Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults was an annual list of popular books geared toward young adult readers, collated by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), which was published from 1988 to 2017. The aim of the list was "to encourage young adults to read for pleasure by presenting to them lists of popular or topical titles which are widely available in paperback and which represent a broad variety of accessible themes and genres". Unlike other lists published by the American Library Association and its subsidiaries, books on the list did not have to be published recently. Researchers, librarians, and educators have used the list to better understand books popular amongst young adults.
History YALSA first released the Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list in 1988. Working with book distributor Baker & Taylor, representatives from YALSA reviewed books available in paperback in five genres: "romance, horror, science fiction, sports, and mystery". In following years, YALSA added more genres to the list (e.g., fantasy, humor, and historical fiction).
Criteria To be eligible for the list, books "must be in print and available in paperback", which ensures wider availability across socioeconomic statuses. The judges committee considers the opinions of young adult readers, looking at both young adult and adult books, both fiction and nonfiction. Furthermore, "Popularity is more important than literary quality."
Recipients Between 1997 and 2010, YALSA did not select the top ten books annually; instead, they composed longer lists in selected categories.
The top ten books for 2011 to 2017 are listed below. +Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Top Ten (2011–2017)YearAuthorTitle2011Burger WussOtherZombie Haiku: Good Poetry for Your…BrainsShadoweyesUnwindTantalize with Chihiro Hattori (illus.)The Manga CookbookWherever Nina Lies with Keith Thompson (illus.)Leviathan with Dan Chernett (ilus.)Malice2012 and Cecil Castellucci (ed.)Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd HerdSuper HumanBrain JackShattering GlassHere Lies BridgetJaneSideScrollersHeroMy Boyfriend is a MonsterTripping2013Prom and PrejudiceName of the StarThe Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-BanksStruts and FretsDramaFirst Crossing:Stories about teen immigrantsThe New Kids: big dreams and brave journeys at a high school forimmigrant teensHeist SocietyThe Running DreamPutting Makeup on the Fat Boy2014Audrey, Wait!Beauty QueensSwim The FlyCarter Finally Gets ItBeautiful Music for Ugly ChildrenAshHold Me Closer, NecromancerBetween Shades Of GrayCourage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America'sFirst Black ParatroopersBoxers & Saints2015My Friend DahmerCatching FireHole in My LifeThe Fault in Our StarsFreedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own StoriesI Hunt KillersLockdownThe RithmatistMaus I: A Survivor's TaleLockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase2016WintergirlsThe Darkest MindsBook of a Thousand DaysRoller GirlCharm & Strange and Andrew AydinMarchRot & RuinCinderAshfallBriar Rose2017Life in Motion: An Unlikely BallerinaThe Distance Between Us: A MemoirPersepolis: The Story of a ChildhoodThe DivinersThe MonstrumologistThe Good BraiderJust One DayAll the Bright PlacesVanishing GirlsRani Patel in Full Effect
References
External links
Official website