Includes six articles that discuss the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in young adult literature, established by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA). Highlights include a list of winners for the past three years; quality versus popularity; and perspectives from authors, teens, and…

Describes the process of determining the best book from the Young Adult Library Service's 1994 Best Books for Young Adults list. Examines the rankings of these titles in professional journal reviews, American Library Association book lists, professional journal book lists, and honors/awards. Translates rankings into numerical values for a…

Presents an annotated list of the 40 books reviewed in this journal from 1996-2000 that were judged to be the best in quality and popularity, including fiction, nonfiction, and science fiction/fantasy/horror. Discusses the review process for books that appeal to young adults. (LRW)

Discusses nonfiction series for young adults; presents results of a survey of librarians who evaluated various series; presents criteria for evaluating nonfiction series, including readability, organization, format, timeliness, and length; and considers characteristics of the top 10 series, including marketing and audience. (LRW)

Discusses the way that realistic fictional narratives are an effective reading material for adolescents who are uninterested in reading. Provides an extensive list of short realistic novels that all tackle real issues faced by today's teen. (HB)

Includes seven articles that discuss overcoming obstacles to getting teenage boys to read. Highlights include what teacher-librarians can do; what boys see as obstacles; material selection; collection organization; gender issues; learning differences; magazines; lunchtime book discussion groups; motivating boys as beginning readers; and popular…

Reviews magazines suitable for young adults. Highlights include considering appropriate demographics and/or local standards when selecting titles; top-selling magazines to middle school, high school, and public libraries; ordering information; adult magazines for consideration; tabloids; and "zines", or personal newsletters/small…

Presents 18 ideas for talking about books with junior and senior high school students. Topics discussed include starting with nonbook materials such as magazines, music, and videos; discussing popular authors and series; student participation in reading aloud dialogs from books; relating personal experiences; and surveying students' reading and…

As librarians provide access to informational resources, recreational excursions, cultural explorations, and educational support, they build assets which are critical for young people's successful growth. Identifies eight main categories of developmental assets--support; empowerment; boundaries and expectations; constructive use of time;…

Offers brief descriptions of 25 books, both fiction and nonfiction, that are accessible to struggling readers, provide a high-quality reading experience, and may allow them to break through their difficulties to see reading as something of value to their lives. (SR)

Offers suggestions for helping students find enjoyable leisure reading books. Highlights include identifying subject matter, characterization, setting, or pace similar to previously enjoyed books; tools of young adult readers' advisory, including annual lists, bibliographies, and catalogs; peer reviews and recommendations; review newsletters; and…

This book analyzes the needs and interests of today's 12- to 18-year-olds and shows librarians how to plan a wide range of successful services to meet these needs. The book looks at basic issues involved in serving young adults (YAs). Part I begins with considering "Where YA?" services are today and where they are headed. Part II,…