Every year in April, Librarians from across Texas gather for the Texas Library Association (TLA) week-long conference, attending presentations and panel discussions featuring numerous prominent authors. This year, in response to the COVID-19 social distancing efforts, TLA opened its inaugural virtual conference with a powerful presentation by renowned young adult (YA) author and newly appointed National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds.
In his presentation, Reynolds noted 5 books that he believes every Library serving YA readers should have in its collection. The Friendswood Library has each of these titles, in print and digital formats, so you can put one on hold today or download it to your device and see what makes these books so notable!
Love that Dog, Sharon Creech
[book] [e-audiobook]
Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments—and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns that he does have something to say. - Provided by publisher.
Monster, Walter Dean Myers
[book] [graphic novel] [ebook] [e-audiobook] While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. - Provided by publisher.
Crossover, Kwame Alexander
[book] [graphic novel] [ebook] [e-audiobook]
Fourteen-year-old twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health. - Provided by publisher.
Kira, Kira , Cynthia Kadohata
[book] [ebook] [e-audiobook]
Glittering. That's how Katie Takeshima's sister, Lynn, makes everything seem. The sky is kira-kira because its color is deep but see-through at the same time. The sea is kira-kira for the same reason. And so are people's eyes. When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it's Lynn who explains to her why people stop them on the street to stare. And it's Lynn who, with her special way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow. But when Lynn becomes desperately ill, and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering, kira-kira, in the future. - Provided by publisher.
When prompted lightheartedly to consider which of his own books to include, Reynolds responded with:
Ghost, Jason Reynolds
[book] [ebook] [e-audiobook]
Running. That’s all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons—it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems—and running away from them—until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him? - Provided by publisher.