Radical Reads 2 (book)

Bodart, J.R. (2010). Radical Reads 2. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.

In Radical Reads, Joni Richards Bodart identified 101 young adult books that featured gritty, complex plots, focused on multidimensional characters, and tackled such difficult subjects as teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, gangs, prejudice, violence, drugs, or other provocative issues. Teen readers were drawn to such books because they could identify with both the characters and the situations depicted in these raw and edgy works of fiction.

In Radical Reads 2: Working with the Newest Edgy Titles for Teens, Bodart continues where the first book left off, examining more than a hundred titles published since the previous edition. The books featured here are engaging and tough, yet well written and accessible to readers. For each novel, Bodart lists the main characters, major themes and subject areas, and offers a brief summary. Along with providing book report ideas, she cites the strengths of each work, excerpts important reviews, and lists any awards the book has received. Indexed by author, title, subject, curriculum area, reading level, interest level, and genre, Radical Reads 2 is an indispensable tool for librarians, teachers, and parents alike, and will appeal especially to teens looking for relevant and topical fiction. (book description)

Making the Best of a Shrinking Budget (DVD)

Making the Best of a Shrinking Budget: Creative Practices in a New Economy. Presenters Leslie Burger, Alice Calabrese-Berry, and Mary Case. College of DuPage, 2009. DVD.

This is a recording of the teleconference that was broadcast by the College of DuPage as part of the Library Futures: Staying Ahead of the Curve series on January 29, 2010. Running time is 90 minutes.

Description on DVD:
"Private or public, for profit or not, funding is the key to the functionality and longevity of all ventures. When money is scarce, decisions about necessity and sacrifice shape the direction and viability of any enterprise. Libraries are accustomed to adapting to fluctuating budgets. Recent funding shortages, though, have been staggering, resulting in steep reductions. In the face of financial strain, how do libraries preserve core services or even expand the roles of librarians to meet community needs? Beyond a mere tightening of belts to make it through a slump, this program focuses on a new way of thinking about the relationship between budgets and services."

Best Books for Middle School and Junior High Readers

Barr, C. & Gillespie, J. (2009). Best Books for Middle School and Junior High Readers: Grades 6-9 (2nd ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Barr, C. (2011). Best Books for Middle School and Junior High Readers: Grades 6-9 (Supplement to the 2nd ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

This indispensable reading guide and selection tool, updated to include titles published from 2004 through 2008, covers the best fiction and nonfiction for children in grades 6-9. The approximately 15,000 entries include brief but lively annotations, ISBNs, book length and price, grade-level appropriateness, and review citations. New features include indication of titles available in audio format and Lexiles where available. Award-winning and series titles are noted. Use this must-purchase volume to bolster your collection for young teens and to create thematic and curriculum-oriented reading lists. Grades 6-9.
(book description)

Teen-Centered Library Service: Putting youth Participation into Practice

Tuccillo, D.P. (2010). Teen-Centered Library Service: Putting youth Participation into Practice. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

Teen-Centered Library Service: Putting Youth Participation into Practice is a practical guide that can help you get teens involved in your library—in everything from book discussions, working with children, and author visits to collection development, community outreach, and even fundraising. Drawing on research and best practices, as well as anecdotes and success stories from around the country, Diane P. Tuccillo makes the case for youth participation and shows you how to achieve it.

Carefully organized chapters focus on reasons to make library teen participation a priority, promote understanding of historical perspectives pertaining to library youth participation, and examine successful and exciting ideas that today's school and public libraries can emulate. School and public libraries that are ready to embark on youth participation endeavors for the first time, as well as those that want to improve or enhance programs already in place, will benefit equally from the information shared here.

• Focus boxes and quotes highlight viewpoints and information from a variety of experts and diagrams illustrate pertinent points and solidify the chapters
• Includes forms, flyers, applications, and other promotional materials that can be readily reproduced or adapted to various library goals and needs
• Photos of real teens in action as they perform their youth participation duties serve to inspire readers and provide examples to emulate
• A bibliography enhances the informational aspects of the book by offering further reading and references to supplement study and application, while further reading suggestions are also provided under various topics in each chapter

(book description)

Reality Rules! A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests

Fraser, E. (2008). Reality Rules! A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

It's real, it's radical, and it rocks! Nonfiction has become the preferred genre for many teen readers, both male and female. This guide identifies some of the most popular nonfiction for today's teens, and organizes it into specific genres and reading interests that teens enjoy—from true adventure, sports and life stories, to do-it-yourself. More than 500 titles are described, with notes on classics, award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, and titles that especially appeal to boys and to reluctant readers, or are appropriate for book groups. This is an essential readers' advisory resource for anyone who works with teen readers, and a practical collection development aid. Grades 6-12.

Teens read nonfiction for pleasure as much or more than adults. In recent years, librarians have become increasingly aware of the appeal of this literature and the need to offer and promote it to teen readers. This guide focuses on titles created for teens and those with strong teen appeal. The author covers more than 500 titles published since 2000, also including benchmarks and perennial classics that teens continue to enjoy. For each title you'll find complete bibliographic information, a descriptive annotation, indications of award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, titles suitable for book groups, and books with extra appeal for boys. In addition, she identifies fiction read-alikes and sure bets for each subgenre (i.e., consider starting with).

A general introduction and chapter introductions discuss the appeals of the genre, working with teens, and issues related to nonfiction. This is an essential guide for any librarian who works with teens.
(book description)