So I, um, analyzed the entire list. Not every one, just the numbers I had thoughts on.
And then I put it in a SHINY LIST GRAPHIC THING and color-coded it.
TinyPic resized it, but hopefully it's still readable..
I was really disappointed that Libba Bray's Beauty Queens didn't make the Top 100. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea, but it's honest and witty and just downright awesome. And some of the less popular but more well written books were plain ignored. The Theatre Illuminata series is bloody brilliant and I would have loved to see Artemis Fowl on the list.
What did you like or dislike about the list?
You completely hit my biggest issue with this list... that it really is just a popularity contest.
ReplyDeleteObviously everyone is hoping their favourite book will rank high, but CRANK by Ellen Hopkins should be far, far higher than #77. At the same time, I'm surprised that the mega-popularity of TMI only got it to #21.
Did you see the article on NPR today? http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2012/09/10/160768675/when-a-popular-list-of-100-best-ever-teen-books-is-the-whitest-ever?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20120903
ReplyDeleteAlso.... I mentioned you in my favorite blogs post today!!
http://angelasanxiouslife.blogspot.com/2012/09/bbaw-my-favorite-blogs.html
Angie
Thanks for the link! I just read it. My issue is that they're defending it, even if there argument is valid, but you had judges for a reason -- to filter it out. Oi vey.
DeleteAnd FKJLDSKJDLSKJDLFJDLSKD'AW THANK YOU.
There was definitely a popularity element, but isn't that information still valuable? Take this same snapshot decade after decade, see which books remain, and you'll have a list worth keeping.
ReplyDeleteThat said, OY about the lack of diversity. We're glad they addressed it, even if they sort of defended it. (We can see their points... However, they should maybe then reevaluate how they set up the nomination process next time.)
Also, Susan Cooper's books are classics. Lesser known though, like Robin McKinley.
Of course this comes down to everyone's opinion, including yours.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read your whole list, but it would kill my eyes to read all the tiny print. I definitely agree about all the books that weren't YA, though. It drove me nuts how many non-YAs made it onto this list!
ReplyDeleteCould not agree with you more re: Libba Bray's Beauty Queens. Actually, I pretty much share your opinion on the entire list. One thing that's fascinating is how many novels truly aren't YA. It makes sense, though, when you consider that the majority of YA novels are purchased (and read) by adults, not teens.
ReplyDeleteCallie Kingston