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It’s really hard to believe it was 97 degrees last week when we’re having 30 degree nights this week.

The garden is definitely winding down. I’m hoping for a red tomato or two but probably will get the last few green tomatoes, some rutabagas and whatever other surprises are left. One draw back to having a community garden is that people from the community wander into our garden and help themselves to the veggies. I’ll just hope I’m feeding someone who really needs it.

With sadness, I must mention the passing of Sonia Lynn Sadler, She was a talented artist and designed and recipient of the 2011 Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for Seeds of Change. May she rest in peace.

Malinda Lo (Inheritance, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013) just compiled a very interesting set of statistics on BFYA. Malinda’s analysis addresses several variations of diversity, helping us to realize all the different teens who are reading the ‘best’ books. Her closing:

The question is: Who is this “young adult” reader that this list is supposed to appeal to? Considering race alone, in a US where 37% of the population is people of color, and where “half of all children under 18 are expected to be non-white in five years” (MSNBC), should the BFYA lists attempt to diversify? How does quality — that slippery concept of “best” — relate to race and representation? These questions are further complicated when you bring in sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.

And what about authors of color? What can be done to increase representation in that arena, both in general and in lists and awards that seek to recognize the best of YA? Is that important? Should it be?.

She followed this with an interview with yours truly.

Getting listed in BFYA or other award lists is quite important to authors. Alaya Dawn Johnson (Summer Prince, Arthur A. Levine, 2013) Tweeted this after learning her book is on the National Book Award longlist.

OH MY GOD ow.ly/oU7kv This is…I am…holy crap it is the best rainy morning of my life!—
Alaya Dawn Johnson (@alayadj) September 16, 2013

But, getting your book made into a movie? WOW!! The Watson’s Go to Birmingham will premier on Hallmark this Friday at 8:00 pm.

You do know what day it is, right? HUMP DAY!! It’s all down hill from here!

Summer is ending and the garden is winding down. I’m harvesting fewer veggies and making plans to prepare amend my soil over the winter. Next

Fall Crop: Rutabaga

year, I simply want a wider variety of vegetables. I need to move to a plot that gets full sun in the early morning, but I’m not sure how well that will work out.

And, as the garden winds down the library is gearing up for the school year. This week I’ve got classes to teach and a graduate student open house to staff. I’m meeting at CANDLES Holocaust Museum to develop a docent program, finishing up a project with National Geographic to align some of their books to the Core Curriculum and I have this idea for an article that I want to develop. And, my BFYA pile is growing again! I admit it’s still out of control, but I’m planning strategic days at home over the next few months to do nothing but read. And, my weekends are completely and boringly void of everything except books.

I think most people want others to be aware of the work they do and the

Weekly Harvest of Books!

Internet is the perfect venue for sharing our successes. Have you ever done a search for someone and found nothing on them?

Do you ever search your own name? This morning, I used Google, Bing and Yahoo to search for myself. Using my full name, I got a lot of hits for obituaries of dead white women. I used to find curriculum units I prepared or programs I participated in but now, I suppose those things are just too old.

When I shortened my first name to “Edi” and eliminated “Edie” from my search, I got a few things related to my blog, a video that I think is about a singer in Latin h America and advice on how to dress like Edi Campbell, most probably the other Edi Campbell.

Now, I’m not trying to use the ‘net to claim my 3 minutes of fame but I do know that there is a very good chance I’ll be looking for another job or two. Face it, employers search to see what they can find out about us. About.me is a nice, new tool that allows users to create their own home page and establish their professional image. It would be good for students entering the job market as well as for the seasoned professional who has little else online.

Fall crop: cabbage sprouts

Get your name out there and make a difference in YA: apply to be a CYBILS judge.  Self nominations are due by 30 August.

The winners of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize were recently announced and make wonderful reading choices for young readers.

Don’t leave the young people out of the celebrations of the anniversary of the March on Washington. My favorite post to help bring them into the conversation is Don Tate’s listing of picture and nonfiction books. Throughout the year, educator’s can turn to ALA’s newly released Multi-ethnic books for the middle school curriculum.

We just can’t get around the fact that life is diverse, can we? So many different things to keep us busy!

My colleague, Valentine, with illustrator Faith Erin Hicks

About this time last week I was finishing my last Best Fiction for Young Adult committee meeting in Chicago. I met with 14 other libraries and had such good discussions about the best of what is being published in young adult fiction. Despite the lack of age, gender or ethnic diversity in the group, I have to say I was quite impressed with the attention to selecting a wide range of fiction for teen readers and attention to what matters in literature. I just can’t say enough about this group of women and how much I’m enjoying and learning from this process.

I didn’t like missing the entire conference, though! I can only technically say this was my first ALA because I didn’t get to do anything. OK, I did make it to the exhibit hall Friday evening where I was able to meet Laurianne Uy, Kekla Magoon (with whom I’ll be presenting at ALAN this fall), illustrator Faith Erin Hicks and Hannah Erlich (who has been sending me books from Lee and Low for years). I also found Soho Press and Kathie Hanson from Native Voices Books, NativeVoicesBooks.com.

John Lewis signing his new book. Photo courtesy of Valentine

Alice Walker. courtesy of Valentine.

But there are so many people I didn’t get to see or meet! So many events I missed!!

ALA is HUGE!! I missed the quilt exhibit, movie previews, parade of bookmobiles, cooking sessions, author readers and signings. While I was in meetings, my colleague was texting me photos of her meeting John Lewis and Alice Walker.

To be honest, I knew I’d miss these things. But mentioning all that went on at the conference gives me the opportunity to share the wide reach of librarians. While there were hundreds of presentations, there were thousands of meetings during the event. From diversity to literacy, ebooks, international libraries, data management anddigital

Laurianne Uy

preservation, all that was there! And more!

I’ll be at ALA Midwinter where we’ll once again hear from students who have been reading BFYA books and twe’ll again discuss every book recommended after which we’ll vote on which we’ll add to the BFYA 2014 list. I’m still struggling to get caught up, but I refuse to be as far behind in January as I was in May.

So, now I’m back to work in my little library in Terre Haute. I’m finishing out summer projects and preparing materials for the fall. I’m finally getting a department chair at about the same time the library dean is leaving. Change is inevitable, isn’t it? We’re always surrounded by an abundance of opportunity, the trick is to be prepared. And, to have courage!

I had been neglecting my garden. Before.

After

CONGRATULATIONS, COURTNEY YOUNG, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ELECT!

Do chefs and other food professionals remain able to enjoy their parents and grandparents home cooking?

I’m watching Guy Fieri cook with his mom today and these are his recipes, he’s in charge. Makes me wonder if he still likes his mom’s cooking.

He’s not the only one with his mom on the show, they’ve been on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and many, many other shows. There are the Mother’s Day sales, coupons, flower displays… So much to celebrate the holiday.

Does everyone do that much Mother’s Day celebrating with their family?

I’ve finally come to learn that not so many people do the New Years Eve parties. Most people I’ve talked to actually do quiet evenings at home or church. Yet, we would be led to believe everyone goes to parties. Perhaps it’s only the 10%.

Last Christmas, I brought a friend from Egypt to my sister’s home for the holiday. She was excited as this was her first Christmas dinner and, she was really looking forward to the singing. Singing?? Yes, in the movies everyone does Christmas carols. I don’t know anyone who does that, or who goes Christmas caroling! Oh, sure there are people who do those things, but those practices aren’t as pervasive and Hollywood makes people believe.

I hate to admit how many books I still have to read for BFYA. I should not be writing this post, should not have gone to the store this morning, should not be doing anything other than reading! I’ve received some very interesting boxes lately and see so many books I’d love to pick up, but I am required to have read everything nominated to the committee before we meet in June.

I have to say I’m really disappointed in the lack of ethnic diversity in the books I’ve received. Scholastic has stood out as the company whose selection has been the most multicultural.

While I look for ethnic representation, I am so aware of diversity in the broad sense while reading these books. I’ve seen very few books by male authors or with male protagonists. The numbers of books with autistic characters is growing. There are quite a few mysteries, a lot of historical fiction and paranormal seems to be dwindling. There is always death. There is little religion or spirituality and I find that intriguing considering the searching for meaning that young adults do.

There is a fair amount of LGBT, a surprising amount of animals and surprising few talents (excluding paranormal) or crafts.

There is violence, death, depression, bullying and abduction.  The trend is to deal with the act more than the consequences. Call me a prude, but I can’t bear to live through another mass shooting, stabbing or kidnapping; I don’t think access to guns is the root cause. I can raise this issue, but not let it deter me from recognizing a good book.

Diversity would extend to books that appeal to 13 year olds as well as to 18+, to books that recognize those who are embarrassed to read profanity as much as those who read expecting it. There are low ability readers and those who need complex, intricate story lines. Did I mention there is a lot of death?

Most librarians know this already and work hard to find all these different books, but the ones that are well written? I’ll be reading non-stop through 28 June to find them!

I’m getting behind! My pile of BFYA books is growing! Still, it’s a pleasure to look at that pile because they all stand a chance of being a really good read. The books in that pile have been nominated by BFYA committee members or by the general public as titles that should be on the annual list. The titles nominated are announced each month and the committee members get busy locating copies of the books so that they can be read before each of the ALA conventions.

What don’t I like about the process? The very few titles by authors of color – or featuring characters of color – that we receive. The number is even smaller than the number of the books that are published.

What do I like? I like broadening my reading selections. I avoid monsters, paranormals, werewolves… at all costs, but I cannot avoid them this year! I don’t like reading about murder as entertainment and hate to see that trickle into YA but, I’m reading these books and developing new perspectives. Closing one’s self off from situations isn’t a way to grow.

I also like being able to help get teens reading with the books. I’m getting LOTS of them and am looking for good ways to get them where they’re needed. Please email me if you have suggestions. I’ve been thinking about shipping them down to Henryville, getting them to some of the high schools around here or even taking them to ALA to give them to high schools there. One thing I’ve learned is that schools in small communities are quite conservative, so not all will appreciate some of these books.

I put off posting the new  April releases, thinking I might still find a few more titles and maybe I still will. Looking for new books is really getting interesting. I usually go to Amazon to look and every month, struggle with search terms to find new books that have been released by authors of color for teens. I had seen Walter Dean Myer’s latest book, but in searching for it using his name, the title did not come up for me. I had to use the title of the book to find it. I’ve had this happen with other authors as well. Have you?

Last month, I found the following after posting March releases.

Fat Angie e.E. Charlton-Trujillo; Candlewick, March: Angie is broken — by her can’t-be-bothered mother, by her high-school tormenters, and by being the only one who thinks her varsity-athlete-turned-war-hero sister is still alive. Hiding under a mountain of junk food hasn’t kept the pain (or the shouts of “crazy mad cow!”) away. Having failed to kill herself — in front of a gym full of kids — she’s back at high school just trying to make it through each day. That is, until the arrival of KC Romance, the kind of girl who doesn’t exist in Dryfalls, Ohio. A girl who is one hundred and ninety-nine percent wow! A girl who never sees her as Fat Angie, and who knows too well that the package doesn’t always match what’s inside. With an offbeat sensibility, mean girls to rival a horror classic, and characters both outrageous and touching, this darkly comic anti-romantic romance will appeal to anyone who likes entertaining and meaningful fiction.

Lightning Dreamer by Margarita Engle; Harcourt, March: “I find it so easy to forget / that I’m just a girl who is expected / to live / without thoughts.” Opposing slavery in Cuba in the nineteenth century was dangerous. The most daring abolitionists were poets who veiled their work in metaphor. Of these, the boldest was Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, nicknamed Tula. In passionate, accessible verses of her own, Engle evokes the voice of this book-loving feminist and abolitionist who bravely resisted an arranged marriage at the age of fourteen, and was ultimately courageous enough to fight against injustice. Historical notes, excerpts, and source notes round out this exceptional tribute.

April Releases

1. Darius and Twig by Walter Dean Myer; Harper 23 Apr

Darius and Twig are an unlikely pair: Darius is a writer whose only escape is his alter ego, a peregrine falcon named Fury, and Twig is a middle-distance runner striving for athletic success. But they are drawn together in the struggle to overcome the obstacles that Harlem life throws at them.

The two friends must face down bullies, an abusive uncle, and the idea that they’ll be stuck in the same place forever in this touching and raw new teen novel from Walter Dean Myers, award-winning author of Monster, Kick, We Are America, Bad Boy, and many other celebrated literary works for children and teens.

1. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa Harlequin; 30 Apr

click this link to watch the trailer

1. The witches of Ruidoso by John Sandoval; Arte Publica April

Young Elijah was sitting on the porch of the Ruidoso Store when fourteen-year-old Beth Delilah and her father climbed down from the stage coach. Blond with lovely pale skin, big blue eyes and “dressed from boot to bonnet in black” in mourning for her mother, she was the prettiest, most exotic thing he had ever seen. And when she bent over to pick up a horned toad, which she then held right up to her face in complete fascination, Elijah learned that it’s possible to feel jealous of an amphibian.
In the last years of the nineteenth century, in the western territory that would become New Mexico, the two young people become constant companions. They roam the ancient country of mysterious terrain, where the mountain looms and reminds them of their insignificance, and observe the eccentric characters in the village: Mr. Blackwater, known as “No Leg Dancer” by the Apaches because of the leg he lost in the War Between the States and his penchant for blowing reveille on his bugle each morning; their friend, Two Feather, the Mescalero Apache boy who takes Beth Delilah to meet his wise old grandfather who sees mysterious things; and Senora Roja, who everyone believes is a bruja, or witch, and who they know to be vile and evil.
Elijah has horrible nightmares involving Senora Roja, death and torture. And when the witch enslaves a girl named Rosa, the pair must try to rescue her from her grim fate. Together, Elijah and Beth Delilah come of age in a land of mountains and ravens, where good and evil vie for the souls of white men and Indians alike.

All book descriptions were shamelessly lifted from Amazon who probably would appreciate your consideration when purchasing your books. I do not work for Amazon. I don’t always shop at Amazon!

I didn’t know until last night that the Harbaughs were born in Toledo, Ohio. No wonder they’re so good! (Yes, Toledo is my hometown.)

When the Colts lost early in the playoffs, all my attention turned to the 49ers. You could call me a fair weather fan of the Niners, thanks to my oldest son. I think he has been a fan of the Niners ever since he knew what football was and, when I think back to him as a boy I vision him in his cardinal red and metallic gold coat, hat, scarf, sweatshirt and/or one of many t-shirts that were part of his wardrobe. It may be just a game, and he may be just a fan but his loyalty to that team is mighty impressive. And, because of that I’m rooting for them, too.

Well, I’ll be rooting for them after I attend the Taiwanese New Year celebration on campus. I met a student who is from the town in Taiwan where I used to live and she was kind enough to gift me with a ticket. I’ll be surprising her with a red envelope. My fingers are crossed for beef noodles.

I really can’t believe there are only 6 books by authors of color released this month. I’m really looking forward to the emails and comments telling me of the titles I’ve missed.

14 February is International Book Giving Day

A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy usually posts a comprehensive list of African American non-fiction in February. She recently posted the winners of the American Indian Youth Literature Award.

The Brown Bookshelf’s 28 Days Later is underway. MG/YA authors will include

Feb. 1 – Malaika Rose Stanley (MG)

Feb. 3 – Alaya Dawn Johnson – (YA)

Feb. 5 – Glennette Tilley Turner – (MG)

Feb. 6 – Traci L. Jones – (YA)

Feb. 8 – Brian F. Walker – (YA)

Feb. 9 – Veronica Chambers – (MG)

Feb. 10 – B.A. Binns (YA)

Feb. 12 – Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams – (MG)

Feb. 13 – Octavia Butler – (YA )

Feb. 15 – Lyah Beth LeFlore – (YA)

Feb. 17 – Arna Bontemps – (MG)

Feb. 18 – Jasmine Richards – (MG)

Feb. 21 – Nalo Hopkinson – (YA)

Feb. 24 – Linda Tarrant-Reid – (MG)

Feb. 26 – Chudney Ross – (MG)

Feb. 28 – Jaime Reed – (YA)

Indeed, another impressive list of vanguard, established and new talents!

If you’re looking for a way to get one of these authors to visit your school or library, you might consider the Amber Brown Grant or a Targets Arts Grant.

Have you read Wasafiri? Wasafiri is Wasafiri is a literary magazine at the forefront in mapping new landscapes in contemporary international literature today. The current issue highlights global youth culture.

YALSA is about to make spring committee appointments. If you’re a YALSA member, do think about getting involved! All I did to get begin working with them was to complete an application.

My term with the YALSA’s Best Fiction in Young Adult selection committee officially began today and it begins with the question: How do you define ‘a good book’? I think it would be easier to agree on a definition of a good book than it will be to agree on a good book itself.

Here’s hoping you (and the Niners) have a good week!

Good afternoon!

My Colts aren’t doing too well right now, so it’s a pretty good time to write this post.

2012 is winding down, isn’t it? For me, it’s been quite a full year with a move, a new job and opportunities that have grown from that. Small town life is much quieter. Fewer things going on and less to do yet as a nation, we’ve had a rather loud and violent year.

My word for 2012 was ‘tender’. I will struggle with that one for a while but I’m glad I chose a word, a concept, rather than a resolution. I’ll be choosing another word for 2013. I’ll paint it on one of my polished rocks and I’ll see where that word takes me next year.

Words are powerful and even more so when combined to become stories that connect us and become part of us. I use words to grow on and want that same opportunity for everyone. Growth comes from diversity, too, don’t you think? So, I wonder why we’re seeing so few books by authors of color this year? With so many students not reading, not wanting to read, how can publishers limit the diversity of what is available? We all choose to read when we’re able to find books we want to read!

2013 will still find me fighting the good fight!

I don’t know that I’ll be doing as much on my blog next year, though. I’ve been selected to be on the Best Fiction for Young Adults selection committee and in addition to doing a heckofalot of reading, I’ll be working with my committee to list books each month that hopefully will help librarians and educators find the best books possible for YA readers. As a member of this committee, I will not be blogging reviews of any books that are eligible for this distinction and that includes any YA fiction published from Oct 2012-Dec 2013. I will continue to announce book released by authors of color, publish summaries, have Male Monday and Trailer Saturday features and a few other miscellaneous posts as well. And, I may from time to time post reviews of non-fiction books or books that are not released during the time under consideration. I may also occasionally post about the BFYA committee work. We will meet at ALA in Chicago and at Midwinter 2014 in Boston and this is one selection committee that members of the public are welcomed to attend so I hope to see you there!

I’ll be busy with conferences, too! I’ll be presenting at the McConnell Conference in Kentucky with Ashley Hope Perez and at the National Council of African-American Librarians Conference in Cincinnati with Zetta Elliott and David Miller. I’ve got children to visit in Georgia, California and New Mexico and I hope to make it to see each one of them.

I don’t know what my word will be for 2013. I don’t know if it will keep me Focused? Searching? Centered? Laughing? Speaking out? I hope I know it when it presents itself!

What are you planning for 2013?

Thanks for your patience during the ALA blog and wiki outage! If you were following #YALSABlogInExile and #TheHubInExile you know that The Hub bloggers did another fantastic live blog of the Best Fiction for Young Adults Teen Feedback session (with video from Kate Pickett on Qik).

Don’t forget that the YALSA Twitter feed and YALSA and Books for Teens Facebook pages are always sources of up to date information about YALSA, and places where members like you can make your voices heard.

But for more apps and tweets, YALSA coverage from ALA Annual 2012, summer programming ideas and much much more, look no further than the YALSA Blog!

6 Comments | Previous | Top | Next

By: alethea aka frootjoos, on 2/13/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  YALSA, Math, Science, American Library Association, 2012, Geology, Harbinger, Garbage, IMM, BFYA, YouAgainstMe, Ruined, TheSpringsweet, NomadPress, WhyWeBrokeUp, LeonardodaVinci, TheFloatingIslands, Add a tag

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren where we show off all the books we got this week. 

Mine is more than a little late, so there's quite a bit! 

BOUGHT

I got Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne at last weekend's signing at Children's Book World. It looks lovely and has a linen cover--much better than those spongy-rubber covers that were all the rage last year. I can't wait to read it!

@MissJaneGov also got me Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman. I wish I could have been at that Vroman's signing--I hear they are a hilarious pair!

I grabbed two books from the library:

BORROWED

These were on YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012 list: The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier and You Against Me by Jenny Downham.

6 Comments on In My Mailbox (3), last added: 2/16/2012 Display Comments Mandy @ BLYTHESandBOOKS said, on 2/13/2012 2:35:00 AM Wow, great loot! Thanx for complimenting my Blythe pic. You should really get one (or 9, like me...) because they're sooo cute! You'll fall in love over and over. This Blythe wasn't even my cutest, can you imagine?! ;) Happy reading! :) Ooh and I loooove the pug, soo cute! alethea aka frootjoos said, on 2/13/2012 2:48:00 AM Hi Mandy! I think you meant to say hi to Thuy over at rnslnitelite.blogspot.com -- though I also am envious of your Blythe doll collection! ;D kimberlybuggie said, on 2/13/2012 7:17:00 AM Awesome haul, A! fishgirl182 said, on 2/13/2012 9:34:00 AM ooh simone elkeles. nice! i am curious to see what you think of why we broke up. i keep picking it up whenever i am at the bookstore. Liza (Reading with ABC) said, on 2/13/2012 1:49:00 PM I love Simone Elkeles! Happy reading on all your goodies and thanks for stopping by! Books And Beyond said, on 2/16/2012 2:42:00 PM I am jealous of the Harbinger book! There are hardly ever good signings around & i live close to NYC too! The publishing capital of the world & i rarely see good book signings :P Awww welll... Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 11. Best Fiction for Young Adults 26 Comments | Previous | Top | Next By: alethea aka frootjoos, on 1/25/2012 Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  2012, BFYA, book list, YALSA, Add a tag YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012 list is out now!  I have read 19 of the titles, and own another 31 (yikes! I'd better start reading more...) Two readers can each win one of the books by posting a comment below, answering the question: Which book on the BFYA 2012 do you want to read the most, and why? Incomplete answers and Rafflecopter entries without a comment will not be counted! US/Canada only, please. Here's the list you can choose from (you don't have to comment about the book you want to win; I will email the two winners and let them choose their prize) Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando I am J by Chris Beam Chime by Franny Billingsley Strings Attached by Judy Blundell Queen of Hearts by Martha Brooks Bitter End by Jennifer Brown Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell Huntress by Malinda Lo Exposed by Kimberly Marcus Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins This Thing Called the Future by J. L. Powers Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace Blood Red Road by Moira Young Contest ends February 1. Please use Rafflecopter to give me your contact info--don't leave your email address in the comments! Just for fun, if you're on Facebook you can take 26 Comments on Best Fiction for Young Adults, last added: 1/28/2012 Display Comments kimscarecrow said, on 1/25/2012 4:47:00 PM I want to read Huntress by Malinda Lo because I adored Ash, and I've been wanting to read her other book. Thanks for the giveaway! -Kim Kimberly said, on 1/25/2012 4:56:00 PM I've read some already so of those I haven't read, I'm most looking forward to Blood Red Road for something different than my norm. Thanks! Chloe said, on 1/25/2012 5:25:00 PM Oh my goodness, there are so many! I have read quite a few, but of the ones I haven't I would most like to read Queen of Hearts or Guantanamo Boy, I'm really in a historical fiction mood right now. Thank you for this giveaway! Adrienne said, on 1/25/2012 6:06:00 PM I want to read Dead End in Norvelt--Jack Gantos is always funny and the book has a great opening line, so I'm eager to see the rest. pointy star said, on 1/25/2012 6:16:00 PM So many books that I heard about but never had the chance to read! :c Lol, I really want to read The Girl of Fire and Thorns and Virtuosity. Thanks for having such an awesome giveaway! :) Vivien said, on 1/25/2012 6:23:00 PM I want to read Prized by Caragh O'brien. I absolutely loved Birthmarked. It packed a punch. Can't wait to read the sequel! Inspired Kathy said, on 1/26/2012 6:13:00 AM Blood Red Road is tops on my to read list. Thanks for the giveaway! Violette said, on 1/26/2012 6:37:00 AM Thank you! I recognize several titles on that list as ones I'd really love to read. I'm going to have to check out the full thing and compare what I have read, as well. :D ABCLibrarian said, on 1/26/2012 6:54:00 AM My reasons for wanting to read Chime are a bit round-about. The fact that is was the National Book Award YA finalist put it on my radar, prior to that I had dismissed it due to the lackluster cover (I know, don't judge a book . . .); in addition, the back and forth chatter about it on several listservs has piqued my interest - now if only the student who is reading it would return it:) MeaganTowle said, on 1/26/2012 7:42:00 AM I really want to read Huntress...I love Melinda Lo, and it looks like a great book! susan259 said, on 1/26/2012 8:04:00 AM I want to read Between Shades of Gray...the past year was not one where I read much, but I heard about this one. ChocoLibrarian said, on 1/26/2012 8:36:00 AM I want to read I Am J, because it pertains most to my community, and Chime, because I have heard/read so many great reviews about it. Lexie@BookBug said, on 1/26/2012 9:57:00 AM I want to read Anna and the French Kiss. I have heard so many good things about it and it just looks like a cute, happy story! lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com Amanda Galliton said, on 1/26/2012 10:24:00 AM I've read quite a few of those already. Loved them. I want to read Queen of Hearts. Kat Werner said, on 1/26/2012 12:16:00 PM I'd like to read Between Shades of Grey. I read Anna and the French Kiss and I LOVED it. Carrie said, on 1/26/2012 2:13:00 PM I really want to read Blood Red Road...the premise sounds great and like something I would love ephrielle said, on 1/26/2012 2:45:00 PM Blood Red Road is supposed to be the best. Language, story, characters all so awesome I just have to read it. Marci ([email protected]) said, on 1/27/2012 3:33:00 AM Queen of Hearts - I've read very good reviews on it and I know my niece would love it. Plus, I love historical fiction and the heroine of this book is headstrong and feisty. Sounds great! Melanie McCullough said, on 1/27/2012 5:55:00 AM I really want to read Chime. It sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway! Mandroid said, on 1/27/2012 9:16:00 AM I really want to read Blood Red Road. I've heard such great things about it and it has a very compelling cover. Thanks for having the giveaway! DawnZ said, on 1/27/2012 1:15:00 PM I'd like to read most if not all of them... but Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins would be my first choice! Dawn Zimmerer www.flitlit.blogspot.com Fall Into Books said, on 1/27/2012 2:01:00 PM I would like to read Anna and the French Kiss because I've heard amazing things about it. I also love France! Amber http://falln2books.blogspot.com elin said, on 1/27/2012 8:10:00 PM I would pick Anna and the French Kiss because Stephenie Perkins writes the best love story novels that are cute and funny! I read Lola and the Boy Next Door already, so I can't wait to get a copy of Anna and the French Kiss. Kereesa said, on 1/28/2012 8:03:00 AM So many of those books are on my to-read this, but I think the one I want to read the most is Huntress. I recently read Ash, and loved it, so now I can't wait this sort of prequel :P (I'm Carissa St. Amand on Rafflecopter) Anita Yancey said, on 1/28/2012 5:54:00 PM I want to read Between Shades of Gray, because I've read some reviews on it and it sounds like my kind of book. Veronica W. said, on 1/28/2012 10:26:00 PM I would really like "Chime". I haven't read many book set in the south and/or witches. Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 12. Best Fiction for Young Adults Teen Feedback Session Add/View Comments | Previous | Top | Next By: Beth, on 1/22/2012 Blog: YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  Best Fiction for Young Adults, BFYA, ALA Midwinter 2012, Lists, Conference, Add a tag Looking for live coverage of the BFYA teen feedback session, starting at 1:30 central? Look no further than The Hub, YALSA’s young adult literature blog! The Hub will be streaming all the teen feedback LIVE, or you can replay the live session after it closes. Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 13. YALSA Podcast #88: Best Fiction For Young Adults Add/View Comments | Previous | Top | Next By: Beth, on 1/25/2011 Blog: YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  YALSA Info., Best Fiction for Young Adults, BFYA, Awards, young adult literature, Young Adult Fiction, Podcasts, Teen Reading, Add a tag Our guest for episode 88 is Terri Snethen, Chair for  the 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults selection committee. Hear how it all came together for the committee in it’s inaugural year. YALSA Podcast#88 If you prefer, you may download the podcast at the YALSA Podcast site and transfer the file to the mp3 player of your choice. After listening to the podcast, you can check out the committee’s work by seeing what made this year’s list. Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 14. The Demon King Named to YALSA'S Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011! 2 Comments | Previous | Top | Next By: Cinda Williams Chima, on 1/12/2011 Blog: Cinda Williams Chima (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  The Demon King, BFYA, YALSA, good news, Add a tag Check out the list here. I'm honored to be rubbing shoulders with some really great books (not sure that metaphor is totally working, but, oh, well, I'm excited! 2 Comments on The Demon King Named to YALSA'S Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011!, last added: 1/14/2011 Display Comments Tampa BookWorm said, on 1/13/2011 4:44:00 AM Woo Hoo! I loved The Demon King and can't wait to get my hands on The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms, #2)!! Congratulations! Nora MacFarlane said, on 1/14/2011 8:03:00 PM Congratulations, Cinda! Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 15. FAQ on YALSA’s Selected Lists Add/View Comments | Previous | Top | Next By: Beth, on 1/20/2010 Blog: YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  BFYA, Selected Lists, Lists, BBYA, YALSA Info., Add a tag If you have questions about the changes coming to YALSA’s selected lists, this new FAQ is for you. You’ll find answers to the questions that are most commonly asked of YALSA staff and Board members including: Why were the changes made? What is Best of the Best for Young Adults? Will nominations for the Excellence in Young Adult Fiction and Alex Awards be published? Will teens be involved in the Best Fiction for Young Adults selection process? What will the evaluation process be for the new selected list policies and procedures? And more Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions not addressed in the FAQ. And, if you would like to read the selected list proposals approved by the Board at their Midwinter meetings (items #14 & #15), you can access them on the YALSA web site. Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag 16. YALSA Board Meeting 1/16/10 Add/View Comments | Previous | Top | By: Beth, on 1/17/2010 Blog: YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags:  Webinars, Best Fiction for Young Adults, BFYA, Bylaws, Institute, Member Engagement, Virtual Committees, BBYA, Conference, Committees, YALSA Info., Best Books for Young Adults, Add a tag The YALSA Board had a very full agenda yesterday for their first meeting of Midwinter and several important decisions were made, including: Approval of the Selected Lists Proposal. The approval of this proposal means that YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults List is now Best Fiction for Young Adults. Also, the Alex Awards will be expanded. The Committee working on the Alex Award will continue to select 10 Award winners, and will also publish a longer list of titles that the group considers the best adult books of interest to teens published during the past year. All of the top ten titles selected by YALSA’s selection list committees, including Best Fiction for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, Amazing Audiobooks, Fabulous Films, and the Alex Award will be compiled annually into a Best of the Best for Young Adults list published by YALSA. The changes voted on by the Board related to YALSA’s selected lists is in direct response to feedback from members regarding the use and creation of these lists. The Board spent many hours working on creating a proposal that supported the needs of the majority of YALSA’s members. The full proposal is available on the YALSA web site. The Board also voted on several actions in order to begin implementing the changes to YALSA’s selected lists. Chairs to those committees affected will be contacted by their Board Liaison to go over the details of the new and/or expanded work of the group. The Organization and Bylaws Committee will work on updating the charges of selected list committees where needed. And, the Board also voted that after one year of the revised and expanded lists, they will evaluate the success of the changes and make any necessary adjustments. The Board also directed the Organization and Bylaws Committee to continue their work related to creating consistency, where possible, in the policies and procedures of YALSA’s selected lists committees. Information on these changes are also available on the YALSA web site. Over the past several months, the YALSA Board put many hours of work in on a proposal related to virtual membership on YALSA’s committees. At yesterday’s meeting, Board members approved a proposal so that all process committees (except for the Executive, Organization and Bylaws, Strategic Planning, Preconference, and President’s Program Committees) will transition to 100% virtual status. The committees that are not transitioning in this way are not making the transition because there are specific reasons that either the chair and/or members need to be at Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. While committees will become 100% virtual, if members think it necessary to meet face-to-face at Midwinter or Annual they will be able to arrange for that. The full proposal is available on the YALSA web site and was developed in response to changes in ALA’s virtual committee membership policies and YALSA member needs. With more committees allowing for more virtual members, those YALSA members who can not attend face-to-face events can now participate in the Association in this way. In early fall of 2010, the YALSA Board brainstormed ways that the Association could Add a Comment More from this Blog | Email This | Add a Tag © 2017 Jacketflap.com                         About Us   FAQ   Advertise on JacketFlap   About our Widgets program for Publishers   Privacy   Terms