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.

Book Bites Reviews

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by Katelyn
Beatrice grew up in Abnegation (selfless) faction, but she doesn't feel selfless. At the choosing ceremony, she chooses Dauntless (brave). After this, she is known as Tris, and pretty much becomes a different person. She comes out first of he initiation class and then there is a war between the Abnegation and Erudite factions. My favorite character is Will because he is really funny and smart and I like how he is dating Christina but they always fought before.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Review by Melody
A house of four people soon becomes on, a baby. This book is about a baby who survives with a bunch of ghosts, and can't see his dead family. I loved this book because I hate creepy stuff and actually like this wonderful book.

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Review by B-Liz
The Templar's save the world from the tenth plague. There is a love triangle. There is also a psychic. My favorite character is Michael because he was undercover. I loved this book because it was action packed and a new twist on every page.

Other Titles Discussed:
Fire and Ash by Jonathan Maberry

Book Bites Reviews

The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
Review by Destiny
A boy named Little Jon falls through a door to another world and a family finds him. My favorite character is Jon because he is so smart. I loved this book.

Middle School: Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson
Review by B-liz
Rafe has to get used to his new school after he moves. He met his first friend and broke up with him. My favorite character is Leo the Silent because he is imaginary. I loved this book because it is funny.

Other Titles Discussed:
Through The Zombie Glass by Gena Show
alter

Book Bites Reviews

The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey
Review by Hannah
Dr. Warthrop and Will Henry go to an island to find the greatest monster of all time. Dr. Warthrop leaves Will Henry behind before they go together so there is a large conflict in Will Henry's mind. There is a rivalry between the British, Russians, and Americans to find the monster first.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman
Review by Destiny
A monkey is missing. Savanna Drysdale goes to a floating zoo with her class and
sees a monkey that she swears is hers. So Griffin Bing, the "Man With The Plan: comes up with a plan: Zoobreak Operation. My favorite character is Savannah Drysdale because she is like me and owns rabbits, dogs, cats, lizards, a loon and a whole bunch of other animals. And she doesn't have brothers. I loved this book because it has a lot of fun action and a zoobreak, and Griffin comes up with good plans. Some involve breaking in the zoo and keeping Ben from going to a sleep academy. The characters always play a special part in the book and Griffin's dad always has cool inventions that take place in the weirdest places in the book. I also love this book because Daran Vader (a bad kid) makes up the stupidest excuses and has a dream he goes to court for not stealing animals and sending people on a wild goose chase. And I like when the gang has meeting in the Broken Bell Room which is a place where the gym teacher keeps all the balls that are ripped that he thinks he could fix one day which is silly.

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Review by Katelyn
Harry Potter lived with his muggle aunt and uncle and for 11 years he didn't know he was a wizard. He meets Hagrid, Ron and Hermione and he is friends with his roommates. He becomes the seeker for the Quidditch team and was sorted into Gryffindor. He has an enemy named Malfoy and his professor, Severus Snape hates him, (a lot). They also have a really good headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. My favorite character is Ron Weasley because he is super duper funny and is really interesting.

A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer
Review by Liz
This book is about a child who has to overcome obstacles. My favorite character is Dave because he is the only person in the book. I liked this book because it is a story of triumph.


Other Titles Discussed:
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Paper Towns by John Green

Book Bites Book Reviews

Call Of The Wild by Jack London

Review by Paige

A dog named Buck who is now a sled dog and is called to the wild. My favorite character is Buck because he is the main character and is intelligent. I liked this book because it was very adventurous.

Maximum Ride, The Graphic Novel by James Patterson

Review by B-liz

Angel gets kidnapped and they try to save her. My favorite character is Fang because in my imagination he is hot! I loved this book because it is the best book every, but I hated the graphic novel because they got Fang's hair all wrong.

War Of The Worlds by H.G. Wells

Review by Tori

The Martians come to London planning to eliminate the human race. I do not have a favorite character because the book is more about the story than the characters. I liked this book because it shows how the human race is so infinitely small in the vast scheme of the world.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Review by Paige

A dog, who's name is Old Yeller, saves a family more than once. At first Travis tries to find ways to get rid of Old Yeller, but when Old Yeller saves their lives he changes his mind. My favorite character is Old Yeller because he is a hero and an amazing dog who is trustworthy. I liked this book because ti was detailed and well written and is an amazing book. 

Vesper by Jeff Sampson, and Havoc by Jeff Sampson

Review by Katelyn

Emily is an anti-social person and one night she took on a different personality. She was cool and popular at night, but during the day she was back to normal. Emily tries to figure out what is wrong. My favorite character is Spencer because he is smart and funny and his nighttime personality is really focused. He isn't like Emily and Dalton when they act crazy. I loved this book because it has lots of suspenseful parts in it. 

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Review by Katelyn

Alex was sent to a boarding school in Europe. He and his friends are nobodies. Then Alex sees his teacher and finds out he is a vampire slayer and so is the teacher. My favorite character is Minni because she is really cool. She is a really good fighter till she is taken away by the Icemaker. I liked this book because it is a good story and is funny.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Review by Hannah

This book is the journal of a 12 year old boy named Will Henry. He is an assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a Monstrumologist. A Monstrumologist is someone who studies and captures monsters. Will Henry, a graverobber, and the doctor go to a graveyard and find a large group of Anthrophagi, a monster breed. Afterwards, to find out how and why the monsters migrated to America, Will Henry and the doctor got to see Captain Varner in a home for insane people. 

Also Discussed:

Tempted, Untamed,  by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Bleach by Tite Kubo