How to Choose Materials for YAs

It is important to view the YA collection as a unique entity, and not simply move some children’s fiction and classics into it.  A great many materials available have been carefully created just for YAs that specifically address their developmental needs.  YA materials need to be evaluated before inclusion into “YA” just as all other collection areas.  Some evaluation criteria include:

• Is the main character between the ages of twelve and eighteen?  (common preference is to read about characters that are slightly older than they are).
• Does the book engage the reader’s attention within the first few pages?
• Is the language natural?  (not too sophisticated or condescending)
• Is the book interesting and relevant to YA needs and interests?
• Is the theme suitable for a YA audience?
• Are there stereotypes?  Are characters portrayed in a biased or demeaning way?

There are a great many resources available to help with selection, or picking out which materials to purchase:

• Library journals such as VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) and Booklist which, among its regular reviews, includes a section “adult books for young adults”
• Popular magazines such as Seventeen, YM, etc.
• The internet, through popular sites like salon.com or through other libraries’ (NYPL, Multinomah) web pages
• Teen advisory board suggestions (TAB explained in a later section)
• Book awards such as the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) “Printz (Michael L.)  Award”, which is a national award given to the author(s) of the best young adult book of the year - http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/Printz.htm or the PNLA (Pacific Northwest Library Association) “Young Reader’s Choice Award”, the nation’s oldest reader’s choice award, has Senior division nominees and winners - http://www.pnla.org/yrca/index.htm

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