2008 Quick Picks

Another of my favorite lists from YALSA is the 2008 Quick Picks.  These books are judged solely on whether reluctant readers will pick them up and read for pleasure.  So you know that these titles will fly off of your library shelves all on their own! 

The list has some of my favorites:

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs
Harmless by Dana Reinhardt

Remember, the list is not just for reluctant readers.  All teen readers will enjoy these books!  Anyone else have favorites on the list?

2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

YALSA announced their 2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.  This year’s list includes 43 titles recommended for ages 12-18.  They also have a Top Ten List of titles. 

Now, I read a few graphic novels each year, and loved The Arrival by Shaun Tan, but I am not nearly widely read enough to judge the list.  Any comments from those of you who read more graphic novels or have favorites either on the list or overlooked?

2008 Best Books for Young Adults

YALSA has announced the 2008 Best Books for Young Adults.  It is a long list of great books, and they do select a Top Ten List for the year as well.

I am very happy with the Top Ten List, which includes four of my favorites of the year!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (though I think it trends more to middle graders but I won’t complain!)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (good to see it not only here but on the children’s notable list as well)
The Arrival by Shaun Tan (also on the children’s list!)

The general list is also a wonderful list containing some of my other favorites of the year:

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau
Notes from a Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

2008 Notable Children's Books

I always love seeing the notable lists that arrive shortly after the Medal announcements. 

The 2008 Notable Children’s Books list is now available.  The list covers books of quality for ages birth through 14.  And unlike the Medal books, there is no limit to the number of books you will find on the lists.  What a treat!

I am happy to see some of my favorites of the year:

For Younger Readers

Dimity Dumpty, the Story of Humpty’s Little Sister by Bob Graham
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice Harrington
The All-I’ll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia McKissack (which I thought should have gotten some recognition by the Coretta Scott King Awards)
Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins
 
 

For Middle and Older Readers:

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Arrival by Shaun Tan (where was this one with the Printz?!)

Obviously, I have a lot of new books to read in the middle and older readers categories!

Anyone else have favorites on the list?