Hi Halle,
I suggest you go to the American Library Association website's Young
Adult page at <www.ala.org/yalsa> In the right hand column under About
YALSA click on Winning Titles. This gives you access to some booklists
young adult librarians have worked on for teen readers. These lists have
been done by committee and voted on so they are not just particular
people's favorites. Incarcerated youths might like some of the books from
the list called Quick Picks for the Reluctant Reader and another called
Popular Paperbacks. A title I recommend is Monster by Walter Dean Myers.
This book won the Printz Award in 2000 - it is written through the point
of view of a boy who was accused of involvement in the robbery of a store
in which a man was killed. It is very open ended - the reader is not
certain how much involvement the boy actually had, but the devastating
effects on his family and his life are clearly shown - I am told this has
been popular with teens. It is not a bit preachy or didactic but it makes
its point. Others by this author are good as well.
Another good list on that site is Best of the Best. My favorite list is
Best Books for Young Adults. (I may be prejudiced - I was on that
committee).
If you had more time I would think about this and give you more titles.
Good luck,
Valerie Diamond
On Mon, 29 Apr 2002, Halle C Mikyska wrote:
> Dear Law-Libbers,
>
> I am looking for an article, or preferably a list, of titles suitable for a
> juvenile detention center library. I have the list of Newbery Award winners
> and suggestions from a friend who is a children's librarian, plus my own
> personal favorites. What I am really looking for though is a list that has
> resulted from some sort of study - not just 'oh, I loved Bridge to
> Terabithia' (which I did, and everyone should read it :) I saw an article a
> few years ago on prison libraries and the top 10 titles that seemed to have
> the greatest positive impact on inmates. What the title of the article is or
> where it is located I have no idea!) but I would love similar article for
> juvenile populations. I've been doing some web surfing but to no avail. A
> lot of great programs out there, but I couldn't find a specific book list.
> (And by the way, did I mention I needed this by 4:30pm today?!
>
> Halle Mikyska
> Kane County Law Library
> 37 W. 777 Rt. 38
> St. Charles IL 60175
> 630.406.7126
> FAX 630.587.8741
>
>
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