The Ultimate YA Bookshelf – Check out what YALSA is doing

From the ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association, we find YALSA’s Ultimate Teen Bookshelf (PDF) which highlights must-have teen materials for libraries.developed in conjunction with the United We Serve initiative. 

How did they develop this list of 50 books, five magazines and five audio books? Subscribers to the YALSA-BK electronic discussion list suggested titles for the Ultimate Teen Bookshelf, which were vetted by Pam Spencer Holley, former YALSA president and author of Quick and Popular Reads for Teens (ALA Editions, 2009), and Judy Sasges, district manager for Sno-Isle Libraries in Marysville, Wash., a 2002 Printz Award committee member and a 2010 YALSA Nonfiction Award committee member.

Pam and Judy, you did a fabulous job! I cannot imagine just how many titles they had suggested or how you agonized over the choices. I was relieved to see I had read the majority of the titles and cannot wait to compare the collection to my school collection to be sure I have the titles on hand. Readers, you know that sometimes the books wear out and this gives me a great replacement list to have on hand for the beginning of the year. 

I particularly like Sarah Cornish Debraski’s quote about how teens are using the library since many do not have jobs. Finally all my sons have secured jobs and they are working hard to KEEP them in these tough economic times. My sons desided that they like having some money to buy things like food, electricity, and water for showers so #4 son kept applying until an opening appeared.

“During the summer months it is critical for young people to continue to read and visit the library. Studies consistently show that teens who do not read over the summer lose important reading skills, beginning the next school year at a disadvantage,” said YALSA President Sarah Cornish Debraski. “This summer in particular the library will be definitely be a destination as many teens find themselves without summer jobs. The Ultimate Teen Bookshelf is a great place to get started finding terrific reads for teens.”

I don’t want to copy the entire list here because I want you to visit the YALSA page and see just what’s on the list. Members of your professional association are doing great work. Maybe you’d like to be part of the activity?