YALit was founded in 2006 by Keri Adams and Stefan Hayden to provide a compilation of release dates for young adult novels. After trying various methods of remembering when to run to the nearest bookstore including an online calendar, random scraps of paper, and scribbling on the back of her hand, Keri decided that all of these dates should be easily accessible in one place. As a librarian, she realized it might be a good idea to include books that she might not want to buy for herself, but would want for her library. Stefan, a brilliant and enterprising web designer, realized that other people would enjoy this service as well and went to work building the website. Now teen librarians and ya lit aficionados have a place they can go to find out what's going on in young adult literature.
We are looking to expand to include more information about the books as well as user reviews and other social features. We are also looking to get publishers involved so our information will be more up to date than what we get off Amazon.
Keri Adams is the young adult librarian at the Malden Public Library. She has been reading young adult books since she was eight years old. She graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2004 with a B.A. in English and recieved an M.L.I.S. from Rutgers University in 2005. Keri has a particular affinity for Sweet Valley High, Harry Potter fan fiction, and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. She wishes people would stop writing ya books in diary or letter format.
Stefan Hayden is a web designer and honorary librarian. He has an BFA in Graphic Design from The College of New Jersey