The Best of the Best in Young Adult Literature 101 Classics in Young Adult Literature and How To Use Them in Your Program

Presented by Bonnie Kunzel
Nationally Known Presenter and Author

Designed for Educators Serving Grades 6-12: Classroom Teachers, Reading Specialists, School Librarians/Media Specialists, Public Librarians, Library Aides, Title I Staff Members, Administrators, and Parents

An insightful overview of the very best young adult books matched with innovative ideas on how to use them in your program
An exciting day packed with books that have won awards, books to fit your curriculum, books that celebrate diversity, and much, much more
Realistic tips, suggestions and activities to encourage teens to read
An extensive resource handbook filled with more than a dozen annotated booklists on a wide variety of topics – a resource you will use for years to come

Practical Ideas and Strategies

Young adult literature has arrived. Thousands of young adult titles are published every year. Major awards like the ALEX list and the Printz Award have been established to recognize the best new books for teens. Whether teens are in middle school or high school, there are titles to pique the interest of the youngest to the most mature teen readers. The question arises: What are the best titles and how do you share them with teens?

Young adult literature expert, Bonnie Kunzel, has put together a list of the top 101 teen books, from early classics to the latest award winners. She will share these best of the best titles with you in engaging booktalks, match them with other titles that will appeal to your teen readers and give you a solid foundation on which to build your own reader’s advisory program for teens.

In this valuable seminar, you will gain firsthand knowledge of books that have withstood the passage of time as well as the new classics of young adult literature. You will leave with an extensive resource handbook packed with a wide variety of booklists useful in both classroom and library settings. This resource handbook is a reference tool you can use time and again as you do what those of us who work with young adults like to do best – connect teens with the very best books.

Ten Key Benefits of Attending

Connect with the Best of the Best in Young Adult Literature
Examine the young adult classics that have withstood the passage of time and remain relevant to today’s teens . . . Powerful new insights from one of the nation’s foremost experts in young adult literature
Focus on the Best of the Best New Titles for Teens
Discover exciting new titles that are regarded by reviewers as new classics
in the field of young adult literature
Award Winners that Capture the Attention of Teens
ALEX . . . Carnegie . . . Margaret A. Edwards . . . Newbery . . . Printz . . . Sibert . . . Whitbread . . . What are these awards and which winners with the most teen appeal do you need to know about for your teens and your collections?
Nonfiction is Not Just for Research and Reports
Research has shown that boys in particular like to read nonfiction for pleasure. But a lot of girls do, too. What biographies have proven teen appeal? What are the best books about teen issues that you need to add to your collection? What books are just fun for browsing?
The Best Young Adult Authors
Which authors have been recognized (or should be) for their significant contribution to teen literature? Which authors writing today are consistent teen pleasers?
From Sailor Moon to Spider Man: Japanese Manga and American Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are comic books collected in trade paperback format or original works of literature published in comic book format. Manga is the Japanese term for graphic novels published in that country. This is a format that is becoming more and more popular with teen readers . . . Find out which titles are currently “hot” among young adult readers
Beyond Harry Potter: The Explosion of Fantasy Written for Teens
J. K. Rowling is a genius. Not only has Harry Potter opened up the world of books and reading for young people everywhere, he has single-handedly rejuvenated the world of fantasy publishing for teens . . . Find out which titles to recommend to teens who have read all of Harry’s adventures
Trends in Teen Reading
Why is it important for libraries to sponsor summer reading programs for teens and for teens to participate? Why did YALSA establish its annual celebration of teens and reading – Teen Read Week – and what have we learned about teens and reading as a result?
How to Engage Teens in Reading
Learn from an outstanding expert as she “book talks” her way through many of the 101 best books for young adults . . . Discover dozens of ideas, tips and activities for getting reluctant readers involved with books
Booklists, Booklists and Booklists
Why reinvent the wheel? Booklists of all kinds will be provided in the extensive resource

Outstanding Strategies You Can Use Immediately

A Annotated booklists
B Best of the best books for boys
C Classics, old and new
D Diverse titles for a diverse world
E Eclectic selection: Books of all kinds
F Facts and figures about teen reading
G Graphic novels (comic book format)
H Historical fiction, for fun and for your curriculum
I Informational books, including the Sibert Award Winners
J Jury is in: Award winners for teens
K Knowledge about the latest ideas for connecting teens and books
L Lord of the Rings and other fantasies for teens
M Manga (the Japanese comic books so popular with today’s teens)
N Networking opportunities with colleagues and presenter
O Online resources
P Picture books for teens
Q Quick picks (for reluctant teen readers)
R Review sources and professional journals
S Science fiction
T Teens like fiction that . . . (annotated list of titles with teen appeal that correspond with what we know about teen development)
U Unique resource handbook
V Verse novels and poetry for teens
W Ways to reach out to teens: Tips and techniques for booktalking and book discussion groups
X X-Men and other graphic novel superheroes popular with teens
Y Young adult summer reading program tips
Z Zines to Zits: Teen Issues and interests addressed in books

A Message From Your Seminar Leader

Dear Colleague:

Contrary to popular belief, teens do like to read. They just have trouble finding the time they need for recreational reading in today’s busy world. They have told us this with each Teen Read Week survey (conducted by SmartGirl.com each October). They’ve told me in person when I’ve visited middle school and high school classrooms to booktalk teen book award titles or to introduce summer reading programs and opportunities. So we know they want to read, but don’t have enough time. What are we going to do about it?

With the advent of the Printz Award (which recognizes the most significant piece of literature published for teens each year), more and more titles are being published for teens. As professionals dedicated to connecting teens and books, we need a way to identify not only the best books published for teens each year, but also teen pleasers, those with proven teen appeal. Seminars such as this one are the perfect solution.

But what about past classics of teen literature? Do they have a place in the pantheon for today’s busy teens? Absolutely. These are titles that have lasted because they continue to speak to the hearts and minds of teens. Pair them with contemporary award winners and you have a winning combination.

I love to read and talk about books — with teens, with my colleagues, and now with all of you. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to share past classics and current favorites with an audience of colleagues who are looking for ways to connect teens and books. I look forward to meeting and talking about some of these wonderful young adult books with you and know that you will leave this seminar with a wealth of ideas and the enthusiasm to pass them on to your teen readers.

Sincerely,
Bonnie Kunzel

P.S. If you’re looking for books to stir the interest of your teen readers, this is the seminar for you. If you’re looking for a fun-filled day of talk about books and teens and how to bring them together, this is the seminar for you. Enjoy!

Who Should Attend

Educators who serve Grades 6-12: Classroom Teachers, Reading Specialists, School Librarians/Media Specialists, Public Librarians, Library Aides, Title I Staff Members, Administrators, and Parents.

Special Benefits of Attending

Extensive Resource Handbook
Each participant will receive an extensive resource handbook designed specifically for this seminar by Bonnie Kunzel. The handbook includes:

An annotated list of the Best of the Best in Young Adult Literature, including Classics, Old and New
Booklists, fully annotated, more than one a month to use with your curriculum
Review sources and online resources
Tips and techniques on book discussion groups, booktalking, Teen Read Week
and more
A subject guide to books arranged by genres and themes

Materials on Display
A variety of the newest titles for teens, as well as a selection of Manga and graphic novels will be available for perusal.

Meet and Share
Participants will have networking opportunities throughout the day, time in which they can discuss books and teen issues with each other.

Consultation Available
Bonnie Kunzel will be available before, during and after the seminar to discuss books and teen issues with seminar participants.

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