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BARTEL, Julie & Pam Spencer Holley. Annotated Book Lists for Every Teen Reader: The Best from the Experts at YALSA-BK. 270p. w/CD. index. CIP. Neal-Schuman. 2010. pap. $65. ISBN 978-1-55570-658-6. LC 2010033312. Bartel and Holley have scoured the YALSA-BK archives to find more than 1100 books with broad teen readership. While the book’s primary purpose is for readers’ advisory, the authors also suggest it will be useful in creating displays as well as igniting creativity. Part one, “The Right Title for the Right Reader,” lists the books by theme (“Avid Readers,” “Book Haters,” “Graphic Novel Lovers,” “Offbeat Guys,” “Picky Senior Girls,” “Urban Teens,” etc.); format (audiobooks, blogs, novels in verse, etc.); and theme and setting (bathrooms, insects, teen immigrants, etc.). This division keeps the book lists concise, allowing professionals to breeze through them while in a readers’ advisory pinch. The lists are short (no more than 25 titles). Annotations are arranged alphabetically by author and cite the lists to which they belong. The scope is wide ranging with a good mix of standards, classics, and newer titles. With a highly appropriate title, this volume hits the mark.–Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ CART, Michael. Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism. rev. ed. 242p. bibliog. index. CIP. ALA. 2010. pap. $60. ISBN 978-0-8389-1045-0. LC 2010013674. This updated and expanded second edition of Cart’s already lively and comprehensive history of young adult literature (1996) is an essential resource. It is divided into two sections (“That Was Then” and “This Is Now”), and the author once again discusses the history and current moment to offer a broad and loving overview of the rich literature. Cart provides the historical context and earliest examples of books with teenaged protagonists, titles popular with teen readers, and, finally, the materials marketed specifically to young adults, from formulaic romance to edgier, grittier realism. He then moves on to considering how the field has changed in reaction to social, literary, and educational forces. Its evolution–from new awards and diverse subject matter to changing visual forms and electronic formats–rounds out this revision. Highly accessible and thorough, the text is a staple for any study of the canon. Students and newcomers to the conversation will appreciate Cart’s experience and insight. And, once again, the books he mentions as examples will send readers straight to the shelves.–Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA CLARKE, Amy M. & Marijane Osborn, eds. The Twilight Mystique: Critical Essays on the Novels and Films. Bk. 25. 237p. (Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy Series). bibliog. index. notes. CIP. McFarland. Feb. 2011. pap. $29.95. ISBN 978-0-7864-4998-9; ebook $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7864-6204-9. LC 2010029367. A variety of writers examine Stephenie Meyer’s series in an attempt to explain just what makes these books so hotly debated by fans and critics alike. The well-reasoned and -researched selections cover the literary sources that inspired Meyer, from classic fairy tales, Shakespeare, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, and Emily Brontë to Anne Rice. Many of the 13 essays explain how Meyer’s practice of Mormonism and its theology manifests itself in her books and influences her characters’ actions, although the author is quoted as saying that she didn’t write them to promote or convert readers to her religion. Other selectionss explore how Meyer incorporates the history of Gothic fiction, Quileute shape-shifters and vampire lore, and the real Forks, WA, into her novels. Not surprisingly, several of the most critical essays offer differing opinions on whether Belle is a passive or active heroine and a positive role model for girls. After reading these essays, all of which include source notes, skeptical librarians may find themselves looking at the books in a new light. This volume will be useful for librarians, teachers, and fans with an interest in the novels or as a resource for university-level course work.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton FLOWERS, Sarah. Young Adults Deserve the Best: YALSA’s Competencies in Action. 126p. appendix. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. ALA. 2010. pap. $45. ISBN 978-0-8389-3587-3. LC 2010014148. This supplemental guide to the professional competencies developed by the Young Adult Library Services Association of ALA aims to “outline the skills, the knowledge, and the philosophy that should be a part of the makeup of every librarian who serves teens.” Flowers begins by elaborating on and demonstrating how to execute the YALSA competencies. From there she discusses how to advocate for a teen-services department when none exists. The final section is a compilation of various resources, including the Library Bill of Rights and ALA interpretations of them with regard to labels and rating systems, Internet activity, ethics, and nonprint materials. References to additional resources are noted throughout. Philosophies, strategic plans, goals, and mission statements from programs around the country demonstrate effective service practices. The information is presented in a clear, concise, and conversational manner, making this resource both easy to navigate and a pleasure to read.–Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA HARRIS, Frances Jacobson. I Found It on the Internet: Coming of Age Online. 2nd ed. 234p. illus. bibliog. index. CIP. ALA. 2010. pap. $45. ISBN 978-0-8389-1066-5. LC 2010013644. The major difference between the first edition, published in 2005, and this one is the attention given to social media/social networking, such as blogs, wikis, Facebook, etc. The book covers the changing role of the library in the Web 2.0 world and in turn how that affects library patrons, specifically teens. The text is clearly written and well organized, with headings and subheadings in each chapter. This is not light reading by any means, but the author’s passion for what she does comes through. She switches between dense, but understandable definitions and anecdotal incidents. Harris is definitely an expert in her field, and her suggestions and observations are extremely insightful as she lives and breathes the content of the book. She suggests simple things, such as changing the way you address teenagers to make them feel more welcome or modeling appropriate use of media with your students/patrons. The book is clearly written for library media specialists dealing with teen and young adult patrons, but the suggestions could easily be adapted to younger children, who are almost equally exposed to digital media. For new librarians, the book is very approachable, keeping issues like filtering, appropriate content, and cyberbullying fresh in their minds. This is a highly useful book because it puts all of this valuable information about media, teen patrons, and the changing face of libraries in one volume.–Melyssa Kenney, Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD
