2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), today announced its 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection list. The list is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

The Quick Picks list suggests books that teens, ages 12-18, will pick up on their own and read for pleasure; it is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read.

Quick Picks also offers a Top Ten list.

“Goths, gangs, rappers and vamps reigned supreme on this year’s list,” said H. Jack Martin, committee chair. “I’m really proud of our committee’s dedication to tapping into the interests of teen reluctant readers across the United States.”

Members of the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Committee are: H. Jack Martin, chair, New York Public Library; Josephine Caisse, Deschutes Public Library, Bend, Ore.; Debbie Fisher, Central Falls (R.I.) High School; Katherine Fitch, Rachel Carson Middle School, Herndon, Va.; Susan Geye, Crowley (Texas) Ninth Grade; Paulette Goodman, Kennedy Junior High School, Naperville, Ill.; Diana Tixier Herald, Center for Adolescent Reading, Glade Park, Colo.; Sally Leahey, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Me.; Jenine Lillian, the Bush School Library and University of Washington, Seattle; Joy Millam, Fountain Valley, Calif.; Diane Monnier, Rockville (Md.) Library; and Anne Rouyer, administrative assistant, New York Public Library.

Fiction

Adams, Lenora. Baby Girl. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Simon Pulse, $6.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-2512-5.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Twisted. 2007. Penguin Group/ Viking Press, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-670-061013.

Aronson, Sarah. Head Case. 2007. Roaring Brook Press/ Deborah Brodie, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-1-59643-214-7.

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. 2007. Penguin Group/ Razorbill, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-5951-4-1712.

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. Tattoo. 2007. Random House/ Delacorte Press, $7.99 ISBN13: 978-0-385-903639.

Blank, Jessica. Almost Home. 2007. Hyperion, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4231-0642-5.

Brewer, Heather. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites. Penguin Group/ Dutton, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-0-5254-7-8119.

Cast, P.C. and Kristen Cast. Marked The House of Night, book 1. 2007. St. Martin's Press/ Griffin, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-0-312-36026-9.

Cast, P.C. and Kristen Cast. Betrayed The House of Night Novel, book 2. St. Martin's Press/ Griffin, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-0-312-36028-3.

Castellucci, Cecil. Beige. 2007. Candlewick Press, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-7636-3066-9.

Cooney, Caroline B. Diamonds in the Shadow. 2007. Random House/ Delacorte, $18.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4000-7423-5.

Cross, Shauna. Derby Girl. 2007. Henry Holt, $15.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8050-8023-0.

Crutcher, Chris. Deadline. 2007. HarperCollins, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-06-085089-0.

Davis, Mark, Mike Davis and Brandon Schultz. Blokhedz: Book 1 of Genesis. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Pocket Books, $12.95 ISBN13: 978-1-4165-4073-1.

de la Cruz, Melissa. Masquerade: A Blue Bloods Novel. 2007. Hyperion, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-78683896.

Erskine, Kathryn. Quaking. 2007. Penguin Group/ Philomel Books, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-399-24774-3.

Fields, Terri. Holdup. 2007. Roaring Brook, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-1-59643-219-2. When fast food and crime come together.

Flinn, Alex. Beastly. 2007. HarperCollins/ Harper Tempest, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-06087416-2.

Fullerton. Alma. Walking on Glass. 2007. HarperCollins/ HarperTempest, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-06-077851-2.

Gonzalez, Julie. Ricochet. 2007. Random House/ Delacorte, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0385732284.

Grant, Vicki. I.D. 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55143-694-4.

Gratz, Alan. Something Rotten: A Horatio Wilkes Mystery. Penguin Group/ Dial Books, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-8037-3216-2.

Halpern, Julie. Get Well Soon. 2007. Fiewel & Friends, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-0-312-36795-4.

Harazin, S. A. Blood Brothers. 2007. Random House/ Delacorte, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-385733649.

Harmon, Michael. Skate. October, 2006. Random House/ Knopf, $15.95 ISBN13: 978-0-375-97516-5.

Harvey, Sarah N. Bull's Eye. 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55143-679-1.

Henderson, J. A. Bunker 10. 2007. Harcourt, $17.00 ISBN13: 978-0-15-206240-8.

Hopkins, Ellen. Glass. 2007. Simon & Schuster/ Margaret K. McElderry Books, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-4090-6.

Hopkins, Ellen. Impulse. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Margaret K. McElderry Books, $18.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-0356-9.

Jacobs, Deborah Lynn. Choices. 2007. Roaring Brook Press, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-1-59643-217-8.

Johnston, Jeffry W. Fragments. 2007. Simon & Schuster/ Simon Pulse, $6.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-2486-9.

Knowles, Jo. Lessons from a Dead Girl. 2007. Candlewick Press, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-7636-3279-3.

Koertge, Ron. Strays. 2007. Candlewick Press, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-7636-2705-8.

Lane, Dakota. The Secret Life of It Girls. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Ginee Seo Books, $14.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-1492-1.

Lubar, David. True Talents. 2007. Tom Doherty/ Starscape, $17.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7653-0977-8.

Lynn, Erin. Demon Envy. 2007. Penguin Group/ Berkley, $9.99 ISBN13: 978-0-425-21737-5.

Mackler, Carolyn. Guyaholic: The Story of Finding, Flirting, Forgetting…and the Boy Who Changes Everything. 2007. Candlewick Press, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-7636-2537-5.

McClintock, Norah. Bang! 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55143-654-8. McClintock, Norah. Down. 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55143-766-8.

McKayhan, Monica. Indigo Summer. 2007. Harlequin/ Kimani Tru, $9.99 ISBN13: 978-0-373-83075-6.

McNab, Andy and Robert Rigby. Avenger. 2007. Penguin Group/ Putnam, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-399-24685-2.

Mead, Richelle. Vampire Academy. 2007. Penguin Group/ Razorbill, $8.99 ISBN13: 978-1-59414-174-3.

Myers, Walter Dean. What They Found: Love on 145th Street. 2007. Random House/ Wendy Lamb Books, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-038532189.

Nance, Andrew and Polhemus, Colin, illus. Daemon Hall. 2007. Henry Holt, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-0805081718.

Plummer, Louise. Finding Daddy . 2007. Random House/ Delacorte, $15.95 ISBN13: 978-0-385-70392-1.

Pow, Tom. Captives. 2007. Roaring Brook Press, $17.95 ISBN13: 978-1-59643-201-7.

Reinhardt, Dana. Harmless. 2007. Random House/ Wendy Lamb, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-385-74699-1.

Ryan, Darlene. Responsible. 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55143-685-2.

Schreiber, Mark. Star Crossed. 2007. Llewelyn/ Flux, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7387-1001-3.

Sewell, Earl. Keysha's Drama. 2007. Harlequin/ Kimani Tru, $9.99 ISBN13: 978-0-373-83079-3.

Shakespeare, William, Richard Appignasi and Sonia Leong, illus. Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet. 2007. Abrams/ Amulet Books, $9.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8109-9325-2.

Shaw, Susan. Safe. 2007. Penguin Group/ Dutton, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-525-47829-4.

Showalter, Gena. Oh My Goth. 2006. Simon and Schuster/ MTV Books, $9.95 ISBN13: 978-1-4165-2474-8.

Shusterman, Neal. Unwind. 2007. Simon and Schuster, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-1204-0.

Sitomer, Alan L. Homeboyz. Hyperion/ Jump at the Sun, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4231-0030-0.

Smith, Roland. Peak. 2007. Harcourt, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-15-202417-8.

Sones, Sonya. What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know. 2007. Simon & Schuster, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-689-87602-8.

St. James, James. Freak Show. 2007. Penguin Group/ Dutton, $18.99 ISBN13: 978-0-525-47799-0.

Stone, Jeff. Crane. 2007. Random House, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-09375-83077-8. Identity revealed in a marital arts battle.

Strasser, Todd. Boot Camp. 2007. Simon and Schuster, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-0848-7.

Sweeney, Joyce. Headlock. 2006. Henry Holt, $16.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8050-8018-6.

Tullson, Diane. The Darwin Expedition. 2007. Orca Books, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-155143-676-0.

Van Diepen, Allison. Snitch.  2007. Simon and Schuster/ Simon Pulse, $6.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-5030-1.

Vande Velde, Vivian. Remembering Raquel. 2007. Harcourt, $16.00 ISBN13: 978-0-15-205976-7.

Velez, Ivan. Dead High Yearbook. 2007. Penguin Group/ Dutton, $18.99 ISBN13: 978-0-525-47783-9.

Volponi, Paul. Rucker Park Setup. 2007. Penguin Group/ Viking, $15.99 ISBN13: 978-0-670-06130-3.

Vrettos, Adrienne Maria. Sight. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Margaret K. McElderry Books, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-0657-5.

Wasserman, Robin. Chasing Yesterday: Book 1, The Awakening. 2007. Scholastic, $5.99 ISBN13: 978-0-439-93338-4.

Watson, C.G. Quad. 2007. Penguin Group/ Razorbill, $16.99 ISBN13: 978-1-59514-138-5.

Wiess, Laura. Such A Pretty Girl. 2007. Simon & Schuster/ MTV Books, $12.00 ISBN13: 978-1-58180-847-6.

Zarr, Sara. Story of a Girl. 2007. Little, Brown & Co., $16.99 ISBN13: 978-0-316-01453-3.

Nonfiction

50 Cent. 50 x 50: 50 Cent in His Own Words. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Pocket Books, $35.00 ISBN13: 978-1-4165-4471-5.

Alvarado, Melissa, Hope Meng and Melissa Rannels with Matthew Carden, illus. Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads into Street Couture. 2007. Tauton Press, $17.00 ISBN13: 978-1-59514-171-2.

Aranzi, Aronzo. The Bad Book. 2007. Vertical, Inc., $12.95 ISBN13: 978-1-93223469-5.

Ash, Russell. Firefly's World of Facts. 2007. Firefly, $29.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55407-313-9.

Bey, Dawoud. Class Pictures. 2007. Aperture, $45.00 ISBN13: 978-1-59711-043-3.

Blakeney, Faith & Justina and Ellen Schultz. 99 Ways to Cut, Sew and Deck Out Your Denim. 2007. Crown Books/ Potter Craft, $19.95 ISBN13: 978-0-307-35170-8.

Carlowicz, Michael. Moon. 2007. Abrams, $19.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8109-9307-5.

Chryssicas, Mary Kaye. Breathe: Yoga for Teens.  2007.DK Publishing, $15.00 ISBN13: 978-0-756-62661-7.

Cooper, Robbie. Alter Ego: Avatars and Their Creators. 2007.Chris Boot Ltd., $29.95 ISBN13: 978-1-905712-02-1.

Dingle, Adrian with Simon Basher, illus. The Periodic Table: Elements with Style. 2007. Houghton Mifflin/ Kingfishers, $8.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7534-6085-6.

Editors of CosmoGirl!. Cosmogirl! Make it Yourself: 50 Fun and Funky Projects. 2007. Sterling/ Hearst, $10.95 ISBN13: 978-158816-624-1.

Editors of Inside Cheerleading. Cheerleading: From Tryouts to Championships. 2007. Rizzoli/ Universe, $29.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7893-1565-6.

Editors of Seventeen Magazine. Seventeen Real Girl, Real Life Stories: True Crime. 2007. Sterling/ Hearst, $4.95 ISBN13: 978-1-58816-648-1.

Everhart, Mike. Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Monsters of the Deep. 2007. National Geographic, $29.95 ISBN13: 978-1-4262-0085-4.

Gee, Joshua. Encyclopedia Horrifica. 2007. Scholastic, $14.95 ISBN13: 978-0-4399-2-2555.

Golus, Carrie. Tupac Shakur. 2007. Lerner Publications, $27.93 ISBN13: 978-0-8225-6609-0.

Grahame-Smith, Seth. How to Survive a Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills. 2007. Chronicle Books/ Quirk, $14.95 ISBN13: 978-1-59474-179-1.

Grandits, John. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems. 2007. Clarion Books, $15.00 ISBN13: 978-0-618-56860-4.

Greenfield, Lauren. Thin. 2006. Chronicle Books, $35.00 ISBN13: 978-0-8118-5633-1.

Grody, Steve and James Prigoff. Graffiti L.A.: Street Styleand Art. 2007. Abrams, $34.99 ISBN13: 978-0-8-1099-2986.

Handy, Roger and Karin Elsener. Found Photos: Rear Ends. 2007. Abrams Image, $14.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8109-0926-7.

Harrington, Jane. Extreme Pets. 2007. Scholastic/ Tangerine, $12.99 ISBN13: 978-0-439-82948-9.

Hess, Nina. A Practical Guide to Monsters. 2007. Wizards of the Coast/ Mirrorstone, $12.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7869-4809-3.

Jamal, Joseph. Tupac Shakur Legacy. 2006. Simon and Schuster/ Atria, $45.00 ISBN13: 978-0-7432-92603.

Lee, John. Street Scene. 2007. F&W Publications/ Impact Books, $19.99 ISBN13: 978-1-158180-847-6.

Lewry, Fraser and Tom Ryan. Kittenwar. 2007. Chronicle Books, $14.95 ISBN13: 978-0-81185980-6.

Pardes, Bronwen. Doing It Right: Making Smart, Safe and Satisfying Choices about Sex. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Simon Pulse, $14.99 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-1823.

Pearce, Fred. Earth: Then and Now. 2007. Firefly, $39.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55407-298-9.

Pearson, Felicia "Snoop" and David Ritz. Grace After Midnight: A Memoir. 2007. Grand Central, $22.00 ISBN13: 978-0-446-19518-8.

Rogge, Hannah and Adrian Buckmaster, illus. Save This Shirt! 2007. Stewart, Tabori and Chang, $19.95 ISBN13: 978-1-58479-584-1.

Salant, James. Leaving Dirty Jersey: A Crystal Meth Memoir. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $21.00 ISBN13: 978-1-4169-3629-9.

Shivack, Nadia. Inside Out: Portrait of an Eating Disorder. 2007. Simon and Schuster/ Atheneum, $17.99 ISBN13: 978-0-689-85216-9.

Simonson, Louise. DC Comics Covergirls. 2007. Rizzoli/ Universe, $39.95 ISBN13: 978-0-78931544-1.

Smedman, Lisa. From Boneshakers to Choppers: The Rip-Roaring History of Motorcycles. 2007. Annick Press, $24.95 ISBN13: 978-1-55451-016-0.

Thalia. Thalia: Belleza!: Lessons in Lipgloss and Happiness. 2007. Chronicle Books, $19.95 ISBN13: 978-0-8118-5829-8.

Warren, Frank. A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book. 2007. HarperCollins/ William Morrow, $27.95 ISBN13: 978-0-06123860-4.

Willett, Edward. Jimi Hendrix: Kiss the Sky. 2006. Enslow, $27.93 ISBN13: 978-0-7660-2449-6.

Yoshinaga, Masayuki. Gothic and Lolita. 2007. Phaidon Press, $29.95 ISBN13: 978-0-7148-4785-6.