YA Book Council discussion

I saw the Wiki http://jmrl.org/wiki/Hunger_Games_Rea... (I know there are more lists out there...), but there are titles like The Giver and The City of Ember--both of which I love--but don't feel entirely confident that suggesting these to a reluctant YA reader will work. I assume they are listed because of the dystopian plots, but I think the tones are different. I haven't read many of these titles, so any thoughts? I agree about Unwind though.

I agree with what you said about The Giver (haven't read The City of Ember yet). Although reading The Giver held my attention just as strongly as The Hunger Games did. Of the few from that list that I've read I'd say the closest to HG tone would be Unwind, and maybe The Declaration although I didn't finish it.

Why didn't you finish The Declaration? Did you not like it?

The Giver did hold my attention and I certainly did love it--but I think adults enjoy it more than teens/kids.

A few titles that I like to recommend that do not have dystopian plots are Graceling and Poison Study -- although, this could just be because I read them all within a month of the other and remember enjoying them equally.

I'm trying to create a list of readalikes of popular series that I could use at the library; the databases that our library subscribes to are not great at keeping up with the most current trends nor suggest items that our library would carry (i.e. sometimes it suggests titles that are out of print). Of course, I could just pull up various YALSA lists and index those...

I just started reading the book Across the Universe (that we got from ALA) it could be a book to recommend. The biggest thing with kids and teens is they are more likely to pick up and read newer books that are similar then an older book like the giver. It’s best to focus on what is coming out after hunger games then what came out before. Uglies, Scott Westerfeld in general, I feel are good books for reluctant readers they seem to be good gateway books into reading YA.

I agree with Leslie, when I suggest books to teens coming into my library it seems they shrug off any "classics".
I didn't like the way The Declaration was written, I don't remember exactly why, but I remember I was bored by it. Which library system do you work for Jane?

I think that kids would read them if they changed the covers so that they look hip and cool. I know that it would be like selling out, but it definitely helps. The old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" does not apply here. Kids definitely judge books by their covers. I haven't read much dystopian books, but I think the appeal is that it gives them an extreme look at life that is completely opposite of what they know in real life.

Kids and teens want to read what friends are reading! They will read the worst books just because everyone else is reading it. That’s why it's so easy to get them to read books like hunger games, twilight, and harry potter. They just don't want to be the only one who hasn't read the book that everyone is talking about. I think it's true about the new covers and I think you can't tell them it's a classic if you want them to read it. Sorry this is not really helpful if you’re trying to make a list for the library.

Katie wrote: "I didn't like the way The Declaration was written..."

Probably will not put this on my list. And I work for San Marino.

Leslie wrote: "Sorry this is not really helpful if you’re trying to make a list for the library..."

Actually, it all helps.

It's not old news that children/teens choose books by their covers (sorry Alfonso), but just because a classic has a hip new cover, it isn't always going to "sell" it either. That's why I really hate book jackets that only have quotes like "couldn't put it down!" or "richly imagined..." it doesn't really give the reader an idea of what the book's about.

Alfonso wrote: "I think that kids would read them if they changed the covers so that they look hip and cool. I know that it would be like selling out, but it definitely helps. The old saying "Don't judge a book by..."

That's a good point. At my library we got a copy of Wuthering Heights with a Twilight-esque cover and a sticker saying that it was Edward and Bella's favorite book. It was stolen.

I'm a huge fan of the Dystopian novel. I remember reading The Giver in elementary school and falling in love. Also, I've read the Hunger Games and I'm so glad to see that these types of books that challenge young adults to "question authority" are really gaining popularity!
I just purchased The Uglies, it looks like a Dystopian novel right up my alley. Anyone read it?

Celeste
Oriana's Eyes:Book One of the Great Oak Trilogy
www.celestesimone.com

I've never read The Uglies, but I have heard that the dialogue and writing style wasn't very good. That's all I've heard though.

Oh darn, well I haven't started it yet, but I'll let you know. So many books so little time!

I know right! I work at a library so I'll constantly find books that I wish I could just start reading right then and there.

I would love to be a librarian and be surrounded by books 24/7. I already have more than I can handle though! And I still get tempted to buy more. Oh well.

Haha. I'm not a librarian yet, but I am the most handson position with the books. It's great, I haven't bought a book in a while.

That sounds pretty great. I've always thought it'd be interesting to learn how to restore old books. I have a small collection of antique books myself.

The oldest books I have are a collection of Shakespeare from 1876