Each year the Best Books for Young Adults (BBYA) Committee of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) selects several books considered to be the best written for teens within the past 15 months. The committee is composed of librarians, teachers and publishers. Criteria for selection include outstanding writing and popularity. According to an article in Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) the selection criteria for the BBYA are outstanding writing and popularity (Kranke). While librarians decide which books to purchase, based on what they consider to be the best material for their public, it is the nature of the adolescent to question almost anything an adult says is best for him. The title "Best Books for Young Adults" begs the question: "Who says it's the best ?" Readers must decide. Mrs. Tengwall, the librarian at the Block Island library has planned a book discussion program for the teens in her community based on the BBYA book list. The program will be called:
Best Books for Young Adults??? YOU Decide!
The primary goals of the program are:
Encourage teens to read quality literature.
Provide an opportunity for them to share their reactions and opinions about the books with their peers.
Take a Look Promotion Book List
Book Summaries BBYA Criteria Bibliography
Beth's MLIS Homepage Reading Interests of Young Adults