A Core Collection for Young Adults (2nd ed.)

Citation

Mugridge, R.L. (2012), "A Core Collection for Young Adults (2nd ed.)", Collection Building, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 87-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951211229890

In this second edition of A Core Collection for Young Adults and its accompanying CD‐ROM, Rollie Welch has compiled a resource that will be of great use to librarians who are forming or updating a well‐rounded collection for young adults. This book is intended for librarians who may not have the time to devote to keeping up with all of the latest young adult (YA) literature, but who have responsibility for selection in those areas. As described in the preface, Welch uses suitable criteria for the inclusion of specific titles, including awards such as the Alex Awards, the John Newbery Medal, and lists such as Best Books for Young Adults and Great Graphic Novels.

Titles suggested in the book are organized into 13 primary areas: adventure tales, cautionary novels, classic literature, coming‐of‐age stories, fantasy novels, graphic novels, historical fiction, humorous novels, inspirational fiction, problem novels, readable nonfiction, romance novels, and science fiction. Included in each area are a number of classics, but they also include a significant number of contemporary novels and nonfiction. The citations provide helpful information including the ISBNs for multiple editions and formats (e.g. audiobooks), a summary paragraph, recommended grade level, and references to reviews published in journals such as Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and others.

The CD‐ROM accompanying this volume includes four spreadsheets that list all the books included in A Core Collection for Young Adults. The spreadsheets are organized by author chapter, grade level and title so that they may be sorted to suit the librarian's needs. The book also includes seven appendices consisting of the sources used by Welch to select books to be included: John Newbery Medal Winners and Honor Books, Michael L. Printz Award Winners and Honor Books, Best Books for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Alex Awards, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, and Teens' Top Ten. These lists may serve as additional sources for librarians selecting materials for their YA collection.

Overall, this is an excellent resource for librarians who have responsibility for selecting materials for a YA collection. It would also be of great use to library school students who may be interested in pursuing a career in YA librarianship. It is a useful addition to any library where YA selection is conducted.