Get Creative, I'm Not Making This Up, Religion: Relationship with the Divine, What’s so Funny?
Committee members: Melissa Rabey, Chair; Karen Brooks-Reese; Diane Emge Colson; Elizabeth Elam; Kathryn Olson; Susan Person; Nancy Reich.
Bang, Molly. Picture This: How Pictures Work. 2000. Seastar, $12.95. (1-58717-030-2). Creating a work of art can be as easy as using circles and triangles.
Barry, Lynda. One Hundred Demons. 2005. Sasquatch Books, $17.95. (1-57061-459-8). When you’ve got hundreds of demons, art can help you defeat them.
Carle, Megan and Jill. Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat. 2004. Ten Speed Press, $19.95. (1-58008-584-9). Teen sisters cook it up!
Cirrone, Dorian. Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You. 2006. Harper Trophy, $7.99. (0-060-55703-6). Art, dance and censorship.
Frank, Hilary. Better Than Running at Night. 2002. Houghton Mifflin, $10.00. (0-618-25073-5). Freshman year at art school involves much more than line and perspective.
Gaines, Thom. Digital Photo Madness!: 50 Weird and Wacky Things to Do With Your Digital Camera. 2006. Lark, $9.95. (1-57990-624-9). Stop cutting off people’s heads!
Greenberg, Jan and Jordan, Sandra. Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist. 2003. Yearling, $6.99. (0-440-41917-4). So why did this guy cut off his ear?
Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. 2003. Puffin, $5.99. (0-14-250189-1). Bronx high school students discover their inner poets.
Hart, Christopher. Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics. 2001. Watson-Guptill, $19.95. (0-8230-3035-0). Learn ways to create your own manga.
Koja, Kathe. Straydog. 2004. Puffin, $5.99. (0-14-240071-8). Rachel’s writings give voice to a feral collie.
Lanier, Troy and Clay Nichols. Filmmaking for Teens: Pulling Off Your Shorts. 2005. Michael Wiese Productions, $18.95. (1-932907-04-1). A book for serious teen filmmakers but appealing to artists of all ages.
Lenhard, Elizabeth. Chicks With Sticks: It's a Purl Thing. 2006. Puffin, $6.99. (0-14-240695-3). Four girls learn how to knit, purl, and get along.
Monster Garage: How to Customize Damn Near Anything. Ed. by Lee Klancher. 2003. Motorbooks International, $19.95. (0-7603-1748-8). Make your car a work of art, inside and out.
Murillo, Kathy Cano. Crafty Chica’s Art de la Soul. 2006. HarperCollins, $19.95. (0-06-078942-5). Unleash your chica potential!
Myers, Walter Dean. Autobiography of My Dead Brother. 2006. Amistad, $6.99. (0-06-058293-6). When the pressure gets heavy, Jesse and C.J. find solace in creativity.
Nikolay, Megan. Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt. 2006. Workman, $14.95. (0-7611-3785-8). Put new life in your old, boring T-shirts.
Okey, Shannon. Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit With 15 Fun and Funky Projects. 2005. Watson-Guptill, $9.95. (0-8230-2618-3). Hip knitting book for teens.
O'Neil, Dennis. The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics. 2001. Watson-Guptill, $19.95. (0-8230-1027-9). Comic books are more than pretty pictures; learn how to make them fly.
Partridge, Elizabeth. Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange. 2001. Puffin, $11.99. (0-14-230024-1). The face of a nation reflected in the lens of her camera.
Salzman, Mark. True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall. 2004. Vintage, $13.95. (0-375-72761-2). Creative writing allows young men to look beyond the crimes they've committed.
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. 2006. Scholastic, $5.99. (0-439-75520-4). When his little brother is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven copes by losing himself in his drums.
Talbot, Bryan. The Tale of One Bad Rat. 1995. Dark Horse Comics, $14.95. (1-56971-077-5). A girl and her rat escape abuse.
Todd, Mark and Watson, Esther Pearl. Whatcha Mean, What's a Zine? the Art of Making Zines and Mini-Comics. 2006. Graphia, $12.99. (0-618-56315-6). The Internet hasn't killed the printed zine.
Vitkus, Jessica. AlternaCrafts. 2005. Stewart, Tabori and Chang, $19.95. (1-58479-456-9). High-style low-budget projects.
Yazawa, Ai. Paradise Kiss, Vol. 1. 2002. Tokyopop, $9.99. (1-931514-60-7). Book smart Yukari finds her life turned upside-down when she agrees to model for fashion school students.
Ahmedi, Farah with Ansary, Tamim. The Other Side of the Sky. 2006. Simon Spotlight, $12.95. (1-4169-1837-X). Farah lost her leg but gained her freedom.
Baskin, Julia. The Notebook Girls. 2006. Warner Books, $22.95. (0-446-57862-2). Before there was blogging, there was The Notebook.
Boese, Alex. Hippo Eats Dwarf: a Field Guide to Hoaxes and Other B.S. 2006. Harvest Books, $14.00. (0-15-603083-7). If you don’t give this book to five of your friends within three days, you’ll have bad luck for a week.
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood. 1994. Vintage, $14.00. (0-679-74558-0). The crime that shocked a small town; the story that rocked the world.
Capuzzo, Michael. Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916. 2002. Broadway Books, $14.95. (0-767-90414-1). The original shark tale that inspired Jaws.
Davis, James. Skateboarding is not a Crime: 50 Years of Street Culture. 2004. Firefly Books, $19.95. (1-55407-001-5). Bring your board.
Dee, Kool Moe. There’s a God on the Mic: The Fifty Greatest MCs. 2003. Thunder’s Mouth, $24.95. (1-56025-533-1). Kool Moe Dee knows it all. Do you agree?
DiClaudio, Dennis. The Hypochondriac’s Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have. 2005. Bloomsbury, $14.95. (1-59691-061-5). Wash your hands!
Fleischman, John. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science. 2004. Houghton Mifflin, $8.95. (0-618-49478-2). You need this book like a hole in the head.
Genat, Robert. Lowriders. 2001. Motorbooks International, $14.95. (0-7603-0962-0). All types of pimped-out lowriders in English and Spanish.
Nelson, Peter. Left for Dead: A Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis. 2003. Random House, $8.95. (0-385-73091-8). It took 14 minutes for the ship to sink; it took 5 days for the Navy to notice.
Northcutt, Wendy. The Darwin Awards: Evolution in Action. 2002. Penguin Putnam, $12.00. (0-452-28344-2). Survival of the fittest; find out about the people who didn’t make the cut.
Owen, David. Hidden Evidence: Forty True Crimes and how Forensic Science Helped Solve Them. 2000. Firefly, $24.95. (1-55209-483-9). Everyone’s dying to learn about forensic science.
Palmer, Chris. Streetball: All the Ballers, Moves, Slams, and Shine. 2004. HarperInformation, $16.95. (0-06-072444-7). The NBA is all slick, streetball is all grit.
Roach, Mary. Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. 2004. W.W. Norton, $13.95. (0-3933-2482-6). Recycling is good.
Rothbart, Davy. Found: The Best Lost, Tossed, and Forgotten Items from Around the World. 2004. Fireside, $14.00. (0-7432-5114-8). Be careful what you leave behind.
Runyon, Brent. The Burn Journals. 2005. Vintage, $12.95. (1-4000-9642-1). Brent douses his bathrobe in gasoline and lights the match.
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis, Vol. 1: the Story of a Childhood. 2004. Pantheon Books, $11.95. (0-375-71457-X). Words and drawings tell the story of growing up during the Islamic revolution.
Sebold, Alice. Lucky. 2002. Back Bay, $11.95. (0-316-09619-9). An unsparing account of the author’s rape as a college freshman.
Shaw, Maria. Maria Shaw's Star Gazer: Your Soul Searching, Dream Seeking, Make Something Happen Guide to the Future. 2003. Llewellyn Publications, $17.95. (0-7387-0422-9). What’s your sign?
Silverstein, Ken. The Radioactive Boy Scout: the Frightening True Story of a Whiz Kid and His Homemade Nuclear Reactor. 2005. Villard, $13.95. (0-8129-6660-0). Does a house in your neighborhood glow in the dark?
Szpirglas, Jeff. Gross Universe: Your Guide to All Disgusting Things Under the Sun. 2006. Maple Tree Press, $9.95. (1-897066-39-2). Don’t look under the bed.
Tupac: Resurrection. Ed. by Jacob Hoye and Karolyn Ali. 2006. Atria Books, $18.95. (0-7431-7435-X). Do you really know Tupac?
Zailckas, Koren. Smashed. 2006. Penguin, $14.00. (0-14-303647-5). It’s bad when you’re on a first-name basis with Jack Daniels.
Zimmerman, Keith and Zimmerman, Kent. Mythbusters: The Explosive Truth Behind 30 of the Most Perplexing Urban Legends of All Time. 2005. Simon Spotlight, $15.95. (1-4169-0929-X). Don’t try this at home!
Abrams, Judith Z. The Secret World of Kabbalah. 2006. Kar-Ben Publishing, $9.95. (1-58013-224-3). Red strings, astrology, Jewish mysticism…
Adelman, Penina, Feldman, Ali and Reinharz, Shulamit. The Jgirl's Guide: the Young Jewish Woman's Handbook for Coming of Age. 2005. Jewish Lights, $14.99. (1-58023-215-9). Growing up Jewish.
Bardi, Abby. The Book of Fred. 2002. Washington Square, $13.00. (0-7434-1194-3). Can Mary Fred exist in a Fred-free society?
Beale, Fleur. I am Not Esther. 2004. Hyperion, $6.99. (0-7868-1673-2). They can change Kirby’s name but they can’t make her believe.
Carlson, Melody. Finding Alice. 2003. Waterbrook Press, $19.99. (1-57856-773-4). Alice hears voices in her head, is one of them God’s?
Cooper, Ilene. Sam I Am. 2006. Scholastic, $5.99. (0-439-43968-X). Knocking over the "Hanukkah bush" begins the questioning.
Dayton, Anne and Vanderbilt, May. Emily Ever After. 2005. Broadway Books, $11.95. (0-385-51463-8). Can Emily’s Christian ideals survive New York City?
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Leaving Fishers. 1999. Simon Pulse, $5.99. (0-689-86793-X). Joining the Fishers will make Dorry belong, but at what price?
Hautman, Pete. Godless. 2005. Simon Pulse, $7.99. (1-416-90816-1). What makes more sense – to worship a water tower or an invisible entity?
Heuston, Kimberley. The Shakeress. Penguin Puffin, $6.99. (0-14-240054-8). Orphaned Naomi joins a Shaker community but continues her spiritual search.
Jacobson, Jennifer Richard. Stained. 2006. Simon Pulse, $6.99. (1-4169-1337-8). Could Father Warren have anything to do with Gabe’s disappearance?
Kass, Pnina Moed. Real Time. 2006. Graphia, $7.99. (0-618-69174-X). Some people are willing to die for their religion, and they don’t care who dies with them.
Koja, Kathe. Buddha Boy. 2004. Puffin, $5.99. (0-14-240209-5). "Buddha Boy" teaches Justin about sacrifice, non-violence, and what matters most.
Littman, Sarah Darer. Confessions of a Closet Catholic. 2006. Puffin, $5.99. (0-14-240597-3). Trying to be like her best friend, Justine gives up being Jewish for Lent.
Nolan, Han. When We Were Saints. 2005. Harcourt, $6.95. (0-15-205322-0). If someone told you you were a saint, would you believe them?
Ravenwolf, Silver. Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation. 1998. Llewellyn, $12.95. (1-56718-725-0). An introduction to Wicca and the religion's principles.
Rinaldi, Ann. The Staircase. 2002. Harcourt, $6.00. (0-15-216788-9). Could Lizzy be the miracle her convent school is awaiting?
Roth, Matthue. Never Mind the Goldbergs. 2005. Push, $7.99. (0-385-51463-8). Can Hava’s Orthodox ideals survive Hollywood?
Rylant, Cynthia. God Went to Beauty School. 2006. HarperTempest, $4.99. (0-06-009435-4). God Wrote a Book. (No, not that one.)
Stolarz, Laurie Faria. Blue is for Nightmares. 2003. Llewellyn, $8.95. (0-738-70391-5). Stacey uses her Wiccan faith to solve a mystery.
Tezuka, Osamu. Buddha, Vol. 1: Kapilavastu. 2006. Vertical, Inc., $14.95. (1-932234-56-X). The first in an 8-volume graphic novelization of the life of Siddhartha, the prince who became Buddha.
Turnbull, Ann. No Shame, No Fear. 2006. Candlewick, $8.99. (0-7636-3190-6). In 1662 England, young Anglican William meets Quaker Susanna, and begins to question his own faith.
Wiesel, Elie. Night. 2006. Hill and Wang, $9.00. (0-374-50001-0). Teenager Elie and his family are taken to a concentration camp—how can God allow this?
Azuma, Kiyohiko. Yotsuba&!: Volume 1. 2005. A. D. Vision, Inc., $9.99 (1-4139-0317-7). Yotsuba is one strange girl!
Bauer, Joan. Thwonk. 2005. Penguin, $7.99. (0-14-240429-2). Be careful what you wish for.
Douglas, Lola. True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet. 2006. Razorbill, $6.99 (1-59514-093-X). Indiana or rehab? What would you choose?
Gaiman, Neil and Pratchett, Terry. Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. 2006. HarperTorch, $7.99 (0-06-085398-0). Someone lost the Antichrist.
Goldschmidt, Judy. The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez. 2006. Penguin, $5.99. (1-59514-071-9). A secret blog seemed like a good idea…
Groening, Matt. Simpsons Comics Barn Burner. 2005. HarperCollins, $14.95. (0-06-074818-4). D’oh!
Jones, Diana Wynne. The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. 2006. Puffin, $9.99 (0-14-240722-4). Stew: it’s what’s for dinner.
Korman, Gordon. No More Dead Dogs. 2000. Hyperion, $5.99 (0-7868-1601-5). Enough is enough!
Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob: Hollywood Hustle. 2004. Hyperion, $5.99 (0-7868-0919-1). The Family follows Vince to La-La Land.
Limb, Sue. Girl, 15, Charming but Insane. 2005. Delacorte, $8.95 (0-385-73215-5). Never stuff your bra with minestrone.
Martinez, A. Lee. Gil's All Fright Diner. 2005. Tor, $6.99 (0-7653-5001-7). Don’t order the monster mash.
Moore, Christopher. Bloodsucking Fiends: a Love Story. 1995. HarperCollins, $12.95. (0-06-073541-4). Every vampire needs a sexy minion (Type O preferred.)
Parel, David. Bat Boy Lives!: The Weekly World News Guide to Politics, Culture, Celebrities, Alien Abductions, and the Mutant Freaks That Shape Our World. 2005. Sterling, $12.95. (1-4027-2823-9). Paris Hilton rejected by aliens? Who could blame ‘em?
Payne, C.D. Frisco Pigeon Mambo. 2000. Aivia Press, $12.95. (1-882647-24-6). Smoking and drinking pigeons on the run.
Rallison, Janette. Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Free Throws. 2006. Walker, $6.95. (0-8027-8898-X). Courts and crushes.
Rees, Douglas. Vampire High. 2005. Laurel Leaf, $5.00 (0-440-23834-X). This school really sucks.
Riley, Andy. The Book of Bunny Suicides. 2003. Penguin, $10.00. (0-452-28518-6). All bunnies were harmed in the drawing of this book.
Shusterman, Neil. The Schwa Was Here. 2006. Puffin, $5.99. (0-14-240577-9). Can you see me now?
Smith, Jeff. Out From Boneville. 2005. Graphix, $9.99. (0-439-70640-8). Here a Bone, there a Bone.
Vizzini, Ned. Be More Chill. 2005. Miramax, $7.99. (0-7868-0996-5). Jeremy’s thinking with more than his head.
Watterson, Bill. The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book. 1995. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.95. (0-8362-0438-7). A boy and his tiger: best friends forever.
Wilson, Daniel H. How to Survive a Robot Uprising. 2005. Bloomsbury, $12.95. (1-58234-592-9). Whatcha gonna do when the robots come for you?