexican folktales to passages that In the recent Belpre Author Honor the Mexican and Mexican American underscore the strong sense of community book Maximilian and the Mystery of the culture, the book has a contemporary and family present in Latino cultures. The Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre setting but is not issue-focused. text also paints a vivid picture of a Latino Thriller, written by Xavier Garza, readers Books like Maximilian and the Mystery family juggling past and present cultures are also drawn into the life of a Latino of the Guardian Angel lend themselves to and lives. Garcia McCall’s depiction of a youth via a lighthearted romp overflowing exciting and funny book trailers that Latina youth wanting to assimilate into the with elements of the Latino cultural tweens and teens can create themselves. American school system mirrors the lives experience.4 In Garza’s bilingual English/ Considering that the elements of mystery of many Latino tweens and teens today. Spanish novel, eleven-year-old Max is a and humor are combined with the topic of However, never does the author suggest huge fan of lucha libre wrestling with a wrestling, activities with this book can have that the American culture is better than particular penchant for the masked high appeal for reluctant readers and the Mexican one—a strong feature of the luchador called the Guardian Angel. While attract a male audience that is often scarce book. It is also quite refreshing to read a at one of the Guardian Angel’s wrestling in young adult programming. Add a border-crossing story that depicts Latinos matches with his uncle Lalo, Max discovers wrestling mask or costume or invite freely visiting family on both sides of the that his uncle and the Guardian Angel bear someone from the local school wrestling border without fear of la migra. a striking resemblance. Soon the boy team, and let the possibilities begin!

34 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Naidoo

Another, equally funny and endearing are often glossed over, inaccurately Belpre Award book for teens is Nancy represented, or entirely missing from Osa’s Cuba 15, which follows fifteen-year- history textbooks. Like other historical old bicultural Cuban-Polish-American fiction books, Belpre award-winning titles Violet Paz as she explores her Cuban in this genre provide opportunities for heritage while resisting her abuela’s tragic youth to step into the shoes of characters attempts to get her into an outlandish and experience events firsthand with all the gown for a quincea~nera birthday celebration emotions and drama that are missing from out of this world.5 Tween and teen readers, dry historical texts. particularly young women, will revel in Perhaps one of the most well known Violet’s witty and biting observations Belpre winning authors of historical fiction about her tragic life as she tries to develop is Margarita Engle. Her historical works, her own personal identity. Both Latino often set in Cuba and heavily researched, and non-Latino young adults can see give a voice to the voiceless and introduce reflections of their families in Violet’s, and readers to the horrors of slavery outside the are sure to gain an appreciation for the odd United States. Teens in U.S. schools often behaviors of parents, grandmothers, and study the slave trade from Africa to other relatives. Osa’s writing, like Garza’s, America, but rarely do they have the is both lighthearted and refreshing, and chance to learn about slavery in Cuba, introduces readers to an aspect of Latino some of the first reconcentration camps, or culture that may be unfamiliar. The fact Taıno natives’ encounters with pirates. that Violet does not fit the stereotypical Using free-flowing, highly emotive prose, details to their storytelling. School image of Latinas painted in the media is Engle leads teens along to times long past librarians might consider using Engle’s another boon for the book. and horrific histories some feel are best books and some of her recommended YA librarians wanting to use this forgotten. Her accessible offerings can resources to have students explore the book in a program can consider having often be read in one sitting but present historical differences between Engle’s teens create either digital stories or youth with problems and conflicts that books and popular history textbooks or handwritten accounts of their most linger long after the last page. Some of her novels on the same topic. Certainly, the embarrassing family moments. In a past Belpre-winning titles with particular various examples of Cuban slavery and community with a significant Latino appeal to teens include Hurricane Dancers: struggles for freedom could be compared to population, a fashion show of quince The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck, The events in other cultures such as South dresses or a workshop for planning Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan African apartheid or the Holocaust. quincea~neras on a dime might also be Francisco Manzano, and The Surrender Set during the Trujillo regime in the successful. Programs might also draw Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom.6 Dominican Republic during the early comparisons between sweet sixteen parties Since many of Engle’s books include 1960s, the Belpre winning title Before We and quincea~neras, and YA librarians can poems told through the viewpoint of a Were Free by Julia Alvarez builds upon the even host a special quincea~nera in honor of particular character, librarians interested in author’s childhood experiences and that of Pura Belpre, showcasing the fifteen years of creating programs with her novels might her cousins.7 Before We Were Free relevant tween and teen books. consider having teens choose different introduces tweens and teens to twelve- characters from one of the books and year-old Anita, who is struggling to performing either dramatized readings or understand the political and social changes Latino History even digital storytelling snapshots that brought about by life under a dictatorship. A large number of the Belpre Award books summarize the main emotions and Along with Anita, readers begin to depict specific events or time periods in struggles of their character. Librarians understand how first one little change and Latin American history, taking the form of could also encourage youth to do then another, accompanied by secret historical fiction and novels in verse for background research on the time period meetings and disappearances of friends and tweens and teens. These important titles being described in order to add extra relatives, can lead to tragic, life-altering introduce readers to historical events that historically accurate elements or visual events. Through suspenseful scenes, teens

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 35 Cultivating Latino Cultural Literacy

and tweens have an opportunity to Vida! Long Live Life!, Bernier-Grand unassuming book, readers are introduced experience the tension that youth living in introduces both tweens and teens to the to both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos war-torn and politically oppressive hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, and major through lyrical language sprinkled with environments undergo throughout Latin accomplishments of world-renowned Spanish phrases. Lurking in many of the American and other parts of the world. A artists and important civil rights activists.9 illustrations are ghosts, ghouls, and spirits book that is sure to spark discussion about Each book is a collection of poems galore representing important characters governmental control, freedom of speech, providing biographical information on from Mexican and Latino history and and the loss of innocence, this Belpre title Cesar Chavez, Diego Rivera, and Frida folklore. These cultural and historical can be used by librarians not only in book Kahlo, respectively. Extensive research and allusions include Simon Bolivar, Sor Juana discussions but also in structured debates. author notes are provided on the important Ines, Senora~ de las Iguanas, Cabeza Teens can read this title along with books roles that these Latinos played not only in Olmeca, La Planchada, La Llorona, and such as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Latin American art and history but also in Diego Rivera to name a few. When tweens Girl or The Red Umbrella and critically history and art throughout the world. and teens first encounter the book, they examine the lives of three adolescents in Readers learn about Cesar Chavez’s may not notice these references if they are war-torn countries around the world and in nonviolent methods and can compare them unfamiliar with Mexican or Latino culture. different time periods.8 to those of Martin Luther King, Jr., making But, with the guidance of a knowledgeable connections between their own culture and librarian interested in visual literacy, youth Latino and African American cultures. can be directed towards the Internet to Great Lives of Latinos Tweens and teens can be inspired by the gain background information on these In addition to depicting the lives of average artistic styles of Rivera and Kahlo and learn characters from the illustrator web page or Latino youth in both contemporary and how contemporary art has been influenced resources on Latin American history and historical settings, the Belpre Award books by their works. culture, and then return to the book to also highlight the achievements of great Librarians considering programming develop a richer understanding.11 Librarians Latinos and their contributions to society. ideas around these titles can develop can extend programming by delving deeper These books are significant in promoting programs related to art history and creation into Day of the Dead celebrations and Latino cultural literacy because they where teens study the artwork of Rivera, encouraging tweens and teens to build provide Latino youth with examples of Kahlo, and other famous Latinos and ofrendas to honor deceased loved ones or successful men and women from their own then create their own masterpieces important historical figures. Young adults cultural heritage. This is particularly incorporating the artistic styles of the can also create their own artwork with important since many of the famous masters. For a program on Cesar Chavez, hidden visual references. The artwork can individuals studied throughout the librarians can have teens and tweens practice then be displayed in the library, and other formative years are predominantly civic engagement by researching an injustice librarians and teens can search for visual European. Through literary experiences in their community and developing a plan to clues that will unlock the secrets within. with role models from their cultural assist those who are suffering. Youth can With an activity such as this one, the background, Latino tweens and teens also research other civil rights activists possibilities are virtually limitless and youth strengthen their ethnic identity and can be throughout the world to learn about world are certain to have a ghoul of a time! proud of their roots. At the same time, issues and problems that need nonviolent books about great Latinos can assist non- solutions. Teens might develop digital Latino youth in understanding the stories related to empowerment in their lives Long Live Pura Belpre noteworthy past and present contributions and in the lives of others and share them Only a few of the Belpre award-winning of Latinos to our world. This positive with community organizations such as the books with special appeal for tweens and association can also help them gain a better Rotary Club, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Big teens have been profiled in this article. appreciation for their Latino peers. Brothers Big Sisters programs. Librarians working with young adults to Belpre-winning titles about famous Another Belpre-winning book that promote Latino cultural literacy and Latinos include three titles by poet and gives a nod toward Latin American history intercultural connections between Latino author Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. In her and culture is the picture book Los Gatos and non-Latino youth can use many other books Cesar: ¡Sı, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!; Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes and Diego: Bigger Than Life; and Frida: ¡Viva La illustrated by Yuyi Morales.10 In this (continued on page 41)

36 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 feature Hot Spot: Awards

ALSA’s Fabulous Films for Young Adults 2012 list has been Evildoings, Deadly Y announced! The 2012 theme was “Song and Dance,” and over the ten-month nomination period, committee members, fellow librarians, YALSA members, and Exes, and Rock and teens nominated more than one hundred titles. The committee was pleased and surprised to see that nominators found many ways to interpret our theme, and we Roll! Read- and selected the best of the best films that would appeal to young adults ages 12–18. The committee is especially pleased to have Listen-Alikes selected titles that will enhance library collections as well as support young adult programming. Our committee’s function is to Supporting the annually select films especially significant to young adults from those currently available for purchase. The committee is Fabulous Films for then charged to prepare one annotated list, based on the chosen theme, of at least ten and no more than twenty-five recommended titles. The Fabulous Films Young Adults for Young Adults list is tangible evidence that YALSA believes moving images play an important role in the life of a young adult. 2012 List Some titles present beloved tales, while others take on social issues that span the past and present. Still other films offer fun, catchy songs and conversations that By the 2012 Fabulous will have you singing and quoting your way through the stacks. Films for Young Adults To support our list, the committee has created a list of read/listen alikes that will enhance your collection and Committee programming. Classic musicals like The Sound of Music can be explored further in Memories Before and After the Sound of Music: An Autobiography by Agathe von Trapp, the provide teens with more details of Indian Rose That Grew from Concrete by fellow oldest daughter in the von Trapp family. culture. rapper and writer Tupac Shakur, Bronx Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood Established musicians in their own Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, and Gangsta musical retelling of Pride and Prejudice, right have created some of the best- Rap by Benjamin Zephaniah. Musical duo will be enjoyed by readers of the remembered titles on our list. Fans of Outkast provides the music and stars in the countless retellings of the original. The Eminem will enjoy his semiautobiographical film Idlewild;theirCDSpeakerboxx/The Love book Bindi Babes by Narinder Dhami will movie 8Mile,andmayenjoyreadingThe Below will be enjoyed by viewers of the film.

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 37 Evildoings, Deadly Exes, and Rock and Roll!

Many of the documentaries on the list Read- and Listen-Alike Titles Mentioned depict nontraditional looks at our theme. Young adults who are considering dancing Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Dover, 1995. as a profession will relate to Only When I Azzarad, Michael. Our Band Could Be Your Life. Boston: Back Bay Books, 2002. Dance and Every Little Step. Likewise, they Beah, Ishmael. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. New York: Farrar, Straus, and may enjoy Bunheads by Sophie Flack, To Giroux, 2008. Benway, Robin. Audrey, Wait! New York: Razorbill, 2009. Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel by Siena Brannigan, Paul. This is A Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl. New York: Da Capo Press, 2011. Siegel and Mark Siegel, My Life, the Musical Briggs, Andy. Council of Evil. Boston: Walker Books, 2009. by Maryrose Wood, and On the Line: The Dhami, Narinder. Bindi Babes. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2004. Creation of a Chorus Line by Robert Viaga. Dunn, Jancee. But Enough About Me: A Jersey Girl’s Unlikely Adventures Among the Finally, the committee was surprised Absurdly Famous. New York: Harper Collins, 2006. Flack, Sophie. Bunheads. New York: Poppy, 2011. and pleased to see a couple of nontraditional Foo Fighters. Greatest Hits. RCA, 2009. Compact disc. films that fit our theme on the list: Dr. Foo Fighters. Wasting Light. RCA, 2011. Compact disc. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and Scott Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. New York: Speak, 2003. Pilgrim vs. the World. While both films Kamara, Mariatu. The Bite of the Mango. Toronto: Annick Press, 2008. were favorites among committee members, Marks, Craig. I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. New York: Dutton, 2011. it was their unique blend of song, dance, and Marrin, Albert. Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and its Legacy. New visual style that made them standouts. Both York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2011. films have direct ties to books: Scott Pilgrim Moriarty, Chirs. Inquisitor’s Apprentice. Boston: Harcourt, 2011. was first a graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Bryan Lee. Scott Pilgrim series. Portland: Oni Press, 2004. O’Malley and Dr. Horrible has been adapted Ostow, Micol. So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother). New York: Flux, 2009. for a graphic novel by Zach Whedon. Outkast. Speakerboxx/The Love Below. La Face Records, 2003. Compact disc. Council of Evil by Andy Briggs, Audrey, Shakur, Tupac. The Rose that Grew From Concrete. New York: MTV Books, 1999. Wait by Robin Benway, and So Punk Rock Siegel, Siena and Mark Siegel. To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel. New York: Atheneum (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Books, 2006. Mother) by Micol Ostow will be enjoyed by Viaga, Robert. One the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line. New York: Limelight Editions, 2006. fans of these films. Wenner, Jann and Joe Levy. The Rolling Stone Interviews. Boston: Back Bay Books, 2007. We hope librarians from all types of Whedon, Zach. Dr. Horrible and Other Stories. Milwaukee: Dark Horse, 2010. libraries find this list, and their read/listen Wood, Maryrose. My Life: The Musical. New York: Delacorte, 2008. alikes, usable in their libraries. It is the Von Trapp, Agathe. Memories Before and After the Sound of Music: An Autobiography. New FFYA committee’s wish that the young York: Harper Perennial, 2010. Zephaniah, Benjamin. Gangsta Rap. New York: Bloomsbury, 2004. adults in your community are able to use this list to relive some favorites and discover new films. While this list was But Enough about Me: A Jersey Girl’s Forth.And,asmanyofourcommittee created specifically for the young adult in Unlikely Adventures Among the Absurdly members can attest, stock up on Foo Fighters the library, we encourage you to share this Famous by Jancee Dunn and The Rolling CDs; the film will have your patrons list with librarians working with all ages! Stone Interviews by Jann S. Wenner and Joe clamoring for more by this talented band. If you are interested in being a Levy, eds., will entice readers who loved Newsies and War Dance showcase member of future Fabulous Films following William’s adventures in Almost social issues of the past and present, and committees, please fill out a YALSA Famous. For those who enjoy a little grunge several books lend themselves well to Committee Volunteer form at in their rock, there’s Foo Fighters: Back and further exploration: Flesh and Blood So http://yalsa.ala.org/forms/ Forth. Our Band Could Be Your Life by Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy selectionvolunteer.php. Michael Azzarad, I Want My MTV: The by Albert Marrin, Inquisitor’s Apprentice The entire list of selected titles Uncensored Story of the Music Video by Chris Moriarty, The Bite of the Mango appears in this issue of Young Adult Library Revolution by Craig Marks and This Is a Call: by Mariatu Kamara, and A Long Way Services and can also be viewed at http:// The Life and Times of Dave Grohl by Paul Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/fabfilms/ Brannigan are great companions to Back and Ishmael Beah. fabfilms2012. YALS

38 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 feature Hot Spot: Awards

ALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens (GGNT) Committee is a Discovering Y group of eleven public and school librarians charged with preparing “an annual annotated list of recommended graphic novels appropriate for teen Greatness: YALSA’s readers.”1 The GGNT Committee and list were formed after YALSA’s “Get Graphic @ Your Library” preconference in June 2002, planned by the Popular Paperbacks Great Graphic for Young Adults Committee, revealed a great demand for more graphic novel recommendations for teens. A subsequent Novels for task force recommended establishing a new selection list focusing on graphic novels.2 Now in its seventh year, the GGNT list has become a valued collection Teens List development, reader’s advisory, and program planning tool for teen librarians. Every year, the GGNT Committee By Joy Kim and reads and considers graphic novels published during a sixteen-month period Rachael Myers for inclusion on the list. Both original graphic novels and trade compilations of individual comics are eligible for the list, and the list includes fiction and nonfiction titles. Because so much graphic novel title, largely because teens are such a the common cases made for greatness publishing takes place outside the “Big Six,” diverse group of readers. What’s great for during our meetings at Annual and GGNT titles come from all over the an older teen may not be interesting to a Midwinter include demonstrating overall publishing world; works from independent younger teen, and what’s great for a excellence and integration of story and art; publishers such as Fantagraphics, Oni hardcore manga fan may not even be having particular teen appeal or popularity; Press, Image Comics, Drawn and accessible to a graphic novel newbie. We being especially relevant or timely to teen Quarterly, SLG, and Top Shelf regularly don’t expect every book on the list to be concerns and information needs; pushing appear on the GGNT list. In addition, great for every hypothetical teen reader— the boundaries of the graphic novel format since self-publishing is a vibrant part of the that would make for a pretty short list each through daring or experimental techniques; comics scene, it’s not uncommon to see year!—but we do insist that each title is and representing themes, ideas, and self-published works on the GGNT list. great in some way for some teens. Some of audiences that are not often addressed by Brandon Dayton’s self-published Green Monk was a Top Ten selection on the 2011 list, and the 2012 list includes Jason JOY KIM is a Youth Services Librarian at Pierce County Library Brubaker’s reMIND V. 1, which Brubaker System in Tacoma, Washington. She chaired the 2012 Great self-published after winning a Xeric Graphic Novels for Teens Committee and is currently Chair of the Foundation grant for comic book self- 2013 William C. Morris Award Committee. publishing and setting up a Kickstarter 3 RACHAEL MYERS is a middle and high school librarian at the project. What makes the graphic novels on the Horace Mann School in New York City. She currently chairs the GGNT list great for teens? The answer to 2013 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee and the Teens’ that question can vary a lot from title to Top Ten Committee.

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 39 Discovering Greatness

the format. Of course, the best graphic the GGNT-nominated titles. It’s The list could also be used in case of a novels are great in multiple ways, important to meet teens where they are: challenge: for example, the format’s especially the titles highlighted in our some prefer to use the online form, some reputation for adult subject matter may Top Ten. prefer Goodreads, and some prefer to make some librarians hesitant to purchase The committee also needs to dictate to librarians. Teens are constantly or include any graphic novels in a teen determine if and how nominated titles are reminded of the importance of their collection. However, the GGNT really for teens. This can be especially opinions and that their reviews can make Committee has selected titles for the list tricky when we are considering graphic or break a nominated title. Some titles have only if we believe they are appropriate novels from comics publishers who don’t ended up on the list because of for teens, and that any mature graphic have a well-established market for teen overwhelming enthusiasm from teen scenes are important in the context of the books. Their publications may have a readers, and others have struggled for the entire work. Also, the list is a great place “Teen” or “Older Teen” age rating printed opposite reason. for teen librarians who are unfamiliar with on the back cover, but that does not Student forums, such as the Horace the format to begin their own reading. necessarily make the narrative between the Mann Graphic Novel Club, which meets They’ll find many new and exciting covers appealing to or even intended for every other week in the mornings before graphic novels to recommend to the teens actual teen readers. For this reason, the school starts, are a chance for students to they serve. committee goes to great lengths to get teen discuss which graphic novels they’ve read Programming is another way the input on the nominated titles before we and which ones they’d recommend to the GGNT list can be used. With a special make our final selections at Midwinter. rest of the club. Offline social networking is display or by using a promotional sticker, Some committee members have had a great way to introduce graphic novels to librarians can highlight titles on the great success gathering teen input. One students. They may just stop in with their GGNT list to encourage teens to check example is at the Katz Library, which friends, but they leave with a pile of graphic them out. At the Horace Mann School serves sixth through twelfth grade students novels to peruse. library, the students in the Graphic Novel at the Horace Mann School, a As librarians, we are able to connect Club created a student-nominated Mock coeducational independent day school in with teachers who might be able to use GGNT 2012 list of top ten titles. Since all New York City. Librarian Rachael Myers graphic novels in their curriculum— of GGNT’s nominations are public and created an online form that gives students a another layer that committee members posted to the YALSA website, any library convenient way to leave feedback on a consider when discussing nominated could conduct its own teen vote and nominated title after reading it. The online titles. A title may make it on the list compare titles to the final list put out by form is easy for students to access and if the committee believes it could have an the GGNT Committee. The ways that the keeps all of their reviews in a spreadsheet important role in the classroom. By list can be used in a library are as varied as that can be sorted by title. The Horace reaching out to teachers who are open to the teens served, but the important thing is Mann School library currently keeps all of using graphic novels in the classroom, that they know the list was created with the GGNT-nominated titles on a centrally committee members can gather a diverse them in mind. located shelf in the library. Each nominated group of opinions for each title, which both Are you interested in participating in title bears a neon green sticker on the spine supports collection policies and the the work of GGNT? There are lots of to help students find the nominated titles strength of our final list. ways to be involved. Nominations are open and to remind library staff to shelve them One of the most important things every year from February 1 to October 31, separately. This year, the library also about the GGNT list is that it elevates and anyone can submit a field nomination attached QR codes to titles selected by the graphic novels as a format. YALSA’s for the list through the YALSA website. GGNT Committee. The codes can be leadership in creating this list encourages Many of the titles you see on the final list scanned with a smartphone, which opens people to take graphic novels seriously and each year were originally field nominations. up the online GGNT feedback form where gives graphic novel publishers a better idea Another way to learn more about the readers can leave a review about what of what librarians are looking for in their committee and the list is to sit in on they’ve just read. Goodreads, a social- teen collections. The list obviously has a GGNT meetings at Annual or Midwinter. networking website that allows users to place as a valuable collection development All GGNT meetings are open to all connect about books, has also proven tool, particularly at small libraries that may registered conference attendees, and successful at garnering student input about not have a dedicated graphic novel selector. observers may contribute brief comments

40 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Kim and Myers

to discussions when recognized by the format, and even if you’re already a graphic greatgraphicnovelsforteens/policies chair. novel fan, it will stretch your horizons as a (accessed January 26, 2012). Finally, if you’d like to serve on the reader. It’s the best sort of challenge—and 2. Dawn M. Rutherford, “Introducing a committee itself, be sure to submit your a blast, too! YALS Brand-New List: Great Graphic Novels selection committee volunteer form for Teens,” Young Adult Library Services 4, through the YALSA website no later than no. 3 (2006): 32. September 30. Selection committee References 3. Steve Sunu, “Xeric Winner Jason appointments are made in the fall by the Brubaker Brings ‘reMIND’ to Print,” last YALSA president-elect, and you’ll need to 1. YALSA Board of Directors, “Great modified April 21, 2011, have your form in by this date to be Graphic Novels for Teens Committee www.comicbookresources.com/? considered for a spot. Serving on the Policies and Procedures,” http://ala.org/ page=article&id=31877. committee will expose you to types of yalsa/booklistsawards/booklists/ storytelling you won’t find in any other

Cultivating Latino Cultural Literacy (continued from page 36) suggested titles in their programming. The in the Oven: Mi Vida. New York: Harper Umbrella. New York: Knopf Books for list included in this article contains all of Collins, 1996. Young Readers, 2010. the recommended Belpre titles appropriate 4. Xavier Garza. Maximilian and the Mystery 9. Carmen Bernier-Grand and Diaz David. for this age group. Hopefully, young adult of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Cesar: ¡Sı, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! librarians will be inspired to take the Libre Thriller. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, suggestions provided in this article along Press, 2011. 2004; Bernier-Grand, Carmen. with their own past programming 5. Nancy Osa. Cuba 15. New York: Frida: ¡Viva la Vida! Long Live Life! experiences and integrate the Belpre books Delacorte Press, 2003. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, into their library programs, proclaiming to 6. Margarita Engle. The Poet Slave of Cuba: 2007; Bernier-Grand, Carmen and the community “¡Viva Pura Belpre! Long A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. David Diaz. Diego Bigger Than Life. Live Pura Belpre!” YALS New York: Henry Holt and Company, Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2006; Engle, Margarita. The Surrender 2009. Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom. 10. Marisa Montes and Morales Yuyi. Los References New York: Henry Holt and Company, Gatos Black on Halloween. New York: 1. Association for Library Service to 2008; Engle, Margarita. Hurricane Henry Holt and Company, 2006. Children, “About the Pura Belpre Award,” Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate 11. Yuyi Morales, “Los Gatos Black on http://ala.org/alsc/belpre. Accessed Shipwreck. New York: Henry Holt and Halloween,” www.yuyimorales.com/ February 1, 2012. Company, 2011. gatosblack/gatos_black.html. Accessed 2. Guadalupe Garcia McCall. Under the 7. Julia Alvarez. Before We Were Free. New February 2, 2012; Smith, Cynthia Leitich, Mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books, York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, “Illustrator Interview: Yuyi Morales on 2011. 2002. Los Gatos Black on Halloween,” http:// 3. Judith Ortiz Cofer. An Island Like You: 8. Anne Frank. Anne Frank: The Diary of a cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2006/09/ Stories of the Barrio. New York: Orchard/ Young Girl. New York: Doubleday, 1952; illustrator-interview-yuyi-morales-on.html. Scholastic, 1995; Martinez, Victor. Parrot Gonzalez, Christina Diaz. The Red Accessed February 2, 2012.

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 41 feature Hot Spot: Awards

preceding year and October 15 of the current year are eligible. A title can be The Cybils: Book nominated and considered only once. Additional nominations for identical titles, if not blocked by the database recognizing Awards from the the ISBN, are marked ineligible, eliminating the popular choice mind-set and diversifying the field of nominees. Nominators who put Blogosphere forth an ineligible title are welcome to submit another nominee for consideration. By Jackie Parker Thinking about preconceptions held before her involvement in the Cybils, author Carrie Harris (Bad Taste in Boys; Bad Hair Day) remarks, “The number of nominations for any given title doesn’t he Children’s and Young Adult was filled with both the traditional literary influence the final results. At one point, I Bloggers’ Literary Awards, gatekeepers as well as passionate well- was under the misconception that the T commonly known as the Cybils versed enthusiasts. Pulling from the online Cybils were a bit of a popularity contest, (www.cybils.com), have only two criteria: community in which they were both and the titles with the most nominations literary merit and appeal. Created in 2006 steeped, and with administrative support made the finals. So as an author, I could by children’s literature bloggers Kelly from the likes of Betsy Bird, Liz Burns pad the results by asking everyone I’ve ever Herold and Anne Levy, the Cybils initially (both now blogging for School Library met to vote for me. I was so glad to find out aimed to recognize books that were not Journal), and Jen Robinson (http:// that isn’t the case at all!” only well-written but would also be jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog), they created a “Many people I talked to were enjoyed by the demographic for whom they youth-centric literary award with eight surprised with how many books are read were intended. categories staffed only by children’s and how much discussion goes into each At the time, the focus on appeal was literature bloggers. book. The Cybils aren’t a bunch of bloggers partially in reaction to the perceived In 2006, those eight categories netted who got together and compared their Top shortcomings in that department of literary 482 nominations.3 In 2011, there were Ten lists from the year, but a group of children’s awards, and the lack of literary 1,289 titles nominated by the general people who thoughtfully consider each merit for the popularity-driven awards like public across thirteen award categories. nomination,” echoes Kellie Tilton (http:// the now-defunct Quill Award.1 Herold Everyone with an e-mail address is allowed thereshelf.wordpress.com), an assistant and Levy sought to fill the hole between to nominated one title per category. The professor of Library Sciences at the the disparate criteria of established nomination period is short, lasting only University of Alaska, Fairbanks. awards.2 They realized that the growing fifteen days, from October 1 to 15. Books Who judges this award? The bulk of population of children’s literature bloggers published between October 15 of the volunteer participants are librarians, teachers, booksellers, authors, and parents, JACKIE PARKER is a teen librarian for Lynnwood Library, part of but the only eligibility requirement is that the Sno-Isle Libraries in Western Washington State. She has been they write for a blog that is somehow involved with the Cybils since the first year and is currently the connected to children’s and teen literature. Chair of the YA Fiction category. She is a member of the 2013 This could be a blog that reviews books or a blog written by an author or illustrator of YALSA Quick Picks Committee and YALSA’s Local Arrangements children’s or teen literature. Nontraditional Committee for Midwinter Meeting 2013. She will be presenting a volunteers have been engineers, historians, session on transmedia at the 2012 YA Lit Symposium. Parker also and graphic designers, among other careers. occasionally blogs at interactivereader.blogspot.com. Teen bloggers have even been panelists,

42 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Parker

although, if they are under sixteen, parents even argue to call it life-consuming. have to consent. While I normally travel with a book, Cybils Categories Founder Levy requests that chairs aim during the Cybils, I usually traveled to populate their categories with with two—just in case I finished the 1. Book Apps approximately a 60/40 ratio of veteran first one. The first e-mails I read in the 2. Early Chapter Books volunteers to new in order to infuse the morning were from fellow panelists, as 3. Easy Readers 4. Fantasy and Science Fiction, Middle awards with new perspectives, prevent were the last e-mails I read at night. At Grade stagnation, and involve as many people as times I was completely overwhelmed by 5. Fantasy and Science Fiction, Young possible over the years. On the one hand, the sheer number of books to be read, Adult organizers want the award to reflect the but I never once wanted to stop. Every 6. Graphic Novels, Middle Grade knowledge and perspectives of multitudes. time I finished a book that I loved and 7. Graphic Novels, Young Adult 8. Middle Grade, Fiction On the other, with such a short window of could share that love with fellow 9. Middle Grade and Young Adult, evaluation—less than three months for the panelists, it was worth each Nonfiction first panel—known, reliable panelists are overwhelming moment. It really was a 10. Picture Books, Fiction important. As with any committee, labor of love, and I’m so proud to have 11. Picture Books, Nonfiction replacing members mid-season can be been a part of it. 12. Poetry 13. Young Adult Fiction disruptive to the committee and difficult for whomever must join late and start Arguably, the most valuable resource behind. created by the Cybils is not the list of Judging occurs in two rounds. The winners—it is the list of finalists. Sheila sometimes find unexpected books. We first panel, often containing seven bloggers, Ruth (www.wandsandworlds.com), the have our share of hyped books on the reads through all of the nominated titles. Cybils science fiction and fantasy chair and shortlists and winners, but sometimes we Each title should receive at least two publisher liaison, says, “It’s a good place to have hidden treasures that aren’t the same readers; however, readers may quit books that are deemed not to meet the dual criteria of literary quality and appeal. Every Selected Past Winners title is discussed by the two panelists who read it, and if the response is positive or YA Fiction split, the title will be read by additional Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan committee members. Round one starts as Boy Toy by Barry Lyga soon as the first books are nominated on Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers Split by Swati Avasthi October 1 and concludes when panelists have decided on five to seven finalists, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Middle Grade and YA usually near the end of December. The The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex short lists, or finalists, are announced each The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman year on New Year’s Day. Participating in Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry the first panel is demanding, and volunteers The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in some of the larger categories should Nonfiction expect to read around seventy-five novels Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman within three months. In the Fiction Picture The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir by Cylin Busby and John Busby Book category, it is not uncommon for The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner; illustrated by Andy Comins panelists to read over 200 titles within that The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing by Suzanne Jurmain 4 period. Graphic Novels Make no mistake, the first round is a The Professor’s Daughter by Joann Sfar; illustrated by Emmanuel Guibert serious commitment. Tilton remarked, Emiko Superstar written by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Steve Rolston Gunnerkrigg Court: Orientation by Tom Siddell The entire process was incredibly Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri intense and time-consuming. I would

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 43 The Cybils

The second round consists of five bloggers 2011 Cybils Winners who have from January 1 to February 14, when the winners are announced, to read Book Apps The Monster at the End of This Book, Callaway Digital Arts, Inc. and reread the finalists to decide on one Fiction Picture Books winning title. Unlike the first round, this McDonnell, Patrick. Me...Jane, Little, Brown group is forbidden from posting new Nonfiction Picture Books reviews of the finalists, although linking or Beccia, Carlyn. I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures, Houghton referring to previously posted reviews and Mifflin Books for Children Easy Readers opinions is allowed and posting personal Willems, Mo. I Broke My Trunk! Hyperion thoughts about the finalists after the Early Chapter Books winner is announced is encouraged. Atinuke, Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus, Kane/Miller Book Pub Committee deliberations in both rounds Poetry are completely confidential. Janeczko, Paul B., Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto, Candlewick Press Middle Grade Graphic Novels Why do the Cybils have two rounds? Hatke, Ben. Zita the Spacegirl, First Second Books The biggest reason is simply so that more Young Adult Graphic Novels people can be involved. In 2011, while 263 Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost, First Second Books bloggers volunteered to be a panelist, there Middle Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction were only 132 positions. Having two Deedy, Barmen Agra and Randall Wright; illustrations by Barry Moser. The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale, Peachtree phases of judging also raises the bar for the Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction winning title. Not only does the winner Young, Moira. Blood Red Road, Margaret K. McElderry need to stand out from the incredible Middle Grade Fiction number of nominated titles—196 novels Weissman, Elissa Brent. Nerd Camp, Atheneum for YA Fiction in 2011—and woo that Middle Grade & Young Adult Nonfiction Fleming, Candace. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart , Schwartz first panel of seven readers, it must and Wade Books withstand the intense scrutiny of the Young Adult Fiction second panel who have relatively much Herback, Geoff. Stupid Fast, Sourcebooks Fire longer time to deliberate and dissect. It also offers participation opportunities to interested bloggers who may not be books you see everywhere.” For instance, checking the eligibility of each book and able to commit to the intensity of the Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey is a favorite revealing the rationale for any book that is first panel. that Ruth would love to see more readers considered ineligible. First-round judges While Ruth obtained 100 percent find. It was a National Book Award are encouraged to review nominated titles publisher support for the second round, Finalist, as well as a Cybils Finalist, but on their blogs, and the lists of nominees are occasionally books are unobtainable. In Ruth feels it deserves more attention than periodically updated with links to new 2011, of the 1,289 nominees, only five it received. reviews as first-round judges post about books were not able to be considered due Asked how she uses the Cybils in the them. This is an incredibly useful resource to access issues.5 Publisher support is public library, youth librarian Kelly Jensen for those looking for reviews of books growing, and finalist and winning statuses (www.stackedbooks.org) says, “For me, that might not have garnered much are even cropping up on future editions and they’re kind of go-tos for teens looking for publicity. As with the finalists, as Ruth advertisements, but most of the copies a good read. Generally the short lists are pointed out, the reviews attached to the panelists used in their deliberations came diverse enough to capture a wide range of nomination lists can lead to hidden gems from their local public libraries. interests and I know they’ll have appeal to that for one reason or another didn’t make The Cybils attempt to be as open as them.” the short lists, but nonetheless may find possible to nontraditional publishing. The Cybils strives for transparency. enthusiastic readers. Following a long tradition of accepting self- Nominations appear on their website as However, even with the goal of published titles, 2011 saw an experiment they are submitted from the public. transparency, the veil of secrecy does with accepting born digital titles, books Category chairs are responsible for descend for the second round of judges. with no physical version, in SFF Teen and

44 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Parker

YA Fiction categories only. While YA their involvement and are instead Independent, February 27, 2008, http:// Fiction surprisingly received no born digital encouraged to donate unwanted books to iowaindependent.com/2002/grassroots- submissions, SFF Teen had several, and their local Reading Is Fundamental kid-lit-award-faces-new-challenges. Accessed one, Angelfall by Susan Ee, earned a spot as chapter, public library, or local school.6 As March 13, 2012. a finalist. Tilton said, it is truly a labor of love for all 3. “The Children’s and Young Adult Also in 2011, the award created a involved. Bloggers’ Literary Award (Cybils) Finalists category for book apps. Limiting to the “Cybils season is frantic and and Winners for Books Published in largest market, in this first year only apps demanding, but the experience of reading 2006,” http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/ available in the iTunes store were eligible. that much in that short a time period and shortlists/2006CybilsAwardWinners. The apps were to be geared primarily discussing books in terms of their literary pdf. Posted Feb. 15, 2007. Accessed toward storytelling or literacy; gaming merit and teen appeal makes the work March 13, 2012. submissions were not accepted. Making worthwhile,” Jensen says. YALS 4. “Cybils by the Numbers,” The Cybils, that panel’s task difficult, however, is the December 30, 2011, www.cybils.com/ wide range of the category. The Book App 2011/12/cybils-by-the-numbers. category accepts titles from across the References html. Accessed March 13, 2012. youth audience, birth to the high reaches of 5. Ibid. teen, both fiction and nonfiction, making 1. Anita Silvey, 2008. “Has the Newbery 6. “RIFfing with Cybils,” The Cybils, January their evaluation especially difficult given Lost Its Way?” School Library Journal 54 9, 2012, www.cybils.com/2012/01/riffing- the breadth of that scope. (10): 34, www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ with-cybils.html. Accessed March 13, No one, from cofounder Anne Levy article/CA6600688.html. Accessed March 2012. down, receives any compensation for 13, 2012 participation. Panelists are not allowed to 2. Lynda Waddington, “Grassroots Kid-Lit sell any review copies they receive through Award Faces New Challenges,” The Iowa

Guidelines for Authors

Young Adult Library Services is the official publication of the Young practice relating to teen services and spotlights significant activities Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American and programs of the division. Library Association. Young Adult Library Services is a vehicle for For submission and author guidelines, please visit www.ala continuing education of librarians working with young adults (ages .org/yalsa and click on “Publications.” twelve through eighteen) that showcases current research and

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Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 45 the YALSA update Association news

Find the latest YALSA news every Friday at the YALSA Blog, http://yalsa.ala.org/blog.

Join YALSA at ALA fiction through recent years, and make illustrator Maira Kalman (Why We Annual Conference! educated guesses on which titles will have Broke Up);honorbookauthorChristine staying power. Moderator: Rollie Welch. Hinwood (The Returning); honor book YALSA has big plans for Annual 2012— Authors participating: Jacqueline author Craig Silvey (Jasper Jones); and join us in Anaheim, Calif., June 21-26 for Woodson, Ally Condie. honor book author Maggie Stiefvater five action-packed days with plenty of Source Code: Digital Youth (The Scorpio Races). Reception with opportunities for learning, networking, and Participation 12:30 to 4:30 refreshments to follow. Tickets cost $34. meeting your favorite authors. As virtual and physical worlds The award is sponsored by Booklist. To register, please visit continue to converge, teens need tools and www.alaannual.org. Already registered? support to harness information in a way Advanced registration ends May 13— You can add special events to your existing that is meaningful to their particular needs YALSA members save $65 over onsite registration in two ways: (1) by phone: and interests and as participants in diverse registration costs. Call ALA Registration at 1 (800) 974- social and learning environments. Join our Find more details about registration 3084 and ask to add the Edwards panel of experts who use technology to and housing at the ALA Annual Web site, Luncheon to your existing registration; or provide cutting edge and high impact www.alaannual.org. For more details on (2) Online: Add an event to your existing programming to help young adults build YALSA’s Annual schedule, visit the registration by visiting http:// 21st century skills as content creators and YALSA Annual Conference Wiki, http:// www.alaannual.org/content/register-now- leaders in their library communities. www.tinyurl.com/yalsaac12. 0. Use your login and password to access your existing Annual registration and add events in the “Your Events” section (screen Author Events Early Bird Registration 6). Then simply check out and pay for the YALSA will also host three additional for YA Literature events you’ve added. ticketed events: Symposium Open through September 16 l the Margaret A. Edwards Award Preconferences Luncheon featuring winner Susan The Young Adult Library Services YALSA will offer two half-day Cooper for The Dark Is Rising Association (YALSA) opened registration preconferences on June 22 from noon to Sequence. Tickets cost $65 and the for its third Young Adult Literature 4:30 p.m.! Each costs $89 for students and award is sponsored by School Library Symposium, Nov. 2–4, at the Hyatt $129 for all others and includes a snack Journal. Regency St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, break and a certificate of completion. Join l the YA Author Coffee Klatch, with Mo. Early bird pricing begins at $195 for us for: more than 40 YA authors attending. YALSA members; registration is available Books We’ll Still Talk About 45 A full list of authors is available at at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium. Years from Now 12:30 to 4:30 www.tinyurl.com/yalsaac12. Tickets The 2012 theme is “The Future of Have you always wanted to be on a cost $25. Young Adult Literature: Hit Me with the YALSA book selection committee but l the Michael L. Printz Awards Program Next Big Thing.” The Young Adult couldn’t bring yourself to dedicating a full and Reception, featuring 2012 Printz Literature Symposium is funded in part by year to reading? Participants in this (and Morris) winner John Corey the William C. Morris Endowment. preconference will evaluate dozens of YA Whaley (WhereThingsComeBack); Registration for the symposium books, explore the styles and themes of YA honor book author Daniel Handler and includes a welcome reception on

46 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012 Friday night, educational sessions on December 1 and applicants must be The journal authors each won $500 Saturday and Sunday, coffee breaks on current members of YALSA. and the blog authors each won $200. The Saturday and Sunday, a reception on The 2012 award and grant winners YALSA Writing Award recognizes the Saturday evening and a general closing are: contribution of YALSA members who session on Sunday. Details, including a have written an article or blog post for the preliminary program, are available at l Baker & Taylor Conference Grants: association’s journals or blogs that is timely, www.ala.org/yalitsymposium by clicking Heather Schubert and Susan J. original, relevant to YALSA members, and on “Programs and Presenters.” Smallsreed well-written. Early bird registration costs l BWI/YALSA Collection Development Grants: Erik Carlson l $195 for YALSA members, Missouri and Cynthia Shutts YALSA, WWE name Library Association, and Missouri l MAE Award for Best Literature WrestleMania Reading Association of School Librarians Program for Teens: Allison Challenge Champions members; Cabaj l $245 for ALA personal members; l Frances Henne/YALSA/VOYA The WrestleMania Reading Challenge l $300 for nonmembers; and Research Grant: Sylvia Vardell Championships were held this weekend! l $50 for students l Great Books Giveaway: Southeast Congratulations to our three champions, Arkansas Regional Library, who won ringside tickets to the big event, Rooms at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Monticello (1st); Jefferson High WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami: at the Arch are offered at a special rate for School, Edgewater, Colo. (2nd); registrants of $105 per night. Barton Library, El Dorado, l Chase Leclair, Sherwood Park, YALSA will also offer pre-symposium Ark. (3rd) Alberta, Canada, sponsored by Jessica special events that require additional Bates registration on Friday, including: To apply for 2013 awards and grants, l Nicole Jones, Mentone, Alabama, visit www.ala.org/yalsa/awards&grants. sponsored by Sarah Cruce l A half-day forum on dystopian teen All applications are due Dec. 1, 2012. l Jesus Reyes, Denver, Colorado, literature ($59); sponsored by Kristin Roper l A half-day forum on engaging students with e-readers and social Congratulations Leclair’s bookmark will be published networking ($59); to the YALSA Writing by World Wrestling Entertainment, and l A half-day forum on new trends in Award Winners the winning essays from Jones and Reyes publishing for teens and ($59); and will be published online. l A guided library tour of public YALSA named the winners of its first Twenty finalists competed in Miami libraries in St. Louis ($25) YALSA Writing Award, with members for ringside tickets at WrestleMania winning prizes in four categories: XXVIII. All finalists win $2,000 for In addition, symposium attendees can their library, airfare, ground transportation register for one of two Bill Morris l Sarah Ludwig for best article in the from airport to hotel, and three nights’ Memorial Author Luncheons, featuring previous volume of Young Adult hotel for the finalist and a chaperone to David Levithan (“Boy Meets Boy”; “The Library Services, for “Teen Tech Miami, tickets to WrestleMania XXVIII, Lover’s Dictionary”) or Patricia Camp” (Vol. 9, Number 2) and $300 spending money. The library McCormick (“Sold,” “Purple Heart”). l Casey H. Rawson for best article in will also receive a set of Penguin Young Tickets for each luncheon cost $45. the previous volume of The Journal of Readers books, donated by Penguin. To read program descriptions, Research on Libraries and Young Adults Each finalist from grades 5-6 will be download the preliminary program, find for “Are All Lists Created Equal? provided a copy of Underdogs by Mike out how to reserve a hotel room and see Diversity in Award-Winning and Lupica. Each finalist from grades 7-8 will the full list of registration rates, visit Bestselling Young Adult Fiction” Vol. be provided a copy of After Tupac and D www.ala.org/yalitsymposium, 1, Number 3 (Spring) Foster by Jacqueline Woodson, and each www.ala.org/yalsa/academy. l Linda Braun for best post on the finalist from grades 9-12 will be provided a YALSABlog between Dec. 1, 2010, copy of Rikers High by Paul Volponi to and Nov. 30, 2011, for “The Internet read in preparation for the final YALSA Member Award IS a Toaster” competition on March 31, 2012. and Grant Winners l Maria Kramer for best post on The Hub between Dec. 1, 2010, and Nov. Grades 5-6 Each year, YALSA gives more than 30, 2011, for “In Which Our Author $90,000 in awards and grants to its Tips Her Cog-Bedecked Top Hat to l Isaac Rodriguez, Perris CA, sponsored members. The deadline to apply is Steampunk” by Julie Brower

Spring 2012 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 47 l Maeve Murphy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, l Harneek Kapoor, Calgary, Alberta, Day, by launching the Teen Read Week sponsored by Donna Maggio Canada, sponsored by Jessica Bates website, opening registration, and offering l Stephanie Rodriguez, Homestead, FL, resources for the annual celebration of teen sponsored by Rita Fassbender Grades 9-12 reading, including activity ideas, planning l Dustin Kramer, Allentown, PA, resources, publicity tools, products, and sponsored by Barbara Jaindl l Jesus Reyes, Denver, CO, sponsored more. More information, including l Ayla Deuel, Oak Grove, MN, by Kristin Roper registration benefits, can be found at sponsored by Linda Schonnirg l Cody Allen, Parrick Olmulgee, OK, www.ala.org/teenread.Teen Read Week is l Chase Leclair, Sherwood Park, sponsored by Jeana Robinson Oct. 14–20 and will be celebrated with a Alberta, Canada, sponsored by Jessica l Jose Turner, Hialea, FL, sponsored by theme of It Came from the Library!, which Bates Gloria Flores dares teens to dare to read for the fun of it. l Caitlyn Gass, Lr. Sackville, Nova l Alex Herrera, Long Island City, NY, You can also buy official Teen Read Scotia, Canada, sponsored by Erin sponsored by Jose Aremano Week products from YALSA and ALA Purcell l Kenyan Gustafson, Sleepy Hollow, Graphics at www.alastore.ala.org/trw12, IL, sponsored by Danielle Pacini including the downloadable Teen Read Grades 7-8 l Gurbir Johal, Burnaby, B.C., Canada, Week Manual, created by the 2012 Teen sponsored by Rhona Giles Read Week committee, with tips on l Andrew Gray, Port Hueneme, CA, programming, publicity, displays, and more sponsored by Renata Hundley Thanks to everyone who participated relating the 2012 theme. Other products l Nicole Jones, Mentone, AL, in the Challenge this year! Keep an eye on include posters, bookmarks and more, all sponsored by Sarah Cruce www.ala.org/wrestlemania for future featuring this year’s retro-horror theme art. l Vachariya Dotson, North Miami, FL, updates. Purchases support the work of YALSA sponsored by Stella Williams and ALA. l Cierra Grubb, West Mifflin, PA, In addition, YALSA will be sponsored by James Klipa Get Ready for Teen distributing twenty Teen Read Week l Josh Hoffer, Fessenden, ND, Read Weekä, Oct. program grants, funded by the Dollar sponsored by Sandra Olschlager 14–20, 2012 General Literacy Foundation. Details, l Bianca Tavares, London, Ontario, including an application form, can be found Canada, sponsored by Deb Fiveash- YALSA kicked off Teen Read Week at www.ala.org/teenread. Applications are Bradley 2012on April 12, Support Teen Literature due July 1. YALS

48 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2012