This year's Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult literature went to The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean. 14-year old Symone gets to take the trip of a lifetime, to Antarctica, following in the footsteps of her (imaginary?) explorer companion. No part of the trip is as it originally seems, and eventually Symone isn't sure she will survive. The writing is exceptional and the award deserving.

The book is also a challenging and unique read, filled with shifts in time, an unreliable narrator, and a daunting length. It would be tough to recommend this to the average reader, let alone a reluctant reader. It is for what librarians call "special readers" those who are looking for things outside the average hot teen read. The Printz does not take into account audience or appeal, just literary merit. it's wonderful when a book has both, but let's be honest, not all do.

So what's a good winter read for the average or reluctant reader? I suggest Roland Smith's Peak, with a 14-year old character, Peak, who is the son of two mountain climbers. After he gets in trouble for scaling a building, he goes to stay with his father, who leads expeditions to Mt. Everest. Peak has a chance to become the youngest person to reach the summit, but there are of course complications. This is an action-packed story that will appeal to adventure lovers, and good and reluctant readers alike. (The title was selected for both Best Books for Young Adults, which focuses on literary quality, and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, concentrating on appealing books for those who don't like to read.)

There's an art to finding the right book for the right teen at the right time--it's important to look everywhere for suggestions. "Best" doesn't always mean a perfect fit.