22 30 Best Teen Books Lists for 2013!

I compiled this list of 2013 Best Teen Books for my friend who asked about good books for a teen in her life, and I thought it would be helpful for others looking for a great teen read too.

And yes, we have many of these titles in our library collection, and we'll be ordering more!

*ALA - YALSA's 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (added 01/01/14), YALSA Teen Book Award Winners (added 01/01/14), Great Graphic Novels Top 10 (added 01/01/14), 2013 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Top Ten (added 01/01/14)

Amazon's Best Books of the Year 2013: Teen and Young Adult

Arlington Public Library's Our 13 Top Young Adult Picks of 2013

Barnes and Noble's The Best New Books of 2013 for Teens

Bookish's The BestYoung Adult Books of 2013

Book Depository's Top Young Adult Fiction in 2013

The Boston Globe's Best Young Adult Books of 2013 (added 01/01/14)

Buzz Feed's The 21 Best YA Books of 2013

Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best 2013 for Teens

Goodreads' Choice Awards 2013  - Best Young Adult Fiction

Huffington Post's Top 10 Young Adult Books of 2013

International Reading Association's 2013 Young Adults' Choices 2013 Reading List, with bookmark on page 7.

Junior Library Guild Best Teen Books of 2013

Kirkus Reviews' Best Teen Books of 2013

Krista's Top 5 Books for 2013

Library Journal's 35 Going on 13: Best Teen Books for Adults, 2013; Extended List

Los Angeles Public Library's New Book List Best of 2013: Teen Books and Pinterest Collection LAPL Reads Best Teen Books of 2013

Mashable's 11 Best YA Books of 2013

Medina County District Library's Pinterest Collection Best Teen Books of 2013

Nerdy Book Club's 2013 Nerdy Awards for Young Adult Fiction Announced by Teri Lesesne
(added 01/02/14)

PopCrush's 10 Best Young Adult Books of 2013

School Library Journal's Best Books 2013 Adult Books 4 Teens, SLF Best 2013 Adult Books 4 Teens (added 01/01/14)

60secondRecap's Ten Best Teen Books for Teens: 2013 (added 01/01/14)

Tasha Saecker's Pinterest Collection 2013 Best Teen Reads

Teenreads' 2013 Teen Choice Book of the Year Nominees

Resources for parents and educators:

Reading is Fundamental Motivating Kids to Read: Teenagers and Reading
ReadWriteThink How to Help a Teen Choose a Book
Kids Health / Teens  How to Pick a Great Book

*From Beth Yoke of YALSA: "Just to clarify: YALSA's 2013 lists were announced in Jan. 2013 and focus on titles from 2012 and earlier.  The week of Jan. 27, 2014 YALSA will post online all of its 2014 lists of recommended reading, which are primarily titles from 2013.  To view these lists, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.  Additionally, at 8am, eastern, on Jan. 27, 2014, YALSA will announce the winners of its 6 book awards as part of the ALA Youth Media Awards.  Those can be viewed live from www.ala.org/yma." (G+ comment, in comments below. Article will be updated to reflect changes)

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@mauilibrarian2 

On G+

Our Alumni Keiki Christmas Storytelling Event -- With Resources

Once a year, I venture into the little people realm.

The 2013 Seabury Hall Alumni Keiki Christmas Storytelling event in our library, part of the larger Alumni Keiki Holiday Event, was a BLAST!

Post by Linda J. Lindsay.

I thought I'd share the program, for parents looking for ideas to celebrate Christmas with their children, via books and reading.

1. The Special Gift - I found this gem of a book at northpole.com. Here's the PDF for download and printing. I highlight-colored the drawings and added a ribboned, stiffened felt cover. I can easily picture a parent and child coloring and assembling this book on Christmas eve. Check out the printable instructions for three simple bookbinding techniques from ReadWriteThink.

2. Rudolph Color Song - I knew I wanted to do something with flannel board. So I scoured YouTube and discovered Miss Tracey of Littlestorybug.

(Miss Tracey has a neat Pinterest collection of her pre-school videos.) The Rudolph template I chose came from Loons and Quines @ LibraryTime.

I asked for keiki volunteers to put the noses on when asked and we did a slightly disorganized, FUN variation of Miss Tracey's rhyme. Lyrics / lyrics on slides.
3. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - My teacher friend Annie told me about the clapping, stamping, and turning version of this song. (Gotta get the kids moving, Annie advised.) Everyone participated, including parents.

4. Santa is His Name-O - I came across this goody from Super Simple Songs: the Santa version of the children's song B-I-N-G-O.


The hardest verse for us to do was the 4 claps ~ Clap--Clap--Clap-Clap--A. I didn't show the video because I wanted the keiki to have memories that came out of the great energy in the room. Most of the parents knew the B-I-N-G-O tune, so we sang a capella, with gusto!

5. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. We ended the program with a group read-aloud. Parents, older siblings -- everyone in the room who knew how -- read to the toddlers. It was awesome.

I had made mini-books for each family to take home, from DLTK's Print and Assemble Books. The illustrations in this version are wonderful!

• I created a Google slide presentation to put the templates together (NOT as easy as you think) for the mini-book. Instructions: print the slides double-sided, collated, then staple down the middle. 
• Per DLTK, the book is meant to be shared freely, but not sold.
• I put together a large version for the reading, and ribbon bound it. 

A good time was had by all at the Keiki Christmas Storytelling event, and I'm looking forward to next year.

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I hope these ideas spark your imagination for making Christmas memories with your growing reader! 

Merry Christmas!

(◕‿◕✿ ) 

@mauilibrarian2 

On G+

P. S. Got any ideas for our storytelling event next year? I would love to hear from you.

Two Books about Islam That We Love

Our students are studying about Islam, and these two books are GREAT for starting conversations!

Thanks to Mr. Stone for recommending them.

◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 

On G+

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck -- A Middle School Book Club review

We held our first Middle School Book Club meeting today at lunch. It was fun!

The book? Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.

Check out this unscripted review by two of our Middle School students.

(They were dressed up for Halloween, not for the book.)


Ren's Cookies, also known as "Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies", were enjoyed by all (a special food exception was made for Book Club members in our Hawaiian Studies Room, and we cleaned up afterwards). The recipe was in the book, and HERE it is, on the author's website.

Most of the group, dressed up for Halloween, not the book.

The group couldn't decide on a book for the next Middle School Book Club meeting, November 25.

Stay tuned!

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@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

So THIS is why James Patterson is following Ms. Lindsay on Twitter!

Maybe with author James Patterson helping out, the powers-that-be will listen.

Post by Linda J. Lindsay.

So great to have him on the side of readers and school libraries!

(◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

Great Infographic on the History of Reading, with Ereader Details

Here's a neat infographic on the history of reading, with special ereader details.

by pagraphics.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Top 10 Reasons to Read the Raven Cycle, by Maggie Stiefvater

❤ this trailer for the Raven Cycle, by author Maggie Stiefvater!


(◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

Students! √ Out This Young Adult Summer Reading Infographic

Our English teacher Ms. Emily Davis just sent me this beautiful infographic from teach.com, and I'm happy to pass it on!

Check out the article describing the list.

I'll be ordering the books we don't have, of course.

Thanks, Ms. Davis!

(CMD/+ (Mac) or CTRL/+ (pc) to desired size)
Brought to you by Teach.com

(◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

What Kind of Reader Are You? -- √ out this infographic

Found this gem in Galley Cat's article How to Make a Literary Infographic, this morning.
Thanks, Laura E. Kelly!
(Click to view at original large size.)

Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors. Embed this infographic.  What kind of reader are you? (◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

Summer Reading Suggestions for Our Middle and High School Students

I wrote this little article for our May '13 Parent Newsletter and I thought I'd share it here:

"Last month we shared three interesting articles about the importance of books and reading in the lives of your children.

This month? Summer reading lists, of course! Feel free to  nudge your child toward these great websites and lists:

Books that Guys Read from Guys Read

Great Page Turners and Great Advanced Reads from Read Kiddo Read

Teen Books at Barnes & Noble Teen

Publishers Weekly Best Summer Children’s Books 2013

American Library Association’s Summer Reading List for Grade 6-8

Last but not least, check out our Books and Reading LibGuide for lots of reading suggestions.

Happy reading!

P. S. You can encourage your child to email Ms. Lindsay with fiction recommendations for the fall!"

(◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 
On G+

An Image and a Blog Post to Illustrate the Power of Books and Reading

This morning,

Seabury alumna Laura Daily Strickland sent me this powerful collage of images, via Facebook:

 

By Mladen Penev

No caption needed!

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And proud-to-call-her-my-friend young adult author Terri Farley tweeted about a truly poignant story:  

Old cowboy's regret bit.ly/10cuy3S @edutopia, @mauilibrarian2, @librotraficante, @readingrainbow, @solanolibrary #truestory
— Terri Farley(@Terri_Farley) May 5, 2013

This touched my heart. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

My #PLN rocks! (◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 

6 Fabulous Poetry Videos for Kids, from Hawaii to New York City and Back -- The Back Story

When NYC English teacher Jenny Kirsch asked me if I would recommend a good poetry video for her 5th graders, I was happy to look for gems for her. After all, we #GTANY chums support each other!

So, here is how it all played out:

@mauilibrarian2 Hey Linda! Any poetry videos you'd recommend? Been scouring YouTube but not finding anything great...
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

@msjennykirsch For what grade level, Jenny?
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@msjennykirsch And what are you looking for? Inspiration? How-to? Examples?
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@mauilibrarian2 5th grade, examples, poets reading their work, etc?
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

(1)

@msjennykirsch I ❤ this: «Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life on TED.com» ow.ly/kaU8N U cd do snippets.
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(2)

@msjennykirsch The Raven read by James Earl Jones - YouTube ow.ly/kaVFo
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(3)

@msjennykirsch: This is my favorite: «Adam Gottlieb, Poet Breathe Now - YouTube» ow.ly/kaVVK
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(4)

@msjennykirsch How about «Robert Frost | Poetry Everywhere | PBS» ow.ly/kaWRW
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(5)

@msjennykirsch This one is fun: «Naomi Shihab Nye | Poetry Everywhere | PBS» ow.ly/kaX4p Check out the others too.
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

'One Boy Told Me' by Naomi Shihab Nye

This is the video Jenny chose.

@mauilibrarian2 This one might be the best thing I've ever seen. Can't wait to show it to my girls today! You're the best! #GTANY pride
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

(6)

@msjennykirsch For all ages: «Shel Silverstein recites 'Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too'» ow.ly/kaZvg
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

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@msjennykirsch It was so much fun collecting these! I think I'll blog about it. Is it okay to mention your name? ... YES! > #GTANY pride :)
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@mauilibrarian2 of course! I will blog about how we used them in class, too :) can't wait to read yours!
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

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I loved the Adam Gottlieb video so much I emailed it to our English teachers. Mrs. Martelles jumped on it right away.

"This would be great for an assembly reflection!" she emailed me back.

And so, yesterday morning, Mrs. Martelles showed 'Poet: Breathe Now' to the entire student body, in our  `A`ali`ikūhonua Creative Arts Center, with Mrs. Hodara doing tech.

"So inspiring," remarked a colleague, who confessed that he teared up half-way through.

"Would you please email me the link?" pleaded another.

Can't wait to hear how Jenny's students used 'One Boy Told Me' in class!

(◕‿◕✿ )
@mauilibrarian2
on G+

PARENTS OF TEENS: √ out these 3 articles about books and reading

[This post will appear in our school's April 2013 Parent Newsletter.] 

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http://oedb.org/images/10%20Things%20That%20Happen%20to%20Our%20Minds%20When%20We%20Read.jpg

Spring has sprung, and soon summer will be here.

You know what that means, don't you? Time for your child to soak up the sun, play for hours, and yes, laze around and read!

Here are three interesting articles about the importance of books and reading in the lives of your children.

What happens to your brain as you read

Motivating Kids to Read: Teenagers and Reading

Encourage Teens to Read

Happy reading!

(◕‿◕✿ ) 
@mauilibrarian2 

Libraries with ebooks and print books together, a perfect world

This is what I hope for -- a world in which ebooks and print books co-exist, in libraries that press them into the hands of readers.

(◕‿◕✿) @mauilibrarian2

Where to find FREE eBooks, daily (and don't forget the amazing Project Gutenberg)

People have been asking me where I find free eBooks daily, so I decided to make a Google Reader bundle to which you can subscribe.



If you know of other freebie websites, please let me know and I'll add them to the bundle.

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Project Gutenberg has an amazing collection of free classic eBooks, and they're downloadable in all formats. Very cool!

And I just discovered Galleycat's varied themed collections of Project Gutenberg books, like Free HERMAN MELVILLE ebooks for Moby Dick Anniversary and 15 Free eBooks About Mayan Culture. The collection Free Books that inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. gives us a glimpse into the great civil rights leader's mind.

Galleycat's collections inspired me to create a Project Gutenberg LibGuide for our students. Keep these wonderful collections coming, Galleycat! I'll add them to the LibGuide.

(◕‿◕✿)
@mauilibrarian2