Teens Know Best (TKB) is a book club that receives exclusive, advance copies of young adult books from publishers. TKB teens (12-18) meet monthly to discuss the books over pizza. They submit book reviews to the publishers. TKB is of one of 16 teen groups nation-wide whose opinions help determine the Young Adult Library Services Association's annual Teens' Top Ten book award nominees.
TKB is a collaboration between Metropolitan State University and Saint Paul Public Library.
Reader: Katie J. Age: 14 Title:Lies My Girlfriend Told Me Author: Julie Anne Peters Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Pub Date: 06/10/14 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book:This book was good, I think it just didn't quite have the stuff to be a Teens Top Ten book. I thought it was well written, I liked the plot. I just think that the author could have taken some stuff out of the plot, like Alix almost accidentally killing her baby brother (he survives, it's all right). Memorable or Forgettable:It was memorable because of its great plot line that really sticks with you. Cover: I didn't really know what to think about the cover. It depends what the characters look like. Age Range: 14 through 17 Quality: 3Q Readable Popularity:3P Some teen appeal tags: contemporary / realistic fiction / GLBT / romance / ya lit
Reader: Brooke H. Age: 15 Title:Control (Control #1) Author: Lydia Kang Publisher:Dial Books for Young Readers Pub Date: 12/26/13 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book:I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was set in the future like many popular books right now, the plot was still unique. It took a little bit to really get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. It was really intense, with many plot twists, and one of those ends that makes you want to immediately pick up the next book to see how the characters would deal with what happened. Speaking of characters, their development and personalities were one of the things that I really loved about the book. The main character, Zelia, was brave and strong while still being realistic. She wasn't perfect, so she was very relatable. It was also very admirable how she never gave up on her getting her sister back. The other characters were also very lovable, each with their own distinct personalities. I think that this book would most appeal to those who love science, as the story had a lot to do with genetics and labs. You don't have to love science to love the book, however. I'm not the biggest fan of the subject, and I still really liked the book. Memorable or Forgettable:What was memorable for me was the science involved, because not many YA books center their stories on it. The characters were also very memorable to me. You just can't help loving them. :) Cover: I really liked the cover. I thought it was simple, yet beautiful, and definitely intriguing. It did reflect the contents, as a lot of the book involved lab work, as the main character tried to isolate certain genes and create elixirs. Age Range: 12 through 18 and up Quality: 4Q Better than most Popularity:3P Some teen appeal tags: science fiction / fantasy / dystopian romance / Control / ya lit
Reader: Veronica K. Age: 13 Title:Savage Drift (Monument 14 #3) Author: Emmy Laybourne Publisher:Feiwel and Friends Pub Date: 05/06/14 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book:This was not exactly a spectacular book. Instead of developing characters, it seems like she drops them. Instead of giving the dropped characters a nice send off and explaining what happened to them, they have a temper tantrum and leave Dean until the end of the book. There is very little just talking dialogue. It all seems to be I hate you go away, or ohmygoshohmygosh everyone is going to die- no, they are not. I am lying to calm you down dialogue. As for the plot, it continues the "I want a trilogy, but I hate writing these books" feel that started half way through the last one. Memorable or Forgettable: I guess the main reason I really do not like this book is that it is going to be one of those books that everyone worships because the first one was new. If this one were on its own, it might be better, but it is not at all memorable because the first one was way better, in plot and in writing. Cover: The cover seems boring, really. I did not really notice it. But yes, it reflects pages 3-9 of chapter 30 in the "Oh, that is what it is? I barely noticed" kind of way. Age Range: 14 through 18 and up Quality: 2Q Needs more work Popularity:4P Broad general teen appeal tags: post apocalyptic / dystopia / science fiction/ Monument 14 / ya lit
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
Hey TKBers, the results are in! The official 2014 Teens' Top Ten Award 25 nominees that YOU helped determine with your votes as part of the national Teens' Top Ten program network have just been posted. Now it's up to teens around the world to cast their votes, the final results of which will be announced during Teen Read Week in October. Thanks for all your hard work--you read and reviewed intensively and with great commitment and dedication to the task and that is always so appreciated! As always, you guys rock!
Reader: Greta H. Age: 16 Title:The Rithmatist Author: Brandon Sanderson Publisher:Tor Teen Pub Date: 05/14/13 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book:One thing that I believe the book could have benefited from would have been more world building, as there was little to none of it. It is supposed to have a sort of steampunk atmosphere, yet there were not a whole lot of integration of this theme throughout the book, and I would find myself almost surprised when one of the few elements did come up ("Oh, mechanical grass cutter crab, right, this is steampunk. I almost forgot"). I feel like it would have brought another level to this book. There is a lot you can do with a steampunk world, and I do not think it was taken advantage of here. Regardless, the plot held my interest to the point of finishing the book in a matter of a day or two; I think the aspect of mystery really helped with that. The characters were lovable and for the most part realistic, though not as vibrantly alive as others have been for me. Overall, it is worth a read. Memorable or Forgettable:It has a unique world and plot that I am really interested in. Though the steampunk aspect was not as strong as I would have liked, it was still there in bits; steampunk universes in books have always been some of my favorite. Cover: The cover of the book does reflect the contents of the book, and though it was not the original reason I picked up the book, it certainly wouldn't have turned me off from reading it. Age Range: Under 12 through 17 Quality: 4Q Better than most Popularity:4P Broad general teen appeal tags: steampunk / fantasy / science fiction / The Rithmatist / ya lit
Reader: Hannah W. Age: 17 Title:Eleanor and Park Author: Rainbow Rowell Publisher:St. Martin's Griffin Pub Date: 02/26/13 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book:This book stood out because it had a strong central plot. The characters seemed very real which caused me to be more interested in their fate. Memorable or Forgettable:The characters were what made this book memorable. There was strong character development and this development was also realistic. Cover: The cover was simple yet it was this simplicity that drew me to the book. The cover very much reflected the plot of the book as well as the characters. Age Range: 14 through 17 Quality: 4Q Better than most Popularity:4P Broad general teen appeal tags: contemporary / realistic fiction / romance / Printz / ya lit
Reader: Simon DS Age: 13 Title:Nil Author: Lynne Matson Publisher:Henry Holt and Company Pub Date: 03/04/14 Galley: Yes Top 25: Yes Convince us to read the book:This book had kind of stereotypical survival cast, which was okay, but I felt like the characters weren't real. The plot was well done, with good pacing and a nice romance thrown into the mix, and portrayed time running out very well. Memorable or Forgettable: I will remember this book for the concept, because it was kind of a peaceful Hunger Games, if that makes any sense. There was the group of teens isolated, all trying to get off of the island. They have an order to their society however, with designated jobs and houses. I also liked the mixed reactions of new kids landing on the island. They ranged from super helpful to stir crazy. Cover: I liked the crowd of teens on a desert island, and the title also made me pick it up. Nil. That sounded so final and dramatic, I had to pick it up. Age Range: 12 through 17 Quality: 3Q Readable Popularity:4P Broad general teen appeal Annotation: Charlie wakes up on a desert island with no memory of how she got there. As she explores the island, she meets a band of other teenagers also stranded on Nil. With them she finds her place and learns to survive on the island of Nil. After all, no one lasts more than 365 days on Nil... tags: dystopian romance / science fiction / adventure / survival / ya lit
Reader: Veronica K. Age: 13 Title:Take Back the Skies Author: Lucy Saxon Publisher:Bloomsbury USA Children's Pub Date: 06/03/14 Galley: Yes Top 25: No Convince us to read the book: Element wise, this was an okay book. The characters were actual people. They had conversations that could actually happen. They showed true emotions. The plot made sense. It was paced well. It was just fast enough to keep things going. It was still slow enough to make sense. Memorable or Forgettable:The most memorable thing in this book was its messages. That is a very bad thing, as its messages send the wrong picture to children. It sends "classic girls are too weak" stereotypes. So, yes the book is memorable. No, not in a good way. Cover: I liked the cover. It was very Sci-Fi ish. It was not what I expected from the cover, but the cover still matched. Age Range: 12 through 17 Quality: 4Q Better than most Popularity:3P Some teen appeal tags: science fiction / fantasy / Take Back the Skies / ya lit
Reader: Claire W. Age: 12 Title: Antigoddess (Goddess War #1) Author: Kendare Blake Publisher: Tor Teen Pub Date: 09/10/13 Galley: Yes Top 25: Yes Convince us to read the book: The writing style was great and well done. The characters were fabulously multidimensional. They really seemed like real people that you might meet. I loved how everything was described so well and detailed. Memorable or Forgettable: I have never read a book with the same plot. At first when I started to read it, I was like, "Great, another Greek mythology book," but it turned out to be great. Cover: The cover was great as a hook and becomes even better after you read the book. Age Range: 12 through 13 Quality: 4Q Better than most Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal Annotation: All the gods are in serious trouble. They could all die out. Athena and Odysseus are teaming together to try to save themselves and the other gods. tags: fantasy / Greek mythology / paranormal / romance / Goddess War / ya lit
