Recent YA Book Awards

What to read? What to read?

If you read YA and don’t know what to read next, check out the most recent awards given by two divisions of the American Library Association.

The Association for Library Services for Children awards the Newbery Medal to the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” This year, the medal went to Clare Vanderpool for her debut novel, MOON OVER MANIFEST.
Here’s a link to the main site: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

If you have little ones at home, look at the entire list in the left column where it says “awards and grants.” They also honor children’s books.

The ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association also recently announced its 2010 winners and lists of great reads for teens. For any of you who have young adults at home, this is a great site to check. Beyond its list of award winners, the YALSA also creates lists of great reads in various categories–everything from graphic novels to nonfiction. If your child is more of a gamer than a reader, then check out the YALSA’s picks for reluctant readers and the list of books picked by teens for teens.

Here are two of this year’s big winners. All descriptions are from the YALSA website:

The Michael L. Printz Award is for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. This year’s winner was Paolo Bacigalupi for SHIP BREAKER: “near a drowned New Orleans ravaged by hurricanes and global warming, Nailer and his young crew eke out a meager existence by scavenging materials on the ship-littered coast.”

The William C. Morris Award honors a book written for young adults by a first-time, previously unpublished author. This year’s winner was Blythe Woolston for THE FREAK OBSERVER, which is about “a 16-year old girl who experiences a year of loss. While trying to take care of her family, and make it through school, she ponders the laws of physics as she tries to understand what can never make sense.”

Here are more links to the YALSA’s lists:

AWARD WINNERS:

The Michael L. Printz Award: Winner and Honor Books

The William C. Morris YA Debut Award: Winner and Finalists

Alex Awards: Books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults

Margaret A. Edwards Award: honors an author for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.

Award for Excellence in Nonfiction

Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production

BOOKS LISTS:

Teens’ Choice Top 10

Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults

Best Books for Young Adults

Best Fiction for Young Adults

Fabulous Films for Young Adults

Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Outstanding Books for the College Bound

Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

HAPPY READING!!

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