1.23.2012

And the winners are...


Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults

Winner: 


Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Honor Books: 
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
The Returning by Christine Hinwood
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Yalsa Award for Excellence in Nonfiction 

Winner:

 The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin

Honor Books:
Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition written by Karen Blumenthal
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy
Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein by Susan Goldman Rubin\

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens

Winner: 

 Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Honor Books:
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Click here to view all of the winners from the 2012 ALA Youth Media Awards!

1.17.2012

It's awards season again!

What's your pick for best book of 2011?

...Oh, you thought we meant movie awards season? Hmm, we'll save that thought for another post. No, we're talking Printz, people! The winner for the best YA book of last year will be announced on Monday, January 23! That's less than a week away! So what do *we* think will win? It's anyone's game; plenty of great books came out this year -- but here are a few we think could be worthy of the honor!



Chime by Franny Billingsley
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard 

Shine by Lauren Myracle
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness


Divergent by Veronica Roth
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma


Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
How to Save A Life by Sara Zarr

Interested? Come visit us and check one of these buzz books out!

1.11.2012

Staff Pick: How to Save a Life


Summary (from Amazon):
Jill MacSweeney just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.
Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?
As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

I picked this book out after a fellow librarian hyped it up as her pick for the best book of 2011, and I definitely understand why she did. How to Save a Life is a stirring read that is heart-wrenching at times but ultimately hopeful.

Read this book if: you’re in the mood for something introspective that might make you cry, depending on your state of mind that day. You heart will ache for the suffering and anguish that Jill (who recently lost her father) and Mandy (who's been abandoned all her life) are going through.

Skip it if: you’re looking for a light-hearted love story. Though there are some swoon-worthy romantic moments, this book is really about grief, relationships, and family.

Reviewed by: Melissa

1.05.2012

For your convenience

Hey NOISE readers! Just a quick note to let you know that we've added some brand new book recommendation lists to our "Book Lists" sidebar!

Check them out:

Clean Reads

Boarding School Books

Sports Reads

And if you're looking for something new to read but you're not sure how to find it, come visit us at CHPL!