Teens Know “Best” YA Galley Group Project

1. A collaborative program of Metropolitan State University and St. Paul Public Library Dayton’s Bluff branch Teens Know “Best”YA Galley Group Project December 2006

2. What It is • An opportunity to be part of a select group that reviews advance copies of books provided by more than 50 publisher imprints. • Play a role in selecting nominees for the annual “Teens Top List” of Best Books for teen readers selected by teen readers from around the country and the world. http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/yagalley.htm

3. How It Works • Publishers contact group advisors with announcements and offers of upcoming publication titles. Here’s one example:

4. How It Works Candlewick Press is pleased to offer copies of three new titles to “YA Galley” participants.Please e-mail your request with mailing address and number of copies. Available while supplies last. ************************************************** Tamar by Mal PeetPublication date: February 2007432 pages - for readers ages 14 yrs and up ISBN 0763634883 / 9780763634889 The Carnegie Medal winner comes to the US! When her grandfather dies, Tamar inherits a box containing a series of clues and coded messages. Out of the past, another Tamar emerges, a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Holland half a century before. His story is one of passionate love, jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War -- and unraveling it is about to transform Tamar’s life forever. Mal Peet's first novel for young adults, Keeper, won the prestigious Branford Boase Award and was selected by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. From this acclaimed British sensation comes a masterful story of adventure, love, secrets, and betrayal in time of war, both past and present. ************************************************** Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith Publication date: March 2007336 pages - for readers ages 14 yrs and up ISBN 0763627917 / 9780763627911 CLASSIFIED ADS: RESTAURANTS SANGUINI'S: A VERY RARE RESTAURANT IS HIRING A CHEF DE CUISINE. DINNERS ONLY. APPLY IN PERSON BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 PM. Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her parents are dead, and her hybrid-werewolf first love is threatening to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. Then, as she and her uncle are about to unveil their hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef. Can Quincie transform their new hire into a culinary Dark Lord before opening night? Can he wow the crowd in his fake fangs, cheap cape, and red contact lenses -- or is there more to this earnest face than meets the eye? As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms, and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything? Cynthia Leitich Smith is the author of several acclaimed books for younger readers. Tantalize marks her delicious debut as a preeminent author of dark fantasy. Are you predator or prey? **************************************************

5. How It Works • The advisor can ask for up to 5 copies of each book advertised, though amount is often determined by availability (and these go fast!). • The books are cataloged into the Metropolitan State University Library special “Teens Know ‘Best’” collection on the second floor of the library. • Teen participants have a special photo ID made that allows them exclusive access to the room and materials for reading and checking out any time the library is open: http://www.metrostate.edu/library/location.html#stpaul. REMEMBER: You must show your photo ID card every time you want to access the collection.

6. How It Works: What You Do • Read, Review, Report: • Read: books indicated by a greensticker on its spine. • Review: You will be expected to critically assess a variety of literary and resonance features in depth in your reviews. According to national participation guidelines: “…publishers participate in YA Galley for the main purpose of obtaining thoughtful evaluations of their recently published books from teen readers …teen group members [must] fill out YA Galley Teen Review forms carefully for each YA Galley book they read.” Remember the criteria applied to the “Teens Top Ten” process:

7. How It Works: What You Do 1. Appeal and Involvement A TTT book should have lasting and universal appeal to teens between the ages of 12 and 18—not necessarily mass or popular appeal. It should keep readers’ interest through personal, often emotional involvement with the book. A TTT book should also be memorable and worth reading again. Ideally, if you read the book ten years later, you would still like it as an adult. Packaging is important. The book’s cover should catch your attention, draw you in, and relate to what is inside the book—no bait-and-switch covers. The summary on the back or flap should be accurate, helping potential readers to judge their interest in reading it. The book’s size and format in hardcover or paperback should fit the content. 2. Literary Quality A TTT book should be a "book of substance," not a "fluffy." Each book should be unique—not a clone of every other teen book. A TTT book offers a new perspective, a new way of thinking. 3. Characters A TTT book has characters who are similar in age to the reader, at least 12 years old and up—not too young to understand or experience teen problems and concerns. Characters are realistic and compelling. Readers relate personally to them. Even in fantasy or horror, characters should be true to themselves—acting the way they would act. Each character should be distinctive. 4. Content and Style A TTT book’s subject matter applies to teens. If the story is about social issues that teens face, it should be realistic, not sugar-coated. Good descriptions help readers picture the setting; great imagery lets you feel as if you’re there. A TTT book is never condescending to the reader. 5. Plot A TTT book has a strong, memorable plot that plays out in your head like a movie—imagining the events is effortless. You forget that the events didn’t actually happen, even if you know realistically that they couldn’t have (as in science fiction and fantasy). The book should have a good balance of action and description, with a satisfying ending—not necessarily happy. 6. Genres The TTT list should represent as many genres as possible, as well as a broad range of interests, containing something for all different types of teen readers (for example, not all realistic fiction). Nonfiction is well organized and covers an interesting topic, offering a fresh viewpoint. It must be accurate yet readable and concise. When appropriate, good illustrations support the writing.

8. How It Works: What You Do • The form for entering your review can be found at http://www.metrostate.edu/library/yagalley.html. • Please include either your full name or your first name and last initial only. The advisor may contact you to revise your feedback if more detail is required. • Once the form is completed it is sent directly to the originating publisher of the book, eagerly waiting for your feedback. You might even see your words quoted on the book when it’s actually published! • PLEASE NOTE: You MUST submit a minimum of one written review every two months in order to participate. Those who do not fulfill this minimum requirement will be discontinued from the program and your photo ID library card de-activated.

9. How It Works: What You Do • Report: • Meetings: The Teens Know “Best” group comes together the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. at the Dayton’s Bluff and Metropolitan State University Libraries, both at 645 E. 7th Street in St. Paul to share their feedback in person with each other. • Listserv: Teens from around the country participating in the program can also sign onto a special private listserv just for teen participants. To sign on, please send an email to adela.peskorz@metrostate.edu or peskorza@yahoo.com to let me know you want to be added to the community. Include your preferred email address and type “YA Galley Group Listserv” in the subject line.

10. Who Can Join • Any readers between the ages of 12 and 18 • Applicants must provide proof of age (e.g., birth certificate, school ID, etc.) • Anyone younger than 13 can not access University resources (books, computers) other than the Teens Know “Best” collection, though they can use computers in the Dayton’s Bluff public library and check their materials out using their public library card. • Contact Adela Peskorz at adela.peskorz@metrostate.edu, 651-793-1633, or Rebecca Ryan at rebecca.ryan@metrostate.edu, 651-793-1296 for an application and further information.