Youth Media Awards Monday is here, the day which all youth and teen librarians have circled on their calendar because the awards will be announced, books will be requested and need to be ordered, and debates will start happening over the internet about the merits of the honored books and whether they should be so recognized.
As we’re celebrating the wonderfully diverse lists, and the crossover of everything (Coretta Scott King and Newbery, Stonewall and Printz, etc.) load up your music player of choice with songs that fill your heart with celebration, as these these awards and booklists culminate a year of work for these committees, and highlight the passion of reading in our profession. Whether or not we agree with the selections, we can agree that the point is to celebrate reading, and that is a sensational reason to turn the volume up.
- Joy to the World by Three Dog Night (Joy to the World… all the boys and girls….)
- Celebration by Kool and the Gang (We gonna celebrate your party with you)
- Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (They’re playin’ my song I know I’m gonna be OK)
- Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger (That kind of music just soothes the soul)
- Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry (they were dancin’ and singin’ and movin’ to the groovin’)
- Grove is in the Heart by Dee-Lite (We’re gonna groove to Horton Hears A Who-oo! did you not know this was in there?!?!?!)
- God is a DJ by P!nk (Life is a dance floor, Love is the rhythm, You are the music)
- Everybody Dance Now by C&C Music Factory (Let the music take control, Let the rhythm move you)
- Dance to the Music by Sly and the Family Stone (Get on up and dance!)
- I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas (‘Cause I gotta feeling, woohoo, that tonight’s gonna be a good night)
- Get This Party Started by P!nk (I’ll be your connection to the party line)
- Pentatonix by Daft Punk (Music’s got me feeling so free, Celebrate and dance so free)
- Dance, Dance, Dance by The Steve Miller Band (If you keep on dancing, You’ll never grow old)
- Firework by Katy Perry (Just own the night like the 4th of July)
- I Got You by James Brown (I feel nice, like sugar and spice)
- Walking on Sunshine by Aly & AJ (I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh), And don’t it feel good)
and for the honorees and winners
- We are the Champions by Queen