Teens can vote for their favorite books

Library Notes

Rowan Public Library

Erika Kosin

Teens can vote for their favorite books

            The nominations are in and teens across the country are reading the books that may comprise the 2013 Teens’ Top Ten list.  This list is not compiled by teachers or librarians, but rather it is a selection process done by teens throughout the United States.  From early 2012 through early 2013 sixteen pre-selected groups of teens received hundreds of books that had just been published for consideration.  Each of these groups would read the books and send their list of nominated titles to YALSA, Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, who compiles the official list of nominations.  Nominated titles will then be read and voted on by Teens throughout the country from August 15^th through September 15^th and the results of the next Teens’ Top Ten List will be revealed during Teens Read Week in October.

            Teens right here in Rowan County looking for a good book to read over the summer now have the opportunity to read books recommended by their peers and cast their vote for the next Teens’ Top Ten.  There are currently 28 nominated titles covering many different genres that may appeal to a diverse group of teens.  Previous Teens’ Top Ten titles come as no surprise based on their popularity with teens when they were published such as books from the Twilight Series, Harry Potter, Eragon and the Hunger Games, but there are many books that have made the lists that teens might not be aware of.  Some previous Top Ten Winners include:

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick (Teens’ Top Ten - 2005)

When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (Teens’ Top Ten -2006)

What happens when you die?  Where do you go? 16-year old Liz Hall finds out when she is killed in a hit and run accident.  As Liz struggles with all she has lost in her life, going to the prom, getting her drivers license, she almost misses out on the new life she can have in Elsewhere.

Paper Towns by John Green (Teens’ Top Ten -2009)  

Quentin "Q" Jacobsen lives a boring, predictable life.  With both parents being therapists, he views himself as the well adjusted smart kid.  Then one day his beautiful and exciting neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman knocks on his window and convinces him to go with her on a midnight adventure to right some wrongs and then she mysteriously disappears.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Teens’ Top Ten -2009)

Frankie, a sophomore at an elite boarding school is excited when she starts to date gorgeous senior Matthew.  Only as they spend more time together, Frankie learns of a secret society that both Matthew and her father belong to.  Only they won’t talk to her about it because she is a girl.  That is when she takes matters into her own hands to not only become a member, but to create the best pranks the society has ever seen.

A complete list of 2013 nominated titles and past Teens’ Top Ten lists can be found at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten.