Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults

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The American Library Association's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults, formerly Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults, is a recommendation list of audiobooks presented yearly by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) division.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) released the first list of Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults in 1999.[1] In 2009, the list was renamed as Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults.[1]

The list can be used to help young adult readers find suitable audiobooks, which "are an underused treasure in school libraries. Teacher librarians can use them to draw new readers into the library and find new ways to connect with teachers."[2] However, finding quality audiobooks can be difficult as one must consider the audiobook's sound quality, pacing, variety, cultural authenticity, narrators (professional versus volunteer; computer versus human), as well as matching readers' interests, reading ability, the audiobook's length, and more.[2] To help address these challenges, several librarians and organizations recommend parents and teachers use the Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults list to find audiobooks for young adults.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Criteria[]

To be eligible for the list, the audiobook "must have been produced or released within the 24 months previous to the list’s release."[7] The audiobooks cover a range of topics and are targeted toward individuals between the ages of 12 and 18.[7] To land a place on the list, audiobooks are judged on the following criteria:[7]

  • The audiobooks must appeal to young adults age 12 to 18. This includes book whose text versions may not be suitable to this demographic.
  • If the material is adapted, it "must remain true to, expand, or complement the original work"
  • The audiobook must effectively use voice, music, sound effects, and/or language
  • The audiobook must be appropriate for audio presentation
  • The audiobook must have a suitable match between the performer and the text.
  • The audiobook must be professionally produced.
  • All words within the audiobook must be pronounced correctly.
  • The audiobook must be clearly recorded.
  • The audiobook must include informative packaging.

Honorees[]

After honoring all amazing audiobooks, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) selects ten books every year, which are "the best of the best."[8]

American Library Association's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (Top 10 Audiobooks per Year)
Book Title Author Reader(s) Genre Award Year
Cemetery Boys Aiden Thomas Avi Roque Fiction 2021[9]
Clap When You Land Elizabeth Acevedo Melania-Luisa Marte and Elizabeth Acevedo Fiction
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Holly Jackson Bailey Carr, Melissa Calin, Michael Crouch, Gopal Divan, Robert Fass, Kevin R. Free, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Carol Monda, Patricia Santomasso, Shezi Sardar and Amanda Thickpenny Fiction
Kent State Deborah Wiles Christopher Gebauer, Lauren Ezzo, Christina Delaine, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Korey Jackson, and David de Vries Nonfiction
Legendborn Tracy Deonn Joniece Abbott-Pratt Fantasy
Raybearer Jordan Ifueko Joniece Abbott-Pratt Fantasy
The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep: Voices from the Donner Party Allan Wolf Bahni Turpin, Whitney Dykhouse, Teri Schnaubelt, Tim Gerard Reynolds, Lauren Ezzo, Eric G. Dove, Ramón de Ocampo, and Shaun Taylor-Corbett Historical fiction
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi Nonfiction
We Are Not Free Traci Chee Scott Keiji Takeda, Dan Woren, Ryan Potter, Ali Fumiko, Sophie Oda, Andrew Kishino, Christopher Naoki Lee, Grace Rolek, Erika Aishii, Brittany Ishibashi, Kurt Sanchez Kanazawa and Terry Kitagawa Historical fiction
When Stars Are Scattered Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Full Cast Biography, Graphic Novel
Becoming Michelle Obama Michelle Obama Memoir 2020[10]
Dig A.S. King A.S. King, Mike Chamberlain, Tonya Cornelisse and Kirby Heyborne Fantasy
The Fountains of Silence Ruta Sepetys Maite Jáuregui, with Richard Ferrone, Neil Hellegers, Joshua Kane, Liza Kaplan, and Oliver Wyman Historical fiction
Heroine Mindy McGinnis Brittany Pressley Fiction
Hey Kiddo Jarrett J. Krosoczka Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jeanne Birdsall, Richard Ferrone, and Jenna Lamia Memoir, Graphic novel
Internment Samira Ahmed Soneela Nankani Science Fiction
Let Me Hear a Rhyme Tiffany D. Jackson Adenrele Ojo, Korey Jackson, Adam Lazarre-White, and Nile Bullock Fiction
On the Come Up Angie Thomas Bahni Turpin Fiction
Shout Laurie Halse Anderson Laurie Halse Anderson Memoir, Poetry
With the Fire on High Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo Fiction
Akata Witch Nnedi Okorafor Yetide Badaki Fantasy 2019[11]
The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge MT Anderson and Eugene Yelchin Gildart Jackson Fantasy
Educated Tara Westover Julia Whelan Memoir
I Have Lost My Way Gayle Forman Nicole Lewis, Michael Crouch, and Sunil Malhotra Fiction
Lu Jason Reynolds Guy Lockard Fiction
The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo Poetry, Fiction
Quidditch Through the Ages J.K. Rowling and Kennilworthy Whisp Andrew Lincoln Fantasy
Sadie Courtney Summers Rebecca Soler, Fred Berman, Dan Bittner, Gabra Zackman, and a Full Cast Fiction
Sunny Jason Reynolds Guy Lockard Fiction
Thunderhead Neal Shusterman Greg Trembley Fantasy
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them J.K. Rowling and Newt Scamander Eddie Redmayne Fantasy 2018[12]
Flying Lessons and Other Stories Ellen Oh (editor) Various Fiction
Honor Girl Maggie Thrash Ensemble Cast Memoir, Graphic novel
Scythe Neal Shusterman Greg Tremblay Fantasy
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue Mackenzi Lee Christian Coulson Historical fiction
The Hate U Give Angie Thomas Bahni Turpin Fiction
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life Benjamin Alire Sáenz Robbie Daymond Fiction
The Pearl Thief Elizabeth Wein Maggie Service Fiction
The Sun is Also a Star Nicola Yoon Dominic Hoffman, Raymond Lee, and Bahni Turpin Fiction
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March Lynda Blackmon Lowery, as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley Damaras Obi Memoir
Anna and the Swallow Man Gavriel Savit Allan Corduner Fiction 2017[13]
Beast Andrew Eiden Fiction
Gemina Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Carla Corvo, MacLeod Andrews, Steve West, and a full cast Fiction
Kill the Boy Band Barrett Wilbert Weed Fiction
Nimona Noelle Stevenson Marc Thompson, Rebecca Soler, January LaVoy, Peter Bradbury, Jonathan Davis, David Pittu, and Natalie Gold Fiction
Orbiting Jupiter Gary D. Schmidt Christopher Gebauer Fiction
Salt to the Sea Ruta Sepetys Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, and Michael Crouch Fiction
Star Wars: Ahsoka E.K. Johnston Ashley Eckstein Fiction
Traffick Ellen Hopkins Kirby Heyborne, Julia Whelan, Madeleine Maby, Rebekkah Ross, and Jacques Roy Fiction
Wink Poppy Midnight April Genevieve Tucholke Michael Crouch, Alicyn Packard, and Caitlin Davies Fiction
Waistcoats & Weaponry Gail Carriger Moira Quick Fiction 2016[14]
What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions Randall Munroe Wil Wheaton Nonfiction
The Dead House Dawn Kurtagich Charlotte Parry and Christian Coulson Fiction
Echo Pam Munoz Ryan Mark Bramhall, David De Vries, Macleod Andrews, and Rebecca Soler Fiction
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces Isabel Quintero Kyla Garcia Fiction
Half Wild Sally Green Carl Prekopp and Kyla Garcia Fiction
lluminae Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lincoln Hoppe, and Jonathan McClain Fiction
Lair of Dreams Libba Bray January LaVoy Fiction
Library of Souls Ransom Riggs Kirby Heyborne Fiction
Trollhunters Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus Kirby Heyborne Fiction
ACID Fiona Hardingham with Nicholas Guy Smith and Suzan Crowley Fiction 2015[15]
Curtsies and Conspiracies Gail Carriger Moira Quick Fiction
Define Normal Julie Anne Peters Christine Lakin Fiction
Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders Geoff Herbach Nick Podehl Fiction
Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future A.S. King Christine Lakin Fiction
Half Bad Sally Green Carl Prekopp Fiction
Love Letters to the Dead Julia Whelan Fiction
Revolution Deborah Wiles Stacey Aswad and Francois Battiste with J.D. Jackson and Robin Miles Fiction
Skink--No Surrender Carl Hiaasen Kirby Heyborne Fiction
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars Collection Ian Doescher Danny Davis, Jonathan Davis, Ian Doescher, Jeff Gurner, January LaVoy, and Marc Thompson Fiction
Zombie Baseball Beatdown Paolo Bacigalupi Sunil Malhotra Horror, Fantasy 2014[16]
Etiquette & Espionage Gail Carriger Moira Quirk Fantasy
William Shakespeare's Star Wars Ian Doeschera full cast Science-Fiction
If You Could Be Mine Sara Farizan Negin Farsad Fiction
Scowler Daniel Kraus Kirby Heyborne Horror, Thriller
The Boy on the Wooden Box Leon Leyson Danny Burstein Biography
Viva Jacquelina!: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Over the Hills and Far Away (A Bloody Jack Adventure) L.A. Meyer Katherine Kellgren Historical Fiction
Crap Kingdom D.C. Pierson D.C. Pierson Fantasy
Dodger Terry Pratchett Stephen Briggs Fantasy
Eleanor & Park Rainbow Rowell Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra Fiction
Code Name Verity Elizabeth Wein Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell Historical fiction 2013[17]
Crusher Daniel Weyman Mystery, Thriller
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney Ramon de Ocampo Fiction
The Diviners Libba Bray January LaVoy Fantasy
Inheritance Christopher Paolini Gerard Doyle Fantasy
The Isle of Blood Rick Yancey Steven Boyer Fantasy
Personal Effects Nick Podehl Fiction
Warriors Don’t Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High Melba Patillo Beals Lisa Renee Pitts Autobiography
The Watch That Ends the Night Michael Page, Phil Gigante, Christopher Lane, Laurel Merlington, and Angela Dawe Historical fiction
Wonder R.J. Palacio Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd Fiction
Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me? Louise Rennison Stina Nielson Fiction 2012[18]
Beauty Queens Libba Bray Libba Bray Fiction
Carter’s Big Break Nick Podehl Fiction
Chime Franny Billingsley Susan Duerden Historical fantasy
Curse of the Wendigo Rick Yancey Steven Boyer Fantasy
Fever Crumb Philip Reeve Philip Reeve Fantasy
How They Croaked L.J. Ganser Biography
Marbury Lens Andrew Smith Mark Boyett Fantasy
Ring of Solomon Jonathan Stroud Simon Jones Fantasy
Wake of the Lorelei Lee L.A. Meyer Katherine Kellgren Historical fiction
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had Kristin Levine Kirby Heyborne Historical fiction 2011[19]
Dreamdark Silksinger Laini Taylor Cassandra Campbell Fantasy
Finnikin of the Rock Melina Marchetta Jeffrey Cummings Fantasy
The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Nick Podehl Fantasy, Science-Fiction
Muchacho Louanne Johnson Ozzie Rodriguez Fiction
One Crazy Summer Sisi Aisha Johnson Historical fiction
Precious Sapphire Bahni Turpin Fiction
Rapture of the Deep L. A. Meyer Katherine Kellgren Historical fiction
The Rock and the River Kekla Magoon Dion Graham Historical fiction
Will Grayson, Will Grayson John Green and David Levithan MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl Fiction

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Cahill, Maria; Moore, Jennifer (Spring 2017). "A Sound History: Audiobooks Are Music to Children's Ears". Children and Libraries. 15 (1): 22–29. doi:10.5860/cal.15n1.22.
  2. ^ a b c Lamb, Annette (December 2017). "Listeners' Advisory Part 1". Teacher Librarian. 45: 2 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Young, Renee (2019-10-25). "The Alert Collector: Listen Up: Best Practices for Audiobooks in Libraries". Reference & User Services Quarterly. 58 (4): 210–214. doi:10.5860/rusq.58.4.7146. ISSN 1094-9054.
  4. ^ Reading by right : successful strategies to ensure every child can read to succeed. Chris Riddell, Joy Court. London. 2017. ISBN 978-1-78330-209-3. OCLC 968905071.CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ Lesesne, Teri S. (Summer 2016). "Benefits and Practical Applications of Audiobooks". The ALAN Review. 43 (3): 107–109.
  6. ^ Wolfson, Gene (2008). "Using Audiobooks to Meet the Needs of Adolescent Readers". American Secondary Education. 36 (2): 105–114. ISSN 0003-1003. JSTOR 41406113.
  7. ^ a b c "Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  8. ^ "An Enthusiastic Earful". American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  9. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2021-01-04). "2021 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  10. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2020-01-06). "2020 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  11. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2019-01-10). "2019 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  12. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2018-01-09). "2018 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  13. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2017-01-25). "2017 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  14. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2016-01-11). "2016 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  15. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2015-02-03). "2015 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  16. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2014-01-30). "2014 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Top Ten". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  17. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2013-01-31). "2013 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Top Ten". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  18. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2012-01-24). "2012 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Top Ten". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  19. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2010-12-27). "2011 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
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