Nerds Heart YA 2011 Shortlist

This is the third year of Nerds Heart YA. A tournament for underrepresnted literature. It always features a wonderful shortlist, allowing 32 titles to get a little more well needed and deserved exposure.


The 2011 shortlist.

NerdsHeartYA has a great track record of past winners.

2009 My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger - I loved this one so much. It ridicoulsy good, laugh out loud funny and filled me with so much joy.


2010 Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz - Again nothing but love. This author is pretty sick with a pen. Once again Alire Saenz simply put is all into it.
Looking forward to seeing which of the 32 will win this year. But the best thing about this tournament is it's not just about the winner. There are some great books on the list that are worth adding to your tbr list. I've read 18 so far and I know for a fact there is some serious WoW.

A Winner, Interviews and The Cybils Awards

Nerds Heart YA. The tournament to highlight under represented literature, has a winner
Last Night I Sang to The Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz.
I let out a little squeal of happiness with I discovered who won. Benjamin Alire Saenz is such a talented writer and deserves a lot more attention then he gets.

On Wednesday, I will be posting an interview with Jewell Parker Rhodes. I loved Ninth Ward. When I finished it my first thought was "I want to interview the author" But I was hesitant to ask. It was Jewell Parker Rhodes after all. Ninth Ward is her first children's novel but she has an extensive body of work. When, I finally did ask, Rhodes was kind enough to say yes.

If you missed it do check out my recent interview with Jen Cullerton Johnson the author of Seeds of Change. I had difficult time coming up with questions. I had some serious question block ( is that a real thing? If not it should be.) Finally it hit me, with the exception of a group G. Neri interview with Edi and Ari about Yummy , this would be the only other time I would be asking an author questions about a non fiction book. Once I knew what the problem was, it got easier.

This is the fifth year of the Cybils awards or Children's and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Award. I love this award, it gives some well deserved attention to some great books. Anyone is free to nominate a 2010 release. The Cybils site is very easy to browse and the organizer's make everyone feel welcome. I say the same thing about Cybils award every year. Though this the first year, I put my name in to be a judge. I will be on one of the panels but I won't say which one until the full panel is released on the site. I am very happy with my placement and to have the opportunity to participate in the Cybils awards.