1. Sherone Barnes & Abegail Prado Copy and paste this link into your browser or start the slide show and click on the link. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm

2. Purpose The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.

3. Background/History The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002. Margaret A. Edwards pioneered young adult library services and worked for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts, and over the years she has served as an inspiration to many librarians who serve young adults. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called “Alex” by her friends.

4. Current Winner Notable Past Winners or Nominees Past Winners 2010 2009 1998 1999

5. Award criteria The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. YALSA's Alex Committee looks for outstanding titles that are of interest and value to teenagers. Suggested selection criteria: Titles are selected for their demonstrated or probable appeal to the personal reading tastes of young adults Appeal and popularity are not synonymous In addition to the question of appeal, committee members should consider the following when assessing titles: language, plot, style, setting, dialog, characterization, and design.

6. Sponsoring organization The award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.

7. Timeframe for Announcing Winner Anyone can nominate titles for YALSA's lists and awards. Nominations may be accepted from the field and Committee up to December 1st of that calendar year. Nominations from committee members may be accepted up to December 31st of that calendar year. Final selections voting are made at the ALA Midwinter Meeting during a series of meetings. Both winning titles and vetted nominations will be made available on the YALSA website and winners may appear in a spring issue of Booklist. YALSA will also include the final Alex list in its annual Best of the Best for Young Adults compilation of selection and award titles for young adults.

8. Timeframe for Announcing Winner Nominations Dec 1 st – 31st ALA Midwinter Meeting Final selections voting January Annotated list disseminated January YALSA website and winners may appear in a spring issue of Booklist