OBCB Home | Arts & Humanities | History & Cultures | Literature & Language Arts | Science & Technology | Social Sciences

Introduction

The books included on this list open doors on new worlds, exciting ideas, eccentric personalities, unfamiliar cultures, and distant time periods. Use it to broaden your horizons as you prepare for college entrance exams and courses, to increase and update your knowledge in various subject areas, or to develop an appreciation for other cultures and times. Choose a title from a subject area that interests you or pick an area that you know little about; either way will deepen your understanding of the world.

In an effort to mirror the college experience, the 2009 list is divided into five academic disciplines: arts and humanities, history and cultures, literature and language arts, science and technology, and social sciences. It is a combination of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Titles were selected based on criteria including readability, racial and cultural diversity, balance of viewpoints, variety of formats and genres, and title availability. The committee also attempted to provide balance between modern classic titles and those that are newer or speak to current events.

“Students and lifelong learners can use this list to broaden their horizons in preparation for college entrance exams and courses, to increase and update their knowledge in various subject areas, or to develop an appreciation for other cultures and times,” said Sarajo Wentling, committee chair. “The committee worked hard to create a list with something for everyone.”

A YALSA committee of public, secondary school, and academic librarians selected the 2009 list in collaboration with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Revised every five years, this list is intended as a tool for several audiences: students preparing for college, parents, educators, and librarians.

Arts and Humanities

History & Cultures

Literature & Language Arts

Science & Technology

Social Sciences

The 2009 Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners Committee is: Sarajo Wentling, chair, Carver County (Minn.) Library; Darla Bressler, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.; Jan Chapman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, Ohio; Barb Conkin, Queens Public Library, East Elmhurst, N.Y.; Judy Druse, Washburn University of Topeka, Mabee Library, Kansas; Sarah Erwin, Kirkwood (Mo.) Public Library; Angela Frederick, Nashville (Tenn.) Public Library; Tina Frolund, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (Nev); Sarah Howard, Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia, Mo.; Robyn Lupa, Jefferson County Public Library, Arvada (Colo.) Branch; Maggie Moran, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Senatobia, Miss.; Adela Peskorz, Metropolitan State University, Library and Learning Center, St. Paul, Minn.; Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, Port Orchard, Wash.; Kelly Vikstrom, Friends School of Baltimore, Upper School Library, Baltimore, Md.; and Judith Walker, ACRL liaison, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, J. Murrey Atkins Library.