Instead of a book review, today I offer the best books of the year for teens, as chosen by the American Library Association. Each year a committee of librarians is chosen to read most of the books published for teens and they choose a select few. Click on each one to check it's availability in our system.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

Winner:

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgewick
Seven linked vignettes unfold on a Scandinavian island inhabited--throughout various time periods--by Vikings, vampires, ghosts and a curiously powerful plant.

Honor Books:

Kindgom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal
On the eve of Princess Sophia's wedding, the Scandinavian city of Skyggehavn prepares to fete the occasion with a sumptuous display of riches. Yet beneath the veneer of celebration, a shiver of darkness creeps through the palace halls.

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
What if the football hadn't gone over the wall? On the other side of the wall there is a dark secret. And the devil. And the Moon Man. And the Motherland doesn't want anyone to know. But Standish Treadwell--who has different-colored eyes, who can't read, can't write, STandish Treadwell isn't bright--sees things differently than the rest of the "train-track thinkers".

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
The Odyssey-like adventure of two boys' incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets and extraordinary encounters.








YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Winner:

The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb
A spy mission, a Holocaust tale and a first class work of nonfiction.








Finalists:
Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd

Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II by Martin W. Sandler

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone

The President Has Been Shot! The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson

Book Bites Reviews

These books were read and reviewed by the members of Book Bites, a book discussion club for grades 4-8. We meet on Thursdays @ 4:30. Call today to register and join us.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Review by Tori
Outliers is a book about a different perspective on success. I loved this book because it is interesting and eye opening.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by Paige
A girl, Beatrice, is with the Abnegation faction. When she turns 16 she and her brother go to the ceremony where you pick the faction you will live your life with. My favorite character is Beatrice because she is the main character and the book is in her point of view. I liked this book because it was very unique and supernatural.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Review by Katie
*Spoilers Included*
A slightly overweight fiery red haired girl named Eleanor moves back in with her mother and devil-like stepfather, starting a new school. Being the new girl is already hard, but having the queen bee of the school, Tina, makes it harder. Having no empty seat to sit in on the bus, she sits down next to a part Korean kid named Park. After many weeks of Eleanor sneaking peeks at Park's comic books, Park leaves her some to borrow every morning. The is the start of their friendship and ultimately their relationship. They know their romance won't last forever, but they're willing to risk it. I loved this book because they tried so hard to maintain their relationship as a couple and when it didn't last, they still cared about each other.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Review by Destiny
Annemarie and her family are trying to keep their friend safe from the Nazis. One day the act like she's their daughter and take her to their uncles house. My favorite character is Annemarie. I liked this book.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Review by B-Liz
This book is about vampires in Dallas, a vampire themed restaurant and cute people. My favorite character is Keiren because he is strong and a werewolf. I loved this book because it is funny and interesting.

Other Titles Discussed
The Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Eat Brains Love by Jeff Hart

Youth Services Librarian, Chrissy Braun recommends:

Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Informative of both the Manhattan project itself and the KGB efforts to steal it's secrets, this book is well done. I enjoyed the more personal descriptions of the scientists and spies involved instead of sticking to the facts.Oppenheimer and Hill especially seemed very interesting indeed. I learned so much and the interesting little factoids kept me moving right along. (Oppenheimer forgetting his date, the bomb plans in the tissue box, and Feynman played bongos.)

Click here to find a copy of this book in our library catalog.