The Alex Awards

The Alex Awards, administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by the Margaret E. Edwards trust, honor the top 10 adult books published during the previous year with appeal to readers between the ages of 12 and 18.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Stuck on a distant planet, a Security Robot passes time by watching television. After a group of scientists is killed, the robot must figure out how to save its crew from a similar fate.

The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson

When a young anthropologist uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden society that lurks just under the surface of our own.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

In this dark fable, twins Jillian and Jacqueline journey to a dangerous world where they must choose one of two paths. As they discover their true selves, they find that love and adventure are among the most hazardous things.

Electric Arches by Eve L. Ewing

Offers a series of meditations in poetry, prose, and illustrations that explore coming of age as an African American woman.

A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea by Melissa Fleming

The story of a young Syrian refugee’s attempt to reach Sweden, focusing on her ordeal in icy waters after the dilapidated fishing vessel in which she was traveling (along with 500 others) sinks.

Malagash by Joey Comeau

Already grieving for her dying father, Sunday plans to release a computer virus that memorializes his words and laugh. But she begins to realize that to fully understand him, she needs to embrace his relationships with other family members.

Roughneck by Jeff Lemire

From the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning creator of Essex County, comes a graphic novel about a brother and sister who must come together after years apart to face the disturbing history that has cursed their family.

She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper

Enemies from his time in prison put a bounty on Nate McClusky’s head and target his family. They’ve already eliminated his ex-wife, so Nate takes his eleven-year-old daughter Polly in to safekeeping. In doing so, Polly is thrust into a world of robbery, violence, and the constant threat of capture.

Things We Have in Common by Tasha Kavanagh

Yasmin wants to be close to the most beautiful girl in her school, but surely a social misfit like her has no chance. Unless, that is, she can save the girl from the man who was staring at her from the fence.

An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard

In New York City, magic controls everything. However, the power is fading. No one knows what is happening, except for Sydney; a new, rare magician with incredible power that has been unmatched in decades.

This readers advisory brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Getting to Know...Sara!

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Sara Boyer! A 17-year-old high school senior, Sara has accumulated 16.75 volunteer hours since March. 

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Mystery???

A TOPIC SHE COULD DISCUSS FOR AN HOUR: Life and YouTubers

AN INVENTION SHE WOULD UNINVENT: The singing toothbrush

ROLE MODEL: Her brother "Phil"

HAPPY PLACE: Her room and outside

SPIRIT ANIMAL: German Shepherd

FAVORITE TV SHOW: SpongeBob

INTERESTING FACT:  "I dye my hair almost every month and/or year."

DESERTED ISLAND FRIEND: Her cousin Noah because he knows how to cook squirrel

FUTURE CAREER: National Guard

Tackle Twelve - Spotlight on Read a Banned Book

As part of BPL’s Tackle Twelve promotion, 16 reading challenges have been issued. This week’s blog takes a closer look at ‘Read a Banned Book' and offers up recommendations.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

A coming of age novel about Charlie, a freshman in high school who is a wallflower, shy and introspective, and very intelligent. He deals with the usual teen problems, but also with the suicide of his best friend.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jess Aarons gains the strength to cope with unexpected tragedy by going to a secret kingdom in the woods invented by Leslie Burke, a newcomer to his rural Virginia community.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Based on the diary of a fifteen-year-old drug user chronicling her struggle to escape the pull of the drug world.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes

On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, has just moved from New York City to the suburbs, and she's anxious to fit in with her new friends. When she's asked to join a secret club, she jumps at the chance. But when the girls start talking about boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret starts to wonder if she's normal.

Blubber by Judy Blume

Jill goes along with the rest of the fifth grade class in tormenting a classmate and then finds out what it's like when she, too, becomes a target.

L8r, G8r by Lauren Myracle

Throughout their senior year in high school, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela continue to share "instant messages" with one another about their day-to-day experiences as they consider college, sex, the importance of prom, and the inevitable end of their inseparable trio.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

While running away from home and an unwanted marriage, a thirteen-year-old Eskimo girl becomes lost on the North Slope of Alaska and is befriended by a wolf pack.

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

Rose and her parents have been going to Awago Beach since she was a little girl. It's her summer getaway, her refuge. Her friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and Rose and Windy have gotten tangled up in a tragedy-in-the-making.

This readers advisory brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Young Adult Book Quiz III - Answers

Young Adult Book Quiz III - Answers

You’ll get the first sentence and have to guess which popular YA book it’s from. Submit your answers in the comment section. Have fun and good luck!

“What is the point of a high school reunion when you can already see who got fat and bald on Facebook?” asks Caryn, the intern working with me this semester, and I can’t help but laugh because she’s right.

These Violent Delights – Victoria Namkung

Unplugged – Donna Freitas

In 27 Days – Alison Gervais

Girl, Stolen – April Henry

Magnalia House was the sort of establishment where only wealthy, talented girls mastered their passion.

Prince in Disguise – Stephanie Kate Strohm

Where I Live – Brenda Rufener

The Queens Rising – Rebecca Ross

The Traitor’s Game – Jennifer A. Nielsen

This must be how madness begins.

Bad Call – Stephen Wallenfels

The Tombs – Deborah Schaumberg

Devil in Ohio – Daria Polatin

But Then I Came Back – Estelle Laure

Eight mornings before running away, I found myself at McDonald’s wondering about the direction of my life.

Down and Across – Arvin Ahmadi

Goodbye Days – Jeff Zentner

Escaping Perfect – Emma Harrison

Meet Me at the River – Nina de Gramont

The beast raged; it punctured the air with its spite.

Monster – Michael Grant

Eight Days on Planet Earth – Cat Jordan

Last Night I Sang to the Monster -- Benjamin Alire Sáenz

The Bone Witch – Rin Chupeco

The apocalypse began at Starbucks.

Zombies vs. Unicorns – Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black

This Is Where the World Ends – Amy Zhang

History Is All You Left Me – Adam Silvera

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza – Shaun David Hutchinson

I am smack-dab in the middle of the Great Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exactly three feet from the spot where I barfed on my tenth birthday, just outside the Egyptian wing.

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares – Krystal Sutherland

Love and Other Train Wrecks – Leah Konen

Dreamology – Lucy Keating

Nice Try, Jane Sinner – Lianne Oelke

I’m on the toilet at the 9:30 Club, and I’m wondering how mermaids pee.

The Upside of Unrequited – Becky Albertalli

Does My Head Look Big in This? – Randa Abdel-Fattah

Not Now, Not Ever – Lily Anderson

The Last Boy and Girl in the World - Siobhan Vivian

Young Adult Book Quiz III

You’ll get the first sentence and have to guess which popular YA book it’s from. Submit your answers in the comment section. Have fun and good luck!

“What is the point of a high school reunion when you can already see who got fat and bald on Facebook?” asks Caryn, the intern working with me this semester, and I can’t help but laugh because she’s right.

These Violent Delights – Victoria Namkung
Unplugged – Donna Freitas
In 27 Days – Alison Gervais
Girl, Stolen – April Henry

Magnalia House was the sort of establishment where only wealthy, talented girls mastered their passion.

Prince in Disguise – Stephanie Kate Strohm
Where I Live – Brenda Rufener
The Queens Rising – Rebecca Ross
The Traitor’s Game – Jennifer A. Nielsen

This must be how madness begins.

Bad Call – Stephen Wallenfels
The Tombs – Deborah Schaumberg
Devil in Ohio – Daria Polatin
But Then I Came Back – Estelle Laure

Eight mornings before running away, I found myself at McDonald’s wondering about the direction of my life.

Down and Across – Arvin Ahmadi
Goodbye Days – Jeff Zentner
Escaping Perfect – Emma Harrison
Meet Me at the River – Nina de Gramont

The beast raged; it punctured the air with its spite.

Monster – Michael Grant
Eight Days on Planet Earth – Cat Jordan
Last Night I Sang to the Monster -- Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The Bone Witch – Rin Chupeco

The apocalypse began at Starbucks.

Zombies vs. Unicorns – Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black
This Is Where the World Ends – Amy Zhang
History Is All You Left Me – Adam Silvera
The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza – Shaun David Hutchinson

I am smack-dab in the middle of the Great Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exactly three feet from the spot where I barfed on my tenth birthday, just outside the Egyptian wing.

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares – Krystal Sutherland
Love and Other Train Wrecks – Leah Konen
Dreamology – Lucy Keating
Nice Try, Jane Sinner – Lianne Oelke

I’m on the toilet at the 9:30 Club, and I’m wondering how mermaids pee.

The Upside of Unrequited – Becky Albertalli
Does My Head Look Big in This? – Randa Abdel-Fattah
Not Now, Not Ever – Lily Anderson
The Last Boy and Girl in the World – Siobhan Vivian

Braden's Picks - Books

Looking for some page-turning book recommendations? YA volunteer Braden has you covered.

Here are 5 selections that make the top of his list and why they deserve such high accolades:

Warriors (series) by Erin Hunter

The reason I liked these books was because they took a LONG time to read through (which was fun). Also, they have so much lore to them that it was a "challenging" series to remember.

Eragon (series) by Christopher Paolini

Like most of the books on my list, it was a fiction selection with lots of action. It also has a great deal of foreshadowing dedicated to the direction it was going. Overall, Eragon is an interesting tale mixed with mystery.

Lord of the Rings (series) by J.R.R. Tolkien

The story may be hard to follow at times, but that doesn't change the fact that the series stuck to a single set of rules – how the world and its development are structured.

Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling

Compared to other books I have read, these were "relatively" easy to follow. The book had one idea and followed it faithfully to the end.

The Phoenix Files (series) by Chris Morphew

The outcome of these books could have never been predicted and that is why I enjoyed them. You never knew what would happen next. It would provide clues, but there were also twists to throw you off.

Getting to Know ... Blake!

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Blake Grove! An 11-year-old sixth grader, Blake has accumulated 10.5 volunteer hours since June 2017.

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Science Fiction

FAVORITE TV SHOW:  Raven's Home

A TOPIC HE COULD DISCUSS FOR AN HOUR: Cooking 

AN INVENTION HE WOULD UNINVENT: Trampoline

ROLE MODEL: Michael Phelps

HAPPY PLACE: In bed

SPIRIT ANIMAL: Tiger

INTERESTING FACT:  "I like to play lacrosse."

DESERTED ISLAND FRIEND: Dylan Goff

FUTURE CAREER: "I want to be an Olympian."

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Ride or Die remember." Vin Diesel, Fate of the Furious