YALSA names 2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

CHICAGO —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced its 2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection list. The list is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

The Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list identifies titles aimed at encouraging reading among teens who dislike to read for any reason.

The complete list of 67 titles and a series, drawn from 149 nominations, can be found at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/quick-picks-reluctant-young-adult-readers.

The Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers committee also selected a Top Ten list:

• Alender, Katie. "Famous Last Words." 2014. Scholastic, Inc./Point.
• Alexander, Kwame. "The Crossover." 2014. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/HMH Books for Young Readers.
• Belton, Claire. "I am Pusheen the Cat." Illus. 2013. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone.
• Carroll, Emily. "Through the Woods." Illus. 2014. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books.
• Enz, Tammy and Biskup, Agnieszka. "Batman Science: The Real-World Science Behind Batman's Gear." Illus. 2014. Capstone Young Readers.
• Knapp, Andrew. "Find Momo: A Photography Book." Illus. 2014. Quirk Books.
• Prince, Liz. "Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir." Illus. 2014. Zest Books.
• Quintero, Isabel. "Gabi, A Girl in Pieces." 2014. Cinco Puntos Press.
• Watkins, Steve. "Juvie." 2013. Candlewick Press.
• Wilson, G. Willow. "Ms. Marvel: No Normal." Illus. by Adrian Alphona. 2014. Marvel.

“I am so proud of the list our committee has put together for reluctant readers of all types,” said Chair, Jennifer Fairchild. “Quick Picks readers will be treated to a diverse selection of irresistible non-fiction, graphic novels with fabulous illustrations, intriguing whodunits, and gripping realistic stories. We can’t wait for these books to end up in the hands of teens.”

Members of the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Committee are: Jennifer Fairchild, Chair, King County Library System, Auburn, Washington; Faythe Arredondo, Tulare County Library, Visalia, California; Justin Azevedo, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California; Fallon Bleich, Bentonville Public Library, Bentonville, Arkansas; Susan Buttaccio, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Lancaster, New York; Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, White Plains, New York; Sarah Julsonnet, Lancaster Country Day School, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Judith Rodgers, Wayzata Central Middle School, Plymouth, Minnesota; Shawna Sherman, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco, California; Jen Thompson, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, New York; Kellie Tilton, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash, Blue Ash, Ohio; and Whitney Winn, Administrative Assistant, King County Library System, Auburn, Washington.

YALSA’s portfolio of book and media awards helps strengthen library services for and with teens by identifying quality, age appropriate resources for librarians and library workers to share with the teens in their communities.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and library staff to engage, serve and empower teens. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.