Books for Teens

Continuing on our discussion of teen reading, the Young Adult Library Services Association has a wonderful site called Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers.  Every year, the association chooses a list of books that are found to be appealing for adolescents (ages 12-18) who typically would avoid reading.  Anyone can nominate a book, and a committee from ALA votes on the top choices each year.  The committee looks at several criteria such as physical appearance (for example, a book should have a catchy cover and sufficiently large print for easy reading) and style (clear writing with simple vocabulary).  Fiction books should have a "hook" at the beginning of the story, high-interest characters, familar themes, and touches of humor.  Informational books should be objective and accurate, with technical language when appropriate.



Here are the top 10 books for 2010:

1) Blackshaw, Ric and Farrelly, Liz. Street Art Book: 60 Artists in Their Own Words. HarperCollins. 2009.

2) Brown, Marvelyn. The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive. Amistad. 2008.


3) Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry. Walker Books. 2008.


4) Knowles, Jo. Jumping Off Swings. Candlewick Press. 2009.


5) Myers, Walter Dean. Dope Sick. Amistad. 2009.


6) Regan, Sally. The Vampire Book. DK Books. 2009.


7) Smith, Alexander Gordon. Lockdown: Escape from Furnace. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2009.


8) Fagerstrom, Derek and Smith, Lauren. Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know Instructions for Life From the Everyday to the Exotic. Collins Design, 2008.


9)Von D, Kat. High Voltage Tattoo. HarperCollins. 2009.


10) Willin, Melvyn. Paranormal Caught on Film. David and Charles. 2008.


If you have a teen who is reluctant to read, check out the full list to find books that may be of interest to them.