Awards

I have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Printz (Excellence in Literature Written for Young Adults) and the Alex (10 Best Adult Books that Appeal to Teen Audiences) which were announced at the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting on Monday. I was hoping that the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak would win the Printz, and it recieved the honor award. The winner was American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang. John Green, An Abundance of Katherines; M.T.Anderson, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party; and Sonya Hartnett, Surrender, were the other recipients of Honor Awards. You can see the press release with the entire list of award winners at http://ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=146679

As this is my first year at a high school, I need to catch up on previous Printz winners. I am familiar with the authors, and have read several of the books, especially those that were also appropriate to middle school. This year, I enjoyed reading Octavian Nothing which is a book that makes the reader think about what freedom, liberty, and the right to an education really mean. And I loved the Book Thief. I have read it several times and cried each time. It is about a girl who goes to live with a poor foster family in Germany during World War II. She comes to understand the power of words and the will to fight against oppression. We have both of these titles in the library media center, and I am ordering the others. I'll let you know when they arrive!

Ordering new books

I just finished one of my favorite tasks as a school library media specialist, purchasing new titles. It's also extremely frustrating because I want every good book, and unfortunately my budget does not allow that.

Purchasing new books is a delicate juggling act. I try to balance the student's wishes for fun fiction with award winners and great literature. The curriculum needs must also be met with books available for research and class purposes. It doesn't help that book prices have skyrocketed. My history teachers need books on ancient civilizations and decades throughout American history. The average price of these books is $35 each. Ouch! Fiction prices have greatly increased too, thanks to the phenomenal success of Harry Potter at $29.95. So, the lack of funds greatly decreases my spending spree. Oh well, I don't have the shelf space available for every new book anyway.

I was able to order some new graphic novels and manga titles which will help my little graphic collection immensely. Manga fans are very passionate about their favorites, and everyday I hear requests for more. I added biographies of scientists and philosophers for my science and social studies teachers, and more general fiction. My huge nonfiction order will be finished shortly. I'm searching all the best book lists for great adult fiction titles for teenagers so I can add those titles as well. Once these titles come in, they will be on display so they can be easily seen and checked out. Can't wait!

The American Library Association is announcing the 2007 award winners on Mon., Jan. 22. Visit ala.org for more info. I am hoping that the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak will win the Printz, it is an amazing book.