Riley | Kannapoliscollection

Kannapolis Branch: Young Adult Collection

As Kannapolis expands at a rapid pace, we are beginning to plan the construction of a new branch to better meet the needs of our community. We've heard patron suggestions for a teen space, and we'll be making it happen! This collection will be ready to go when we open our new branch.

The YALSA Bookfinder database is part of the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It is a useful resource for teens, parents, and anyone looking for YA book recommendations.

Referral: American Library Association

National Geographic magazine has long been recognized as a valuable educational resource. It allows teens to see a world beyond their own.

Referral: American Society of Magazine Editors

Teen Ink is a magazine created by teens, for teens. It contains poetry, news, and features that are relevant to today's YA, delivered in an authentic youth voice.

Referral: The Denver Post

The Fault in Our Stars is a bestselling YA romance novel by popular YA author John Green. It tackles tough topics with a frankness that makes it resonate with teen and adult readers from all walks of life.

Referral: Kirkus Reviews

Nerdy Nummies is the first cookbook from popular YouTube star Rosanna Pansino. With recipes for pop-culture treats geared towards teenagers, it's an easy choice.

Referral: Kirkus Reviews

This YouTube channel was created by Hank and John Green, and features educational, entertaining content on a wide range of topics, like science, history, and math. Referral: Common Sense Media

Mango Languages is a language learning software that would be a wonderful resource for any teen looking to learn a new language, especially as the community diversifies.

Referral: Babson College

Gale's Testing and Education Resource Center is a database featuring practice SAT, AP, and GED tests with recommendations for further study, along with a host of other services.

Referral: Middletown Thrall Library

TeenReads is a website packed with book reviews, author interviews, and an Ultimate Reading List. This is a more casual, authentic resource for YA reader's advisory.

Referral: Lampeter-Strasburg High School Library

The National Book Foundation's website contains a database of current and previous winners of the Young People's Literature Award. This is an excellent resource for YA reader's advisory.

Referral: The New York Times

Neal Shusterman's award-winning novel, Scythe, asks YA readers to consider what it means to determine who lives or dies - and how. Thought-provoking and deep, this work resonates with teens.

Referral: Publisher's Weekly

Angie Thomas's best-selling debut novel, The Hate U Give, explores the aftermath of a policeman murdering an unarmed black teen. Gritty and bold, this is a must-have for a YA collection.

Referral: The Atlantic

John Lewis's extraordinary story as a Civil Rights activist comes to life in his graphic novel, March: Book One. Reluctant readers may especially connect with the graphic novel format, though this will readily be appreciated by YA readers of all kinds.

Referral: Publisher's Weekly

No YA collection would be complete without a non-fiction title about sex. 100 Questions You'd Never Ask Your Parents uses straightforward language and lots of humor to educate YA readers on some tricky subjects.

Referral: Publisher's Weekly

Rainbow Rowell's popular novel, Carry On, takes fanfiction to the next level. This romance is loosely based on Harry Potter, but includes a diverse range of characters that speak with an authentic youth voice.

Referral: NPR

Dare to Disappoint is a graphic novel-style memoir by Ozge Samanci. Ozge is a teen on the Aegean Sea in Turkey, and she wants to live a life of adventure on the sea. Her family expects her to conform to their ideals around work and religion, but Ozge must find her voice. This graphic memoir is engaging and delightful. Referral: The Children’s Writer’s Guild

A long-time producer of educational content, Discovery has reinvented itself over the years to meet the demands of a new era. Teens will find the updated website and resources fresh and exciting. Referral: The Peabody Institute

NPR’s hilarious podcast features an off-beat blend of comedy and the news, perfect for teens who want to stay informed while having a few laughs. Referral: Common Sense Media

This website is dedicated to reviewing and promoting YA books written by or featuring people of color, and people from first/native nations. Since this population is grossly underrepresented, resources like this are vital to a well-rounded YA collection. Referral: UNCG’s LIS 618.

Checking out a Chromebook allows teens to customize their library experience, and engages them in new ways. They can catch up on their homework or surf the web with friends, wherever they feel comfortable. Referral: Denver Public Library