Teens Know Best

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

http://teensknowbeststpaul.blogspot.com/p/about-tkb.html
Teens Know Best
Accessed through the William K. Sanford Library’s Teen Webpage.

SUMMARY

Teens Know Best is a blog. Reader ages 12-18 discuss books in blog form. The Teens Know Best group meets once a month to discuss the book that they have read. Each member of the group posts to the blog about the books that they have read. Each post has a specific format:

Reader
Age
Title
Author
Publisher
Pub Date
Galley
Annotation
Recommend
Convince us to read the book
Compelling Aspect of the Book
Did you finish
Were you disappointed with the book
Cover
Age Range
Quality
Popularity:

There is also a question for the people that read the blog posting:
Reaction: no way! or huh? or right on!

The blog is separated by blogger, topic and date.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

Teens Know best is a great way for teens to read peer reviews of books. Reading a review by an adult is ok, but a peer’s opinion is always more valuable. I really like the format of each individual blog. I really like the ‘convince us to read the book’ part. The teen is selling a book they enjoyed with another teen. Having the set format ensures that all of the important aspects of a book review are included. The best thing about this website is that the books reviewed are all new releases. The teens are reviewing the books before they even come out. As teens use the site they will become familiar with the teens that are blogging and will know which teens have similar likes to their own and use this as a reader’s advisory tool. The only down-side to the blog is also something I listed as a positive. The books are new. This leaves a big gap on the books that are reviewed on the blog. Overall this is a great website for teens that are looking for a new book to read. It provides a review by another teen that can help them choose the book that is right for them.

READER’S ANNOTATION

Are you looking for a book to read? Do you want to know what other teens are saying about the book. Check this blog!

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CREATOR

Teens Know "Best" is a collaborative program of Metropolitan State University and St. Paul Public Library Dayton’s Bluff branch in St. Paul, Minnesota. Participants are 118 years of age and review and evaluate advance copies of books provided by more than 20 publishers of young adult books. The teens meet once a month to share their feedback in person with each other. They are also one of fifteen YA galley groups in the nation to participate in selecting nominees for the Young Adult Library Services Association's annual “Teens' Top Ten." (Teens Know Best)

GENRE

Website

CURRICULUM TIES

New York State: English (All, depending on the book that is being reviewed)

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

Not Applicable

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

Ages 12 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES

None

In order to prepare yourself should this website be challenged you may wish to take the following steps:

•Visit the website and look for any objectionable material.
•Refer to the library’s internet, collection development and circulation policy.
•Seek the opinion of teen readers that have used the website.

Should this website be challenged you should follow the additional steps below:

•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
•Let the patron know that their challenge will be filed and that senior library management will review their request and notify them once a decision has been made.
•Offer any further assistance should the patron have additional questions.

WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS WEBSITE

I found the link for this website on the Teen Zone webpage on the William K. Sanford Library.