Inaugural William C. Morris YA Award: Five Finalists Unveiled
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 12/08/2008
A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, the story of a teenage warrior, and a teen coming to terms with his father’s disappearance are among five finalists for the inaugural William C. Morris Award, which honors a book written by a first-time author for young adults.
Sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), the winner will be announced on January 26, 2009 at ALA’s midwinter in Denver.
"After much discussion, the committee has put together quite a list for this first year of the award," says Bonnie Kunzel, committee chair. "We hope librarians and teachers all over the country will enjoy these books themselves and share them with their teen readers."
The award is named for William C. (Bill) Morris, a longtime publishing executive in the library world who was admired for his enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens.
"Recognizing first time authors' achievements acknowledges the growth of the field of young adult literature," says YALSA President Sarah Cornish Debraski. "With so many new authors writing each year, these finalists will spotlight the most stellar. It is a very special way to remember Bill Morris and his support of young adult literature, authors, and YALSA.
The finalists are:
A Curse Dark as Gold (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks) by Elizabeth C. Bunce, a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin set in England at the start of the Industrial Revolution.
Graceling (Harcourt) by Kristin Cashore, about a teenage warrior Katsa, who has extraordinary strength in combat skills.
Absolute Brightness (HarperTeen) by James Lecesne, about a boy, Leonard Pelkey, who encounters evil and whose magic isn't truly felt until he disappears.
Madapple (Knopf) by Christina Meldrum, a story of Aslaug, a teenaged girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother—who brought her up in near isolation—unexpectedly dies.
Me, the Missing, and the Dead (HarperTeen) by Jenny Valentine, about teenager Lucas Swain, who is still coming to terms with his father’s disappearance five years ago.
For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists or email: yalsa@ala.org.
