A patron query recently came my way in regards to a previous
blog submission. This past August, YALSA called upon the teenage masses to
'Rock the Vote' and let their collective voices be heard. A host of titles were
nominated, with readers given a two-month window to select a Top 10. No easy
task, mind you, considering the level of regard and honor each possess. Of the noteworthy
finishers in 2016:
- Alive by Chandler
Baker
- All the Bright Places
by Jennifer Niven
- The Game of Love and
Death by Martha Brockenbrough
- Six of Crows by
Leigh Bardugo
- Everything,
Everything by Nicola Yoon
- Every Last Word
by Tamara Ireland Stone
- The Novice: Summoner:
Book One by Taran Matharu
- Illuminae by Amie
Kaufman
- When by Victoria
Laurie
- Suicide Notes from
Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten
Patron writes:
"Chris, which of these have a good story line,
interesting characters, a decent ending and no death, depression, suicide,
space fantasy, bullying? Which adult books would you recommend for teens that
have good story lines, interesting characters, etc? I have two almost
14-year-old granddaughters and two almost 12 year olds, also girls."
Me:
My first thought on how to respond? Gracious. The parameters
by which to work with is much more narrow than the general readers advisory
solicitations we tackle at the reference desk. While daunting, it didn't
diminish my enthusiasm for discovering the appropriate works to meet her
criteria. Before launching in to my own research, however, I decided to seek
out wisdom from fellow peers in the industry in order to gain a variety of
perspectives.
Melissa (Adult Department Assistant – BPL):
“Sadly, of the books on this particular list, I’ve not read
them. And it will be a challenge to fit all the criteria into my
recommendations. I can give you some suggestions, though, of books I’d be happy
to give my granddaughters around that age.
"For 12 year olds, my all-time favorite would be Anne of Green Gables. The first few Anne books are great choices for
12-year-old girls. Hattie Big Sky by
Kirby Larson is also a very good choice, although I do believe there’s a death
in it. A Little Princess by Frances
Hodgson Burnett, The Little House in the
Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. All of these are less contemporary, I
know, but they’re what I would want mine to read. Also, my 12-year-old still
loves Nancy Drew!
"For 14-year-old girls, it starts getting more complicated. They’re
more mature, harder to please, and want to read what their friends are reading.
Here are some ideas: The River of Time
Series by Lisa T. Bergren, starting
with Waterfall. This is a time travel
love story written by a Christian author. It does have some violence, battles
in it, so probably not totally free of death. The Legacy series by Cayla Kluver, starting with Legacy. A fairytale/princess/love story written by a young lady at
the age of 16. It does have some battle/death in it, but otherwise age
appropriate.
"Also, I know bullying is on your list, but I really
recommend the book Wonder by R.J.
Palacio. It’s a great anti-bullying read. With the accompanying movie (released
November 17th), the kids are all interested in it. Just something to
ponder.”
Brenda (Children’s Librarian – BPL):
“Once Upon a Marigold
trilogy by Jean Ferris. Pennyroyal
Academy by M.A. Larson. Boston Jane
by Jennifer L. Holm.”
Lori (Teen Librarian – MCPL):
“I have enjoyed Nicola Yoon’s books – Everything, Everything and The
Sun is Also a Star. I can’t keep them on the shelves, and both teens and
adults enjoyed them.”
Patron:
“Thank you, thank you, all. Birthdays are coming up and you
have given me some great ideas.”
Patron’s adult daughter added:
“My kids read Wonder
as a class. (Daughter) enjoys biographies and historical fiction. (Other
daughter) enjoys anything but the older classic types.”
Back to me:
Whew! A lot to absorb, right? And you probably thought all
librarians do is shush noisy children and wear funny glasses. Okay, I do
qualify for both of those stereotypes, but there is so much more that we
regularly undertake. Case in point, trying to meet patron requests in the best
fashion possible.
Without stepping on the toes of my colleagues, and expanding
too much further on an already expansive blog entry, let me add a few thoughts
to the original patron query.
I wholeheartedly second Melissa’s validation of Palacio’s Wonder. It’s the book my BHS Functional
Skills class selected for weekly read-alouds. To quote Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, “When
given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.” Themes of
bravery, standing up for oneself, attitude, and judgment, provide important
familial ‘dinner table’ conversations.
Other selections I would add for those
in the pre to mid-teen range:
The Mysterious
Benedict Society* by Trenton
Lee Stewart
After
passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret
mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the
Very Enlightened. *New York Times
bestselling series
Escape from Mr.
Lemoncello’s Library* by
Chris Grabenstein
Twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley is a whiz when it comes to board
games; a handy skill to have in helping to level the playing field in
competition with two older brothers. As Kyle is about to find out, it may also
give him a leg up as a participant in the opening of the town's new public library.
You see, the benefactor behind such a generous gift (five hundred million
dollars) to Alexandriaville is none other than Mr. Luigi Lemoncello, world
famous game designer. An eclectic gentleman, to say the least, his institution
will be like none ever seen before. *New
York Times bestseller, Mark Twain Award winner
Echoing Lori, Nicola Yoon is one of the most dynamic authors
currently on the YA scene (her book signing at ALA featured the longest of
lines). The Sun is Also a Star is, in
fact, a 2017 Michael L. Printz ‘Honor Book’ for its literary merit.
In finality, I’ll bring this week’s blog to a close with one
of the premiere web resources for youth material. As always, though, we’d love
to see you at the reference desk to find the treasures to meet your needs!
This mailbag
entry brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris and a host of friends.
