RADICAL READS: 101 YOUNG ADULT NOVELS ON THE EDGE by Joni Richards Bodart

And then it arrived ...FINALLY! For the past year I've been impatiently waiting to get a look at what Joni Richards Bodart has been putting together. It has been well worth the wait.

Radical Reads is sure to become a pivotal resource for helping train public librarians and booksellers to put together or maintain their young adult sections, for providing middle school and high school librarians with a handy guide to this selection of amazing books, and for providing teachers with both a source of inspiration for literature circles and the tools for creating a full-blown curriculum centered around any one of these titles.

The in-depth information provided for each of the 101 YA novels includes:Publication info., Reading and Interest levels, Subject areas, Characters, Booktalk (excellent synopsis), Major Themes and Ideas, Book Report Ideas, Booktalk Ideas, Risks, Strengths, Awards, and excerpts from print and online reviews.Joni has made her selections based on their contributions to "Radical form and format," "Radical perspectives," and "Radical boundaries."

It was exciting to see the presence of a number of lesser-known books that I've booktalked over the years, such as BABYLON BOYZ, CRAZY JACK, and THE WHITE HORSE included along with those beloved and better-known titles whose exclusion would have left this great resource lacking.

So--a copy for Reference, but keep it where parents and kids can also get their hands on it.

Radical Reads will be appreciated by all.