The response to the award has been fantastic! CCRSB Library Services staff collected about 2,500 nomination forms from across the board and almost 1,000 different titles were submitted for consideration! Of those books, these are the 10 most loved by CCRSB teens (in alphabetical order):

• Crank by Ellen Hopkins
  
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
  
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
  
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  
• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
  
• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Read at least one of these books between now and May 14. If you’ve already read one of the Top 10, try reading another that is different from what you would normally read. Maybe you’ll find your new favourite book! For every book you read between now and May 14, your librarian will enter your name into a draw for a set of the Top 10 books.

Discuss the books on the pages linked at the top of the blog. Remember these rules when submitting comments:

1. Don’t include any identifying information (last name, school, location, etc.).
2. Be respectful of other students commenting on the blog.
3. Use school-appropriate language.

If you are in grades 7-12, you can participate (even if you didn’t nominate a book).

Let’s get reading!

Students at Amherst Regional High School (grade 9-12) have submitted an interesting mix of nominations; the top books include popular series, a classic, an illustrated novel, and a book by a Nova Scotian author. Ms. Matthews reported that of the 100 nominations received, six books received multiple nods. The leader with five nominations is: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. 

Reasons for nomination:

• Addicted!
• Amazing series
• Great pacing, characters and knows how to end a chapter. (I completely agree.)

In a close second with four nominations is The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. It’s incredible to see that this novel is still a teen favourite almost 50  years after its publication.

Reasons for nomination:

- This book makes you think that everyone is human.
- Very captivating.

In third place with three nominations is the House of Night series by P. C. Cast and Kristen Cast.

Zoey Redbird, a fledgling Vampyre,  is sent to the House of Night boarding school, where she must stay until her transformation into a full vampyre is complete.

Reason for nomination:

This series is very interesting and should be noticed more.

In fourth place are three very different novels that have received two nominations each:

Of Things Not Seen by Don Aker

For nine years, Ben Corbett and his mother have been abused by Ben’s step-father. In grade 11, Ben’s long-kept secret is at risk of being discovered.

Reasons for nomination:

- Awesome.
- Captivating.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

This illustrated novel  follows Hugo Cabret, an orphan secretly living and fixing clocks in a Parisian train station, and a toy seller with a mysterious past.

Reasons for nomination:

- The illustrations are phenomenal!
- The movie just came out so people need to read the book behind the movie.

The Fire Within by Chris D’Lacey

College student David Rain rents a room in a strange boarding house owned by Liz Pennykettle, who creates and sells clay dragons. David uses the dragons as inspiration for his writing, and soon realizes they are have magical qualities.

Reason for nomination:

An awesome book and a great series and it’s a fun read.

Have you read any of the books nominated by ARHS students? What are your thoughts

Reasons for nomination (The Hunger Games):

• Very intriguing book, couldn’t put it down.
  
• Is one of the best books that I read.

 
I am surprised that the following book has not received more nominations, as it had a big impact on the students I know who read it: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

Before Hannah Baker killed herself, she recorded thirteen audio cassette tapes explaining why and mailed them to the people who contributed to her suicide in both big and small ways.

Reason for nomination:

Yotsuba is an energetic, green-haired, four-year-old girl who learns about everyday things with the help of her adoptive father and a group of teenage girls who live next door.

Reason for nomination:

Funny and random.
 
 
The final two books in BHJH’s six-way tie are:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

On his 11th birthday, Harry Potter discovers he’s a wizard and starts his first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Reason for nomination:

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

10-year-old Comfort Snowberger is comfortable with death, as her family owns a funeral home. However, she is unprepared for a string of tragic accidents that follows the funeral of her beloved great-great-aunt.

Reasons for nomination:

- It’s a really funny book but sad. My favourite book.
- It’s funny and a great book to relate to at our age!

The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 6) by Lemony Snicket

In the sixth installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, the evil Count Olaf discovers the Baudelaire orphans’ hideout in Esmé and Jerome Squalor’s 71 bedroom penthouse and tries anew to steal their family fortune.

 Reasons for nomination:

- It’s the best book I ever read.
- It’s very interesting.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hannah, and Allison were best friends in grade 7 – until Allison mysteriously disappeared. A few years later they start receiving messages from “A,” which contain secrets about each girl that only Allison would know.

Reasons for nomination:

- It’s a good book!
- I liked how the author wrote it

UPDATE: Ms. MacLellan continues to receive nominations every day, and the results have changed. The number one book at EPMS is currently The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton with 15 nominations, and Pretty Little Liars has moved up to second place with 5 nominations. These results will likely change again by the end of the week!

What do you think about the books nominated at EPMS?

For the few of you who don’t know the plot of Twilight, here’s a brief summary: in the tiny town of Forks, Washington, Bella (the new girl) falls head-over-heels in love with Edward (the dark and mysterious boy). Things get complicated when Bella discovers Edward’s secret – he’s a vampire.

Here are a few reasons why students at NGJH love this tale of vampire romance:

• Best book ever.
• It is my favourite out of the series because it is the start of everything.
• So interesting!

The runner-up with six nominations is the ever-popular The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Reasons for nomination:

- So awesome!
- This series is so good! They changed my life.
 
 
In third place with four nominations is Percy Jackson and the Olympians : The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

Percy Jackson’s life turns upside-down when he discovers he is the son of Poseidon.

Reasons for nomination:

- I love Greek mythology.
- It’s really good and well written.
- Should be in the top ten books.
 
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer Reasons for nomination:

- Because I love it and it was an amazing book!  I love the Twilight series.
- I love it
- Awesome.  Best book ever!
 
 
 
 
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

Reasons for nomination:

- I really like it.
- It is the best book of all time.
- Loved it!

 
Ms. MacLellan continues to receive nominations on a daily basis, so these results are likely to change by the end of the nomination period.

What are your thoughts on the popular books at NGJH? Do you think they’re overrated, or do you love them as much as these students do? Feel free to discuss in the comments!

Here are a couple of short-but-sweet reasons why NRHS students love The Hunger Games:

• Constant suspense!
• Full of action!

Only four books received more than one nomination, and they are all tied for second place with two nominations each. There appear to be some shared reading interests among students at both NRHS and South Colchester Academy, as two of the following books were also nominated by students at SCA. Second place includes the following books:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Belly has spent every summer at the beach hoping Conrad and Jeremiah would notice her. During her sixteenth year, things finally change – but not like Belly had hoped.

Reason for nomination:

It’s Great! Romance, sad and funny.
 
 
Looking for Alaska by John Green

Sixteen-year-old Miles starts boarding school in Arizona, where he becomes friends with a group brilliant and prank-loving misfits. When tragedy strikes, Miles seeks answers about life and death.

Reason for nomination:

It’s just awesome!
 
 
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Reason for nomination:

Intricate storyline, spectacular imagery.
 
 
 
 
 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Any thoughts on the nominated book at NRHS?

Light Yagami is a model student until he finds the “Death Note,” a supernatural notebook that will kill anyone whose name you write inside its pages.

Here’s what SCA students had to say about the series:

• It’s epic.
• Awesome book.

As mentioned above, no other book received multiple nominations, but the ballots have included some interesting and unique picks like the ones listed below:

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

In a futuristic England, 15-year-old Alex is jailed for rape and murder and rehabilitated by the state using experimental techniques.

 Reason for nomination:

Excellent use of language.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

The powerful Stark and Lannister families fight to control the Iron Throne in the first book of the epic fantasy series Song of Ice and Fire.

Reason for nomination:

Captivating, great character development, and a unique writing style.

Crank by Ellen Hopkins (I said she’d appear again.)

This free-verse novel (based on the experiences of Hopkins’ daughter) depicts Kristina Snow’s addiction to crystal meth and her horrifying downward spiral.

Reason for nomination:

The book is very moving and the way it is written is very unordinary.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The seventh and final Harry Potter novel. I won’t say anymore for those who’ve not yet read it.

Reason for nomination:

It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, it’s exciting, adventurous, outrageous, mysterious, funny, and sad.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Set in Jackson, Mississippi during 1962, three women -  two African-American maids and a progressive, white journalism graduate -  embark on a dangerous and life-changing project.

Reason for nomination:

Shows the point of view from blackmaids which made me look differently at the discrimination people face.

Do you have any thoughts on the books nominated by SCA students? Are there any you’d love to see in the Top 10? Are there any you’ve never heard of but want to check out?

Published in 1960 and set in the Depression, Harper Lee’s only novel examines racism in a small Alabaman town through the eyes of eight-year-old Scout Finch.

Here are some reasons why CEC students chose this as their favourite book:

• It touches the heart.
• A brilliant novel about compassion, struggle, and race issues. A timeless classic.
• A very dramatic and intense story.

Here are some of the reasons why The Hunger Games is a favourite among HNRH students:

• I love this book because of Katniss’s struggle to survive and how much effort it took just to live.
• This is a brilliant novel with a strong female protagonist. The book was thrilling from cover to cover and I found myself unable to put it down. This book will appeal to people of all ages.
• Because it is extremely interesting and makes you never want to put it down.

The only other title to receive multiple nominations (two) is the picture book Strong to the Hoop by John Coy. Ten-year-old James tries to hold his own on the basketball court after he is challenged to a game by a group of older boys.

Reasons for nomination:

• It is a good book because it is awesome.
• It is a good book because it is the best book in the whole world.

Author Ellen Hopkins has shown up on a couple of ballots  (for her books Crank and Tricks), but neither book received multiple nominations. For those of you unfamiliar with her work, she writes very powerful free-verse novels about tough issues (e.g. drug addiction, abuse, mental illness). This will likely not be the last time her name appears on this blog.

The rest of the nominated books at HRNH only received one ballot each and represent a variety of genres, including fantasy, romance (particularly supernatural), and historical fiction. Here are a few honourable mentions:

Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon is a simple farm boy, until one fateful day he finds a blue stone that hatches a dragon.

Reason for nomination:

Phenomenal book for the author’s first novel. Really good fantasy read for veterans and newcomers to the genre.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

In this award-winning novel, 16-year-old Cameron Smith goes on an epic road trip with a video-game-obsessed dwarf, a lawn gnome, and a punk rock angel named Dulcie to search for a cure for his mad cow disease.

Reason for nomination:

Because I like cows and yard gnomes.

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Packwoods is a normal senior in high school – at least until the hot new exchange student claims she is actually a Romanian vampire princess and his long-lost fiancee.

Reason for nomination:

When I read this book I couldn’t put it down.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This classic, semi-autobiographical tale of pioneer life follows the Ingalls family as they leave Wisconsin just after the Civil War and build a new home in Kansas.

Reason for nomination:

Because it teaches kids about how people grew up in the olden days.

What are your thoughts on the books HNRH have nominated? Are any of your favourites on this list?

This is the first book in an action-packed series about 15-year-old Callum Ormond, a fugitive on the run from his father’s killers.

West Pictou students had this to say about the book:

• “”Action packed thriller. Always leaving you wanting more.”
• “The book series is awesome! Lots of action. A lot of my friends read it!”

There are currently two runners-up with two votes each:

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

This tearjerker chronicles the last four months of eleven-year-old Sam McQueen’s battle with leukemia.

Reason for nomination:

“Because the book is a very emotional story that teens can connect to.”

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Every year in the post-apocalyptic world of Panem, 24 teens are forced to fight to the death in the Hunger Games.

Reason for nomination:

“It has a bit of everything — action, romance, and lots of suspense. It’s for everyone!”

A single nonfiction title has been nominated: The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. Although it’s only received one nomination, you can’t argue with the reason for its inclusion:

“If a zombie apocalypse ever happened, this book would help.”

(That sounds like a book I want handy when the end is nigh.)

What do you think of the books students at West Pictou Consolidated have nominated?