Morris Debut Award/ Book Predictions

The William C. Morris YA debut award finalists were recently announced.

About the Morris Award
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first awarded in 2009, honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.

The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. Bill Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens.


The Finalists
1. Hush by Eishes Chayil
2. Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
3. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
4. Crossing Tracks by Barbara Stuber
5. The Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston

I've only finished two of the five and I loved them both. Guardian of the Dead and Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. The stories are very different, though they did have one thing they have in common, diversity.

YA literature is a popular genre right now, so there are a lot of debuts. Unfortunately, many lack any type of diversity. Yet, two of the five feature a diverse cast and a third finalist, Hush is set in a Jewish Community.

I don't know if these means anything but I love seeing it and it gives me hope that inclusion will soon be the norm.

I am getting in some end of the year reading. So I can make my children's awards predictions.

Belpre
I recently read 90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores -Galbis. Since Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Mccall released date was pushed back to May. I believe I've read but one of MG and YA titles eligible for the Belpre. I only I haven't read it Mr. Mendoza's Paintbursh by Luis Alberto Urrea. I still want to read, A Long Way Gone by Rene Saldana. It sounds great but past the eligibility range.

Newbery
I finally plan on reading How Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos. I've had it for a while, I just couldn't read it so soon after The Warmth of Others Suns by Isabel Wilkerson and They Called Themselves the kkk by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I also plan on checking out Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson and Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter

One title that is going to be a the top of my Newbery list is One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia. The author will be doing a book signing with four other authors, this Monday, Dec 13th.
There's still time to call 347- 770-8114 to order a signed copy.

Printz
I've been reading a lot of great Y recently, which is going to make guessing the Printz much harder. I can't do any worse then last year. I only guessed one honor book. Though I still believe author Franscisco X Stork was sadly overlooked for Marcelo in the Real World . Though thanks to last years Printz I did read and love The Tales of Madman Underground by John Barnes.