The 2016 Teen Winter Craze has officially opened.

To celebrate the 2016 ALA Youth Media Award winners, we will be hosting the first-ever 2016 Teen Winter Craze. 

From January 18 til April 4, read five titles from the eligible list of books to earn a bingo. Return the card to your local DPLS library and be entered into an awesome prize drawing.

To participate, pick up a bingo card available at your local DPLS library or download one from the web page, 2016 Teen  Winter Craze.

Cards will be accepted from January 18 until April 4.

Title: Black Widow: Forever Red
Format: Audio Book
Author: Margaret Stohl
Rating: 3 out of 5

Natasha Romanoff was given the title "Black Widow" in Moscow's Red Room by her teacher, Ivan Somodorov. Now as a S.H.I.E.L.D Agent, she returns to Russia to rescue a young Ava Orlova from the ruthless military experiments led by Somodorov. That rescue ended with the death of the brutal teacher.

Ten years later, children all over Eastern Europe are disappearing. Rumor has it that Somodorov has returned from the dead and is performing the same experiments that he did on Ava. Now, Natasha, Ava, and the dark-eyed boy who haunts Ava's dreams must work together to save the world. 

Essentially, Black Widow: Forever Red is the origin story of Black Widow and the introduction of a new superhero. Stohl masterfully weaves three stories together to create an action packed spy thriller. Note, there is a insta-love connection for all you romance fans.

On January 22, Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave will make its film debut. Cassie Sullivan [Chloë Grace Moretz] has survived the first 4 waves of alien attacks. Now own her own, she is in desperate search of her missing brother. Throughout this ordeal she has learned one thing, "Do not trust anyone." However, in order to save her brother she is forced to trust Evan Walker. 

If you want to learn more, check out the Prezi or just read the book. 

Early this morning the 2016 ALA Youth Media Awards were announced. These titles where chosen as the year's best of the best. I will just highlight a few of the notable winners. For the full list of titles check out: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/01/american-library-association-announces-2016-youth-media-award-winners.

Printz Award - for excellence in literature written for young adults:

• Winner: “Bone Gap” by Laura Ruby
• Honor: “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Pérez
• Honor: “The Ghosts of Heaven” by Marcus Sedgwick 

William C. Morris Award - debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:

• Winner: “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli
• Finalist:  “Because You’ll Never Meet Me” by Leah Thomas
• Finalist: “Conviction” by Kelly Loy Gilbert
• Finalist: “The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly,” by Stephanie Oakes
• Finalist: “The Weight of Feathers”  by Anna-Marie McLemore 

Caldecot Award - most distinguished picture book for children:

• Winner: “Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear,” illustrated by Sophie Blackall, written by Lindsay Mattick
• Honor: “Trombone Shorty,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Troy Andrews
• Honor: “Waiting” illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes
• Honor: “Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement,” illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
• Honor: “Last Stop on Market Street” illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Matt de le Peña 

Newbery Award - most outstanding contribution to children's literature:

• Winner: "Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña
• Honor: “The War that Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• Honor: “Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson
• Honor: “Echo” by Pam Muñoz Ryan