Doing best books with enthusiastic young adults

BOOK NOTES by Joan Ruddiman

   On Super Bowl Sunday, when most everyone was gearing up for football festivities, 27 middle-schoolers with nine parents and teachers traveled to Philadelphia to the American Library Association’s Mid-Winter Conference at the Convention Center. The students, all avid readers of young adult literature, were invited to share their opinions with the Best Books for Young Adults Committee (BBYA) through Suzanne Manczuk, current member of the Michael Printz Award committee. They were more than enthusiastic about expressing what they deem the "best" this past year, and what was not.
   The Grover Middle School students from the West Windsor Plainsboro district joined young adults from North Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland and Virginia in an intense two-hour afternoon session where opinions were openly and articulately voiced. Students from 6th grade through college discussed over a hundred titles from the list of 203 nominated books. They did not unanimously agree with each other, and often did not offer support of a title seemingly favored by the committee made up of librarians from all over the nation. Though the committee is well read and knowledgeable in the field of young adult literature, they are adults.
   BBYA’s Sunday afternoon session at the mid-winter conference invites the intended audience for these books to express the teen point of view.
   This is the most heavily attended meeting at the conference. Publishers, editors and authors — as well as ALA members who appreciate a good show — crowd into the room to hear these savvy consumers assess what they read, what they like and why. In the end, the students received a standing ovation from the committee and the audience in appreciation of their astute statements that captured a depth of analysis and their passion for good literature.
   Seventy-two titles made the final vote and are awarded the distinction of being a "Best Book for Young Adults." In a publishing field crowded with contenders annually, the BBYA nod assures making the purchasing orders of bookstores this year and in the future. No wonder the publishers listen closely to what the teens say to the committee, as the kid comments can sway a vote for or against a title.
   The teens picked some real winners. The Grover reader/reviewers’ top pick was Nancy Farmer’s "House of the Scorpion," a science fiction adventure centered on Matt who is a clone. This was one of the 11 titles unanimously chosen by the BBYA committee. Moreover, Farmer was also awarded a Newbery Honor for best in children’s literature and a Printz Honor for best in YA literature.
   Other unanimous picks by the committee, greeted by cheers from the young adult readers when the list was posted, include "The Kite Rider" by Geraldine McCaughrean and, surprisingly, the fantasy, "The Hunting of the Last Dragon" by Sherryl Jordan.
   Whereas fantasy and science fiction are the favorite genres among teens, adults — including the BBYA committee — often overlook these titles. A miss by the committee that was a big disappointment to the kid readers was Cornelia Funke’s "The Thief Lord." They were delighted with a clever plot that began as realistic fiction and transitioned to "all out fantasy." However, Funke won the Mildred L. Batchelder Award, given by the ALA for the most outstanding children’s book published in a foreign language and translated into English. "The Thief Lord" was first published in German, a detail appreciated by the student readers who found the style to be as intriguing as the plot.
   Noted adult author Carl Hiaasen’s foray into the world of YA adult writing was well received by YA readers, and rewarded by the ALA. "Hoot," is a funny and at times an over-the-top view of environmentalist issues through the lens of middle-schoolers. Kid readers thought the characters were funny and the story "cute." It made the BBYA list and was named a Newbery Honor book.
   A couple other strong kid favorites include "Flipped," a very funny middle school love story by Wendelin Van Draanen; "City of the Beasts," a "weird," "creative," "gripping," "really fun mix of realistic fiction and fantasy," by Isabel Allende; and "Stained Glass" by Michael Bedard. Better find them quickly as these titles missed making the BBYA list and most likely will not be long for the B&N and Borders shelves. Such is the reality of the intense world of YA reading!
   For a complete listing of the 2003 BYYA list, go to the American Library Association’s Web site at www.ala.org. Link to ALA Divisions, then link to YALSA, the Youth Service division that posts the lists of YA winners.
   Next week, the Newbery and the Printz.
   Joan Ruddiman is a teacher and friend of the Allentown Public Library.