2019 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees (PDF)
The “Teens’ Top Ten” is a “teen choice” list where young adults nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. This project is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
Fifteen young adult book clubs from school and public libraries nationwide are responsible for determining a list of nominees for teens to consider. (Does your book club want to get involved? Learn how.)
Based on the recommendations of these teen book clubs, the list of this year’s 25 nominees was announced in April during National Library Week. Readers ages 12-18 are now invited to vote online through October 12 to narrow this list to the top ten selections.
The winning titles will be announced the week of October 14. Be sure to subscribe to our our email newsletter so you can stay updated!
Gateway Readers Award Finalists (PDF)
The Gateway Readers Award honors a young adult novel that is selected by Missouri high school students. To be eligible to vote, students must read at least three of the finalists. Voting will occur at participating schools early next March, so you can use the summer months to get crack-a-lackin’ on this list! The winner will be announced in April 2020.
“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Starr Carter witnesses her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer. Her life gets complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her to learn what happened the night Khalil died.
“The Names They Gave Us“ by Emery Lord
Lucy was ready for a perfect summer hanging out with her boyfriend, working at Bible camp on the lake and spending quality time with her parents. When her mom’s cancer reappears and long-hidden family secrets emerge, Lucy must discover what grace really means. Continue reading “2019-20 Gateway Award Finalists”
Truman Readers Award Finalists (PDF)
The Truman Readers Award honors a book that is selected by Missouri junior high students. To be eligible to vote, students must read at least four of the finalists. Voting will occur at participating schools early next spring. While the winner won’t be announced until April 2020, this is a great list of summer reads for students in grades sixth through eighth.
“Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds
Fueled by sadness and anger over his brother’s death, Will gets on the elevator, gun in hand, intent on seeking revenge. At each floor, someone connected to his dead brother gets on and has something to share with Will.
“Piecing Me Together” by Renée Watson
Tired of being singled out as an at-risk kid at her mostly-white private school, Jade resists joining “Women to Women,” a mentorship program for at-risk girls, in favor of applying for the school’s amazing study abroad program. Continue reading “2019-20 Truman Award Finalists”
2019 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees (PDF)
The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list of recommended reading sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Fifteen young adult book clubs from libraries across the country are responsible for narrowing down a list of nominees for teens to vote on nationwide. Below is this year’s full list of Top Ten nominations. Don’t forget that the library offers print, eBook and audiobook editions of these titles.
“#MurderTrending” by Gretchen McNeil
Dee has been wrongfully convicted and sent to an island dubbed Alcatraz 2.0., where the worst criminals are murdered in terrifyingly creative ways for an app called Postman. She refuses to go down when she knows she’s innocent. Can she make it out with her Death Row Breakfast Club before they’re all killed off one by one?
“An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” by Hank Green
April May and her best friend Andy have fame thrust upon them after their video of a strange statue in New York goes viral. As the world discovers that there is far more to the statues than people initially suspected, April finds herself becoming the primary source of authority concerning the statues. At the heart of a viral marketing campaign and with her fame growing, April risks losing her relationships, her security, and her own identity. Continue reading “2019 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees”
I hated when teachers required certain books for class. It didn’t matter if it was a best-seller or an award-winner—if it was assigned, I hated it. However, upon reflection, I have decided that some of the dreaded high school classics merit reconsideration. Below are some books and plays I believe deserve a second chance at love. You can also view this list within the library’s catalog.
“Anthem” by Ayn Rand
Man rediscovers electricity and society rejects him. Everything just goes downhill from there. As a student, the narrator’s internal dialogue bored me to tears. Now, it’s fascinating to compare our current values to the values of this dystopian society.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
Morrison writes the story of a woman who makes the ultimate choice to save her children from the horrors of slavery. The book moves past her choice into the present and how it affects her family. This novel is often criticized for its references to violence. Continue reading “Books I Hated in High School, But Loved Later”
Looking for something creepy or uncanny to read this Halloween season? Here are some fun choices to get into the spooky mood! You can also view this list within the library’s catalog.
“Asylum” by Madeleine Roux
Dan Crawford is excited to be spending his summer at a college prep program at New Hampshire College. Upon arriving, he learns that his dorm was once an asylum for the criminally insane. Dan and his friends begin sneaking around the building’s old passageways, uncovering long-buried horrors.
“Cuckoo Song” by Frances Hardinge
In this book, Triss awakens from an accident and finds herself misplaced in the world as she remembers it. She senses that something has changed, but there is no evidence that anything is different—except everyone is afraid of her. Continue reading “Creepy YA Reads”
I love comic books and graphic novels. So, I’m super excited that Hoopla has teamed up with Marvel Entertainment to add more than 250 Marvel comic books and graphic novels to its catalog! Now with your library card, you can download titles from series like “The Infinity Gauntlet” or “Black Panther” directly to your mobile device. You can get ready for the upcoming movies in mere moments!
If comics aren’t your thing or you prefer the feel of a physical book in your hands, the library also has you covered. Here are a few of my recent favorite graphic novels:
“Friends With Boys” by Faith Hicks
After an idyllic childhood of homeschooling with her mother and three older brothers, Maggie enrolls in public high school, where interacting with her peers is complicated by the melancholy ghost that has followed her throughout her entire life.
“Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too” by Jomny Sun
Here is the unforgettable story of Jomny, a lonely alien who, for the first time ever, finds a home on our planet after learning that earthlings can feel lonely too.
“Poe: Stories and Poems” by Gareth Hinds
A beautifully dark volume of graphic novel renderings of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most well-known works including “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven.”
