Booklist's 1000 Best Young Adult Books since 2000

Engberg, Jillian, and Ian Chipman, eds. Booklist’s 1000 Best Young Adult Books since 2000. Chicago: ALA, 2014.
ISBN: 978-0-8389-1150-1

Publisher's Description

With the explosion in YA publishing, it’s harder than ever to separate good books from the rest. Booklist magazine’s editors’ deep and broad knowledge of the landscape offers indispensable guidance, and here they bring together the very best of the best books for young adults published since the start of the 21st century. Drawing on the careful judgment of expert YA librarians, this book

• Includes a foreword by best-selling YA lit authority Michael Cart, who demonstrates how we have entered a new golden age of books for young adults
• Collects reviews which showcase the most stimulating contemporary YA titles
• Features an essay in each section, grouped by genre, presenting an overview and examining relevant trends
• Indexes selections by author, title, and genre for handy reference

The thoughtful professional review coverage for which ALA’s Booklist is known makes this volume an ideal tool for YA readers’ advisory and collection development.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Michael Cart

Preface, by Gillian Engberg and Ian Chipman

Young Adult Fiction, 2000–2013

Going Batty over Going Bovine, by Ian Chipman

Contemporary Fiction

Graphic Novels

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Suspense

Speculative Fiction

Young Adult Nonfiction, 2000–2013

One-Fifth of the Pie and Growing, by Gillian Engberg

Arts

History

Poetry

Science

Social Sciences

Appendix: Top 50 YA Books, 2000–2013

Index

The New University Library: Four Case Studies

Conner, Matthew. The New University Library: Four Case Studies. ALA Editions, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1193-8

Description

The author takes on the subject of how university libraries are changing by studying four libraries in depth:

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• University of California at Merced
• University of Hawaii at Manoa
• University of California at Davis

Topics such as reference, personnel, technology, collections, buildings, campus roles, and library culture are examined to determine how libraries are responding to current trends. Real-world practices and innovations are described that can be inspirational for all academic libraries.

Mind-Bending Mysteries and Thrillers for Teens (book)

Alessio, A.J. (2014). Mind-Bending Mysteries and Thrillers for Teens: A Programming and Readers' Advisory Guide. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1204-1.

There are plenty of mysteries in teens' lives, including physical and emotional changes, uncertainty about the future, and feelings between people. Seen in this light, the appeal of these stories for this age group makes perfect sense: through a progression of plot and clues, the ending of a teen mystery book provides expected conclusions after an entertaining escape from reality. Well known from her bestselling teen programming books, Alessio offers a complete guide to getting young adults hooked on mysteries. Included are

• Book lists featuring every type of mystery subgenre, from cozies and romantic mysteries to suspense thrillers, police procedurals, and beyond, all thoroughly annotated
• Titles published within the last five years, accented by a handpicked assortment of classics
• Recommendations of some adult mysteries that older teens may enjoy
• Profiles of today's teen mystery fans, drawn from first-hand experience
• Interviews with several popular mystery authors to sketch in the genre's background and trends
• Step-by-step instructions for more than 40 programming ideas, from creating a "Mind Bending Club" to puzzles and a complete mystery dinner script
• Tips for displays, booktalks, and marketing
• Multiple indexes to help find the right book quickly

This one-of-a-kind resource will help YA librarians connect teens to mysteries they're sure to love.

(book description)

Streamlined Library Programming (book)

Porter-Reynolds, Daisy. (2014.) Streamlined Library Programming: How to Improve Services and Cut Costs. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-61089-408-7.

Is it possible to both cut costs and improve public library programming for all ages? Yes, it is; this book demonstrates how.

In their roles as community centers, public libraries offer many innovative and appealing programs; but under current budget cuts, library resources are stretched thin. With slashed budgets and limited staff hours, what can libraries do to best serve their publics?
This how-to guide provides strategies for streamlining library programming in public libraries while simultaneously maintaining—or even improving—quality delivery. The wide variety of principles and techniques described can be applied on a selective basis to libraries of all sizes. Based upon the author's own extensive experience as well as that of colleagues in other library systems, this book provides readers with a practical, step-by-step approach to maximizing resources and minimizing costs of programming without sacrificing quality, as well as insider tips and examples from the field that will help them to avoid known pitfalls.

Features
• Discusses centralized programming, explaining what it is, how it works, and how librarians can select and apply techniques to their libraries
• Provides effective solutions to streamlining library services and improving efficiencies in a time of budget reductions
• Offers useful sample documents and forms, such as program description templates, surveys, and storytime box logistics

Sample Topics
Centralized Programs
Change Management
Paid Programs
Partner Programs
Pitfalls to Avoid
Programs in a Box
Staffing
Storytime

(book description)

Exploring Environmental Science with Children and Teens (book)

Harrington, E.G. (2014). Exploring Environmental Science with Children and Teens. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1198-3.

Despite the abundance of resources on the subject, in the classroom science often takes a back seat to the study of math and English. That gives public and school libraries as well as museums the opportunity to jump in as venues for informal education, sharing the wonders of science with children and their caregivers. In this intriguing book Harrington focuses on environmental science, offering a selection of unique programming ideas that not only entertain but also arm children and teens with information about environmental issues. There’s no need to have a particular background in science to use this all-in-one resource, which includes

• Background information on the national state of science education, and how environmental programming can foster science literacy
• Ways to introduce environmental science themes into existing library programs via “Little Learners Labs” for toddlers, science storytimes for young children, and book clubs for tweens and teens
• Lists of age-appropriate titles to share with any group
• Strategies for implementation to ensure success

This book not only demonstrates the need for environmental programming but also gives those who work with children and teens the ideas and confidence they need to move forward.

(book description)

Baby Storytime Magic (book)

MacMillan, K. & Kirker, C. (2014). Baby Storytime Magic: Active Early Literacy through Bounces, Rhymes, Tickles and More. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1216-4.

Whether you’ve been presenting baby storytimes for fifteen years or fifteen minutes, you probably already know that the first five years of life are key for brain development and early literacy. Many public libraries have instituted baby and toddler programs, but finding exciting materials for baby storytime that go beyond nursery rhymes can be a challenge. Baby Storytime Magic is a treasure trove of new and exciting ideas for programs, all of which revolve around themes from a baby’s world. Inside this resource you’ll find

• Fingerplays, bounces, flannelboards, activities with props, songs, American Sign Language activities, and more, with items arranged by type of material
• Tips for planning storytimes, with advice on logistical issues such as age grouping, scheduling, formats, and physical setup
• Guidance on involving caregivers in baby storytimes, including suggested scripts for explaining the benefits of each activity and how to use it at home
• Age-appropriate book recommendations
• Information on the stages of early childhood development, plus an appendix of recommended additional resources
• A thematic index to find the right storytime quickly
• Links to full-sized, downloadable flannelboard patterns, craft patterns, and worksheets

Packed with ready-to-use activities, reducing prep time substantially, this book is a valuable early literacy tool for every children’s librarian.

Check out this book’s Web Extra now!

(book description)

Global Voices: Picture Books from Around the World (book)

Susan, S. (2014). Global Voices: Picture Books from Around the World. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-11839.

Picture books can be portals to far-flung corners of the globe, and the books in this selected bibliography will help children’s imaginations soar. Identifying quality literature for children ages 3 to 8 that conveys a true sense of life outside America’s borders, this valuable resource highlights titles that librarians and educators can use to foster cross-cultural education.

(book description)

Popular Picks for Young Readers (book)

Foote, D. (2014). Popular Picks for Young Readers: 500+ best-loved contemporary titles for kids age 0-14. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-3605-4.


Featuring contributions by active librarians from around the country, this guide offers a goldmine of quality books for children, spotlighting more than 500 titles published within the last four years. Ranging from books for newborns through readers to age 14, the selected books encompass a wide variety of formats and themes to reflect the diversity of contemporary society. Popular Picks for Young Readers is equally useful for readers' advisory and collection development, and includes

• High-quality, well-reviewed books that are popular with kids
• Only original titles, eliminating derivative works such as those based on a movie or licensed characters
• Picture books, graphic novels, poetry, informational books, fiction, and more
• Thorough annotations, with summary, author, and publication information
• Multiple indexes for easy searching by title, author, type of book, genre, award-winners, and subject matter

With selections geared towards every child's interest and reading level, this guide will help librarians, teachers, caregivers and others connect young readers to books they're sure to love.

(book description)

The Newbery & Caldecott Awards (book)

Association for Library Service to Children. (2014). The Newbery & Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books, 2014 Edition. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Updated to include the 2014 award and honor books, The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books, 2014 Edition gathers together the books deemed most distinguished in American children's literature and illustration since the inception of the renowned prizes. Librarians and teachers everywhere rely on this guidebook for quick reference and collection development and also as a resource for curriculum links and readers' advisory. With an easy-to-use streamlined look and format, the 2014 guide features

• A new essay by Sylvia M. Vardell on the history and development of poetry for young people
• Explanations of criteria used to select the winners
• Updated bibliographic citations and indexes for the award winners

This perennial guide for locating information about the best in children's books is valuable for every collection.

(book description)

Coretta Scott King Award Books Discussion Guide: Pathways to Democracy

Phelps, Adelaide Poniatowski and Carole J. McCollough. Coretta Scott King Award Books Discussion Guide: Pathways to Democracy. ALA Editions, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-8389-3604-7

Description (from publisher's web site)
Spotlighting titles appropriate for grades K-12, this discussion guide builds on the rich legacy of the Coretta Scott King award-winning books to offer an important educational resource for teachers, librarians, parents, and other caregivers. This guide identifies within the plot, character, and themes of each book those values that relate to being an American citizen and to living in a democratic society, and then shows how to use the book as a springboard for discussion. The book organizes titles by grade-specific chapters, making it easy to find suitable books.
Table of Contents
A detailed table of contents is available on the publisher's web site.

Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy to Empower Learners

Mackey, Thomas P. and Trudi E. Jacobson. Metaliteracy: Reinventing Information Literacy to Empower Learners. Neal-Schuman, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-55570-989-1

Description (from publisher's web site)
These well-respected experts on information literacy share their concept of metaliteracy, which expands the scope of traditional information skills (determine, access, locate, understand, produce, and use information) to include the collaborative production and sharing of information in participatory digital environments (collaborate, produce, and share) prevalent in today’s world. Combining theory and case studies, the authors

• Show why media literacy, visual literacy, digital literacy, and a host of other specific literacies are critical for informed citizens in the twenty-first century
• Offer a framework for engaging in today’s information environments as active, selfreflective, and critical contributors to these collaborative spaces
• Connect metaliteracy to such topics as metadata, the Semantic Web, metacognition, open education, distance learning, and digital storytelling

Table of Contents
A detailed table of contents is available on the publisher's web site.