52 YA Books Every Book Lover Should Read : A One Year Journal and Recommended Reading List from the American Library Association

by American Library Association

From the American Library Association comes a must-read challenge for fans of YA!

A recommended reading list from ALA, this one-year challenge tasks readers with a new library read each week. The perfect gift for all bibliophiles and library patrons, this journal is far more than a simple list of reads. Each week, readers will find a recommended title with a write up and review from the ALA as to what makes this book special as they prepare to read. These titles span categories, from fantasy and graphic novel to nonfiction and romance, but are all within the YA genre.

Genres: Young Adult, Books About Books

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 7, 2021

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected something a little different, but it is truly a workbook, listing 52 books (one for each week) of the "YA books every book lover should read". Now, it's not a "best of" list, the criteria is really that book lovers should read these YA titles which means that sometimes these titles are less popular YA and more literary.

It gives you a bit about the book and then poses a question that you can then reflect on and share (including date read and your rating). It's not a book to put on the shelf though it can be used as a year-long reading challenge for sure, especially because it's organized by the last name of the author, not in any particular order.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is what it says. A list of YA books with a one paragraph summary followed by a question to answer after reading the selection.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a finished copy from the publisher as part of their Early Reader program with no obligation for a review and with no compensation. This book will make an excellent gift to YA readers as well as teachers of YA readers to help them answer the question of "what should I read next?". This journal-style book gives a synopsis of each title of various genres of YA, a journaling writing prompt connected to the book, and plenty of lined space for readers to put their thoughts and feelings on paper. Book clubs might take on the content of this journal as a challenge for their members. I think this journal could be improved if it contained additional lists of books for each genre so that readers could substitute for books that don't resonate immediately with them and still enjoy the challenge of 52 books read in a year.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

For a librarian, this is the ultimate companion to have to help patrons with book recommendations. Every book that has been featured in the ALA annual bibliography has been well received and well accredited. Since YA is my passion, I am super excited for the release of this book and this will definitely help add new YA titles to our collection and get new candidates for our next teen book club and summer reading activities including battle of the books.

We will consider adding this title to our collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book that lists 52 YA books, followed by a quick one paragraph summary and a writing prompt (if you're going to read one a week and journal about it). It just seems so... flat... for the ALA.

I don't know who decided upon these 52 books but they certainly are a peppering of some really good books and some that, well, are kind of duds. Now of course, that's based on opinion. But I know that I couldn't assign several of these books to teens and get "positive" feedback.

I want to say this book is "dated" in some of its selections. But... I digress. Maybe these aren't the "most popular" YA books. But, that may have been a better list. Overall, it was just "meh" as a list and leaves a lot of room for desire.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭!

If you are a book lover you need these books in your life, not only they contain great book recommendations, each tittle comes with room to add notes.
I was glad to know that I had some already on my TBR, some already read and loved and I added a big number of them to my never ending list.

Thank you Sourcebooks and American Library Association for these gifted copies.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴, 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Catherine Yezak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from the Early Reader's Program at Sourcebooks. This journal would be great to use in a classroom. The diversity of the titles are wonderful and the connection question that is used after the book summary is a great way for readers to connect the story to their own lives. The chart for rating the books is wonderful. It really makes the reader stop and think about what they've read.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
For people who have trouble picking what to read or want suggestions, this is the perfect journal. There is a wide selection of books, and they are interesting. Another plus is that this has prompts about each book mentioned which works for people who like the format of a book club but don't have access to one or don't want to deal with the people.

[Tanya]

Some interesting options.. not sure I can get through all of them as there not all genres i enjoy,, but I will say the two I've already ready are EXCELLENT books.. I took screenshots of the list so I'll but a few on hold with the library.

[Jeff Mattison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it as introduce to these great books. Never used the journal part of it, but the writing prompt questions would be to start a teen books club with. I've added most of these titles to update my school library with for gaps in the past 20 years of the collection.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found I have read a lot of these.

[Lindsay Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected more from the ALA. This list is so lazy. If I'd wanted a list of Printz winners I would have just googled that instead.

[Emilija]

Knjiga o knjigama. Nemam baš šta drugo da kažem. Ostaviću bez ocene jer baš i nemam šta da ocenim hahahah. Dobra je ako vam ne znate šta da čitate pa da možda ovde potražite preporuku. :/