Top 100 YA Novels (#100-96)

Throughout April I asked people through the blog, tweets and other methods to assist in devising the ultimate Top 100 Young Adult Literature list. A list that would compel readers to pick up that book they had been putting off for months, to revisit an old favourite or try something shiny and new.

I had thought that I might have a hundred participants take part if I really stretched myself. With the assistance of my YA blogging brethren and the numerous authors, librarians and publishing personnel I far surpassed my aim. In fact, seven hundred and thirty five people from across the world took the time to rank their personal top ten YA books of all time. These people came in all ages, both genders and a surprising selection of professions - students through to CEOs. I appreciate the time voters took to list their favourites and also the extra effort taken by some to detail their reason for their selections

I would like to offer two very sincere thank yous. Firstly, Kevin Lee you are a wonderful, wonderful man. Kevin offered to compute the data after I found myself extremely intimated by the sheer volume of responses. Spending many hours, Kevin not only toiled over the ranking system but communicated it to me in a way that was simple (bravo). Thank you for the numerous hours you devoted to making every voter's choices count!

I would also like to offer a thank you to Judith Ridge, Literature Officer at Western Sydney Young People's Literature Project, for perusing the poll and giving recommendations of what didn't meet the definition of a YA title. Judith is respected far and wide for the sheer breadth of her knowledge in areas of children's and YA literature and it was a honour that she agreed to assist me.

The polling itself was based on the system used by Betsy Bird (with her permission) with her Top 100 lists on on her A Fuse #8 Production blog at the School Library Journal website. A voter's first choice received 10 points, their second pick 9 points and so on. The posting will not be in the same vein as Betsy’s as I unfortunately fail to possess the extensive knowledge of children’s literature that she possesses. Instead I will be presenting in a simplified version of her posts.

I know from the emails and tweets that I have received that you are eager for the results and here they are starting from 100-96.

#100 The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (1985)
[72 points - 2 #1s, 4 #4s, 1 #5, 2 #6s, 1 #7, 2 #9s]

"I've had a lot of illness in my life. Aerin's bravery, her isolation from society, her 'otherness' are all things I identified with absolutely--and still do. This is the first McKinley I ever read and I'm very fond of it indeed." Lucy Coats, author.

There is no place in the country of Damar for Aerin, the king's daughter, who is also the daughter of a witchwoman; and so she befriends her father's crippled war-horse, Talat, and teases her cousin Tor into teaching her to handle a sword.

But it is Aerin who rediscovers the old recipe for dragonfire-proof kenet, and when the army is called away to the other side of the country, it is she who, alone but for Talat, rides out to confront Maur, the Black Dragon, the last of the Great Dragons, for centuries thought dead. RobinMcKinley.com

It seems entirely fitting that a fantasy book kicks off the countdown as the genre is represented strongly throughout. A Newbery recipient in 1985, The Hero and the Crown was published by Greenwillow Books the previous year. A prequel for the Newbery Honor Book, The Blue Sword (1982), it made an impact with the New York Times calling it " . . . an utterly engrossing fantasy” and The Washington Post deemed McKinley as important as her fellow writers C S Lewis, J R R Tolkien and Ursula Le Guin in the fantasy genre.

• You can visit the author’s website here.
• Robin McKinley’s Twitter.

#99 The Pigman by Paul Zindel (1969)
[72 points - 1 #1, 1 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 3 #5s, 2 #7s, 1 #9, 2 #10s]

For sophomores John and Lorraine, the world feels meaningless; nothing is important. They certainly can never please their parents, and school is a chore. To pass the time, they play pranks on unsuspecting people. It's during one of these pranks that they meet the "Pigman"--a fat, balding old man with a zany smile plastered on his face. In spite of themselves, John and Lorraine soon find that they're caught up in Mr. Pignati's zest for life. In fact, they become so involved that they begin to destroy the only corner of the world that's ever mattered to them. Goodreads.

Largely autobiographical, Zindel plundered childhood memories of playing in graveyards and talking to animals at the zoo to create this award winning. Zeldel wrote The Pigman as he was teaching high school physical and chemistry during the 1960s. After its publication, he quit teaching believing he “...could do more for teenagers by writing for them. I started reading some young adult books, and what I saw in most of them had no connection to the teenagers I knew. I thought I knew what kids would want in a book, so I made a list and followed it. I try to show teens they aren't alone.” His presence on this list show that clearly he achieved what he had set out to do.

• You can visit the author’s website here.
• Paul Zindel’s Twitter.
• Read the first pages of The Pigman here .
• You can read an interview conducted using reader’s questions here.
• Free PDFs of The Pigman study guides here.

#98 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1987)
[72 points - 1 #1, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 4 #5s, 1 #6, 1 #7, 1 #8, 3 #10s]

"This is what every boy in my class was reading while I was reading Sweet Valley High." Kelsey Vickers, High School English teacher.

On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engine plane crashes. His body battered, his clothes in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness. Goodreads.

The second Newbery award winner to grace our list, Hatchet was most definitely influenced by Paulsen’s fascinating childhood in which he actually ran away from home to join the carnival and held numerous backbreaking jobs to earn a crust. Adventure is in his blood, not just on the page.

• You can visit the author’s website here.
• James A. Schmitz’s 1994 article for the The ALAN Review (1994) - Gary Paulsen: A Writer of His Time

#97 Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (2010)
[73 points - 1 #1, 2 #2s, 3 #3s, 1 #4, 1 #5, 1 #6, 1 #7, 1 #8, 1 #9]

"For a debut novel to make me feel like I want to be a better person, that I want to cherish what I have and not be miserable when things don't run smoothly, is extraordinary. That it's not possessions or money that matter in life, it's the people you share it with. It made me realise just how important my friends and family are, and that even though death is something that is a part of that, it doesn't have to be the end of happiness. Heart shattering events do happen in life, they happen to a lot of people." Carla Black, The Crooked Shelf.

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing. LaurenOliverBooks.com

Before I Fall is Lauren Oliver’s debut publication on the YA stage and the first 2010 title to make the list. It was chosen as one of Borders "Original Voices" selection for March 2010 as well as a being nominated for the YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2010). A favourite amongst the YA blogging community, Oliver uses the fascinating premise of a repeating day to affect change in her protagonist and her dealings with those around her.

• You can visit the author’s website here.
• Lauren Oliver’s Twitter.

#96 The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (2009)
[73 points - 1 #1, 3 #2s, 2 #4s, 2 #5s, 1 #6, 1 #8, 1 #9]

" I know that Nicolas Sparks generally writes adult novels, but this one felt more like a YA novel to me. It was amazing, touching, and beautifully written." Sarah.

Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. NicholasSparks.com

Bestselling author Nicholas Sparks makes his entrance onto the list with The Last Song which debuted as #1 on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. Sparks was inspired to write this novel after Miley Cyrus expressed interest in making a film similar to A Walk to Remember thus resulting in Sparks penning the screenplay and novel.

• You can visit the author’s website here.
• Nicholas Sparks’ Twitter.
• Teaching notes for The Last Song.

Top YA Novels (#95-91) to come...