YALSA Names 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Contact: Stephanie Kuenn


YALSA Communications Specialist


(312) 280-2128


skuenn@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


January 28, 2009

DENVER —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), today announced its 2009 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 for teens, ages 12-18, to pick up on their own and read for pleasure; it is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read.

The complete list of 91 titles, including annotations, can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks. The Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers committee also selected a Top Ten list:

  • Abel, Jessica, and Soria, Gabriel. Life Sucks. 2008. First Second, $19.95 (978-1-59643-107-2).
  • Franzini, Michael. One Hundred Young Americans. 2007. Harper Collins, $29.95 (978-0-06119200-5).
  • Fulbeck, Kip. Permanence. 2008. Chronicle Books, $19.95 (978-0-8118-6131-1).
  • Kuklin, Susan. No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenagers on Death Row. 2008. Henry Holt, $17.95 (978-0805079500).
  • McMann, Lisa. Wake. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $15.99 (978-1-4169-5357-9).
  • Redd, Nancy Amanda. Body Drama. 2008. Penguin Group, $20.00 (978-1-592-40326-4).
  • Scalin, Noah. Skulls. 2008. Lark, $14.95 (978-1600593758).
  • Shiraz, Yasmin. Retaliation. 2008. Rolling Hills Press, $14.95 (978-0971817432).
  • Smits, Kim and Maat, Matthijs. Custom Kicks. 2008. Laurence King Publisher, $19.95 (978-1-85669-542-8).
  • Willin, Melvyn. Ghosts: Caught on Film. 2007. David & Charles, $16.99 (0715327283).

“The list is overflowing with diverse topics; we have everything from stunning portraits to tattoo revelations, fallen stars and skulls made of soap suds,” said Joy Millam, committee chair. “This list is a true reflection of the teens we serve. Our goal was to put out a list that gives every reluctant reader a book to connect with personally.”

The books were selected for teens ages 12 to 18 and the titles on the list span a broad range of reading and maturity levels. YALSA encourages adults to take an active role in helping individual teens choose those books that are the best fit for them and their families.

Members of the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Committee are: Joy Millam, chair, Valencia High School, Placentia, Calif.; Amy Cheney, Alameda County Juvenile Hall Library, San Leandro, Calif.; Erica Tang Cuyugan, Santa Monica (Calif.) Public Library; Debbie Fisher, Central Falls (R.I.) High School; Diana Tixier Herald, Mesa County Valley School District #51, Grand Junction, Colo.; Annisha Jeffries, Cleveland (Ohio) Public Library; Sally Leahey, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Me.; Jenine Lillian, The Bush School Library, Seattle, Wash.; Diane Monnier, Tucson, Ariz.; Anne Rouyer, New York Public Library; Marie Slim, Troy High School, Fullerton, Calif.; and Heather Gruenthal, administrative assistant, Western High School, Anaheim, Calif.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to
www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail,
yalsa@ala.org.