Although I had never heard of YALSA before this week, I’ve learned it is an insanely cool tool for discovering new YA literature. I was a little overwhelmed with all of the lists to explore, so I focused on “The Best of the Best” at first. Over the past two semesters, I have become slightly obsessed with graphic novels, so that was the first list I explored, and then I got lost in all of the different awards lists on the website.
I think this website should definitely be used in the classroom. Teachers can explore the best of the best books from each year in different genres. Although all of the lists were a bit overwhelming to me at first, I think it would be just about impossible to run out of books on the website. I think the lists for reluctant readers are especially helpful. Normally, students who are already readers won’t need as much help finding reading material. It’s extremely helpful that there’s so many genres to explore, but it’s even more beneficial that there is so many resources just to reach reluctant readers.
Another set of lists that really interested me is “Outstanding Books for the College Bound.” Just in the “Literature and Language Arts” list, there was over twenty-five book suggestions, and there were other lists based on other majors as well. I think these resources would be extremely helpful for students who aren’t sure what they want to do after high school.
Some of the books that really interested me are:
I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina (2018 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens)
My Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh Tagame (2018 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens)
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (2018 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers)
Eyes of the World: Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and the Invention of Modern Photojournalism written by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos (Nonfiction Award)
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives written by Dashka Slater (Nonfiction Award)