Teens' Top Ten (TTT) FAQ

1. How do teens vote for Teens' Top Ten Books?
2. The URL for the Teens’ Top Ten site is so long! Is there any way to shorten it for printing in library publicity?
3. Who nominates the books?
4. How can my teen group become a TTT nominating group?
5. What books are eligible for nomination?
6. When are books nominated?
7. Who votes for TTT books?
8. How can librarians and teachers involve teens in TTT online voting?

1. Read now. Find the list of teen-nominated titles at the TTT site. Read as many books as possible to be ready to choose favorites. Use the lists in your summer reading program.
2. Vote online Teens will vote online from Aug. 24 through Sept. 18 at www.ala.org/teenstopten for their favorite books. The winners of the 2009 Teens' Top Ten will be announced in a webcast featuring World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24. Tell your book group, youth organizations you work with, and any other groups you know that work with teens to come to www.ala.org/teenstopten between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18 and vote, when a ballot containing all nominated titles will be available at the TTT Web site. Teens click its boxes to vote for their three favorite books. Any individual teen with access to the Internet can vote for TTT books, but only during the voting period (Aug. 24-Sept. 18)
3. Watch for the list of ten winning books! During Teen Read Week, the winners will be named in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas. the national Teens' Top Ten Books will appear on the TTT Web site and on YALSA electronic discussion lists and press releases.

   The URL for the Teens’ Top Ten site is so long! Is there any way to shorten it for printing in library publicity?

Yes, it is! We now have a short, easy-to-remember URL: www.ala.org/teenstopten — you can use either address to get to the latest TTT information

   Who nominates the books?

Fifteen book groups across the country, all of which participate in YALSA’s YA Galley Project.

   How can my teen group become a TTT nominating group?

Nominating groups change every two years. Applications for 2010-2012 will be considered by YALSA's YA Galley Committee in spring 2010. Contact Nichole Gilbert, ngilbert@ala.org, for more information.

   What books are eligible for nomination?

Eligible books are published in the current or past year and cannot have been nominated previously for TTT. They include young adult and adult books judged as worthy according to criteria composed by teens.  These books must be selected and seconded by members of the TTT nominating groups.  Click here to see the  TTT Nomination Criteria.

   When are books nominated?

Nominations are posted on Support Teen Literature Day, which takes place on the Thursday of National Library Week in April each  year.

   Who votes for TTT books?

Any teen (ages twelve to eighteen) with access to the Internet can vote online through the ballot link on the  TTT page, when the ballot goes live on August 25 until it closes on September 18. Votes should be cast only for books the teen has read and judged worthy of national distinction as a Teens' Top Ten Book.

   How can librarians and teachers involve teens in TTT online voting?

• Make sure that your teens know how to find the  TTT nominations list (PDF).  Encourage them to start reading nominated titles early in preparation for the vote. Add nominated titles to your YA collection.
• Link your library's or school’s Web site to the TTT nominations page. You can also reprint the nominations list directly on your site. A fine example of a teen library site that promotes TTT voting is from the City of Mesa Library in Arizona.
• Make a bulletin board or display of nominated TTT titles before voting opens, with colorful signs directing teen readers to the nominations site. Hand out bookmarks or flyers listing nominated titles—and booktalk them.
• Make TTT promotion part of your library's teen summer reading program or school reading list. Consider rewarding teens who prepare for TTT voting during your program.
• Promote TTT voting within your library or classroom. For examples, please visit our guide to promoting TTT!
  

Teens' Top Ten Books (TTT) is part of YA Galley, a project of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).