Quick Picks That Work with Teens

Amy Cheney -- School Library Journal, 2/18/2009

There are some books that require an author visit to get students interested, but there are two books that barely need an introduction: Retaliation (Rolling Hills Press, 2008) by Yasmin Shiraz,and Hot Girl (St. Martin’s, 2008) by Dream Jordan. Girls and boys pick these titles off the shelf and read without any prior knowledge or experience, due to their covers. Kids will read the books and pass them around to each other if the content matches the cover – and that’s what makes for a great Quick Pick. Retaliation easily made the Top Ten of the YALSA Quick Picks and Hot Girl was voted on to the list with resounding excitement.

Why did Shiraz’s book make the Top 10? The short answer is that it has a fantastic cover of an African-American teen. The content is relevant, and multicultural students can relate to the situations and dilemmas of the characters. And when Shiraz visited the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center, San Leandro, CA in June of 2008, it became even more apparent why her readers have plummeted her to the top.

The minute Shiraz was introduced to my previously reluctant readers at the center, who most likely have never been to a book group before in their lives, the girls were talking, waving their hands in the air, and bouncing out of their seats with excitement. They started asking questions and giving their opinion about Retaliation, which they had read in preparation for the visit. They were speculating about the characters, wanting to understand the reasons why certain characters acted the way they did, and relating the characters and the predicaments to their own lives. The discussion was heated. It was hot. It was relevant. It was nonstop. They wanted to know more. They wanted to read more. As you can understand, I was in heaven! Meeting Shiraz in person solidified the pleasure of reading and the experience of thinking critically. The girls received two signed copies of her other books for young adults to take home with them: The Blueprint for My Girls: How to Build a Life Full of Courage (Fireside, 2003) and The Blueprint for My Girls in Love: 99 Rules for Dating, Relationships, and Intimacy (Fireside, 2005).

Here is what one teen, Keishawn, had to say about the program:

Dear Yasmin,

I really appreciate you taking the time to come out and share your thoughts with us. It really meant a lot to me. I really liked the book Retaliation. I learned from reading your book that retaliation is not always the best way to go. From many experiences I've always retaliated and the problems only escalated. I think that your book is a book that all teens should read. It may prevent something that might have been ready to take place. Thank you very much.  Sincerely, Keishawn.

P.S. I may save that book for my son in the future.

Dream Jordan's Hot Girl is a fantastic first novel and my youth are eager to read more by this author. The cover is terrific and the content reflects the struggles and choices facing a young girl wanting to belong with her peers and also within a family. My students have showered accolades on Hot Girl.

"Hot Girl is a very fast going book that keep up with me and is a perfect book for teen. The cover is very sexy and eye catching."–Tony

"I liked the way the book was formatted. Even the ending was great. The character was so cool and she did what she had to do. I love the plot of it. Kate is so strong!"—Laura

"I liked how she was hanging out with the girl and she was a fast ass girl and Kate did not sell herself short. I liked the cover because it makes the book look hot and interesting."—Jillian

"It changed my view on a lot of things. The cover compliments the book. The title caught my attention, and then I read the back."–Keishaw

Looking for more titles? Check out the full list of YALSA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers.

Amy Cheney (pictured with author Dream Jordan, left) is a national expert on books, literacy, and programs for underserved youth, and has more than 20  years of direct experience with outreach, program design, implementation and serving the underserved. Her program was 1 of 15 nationwide that won a 2006 award from President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities. Named a Mover and Shaker by Library Journal in 2006, she most recently won the 2008 "I Love My Librarian" award from the New York Times.