Contact: Nichole Gilbert
YALSA
312-280-4387
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2007
2007 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
SEATTLE - The Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Committee, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced its 2007 selections finalized at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, held January 19-24, in Seattle. This year’s committee produced four lists of selected titles with the following topics: Get Creative, Religion: Relationship with the Divine, What’s So Funny?, and I’m Not Making This Up: Addictive Nonfiction.
The Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list is available at www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists. An annotated list will be available on the YALSA For Members Only Web site.
Get Creative: “Creativity goes beyond a piano or a paintbrush—this list demonstrates that there is no limit on art and imagination,” said Melissa Rabey, committee chair.
Religion: Relationship with the Divine: There are many different paths that lead to a spiritual awakening; perhaps one of these will be right for you. “An experience with the divine can certainly change your life. Whether you’ve found your path or are still searching, these books with diverse characters, formats, and insights, will surely please,” said Dr. Allan O’Grady Cuseo, committee chair.
What’s So Funny?: Committee Chair Carlie Kraft Weber was unable to comment because she was too busy trying figure out why the chicken crossed the road.
I’m Not Making This Up: Addictive Nonfiction: “Fiction? We don't need no stinking fiction!” said Marin Younkers, committee chair. “Novels aren't the only stories that suck you in and take you on a journey. Read any one of these books for an eye-opening look at legends, life, history, and more.”
“The unique quality of the Popular Paperbacks lists are their topical arrangement, perfect for connecting books with just the right readers,” said Committee Chair Diane Emge Colson. “This year we have a fabulous choice of topics, with fiction ranging from the serious intimacy of religious belief to the wackiness of teen humor. We also have selected our best choices in nonfiction for young adults, and some wonderful books to inspire teen creativity.”
The members of the 2006-2007 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adult Committee are: Diane Emge Colson, chair, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, Fla.; Alison Hendon, administrative assistant and committee member, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Meghan L.F. Baranski, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, Kan.; Karen Brooks-Reese, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh District Library Center, Pittsburgh; Allan O’Grady Cuseo, Bishop Kearney High School, Rochester, N.Y.; Elizabeth Elam, Prince Georges County Memorial Library, Hyattsville, Md.; Kristin Fletcher-Spear, Foothills Branch Library, Glendale Ariz.; Nancy Reich, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles; Kathryn Olson, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco; Ann Perrigo, Allegan Public Library, Allegan, Mich.; Susan Person, Columbine Library, Littleton, Colo.; Melissa Rabey; Caryn Sipos, Tigard Public Library, Tigard, Ore. ; Carlie Kraft Webber, Bergen County Cooperative Library System, Hackensack, NJ.; J. Marin Younker, Seattle Public Library, Seattle.
For 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audiobooks for teens. For more information about these awards or for additional lists of recommended reading, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists. For more information about YALSA, please contact us via e-mail, yalsa@ala.org; or by phone at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4390.
