The following resources are booklists compiled by teachers, librarians, organizations, and editors. The lists include new and contemporary titles as well as classic books and recommend primarily fiction titles.
Reading Rants! Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists: An irreverent and often consulted review site dedicated to young adult literature. No LCSH here; the site features lists with titles like "Teen Tearjerkers" and "Graphic Fantastic."
The ALAN Review: The National Council of Teachers of English's independent assembly, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN), maintains this site which includes YA literature news and regular booklists and recommendations.
YALSA's Booklists and Book Awards: The ALA's Young Adult Library Services Association's list of best books, award-winners and generally recommended titles.
VOYA's Booklists: The professional review journal, The Voice of Youth Advocates includes thematic, topical and audience-based lists on a regular basis. This page allows readers access to the most current lists in PDF form.
The Horn Book's Recommended Books: Thematic lists of books for all ages compiled by the professional review and literary journal, The Horn Book. NOTE: The linked lists include both YA and intermediate titles under each list's "Fiction" heading. Be sure to read the journal's audience recommendations that append each annotation.
The following are print resources featuring recommended young adult literature that may be found in the Simmons College Library. Most recommend fiction titles, feature extensive annotations, and may be used for collection development or to guide your own reading.
Reading Rants: A Guide to Books that Rock! (2007), by Jennifer Hubert--the print guide to young adult literature by the same author responsible for the "Reading Rants" website (above). Circulating Collection--Z1037.H865 2007
500 Great Books for Teens (2006), by Anita Silvey--thematically organized and annotated list of titles recommended by teens and the adults who work with them and with young adult literature. Circulating Collection--Z1037.S577 2006
Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults: A Comprehensive Guide (2005), by Ruth Nadelman Lynn--the 2005 edition of Nadelman Lynn's guide to fantasy fiction. Reference Collection (coming soon to the Circulating Collection)--Z1037.L97 2005
Your Reading: An Annotated Booklist for Middle School and Junior High (2003), edited by Jean E. Brown and Elaine C. Stephens--the National Council of Teachers of English are responsible for this regularly issued bibliography featuring terrific annotations of mostly fiction titles. Looking for those hard-to-define middle school reads? Look no further! Circulating Collection--Z1037.Y68 2003
Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High (2001), by NCTE--another great resource by the National Council of Teachers of English, this is the latest version of their bibliography for senior high school readers. Circulating Collection--Z1037.G217
Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests (2003), by Diane Tixier Herald--this readers' advisory guide to teen reading is organized by genre and recommends read-alikes. This is the latest version of Herald's dip into teen genre fiction (a 1997 version exists as well). Circulating Collection--Z1037.H47 1997
The World's Best Thin Books: Or, What to Read When Your Book Report is Due Tomorrow (2000), by Joni Richards Bodart--recommended young adult literature in which book length is one of the primary criteria for recommendation. Organized by book length and featuring annotations and book report suggestions. Note: a 1993 version of this title exists as well. Circulating Collection--Z1037.B66 2000
High/Low Handbook: Best Books and Web Sites for Reluctant Teen Readers (2002), by Ellen LiBretto and Catherine Barr--books and web sites (warning: this was published in 2002, so not all the sites may be current or "alive") selected for their appeal to "reluctant" teen readers. Circulating Collection--Z1039.S5 H54 2002