#yalsa

[nitewrighter]

Librarian Poll 2: Info Science Boogaloo

Decided to update this poll because it got pretty good circulation, but looking at people's answers I feel like I could get more data! So let's do this again!

Be sure to reblog for more data!!!

[nealshustermanreal]

More photos during the YALSA award ceremony. Grateful and honored to receive the Edwards Award. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey!

[all-the-things-2020]

Congratulations, John! I loved this book and I’ll try to hand sell it to as many kiddos as I can as soon as I get my copy into the collection at work (yes, I am that library nerd who donates her books when she’s done with them).

"Starter Villain" an Alex Award Winner

This literally just happened, the above is a screen capture from the actual awards ceremony. For those who don’t know, the Alex Awards are given yearly by the American Library Association to ten books written for adults that they feel are excellent for teen readers as well. And this year Starter Villain is one of those books! I am thrilled. I want my books to be readable to a wide audience, and…

[pepurika]

Congrats on being top 10 in the ALA young adult division's recommendation list for 2024! I hope that means Tiger Tiger winds up in even more libraries!

(www ala org / yalsa / 2024-great-graphic-novels-teens )

HOHOOO THAT'S SO COOL!! also it. just makes me laugh when I basically sit at home and draw my blorbos heehaw and then someone overseas is like yes let's put this on our library recommendations list

like thanks for liking my sea sponge fever dream !!!!

[ofliterarynature]

TBR TAKEDOWN: GOODREADS, WEEK 17.a

Truly, Devious (Truly Devious #1) by Maureen Johnson

I'm trying to trim down my tbr list(s) and I'm asking for your help! Descriptions and more info under the cut. Please reblog and add your thoughts!

* * * * *

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. "A place," he said, "where learning is a game."

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious." It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester.

But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * Junior Library Guild Selection * 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * 2019 ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Young Adult Winner * Seventeen Best YA Book of 2018 * Lincoln Award Nominee * 2020-2021 South Carolina Book Awards Nominee * 2020 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Winner

Date added: 2019

Goodreads: 3.90

Storygraph: 3.90

PRO:

Mystery!

I liked the last Maureen Johnson that I read (in 2017, admittedly)

Entire (current) series is available from the library in my preferred format (audiobook)

CON:

Young adult

Thriller/"true crime" elements

There will supposedly be one (or two?) more books? But it's been a few years since the most recent release.

[literaticat]

This is maybe a dumb question but is the ALA as an organization only concerned with children’s books? (It seems like the awards are all for kidlit, right?).

I am not a librarian and I haven't got any esoteric knowledge about teh ALA or its history, but I have been to their conference many times (and looked on their website), so I know a little?

The ALA is a professional organization for all (American) libraries/librarians. That means school library, public library, research/academic libraries, etc etc, for all kinds of patrons.

The organization has different divisions for different kinds of libraries. The divisions that primarily concern themselves with children's books are ALSC (Assoc. of Library Services for Children) and YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Assoc.) But there are lots of other divisions for other kinds of libraries!

The ALA Youth Media Awards is the blanket term for the Kids & YA book awards that we all know and love and that people like me are always chit-chatting about on social media. These awards are administered by either ALSC (Caldecott, Newbery and other awards for children's books) or YALSA (Printz, Morris, and other awards for YA books).

The ALA does give out grownup book awards. The Andrew Carnegie Medal is the main one (administered by the Reference and User Services Assoc, if you are interested). It's just not part of the Youth Media Awards, hence, we aren't talking about it when we talk about the YMA. (There are also the Alex awards, administered by YALSA, that is given to grownup books that have strong appeal for YA -- those ones ARE, in fact, part of the Youth Media Awards, but mostly people ignore them. Sorry, winners!)

The reason kid's book people are always talking about the ALA YMA is because they are by FAR the biggest awards for kid's books that exist in this country. The reason you don't hear much about the Andrew Carnegie medal is because there are LOTS of other, much bigger deal, prizes for grownup books. We don't have a Nobel Prize or Pulitzer for kid's books, this is the best we've got!

(I am guessing here, but I would IMAGINE that this very fact is why those awards began in the first place -- because historically, just like today, many grownup book people mostly disdain children's books, think they are easy or dumb or "less than" or whatever -- so those awards likely began to give SOME recognition to an often ignored or maligned segment of the book industry. Whereas grownup books have never been maligned or ignored!)

[bangtanitalianchannel]

[TRAD ITA] 230929 TWEET DELLA BIGHIT MUSIC:

Video Musicale Ufficiale di <3D (con. Jack Harlow)> di Jung Kook (https://youtu.be/mHNCM-YALSA)

#JungKook#JungKook_3D @jackharlow"

Traduzione a cura di Bangtan Italian Channel Subs (©Ele)

[engshoujosei]

Love in Focus

3 volumes (singles), Love in Focus Complete Collection (1 omnibus)

Licensed by Kodansha, also on Azuki, Mangamo, and INKR Comics.

A YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens pick!

Mako’s always had a passion for photography. When she loses someone dear to her, she clings to her art as a relic of the close relationship she once had…Luckily, her childhood best friend Kei encourages her to come to his high school and join their prestigious photo club. With nothing to lose, Mako grabs her camera and moves into the dorm where Kei and his classmates live. Soon, a fresh take on life, along with a mysterious new muse, begin to come into focus!

Status in Country of Origin

3 Volumes (Complete)

Tags:

Assertive Female Lead

Boarding House

Bold Female Lead

Childhood Friend/s

Classmate/s

Club/s

Dead Family Member/s

High School Student/s

Love Triangle/s

Model/s

Past Plays a Big Role

Photography

Senpai-Kouhai Relationship

Student-Student Relationship

Talented Female Lead

[thelearninglibrarian]

All of Us Villians

Book Basics:

INFO 5421 Assignment Qualification: Fantasy Novel

Formatting: Physical

Author: Amanda Foody & C.L. Herman

Publication Date: August 31, 2021

Recommended Ages: 13 - 18 years old

Justifications: 

All of Us Villains has received various accolades and awards from book sellers and library organizations alike. In addition to being star reviewed by Kirkus, All of Us Villians was Amazon's Best Young Adult Book of 2021 and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Book. In 2022, YALSA named All of Us Villains a Teen Top Ten Pick. The following year, All of Us Villains received the YALSA selection for Best Fiction for Young Adults. 

Book Summary:

Every twenty years, seven teenagers from Illvernath’s most prominent families compete in a tournament to the death in order for the winner’s family to control the last remaining well of high magic known. However, this year the seven families secrets have been revealed to the world through a newly published tell all book, friends are expected to turn on friends, and questions emerge on if there is a way to break this centuries long curse.

Book Evaluation:

Point of View

All of Us Villains is written from a third person point of view. However, it utilizes the various points of view of four of the champions chosen by their families to enter the tournament that year. It expertly portrays the angst of each champion through internal dialogue, the events that happen to them, and their reactions to the environment itself. 

Characters

The four protagonists in All of Us Villains are each unique and well rounded characters. However, by the end of the novel many of the protagonists had reverted to some version of their former self from the beginning of the book in order to set up for the sequel published in 2022. The town of Illvernath and the seven families themselves appear to work as the community foil creating this tug of war between each of the champions on whether they follow through with 600 years worth of tradition, or find a way to work together and possibly put an end to the centuries of blood shed. Despite the protagonists being pitted against each other, the main antagonist is the tournament itself. 

Mood

All of Us Villians is written to portray the gritty and grim happening of Illvenath. The mix of natural flowing expositions, haunting repetitive poetic phrases, and excerpts from the tell all novel revealing the secrets of Illvernath cement the darkness that always lurks around Illvernath and the tournament. Once the champions enter the tournament the mood shifts even darker as everything is shrouded in the crimson shadow cast on the tournament and events that take place throughout the remainder of All of Us Villains.

References: Foody, A., & Herman, C. L. (2021). All of Us Villains. Tor Teen.

[teen-media-review-world]

"We're all to blame... At least, a little."

[REVIEW] Classic Teen Novel - 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Image credit: Ryan McVay (photographer), Christian Fuenfhausen (editor)

Awards and Accolades

2008 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults

2010 South Carolina Young Adult Book Award

2013 Abraham Lincoln Award

Related Media

In 2017, 13 Reasons Why was adapted into a Netflix show. The first season follows the plot of the novel.

Plot Synopsis

In Jay Asher's 2007 novel 13 Reasons Why, high schooler Clay Jensen's everyday life is upended when his classmate and secret crush, Hannah Baker, dies by suicide. It's even more upended when, a few weeks after the tragedy, a shoebox full of cassette tapes addressed to him arrives at his house. With no return address, Clay is left with zero idea as to who the tapes came from or what could possibly be on them. In fact, who even listens to cassettes anymore?

Luckily, with his dad's old radio cassette player (and, later, a Walkman stolen from his friend Tony), Clay discovers what the tapes hold. And when he does, he wishes he never played the tapes at all. Through the speakers comes the voice of Hannah Baker, the girl who just died. The girl whose desk is empty in English class.

Through the tapes, Clay finds out that there are 13 people on Hannah's list. 13 pieces to the puzzle of why she died. 13 reasons why she chose to take her own life. And Clay's name is somehow on that list. Throughout the night, Clay listens as Hannah puts those puzzle pieces together, calling out the people and situations that drove her to the point of no return.

In the beginning, Clay is confused--Why is he on this list? What did he do to Hannah? Why didn't she ask him for help when he was right there? But, by the time he passes off the tapes to the next person on the list, he understands--all 13 people are to blame for Hannah's death.

Review

13 Reasons Why is a heavy hitter in more ways than one. We've all seen someone be bullied, mocked, and taken advantage of at school. This book makes you reflect on how many times you could have spoken up, but didn't. And, how hard it really cane be to help someone when nothing seems wrong with them on the surface. 13 Reasons Why touches on dark themes that can be part of the high school experience for many teenagers--suicide, sexual assault, drinking, partying, and more. Asher is brave enough to acknowledge that, yeah, high schoolers do have these things happen to them. They do end up in these horrible situations. This stuff isn't just for adults.

Hannah telling her story through the tapes and slowly revealing the mystery of why she died makes for a thrilling story. From chapter to chapter, from tape to tape, I was on the edge of my seat, asking, Who's next? Clay is the perfect conduit for Hannah's story. His confusion and anger at Hannah for putting him on the list becomes compassion and resolve to do better by the end of the book. This reflects exactly what someone should get out of 13 Reasons Why. There are signs of tragedy everywhere if you know how to look for them. Jay Asher's novel prompts us to really start paying attention.

Credit

Asher, J. (2007). 13 Reasons Why. Razorbill.

[1supplements]

Engaging Teens Through Diverse Interests with our Soccer, Coloring, and Great Reads

Teens today are constantly bombarded with stimuli, making it crucial to find engaging activities that capture their attention and foster their development. What if we could combine the thrill of sports with the power of creativity and literature? This blog explores the exciting intersection of "Soccer Coloring Book" fun and the enriching world of "Award Winning Books for Teens," offering ideas for parents, educators, and teens themselves.

The Appeal of Soccer Coloring Books

Coloring isn't just for little kids; it's a fantastic activity for all ages, offering a range of benefits like stress reduction, mindfulness, and creative expression. For young soccer enthusiasts, a "Soccer Coloring Book" provides a unique way to connect with their passion off the field. Imagine coloring in action-packed scenes of their favorite players, designing their own team jerseys, or creating vibrant patterns inspired by soccer balls.

These coloring books can be more than just fun; they can be educational too. Some feature historical moments in soccer, profiles of famous players, or even diagrams of different playing formations. This makes them a great tool for learning while engaging in a relaxing and enjoyable activity. You can find various types of soccer coloring books, from realistic player portraits to abstract mandala designs incorporating soccer themes.

The Importance of Reading for Teens

Reading is fundamental to a teen's development. It expands vocabulary, improves communication skills, fosters critical thinking, and builds empathy. Research consistently shows that reading enhances cognitive abilities and contributes to overall academic success. In a world of digital distractions, encouraging teens to pick up a book is more important than ever.

Spotlight on Award Winning Books for Teens

"Award Winning Books for Teens" represent the pinnacle of young adult literature, recognized for their exceptional storytelling, compelling characters, and insightful themes. These awards, such as the Printz Award and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, highlight books that resonate with teen readers and offer valuable perspectives on the world.

Combining Soccer and Reading/Coloring

Now, let's bring these two worlds together. Here are some ideas:

Combine Activities: Teens can listen to audiobooks or read while coloring in their "Soccer Coloring Book," creating a multi-sensory and engaging experience.

Soccer Book Club: Start a book club focused on sports-themed books or biographies of famous soccer players.

Themed Events: Organize events that combine soccer activities (like a mini-tournament) with book discussions or coloring sessions.

Creative Writing Prompts: Use soccer coloring pages as inspiration for creative writing exercises, encouraging teens to write stories, poems, or even comic strips.

Resources

Here are some helpful resources:

For Soccer Coloring Books: Search online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, or visit local bookstores.

For Award-Winning Teen Books: Check your local library, visit the websites of award organizations (like YALSA for the Printz Award), or browse online book retailers.

Conclusion

Encouraging teens to explore diverse interests is key to their well-rounded development. By combining the physical activity and passion of soccer with the creative outlet of coloring and the intellectual stimulation of reading "Award Winning Books for Teens," we can provide enriching experiences that foster their growth and ignite their imaginations.

[msareviews]

Review - Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson

A true-crime obsessed teen is accepted into an elite academy where learning is a game, but is the prize worth it? Stevie goes to Ellingham Academy, drawn in by the unsolved murder that happened there in the 1930s. She’s determined to crack this mystery, but when a classmate dies, she finds that investigating murders can be more harrowing than she thought. It’s recommended for grades eight to twelve (NoveList, n.d.). I saw this book on YALSA’s (2019) Best Fiction for Young Adults list and chose it because of its popularity on BookTok. This book gripped me first with its thick and dark atmosphere, then with its realistic characters, and sealed the deal with its exciting twists and turns.  

Reading lists based on aesthetics have really taken off recently, with libraries (Ramsey County Library, 2024) and even Libby (Suhy, 2023) making reading recommendations based on aesthetics popularized by TikTok. While there are perhaps some issues with sorting books into aesthetic categories, when it comes to teens it’s a great way to get them interested in reading and that’s what counts. I would sort Truly, Devious into the Dark Academia aesthetic, and not just for its literal academic setting. The opulence of the academy is tempered by the weight of the mysterious tragedy the school is known for. Additionally, while the literal setting of the novel is this dark, secluded mansion academy, throughout the novel we are mostly inside Stevie’s head, creating this highly cerebral and emotionally driven atmosphere. Johnson’s world building and perspective choices create a book that you want to live in, despite all the murders. 

Johnson also does a wonderful job creating realistic characters whose actions, though often imperfect, always make sense and incur realistic consequences that allow readers to really get to understand these characters. While it would have been easy for these characters to become archetypes – the detective, the nerd, the actor, etc. – but enough is revealed about these characters through their behaviors that they become fleshed out and real. Our protagonist Stevie is a wonderful example of this, using detective skills as a coping mechanism for her anxiety which naturally leads her to go too far and drive people away as she becomes singularly focused on solving the mystery. However, the exception to this is the artist, Ellie. Ellie is peak stereotype, having grown up on a commune, her full name is literally Element, playing a saxophone and dancing at the most inopportune times without any real reason. It makes me feel like she’s got to be based on someone that Maureen Johnson hates, but that might be projection because I hate Ellie. However, Ellie’s role in this novel is small enough that she didn’t take much away from the reading experience. 

The novel’s plot is packed, but clear and engaging. While Stevie becomes obsessed with solving not one but two murders, she’s also trying to get used to a new school with a new social environment while adjusting to living on her own for the first time. There are introductions to new people and places, romantic dilemmas, assignment deadlines, and, of course, murders. Johnson does a wonderful job of establishing a character who is intelligent and capable of juggling all these activities, but who also tends to hyperfocus. It’s a great use of perspective to help balance and focus the plot so the book doesn’t feel too crowded or too fast to process what’s happening. Every event in the plot is believable but also surprising, which is exactly what you want from a mystery novel. The final whodunit twist of this book, however, does not have a satisfying sense of “all the clues make sense now,” but the rest of the plot is so strong that this minor shortfall again doesn’t bother me much. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I think both teens and adults will have a blast reading through the mystery and getting to know the characters. While this of course would be a hit among mystery fans, I also think it can be used as an example for aspiring writers of how to craft characters and plots that are engaging and believable. As someone who isn’t big into mysteries, I found it accessble and highly entertaining! 

References 

Johnson, M. (2018). Truly, Devious. HarperCollins. 

NoveList. (n.d.). Truly, Devious. https://web.p.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=89425a9c-d774-4372-9c8b-6a3114927208%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#AN=10617196&db=neh.  

Ramsey County Library. (2024). Tik Tok inspired reads. https://www.rclreads.org/explore/?tag=tiktok-inspired-reads.  

Suhy, A. (2023, June 28). The books to read based on your aesthetic. Libby Life. https://www.libbylife.com/2023-06-28-the-books-to-read-based-on-your-aesthetic.  

YALSA. (2019). 2019 best fiction for young adults. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2019-best-fiction-young-adults.

[libroresumen]

Adonde te lleve el ritmo de Sarah Dass: Cuando el paraíso se convierte en una jaula de oro

¿Alguna vez has sentido que tu lugar seguro se ha convertido en una prisión? Pues eso es exactamente lo que le pasa a Reyna, la protagonista de "Adonde te lleve el ritmo". Esta novela de Sarah Dass nos lleva a las playas de Tobago, donde el amor, la música y el deber familiar chocan como las olas contra la arena.

Un paraíso con sabor agridulce

La Plumería, el hotel de la familia de Reyna, es el escenario principal de esta historia. Y vaya escenario:

Playas de arena blanca ✅

Aguas cristalinas ✅

Sol caribeño ✅

Pero no todo es tan idílico como parece. Para Reyna, este paraíso se ha convertido en una especie de purgatorio. ¿La razón? Bueno, resulta que:

Su madre falleció hace dos años.

Aiden, su primer amor, se fue para perseguir sus sueños musicales.

Mientras sus amigos planean sus futuros, ella se siente atrapada cuidando del negocio familiar.

El regreso del primer amor (con bombo y platillo)

Justo cuando Reyna pensaba que las cosas no podían complicarse más, ¡boom! Aiden regresa. Pero ojo, no vuelve como el chico que se fue, sino como toda una estrella musical:

Es parte de DJ Bacchanal, un grupo nominado a los Grammy. (Nada mal, ¿eh?)

Llega al hotel como invitado VIP. (Qué fancy)

Y para rematar, viene acompañado de dos chicas guapísimas de Los Ángeles. (Porque el drama nunca es suficiente)

Reyna: Entre la roca y... otra roca

Nuestra protagonista está en una situación complicada:

Por un lado: Siente la responsabilidad de mantener el hotel familiar.

Por otro lado: Ve cómo sus amigos persiguen sus sueños mientras ella se queda atrás.

Y para colmo: El regreso de Aiden remueve todo un cóctel de emociones.

Más que un simple romance de verano

Aunque la historia tiene todos los ingredientes para ser un típico romance juvenil, "Adonde te lleve el ritmo" va más allá:

Explora el duelo: Reyna aún está procesando la pérdida de su madre.

Cuestiona el deber familiar: ¿Hasta qué punto debemos sacrificar nuestros sueños por la familia?

Habla de segundas oportunidades: ¿Es posible retomar un amor del pasado?

Toca el tema del crecimiento personal: Vemos a Reyna en un viaje de autodescubrimiento.

El poder de la música

La música no es solo el trasfondo de la historia, sino que juega un papel crucial:

Es lo que separó a Reyna y Aiden.

Es lo que trae a Aiden de vuelta.

Y probablemente (aunque esto es una suposición) será lo que ayude a Reyna a encontrar su propio ritmo en la vida.

Un debut que promete

"Adonde te lleve el ritmo" ha recibido algunos reconocimientos interesantes:

Fue seleccionado como uno de los mejores libros de 2022 por JLG Gold Standard.

Está en la lista YALSA's 2022 Best Fiction for Young Adults de los Estados Unidos.

No está nada mal para ser el primer libro de Sarah Dass, ¿eh?

La gran pregunta

Después de todo esto, la pregunta que queda en el aire es: ¿Logrará Reyna encontrar su propio ritmo en medio de todo este caos? ¿O se quedará atrapada en la melodía del pasado?

Si te has quedado con ganas de más (yo sí), te animo a que busques el resumen completo o el vídeo resumen de Adonde te lleve el ritmo. Quién sabe, tal vez encuentres tu propia banda sonora en sus páginas.

[nealshustermanreal]

I’d like to thank ALA/Yalsa and School Library Journal for recognizing my work. This is, both literally and figuratively, the honor of a lifetime. The validation of my career, and to be in the company of so many great authors who have won this award – wow!

Note: You can also watch my speech through this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WXHxVs_44s

[graphicpolicy]

Fred Van Lente, Chris Panda, and Becca Carey take you to Murder Kingdom

Fred Van Lente, Chris Panda, and Becca Carey take you to Murder Kingdom #comics #comicbooks

Mad Cave Studios has announced Murder Kingdom, the toon-themed terror comic from six-time New York Times bestselling and YALSA award-winning writer Fred Van Lente, French artist Chris Panda, and letterer Becca Carey. Once upon a time, in a strange land called Florida, a masked psycho starts murdering cast members of the Storybook Kingdom theme park in ways identical to the gory original Grimms’…

[dallasgrant]

정국 (Jung Kook) '3D (feat. Jack Harlow)' Official MV September 28, 2023 at 11:00PM via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHNCM-YALSA