Getting to Know...RJ

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Richard Steven Hamby Jr.! A 16-year-old 10th grader, RJ has accumulated 5 hours to date.

Favorite Book Series: Science Fiction

Someone I Look Up To: My mom

Favorite TV Show: Bunk'd

A Topic That I Can Talk About For An Hour: Hunting

An Invention That I Would Uninvent: Bullying

My Happy Place: Magical Unicorn Place

My Spirit Animal: Squirrel

Possible Career Path: Welder

Favorite Quote: "Don't let people take your passion, show them you are strong." -- RJ Hamby

Keep the Light On

Banned Books Week (September 22-28) is a yearly event celebrating the freedom to read. It shines a spotlight on current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. The entire book community - librarians, publishers, journalists, teachers, booksellers, readers - is brought together in shared support of the right to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Top 10 Frequently Challenged Books of 2018 (source: American Library Association) -

1. George by Alex Gino

Reasons: Believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, for mentioning "dirty magazines," describing male anatomy, "creating confusion," and including a transgender character.

2. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, political and religious viewpoints.

3. Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey

Reason: Perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior.

4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Reasons: Deemed "anti-cop," and for profanity, drug use, sexual references.

5. Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.

6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Reason: Addresses teen suicide.

7. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

Reasons: Profanity, sexual references, certain illustrations.

8. Skippyjon Jones (series) by Judy Schachner

Reasons: Depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture.

9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Reasons: Sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, underage drinking, and religious viewpoint.

10. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Reason: LGBTQIA+ content.

Getting to Know...Kaylee

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Kaylee Ann Richardson! A 17-year-old 12th grader, Kaylee has accumulated 5.5 hours to date.

Favorite Book Series: Junie B. Jones

Someone I Look Up To: My mom

Favorite TV Show: Two and a Half Men

Person I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island: Shawn Mendes

An Invention That I Would Uninvent: School

Happy Place: My room

Spirit Animal: Goat

Something Interesting About Myself: I like to draw

Possible Career Path: Veterinarian

Favorite Quote: "It's everyday bro!" -- Jake Paul

Rock the Vote

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country.

Nominations are posted on the Thursday of National Library Week. Readers age 12 to 18 will vote online between August 15th and October 15th on the Teens' Top Ten site.

https://www.dogobooks.com/voting/2019-teens-top-reads

The winners will be announced the week after.

Make your vote count!

How many 2018 Teens' Top Ten have you read? Answers welcome in the comments section.

1. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
2. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
3. Warcross by Marie Lu
4. Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
6. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
7. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
8. Paper Hearts by Ali Novak
9. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
10. Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department:

How We Became Wicked by Alex Yates 

When an insect-borne plague begins to envelop the world, three sixteen-year-olds struggle to survive amongst the healthy "trues" and the infected "wickeds" in this gripping dystopian tale. 

"This vividly imagined and haunting landscape is not unlike the post-apocalypse world of The Walking Dead. Promptly hand this one to lovers of smart, tense fiction." -- Booklist, starred review

The Arrival of Someday by Jen Malone

After the liver disease she was born with flares up unexpectedly, roller derby star Amelia must come to terms with the brevity of life while hoping for an organ transplant. 

"Malone frankly traces the changes in [her character's] physical and psychological states in this meticulously researched, grimly realistic portrait of a teen living with terminal illness. Convincing, empathetic...touches of humor and hope." -- Publishers Weekly

Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston

Once Ana was an orphaned space outlaw. Then she was the Empress of the Iron Kingdom. Now, thought dead by most of the galaxy after she escaped from the dark AI program called the HIVE, Ana is desperate for a way to save Di from the HIVE's evil clutches and take back her kingdom. 

"A great choice for fans of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen trilogy and for young readers looking for a hint of Game of Thrones." -- School Library Journal

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job. 

"With strong storytelling, characterization, and a pleasing romance, this will have broad appeal." -- Kirkus

The Traitor's Kingdom by Erin Beaty

Once a spy and counselor to the throne, Sage Fowler has secured victory for her kingdom at a terrible cost. Now an ambassador representing Demora, Sage is about to face her greatest challenge to avoid a war with a rival kingdom.

"Like a PG-13 Game of Thrones...a satisfying and suspenseful end to a solid political fantasy series." -- Kirkus Reviews