Presented By:Kellye IngrahamLeah JohnsonMicky Worley-Smith

YOUNG ADULTS’ CHOICES

2005-2009

This project began in 1986, funded by a special grant given to the International Reading Association (IRA), and is supervised by the Association's Literature for Young Adults Committee.

Young Adults’ Choices was first published in 1987 and developed into an annual project of the International Reading Association. Each year approximately 4,500 students in grades 7 to 12 from different regions of the United States select 30 titles from new books donated by North American publishers.

HISTORY

Providing middle and secondary school students with an opportunity to voice their opinions about the books written for them

Developing an annual annotated reading list of new books that young adults enjoy reading

Assisting teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, and others to find books that will encourage young readers to read more

GOALS

Books published two years before the list year are submitted from more than 50 publishers.

Each book had to have at least two positive

reviews from respected sources.

Submitted books are read by 7th-12th grade students in selected school districts in varying locations around the country.

Ballots completed by the students are tallied by

IRA for the result.

PROCESS

The results of the ballot are announced in May at the Annual Convention of the International Reading Association.

The annotated Young Adults’ Choices reading list appears annually in the November issue of the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.

Archived lists are available on the International Reading Association website www.reading.org.

PUBLICATION & AVAILABILITY

Realistic Fiction Teen Trials Death Complicated Issues Relationships Family Issues

Fantasy Vampires Quest/Adventure

Historical Fiction WWII Civil War 18th Century Pirates

Science Fiction Ghost Narrative

Faux Non-Fiction Dragonology

Memoir Abuse, Drugs, Attempted Suicide

TRENDS FROM 2005

Realistic Fiction Teen Trials Death Complicated Issues Relationships Family Issues  

Fantasy Dragons 

Historical Fiction Circus Fire

Horror Zombies Special Powers

Non-Fiction ETs WWII

Memoir Gasoline Suicide Attempt

TRENDS FROM 2006

Realistic Fiction Teen Trials Complicated Issues Relationships Family Issues

Fantasy Vampires Dragons Santa

MythologyScience Fiction Memoir

Poverty Family  Suspense

TRENDS FROM 2007

Realistic Fiction Teen Trials Complicated Issues Relationships Family Issues

Fantasy Vampires Monsters Sword & Sorcery

Science Fiction Historical Fiction

WWII HolocaustMystery/Suspense Poetry

Modern retelling of Casey at the Bat

TRENDS FROM 2008

Realistic Fiction Teen Trials Death Complicated Issues Relationships Family Issues

Fantasy Mythology Retelling of Fairy Tale Time Travel Quest/Adventure Witchcraft/Wizardry Vampires

Non-Fiction How It Works Information Sea-Life

Memoir Suicide, Abuse

TRENDS FROM 2009

2005-2009 TRENDS GRAPH

TREND PERCENTAGES

The strongest trend that was documented from the years 2005-2009 was the genre of Realistic Fiction. There were 88 titles that fell into this category. Many of the books’ themes were dealing with issues such as self-esteem, coming of age, and overcoming hardships. Complicated issues such as drugs, sex, violence, mental illness, and teen parenting were also prevalent themes that were documented within this category.

Fantasy was the next highest noted genre. Thirty-two books fell into this category during this five year span. The majority of the books within the fantasy genre contained quest/adventure stories, action-packed dragon tales, vampire romances, or a great mythology retelling.

STRONGEST TRENDS 2005-2009

As previously mentioned, Realistic Fiction was the dominant genre in this five year span. What is surprising is the content that is contained within the novels. Many of the books are very graphic in nature and are discussing very personal issues such as teen parenting, mental illness, and even suicide. After conducting the research, I polled my students at BHS and asked them to write down the last book that they read for personal enjoyment. Out of the three classes that I teach, 85% of my students read a novel that would fall into the Realistic Fiction category. When asked why they enjoy this genre, one student replied, “Because I can relate. My life is like this story.” It is important to remember that the “student” is always evolving and changing; therefore, the literature is going to as well.

PERSONAL FINDINGS

Information Resources:Reading.orgAmazon.com

Image Resources:Reading.orgLibrarianinblack.netFantasticfiction.co.uk36pages.comSomerset.lib.nj.usAmazon.com

RESOURCES