Archives for December 2011
Our Thoughts on the Printz
Every year, we like to take our shot at guessing the most likely contenders for the Printz award. We’ve got a little over a month until the announcement, so we thought it about time to revisit our mid-year guesses and add any new titles we thought might have a shot at the list. We’d love any of your thoughts — where do you agree or disagree?
Kelly Says…
Most of the guesses I had in June still hold true for me. Here’s my list of best predictions:
Imaginary Girls Nova Ren Suma: I’ve had this one since my initial list, and I’ve reviewed it with Kim here. I had the chance to read this book a second time since and I think I loved it more the second read — I picked up on a lot of things I missed the first time that made me appreciate how well-written and intricately-woven the threads of this story are. It’s not an easy read but a challenging one, but the reward is worth it.
Chime by Franny Billingsley: This is one I haven’t read but Kim has. This one I’ve put on my list because it has earned six starred reviews and has been praised for its world development and language, which are two things I know the committee looks at closely. I still stand by my original assessment of this one — the cover is atrocious.
Blink and Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones: This one’s been a “best of” list favorite, as well as one that garnered three starred reviews. I read this one and felt pretty neutral toward the story as a whole, but I found the writing distracting. One of the characters is written in second person, and as a reader, I found that tactic pulled me out of the story. Since literary merit is the big factor in the Printz, though, I wouldn’t be surprise if that technique is actually a strength for this particular book.
Everybody Sees the Ants by AS King: I’m hoping that King’s book doesn’t get overlooked because she took home an honor last year for Please Ignore Vera Dietz. This one got six stars, like the Billingsley title, but this one hasn’t made a single “best of” list. I’m not sure how that works. I’ve read this one, and while I wasn’t as in love with it as I was with Vera Dietz, it stands on its own and the writing is top notch. It’s another blend of reality and the fantastic, a style I love. You can read Kim’s review here.
LIE by Caroline Bock: I’ve reviewed this one, and it has earned four starred reviews. It’s a dark horse, I think, but the writing is tight, and the storyline compelling. The message is a bit heavy-handed, but I don’t think that is an issue for the committee, who’ll look at the literary merits, and this one scores high on that scale.
The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolfe: Another dark horse, but one that cannot be discounted because the writing and the storyline are so compelling. I’ve reviewed this one, and I thought of all the young adult verse novels I read this year (which I think might be all of them), this one made strongest use of the form. Also, it features 24 distinct voices and handles them all very well.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: I tried reading this one but couldn’t for a number of reasons. It’s exceedingly well written — even from the bit I made it through there was no question on literary quality — and it has garnered some strong reaction from those who have made it through. Kim’s reviewed it, and it earned 4 starred reviews.
Life: An Exploded Diagram Mal Peet: Add this to the pile of I tried to read it but couldn’t do it. It’s a challenging text, and from what I’ve read in the reviews, the payoff is worth it. It’s highly literary and plays with human life against the backdrop of major historical events.
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey: This mystery from Australia has garnered four starred reviews. I’ve reviewed it briefly, too. I have to say, I wasn’t as impressed with this one as others have been — it was sort of a dead story because I figured out the end in the first couple of chapters, and I didn’t quite find the way it played out to be all that fascinating. I realize I’m in the minority here, though, and I do think it meets the writing qualities the Printz committee looks for.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Laini Taylor: I think this might be the top contender this year. It’s gorgeously written and has some of the most beautiful prose I’ve read in a long time. I’m not a paranormal/supernatural reader, but Taylor made me love the journey anyway. Kim wrote a really great review of this one — and bonus, it’s earned four stars.
Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol: I was sort of surprised this one didn’t make the Morris short list, but I’m hoping that’s because it’s a real contender for the Printz. I adored this graphic novel, both from the illustration aspect and from the story and writing aspect. This one has garnered 5 starred reviews, and Kim’s reviewed it. It’s rare a book makes me want to go back and reread, but Brosgol’s graphic novel has been begging me to reread.
In addition to these, I’d love to see Blake Nelson’s Recovery Road on the list, though I think it’s a bit of a long shot. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Melina Marchetta’s The Piper’s Son make the cut, though I have a hard time wrapping my head around a story featuring no teen characters making the cut. I did read this one and quite liked it, but I don’t know how much of a serious chance it has. I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens make the cut, despite all the hangups I had with it (it was too over the top, even for satire, and I found myself not engaged in the story or the writing because of that) nor would I be surprised to see Lauren Myracle’s Shine, either. I would be really excited to see Sara Zarr’s How to Save a Life among the Printz finalists this year, as well.
What I cut:
So on my original list, I had Judy Blundell’s Strings Attached but after reading it, I found a lot of little things throughout the story that simply didn’t work enough to make it as tight a story as the ones I’ve listed above. The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow had a lot of passage of time issues I couldn’t forgive as a reader and I think would be called out by the committee. Even though it’s entirely possible to have a book wind up both on the Morris shortlist and on the Printz list, I don’t think Ruta Sepetys’s Between Shades of Gray will do that. There were some writing issues in the book for me, which I talked about here. As for my wish list item of CK Kelly Martin’s My Beating Teenage Heart? I keep it on my wish list.
Kim Says…
My top pick is, unsurprisingly, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. With last year’s pick, the Printz committee showed they weren’t afraid to hand the highest honor to a full-fledged genre title, so I’m hoping they’ll agree with me that Daughter is deserving of the prize this year. In terms of writing, it knocks all the competition out of the water, and by a long shot. You can read more of my rambling about the book and its merits here.
My two runners up are The Shattering by Karen Healey and Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King. In The Shattering, Healey writes three different points of view and keeps each of them distinct and three dimensional (no easy feat for a writer). It also includes a few big issues that award committees tend to love – LGBT, suicide, diversity – but it’s not a book entirely about those things. It’s definitely a fantasy, but set in our world with meaning beyond the fantastic. Everybody Sees the Ants is more of an issue novel, but King does it so well that it never feels preachy. The use of the ants and Lucky’s dreams add an interesting and literary flair, and Lucky’s voice is one of the best I’ve read.
Kelly has already discussed Imaginary Girls and Chime, which I still believe are contenders, although I didn’t like either of them as much as the three previous titles I’ve mentioned here. The writing in Imaginary Girls is stellar and the story is creepy good, but it didn’t speak to me like the others. Chime I didn’t care for at all – you can read all about why at my review here.
I still favor Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan for an honor nod. It made School Library Journal’s best books of the year, the writing is crisp, the plotting is fantastic, and the themes (religion, power, loyalty) are all award-worthy. It’s also got some faint historical/literary allusions that serve it well in the award arena.
I haven’t read You Against Me by Jenny Downham, but Abby has a rave review here, and it’s got all the elements of a winner: good writing, high-stakes issues (rape, loyalty, family), excellent characterization. It’s just recently hit my radar and it might be one of the few non-genre books I pick up.
Jen Says…
Since Jen’s been busy preparing for the arrival of her baby (a good excuse, we think!), she wanted to say she still thinks some of the books she originally cast as potential Printz picks still stand, namely Imaginary Girls and Chime.
Added by Jen at the last minute:
I would like to subtract one of my original picks, Beauty Queens, after reading the book and being less than impressed, despite my immense Libba Bray love. This novel felt like way too much of an in-your-face satire to me, with key plot points and character traits being shoved to the forefront, with no subtlety at all.
I’ll also throw into the mix Everybody Loves the Ants by A.S. King and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. While I didn’t love Ants as much as I did Vera Dietz, King delivered a truly original, well-crafted book. And Daughter of Smoke and Bone was just plain beautiful, combining elements of traditional mythology with Taylor’s own twist. Daughter wasn’t 100% my usual preferred genre, but I really enjoyed this novel, and loved both its originality and its surprising twist.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Thoughts on the Morris shortlist
Over the last year, I’ve read a lot of books — and a ton of debuts at that. Part of why I like to read so many debuts, aside from the fact I get exposed to completely new and fresh voices, is that I like to play the “how many can I guess” game come awards season. Plus, the lively discussions (or debates) you can have when you’ve read the books that do get award nods are much better than if you haven’t read any.
This year, when the Morris Award finalists were announced, I was pretty pleased with myself because I’ve read four of the five titles (but Kimberly has reviewed that title here). Of those, three were ones I’d pinned as potentials list-makers after reading them. Since I’ve never fully reviewed any of the titles, here’s a look at the four I’ve read and my thoughts on them. Any thoughts you have are more than welcome, of course. I love a good discussion!
Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s Under the Mesquite takes place in Eagle Pass, Texas (and a bit in Mexico, as well) and it follows the story of Lupita, who is dealing with a cancer-stricken mother, a host of brothers and sisters, and the daily challenges of living in a border town. Of all the verse novels I read this year — and I’m pretty sure I’ve read every young adult verse novel this year — this one was one of the strongest in form. It worked around each page and pass, and I really felt like it captured Lupita’s voice very well.
The story itself is compelling, especially because it really digs into the challenges that come with devoting oneself to family while pursuing one’s dreams. It’s one of those issues that’s particularly important in a lot of first generation immigrants, and it’s one with which readers definitely will identify. McCall offers readers a relatable character, and she tells a story that’s culturally pertinent right now and will continue to be relevant. I read this one immediately after reading Ashley Hope Perez’s What Can'(t) Wait (another debut), which explores similar themes and came away thinking that finally (!) there are authors writing really good stories about the challenges of growing with one’s latino/a heritage in America.
My problem, however, was that the resolution in this story comes out of left field. What Lupita chooses at the end didn’t make sense in context of the rest of the story, simply because what she does was something that never came up throughout the book. I’d have bought it in a heartbeat had she mentioned her desires to do what she did, but she didn’t. This is where I think Perez’s story is much more successful. While I think McCall’s book was strong in writing, it lacked in cohesive plot resolution, and I think compared to other titles on the shortlist, it doesn’t stack up as strongly. It does, however, have good reader appeal, which is a factor (however small) in the decisions of the Morris committee.
Where McCall’s book did feature reader appeal, I feel like Jennifer Hubbard’s Paper Covers Rock lacks. Admittedly, this book was one I had a hard time reading. I would read a page or two, put it down, not want to pick it up, pick it up reluctantly, and the process would repeat.
Here’s the deal: it’s set at a private, all-boys prep school in the 1980s. There are secrets and scandals. And it’s very, very literary. But it’s not just literary, it’s a wink and a nudge to a whole host of literary novels — especially the classic and canonical A Separate Peace. There’s also a lot of reference to Moby Dick and even though that is My All-Time Favorite Classical Read (capitals important because I’m not being sarcastic, actually), I couldn’t revel in them like I wanted to. In being so heavy in references, the story for me got so lost and convoluted. I don’t remember anything about the plot from this one, other than the fact it made tons of use of the references and made me anxious to be finished. The story becomes too aware of itself. As soon as I finished, though, I noted that it reminded me of an awardy book. And, bingo.
Obviously, this one had all of the things I dislike in a book. The arbitrary 1980s setting only enhanced my frustration with the read, and I say as a librarian, I have a hard time figuring out who the readership is for this book other than an adult/award committee. Don’t get me wrong here, though. Hubbard does what she does well. The writing is strong and the ability to make all those connections to other works is masterful. But at the end, I still wonder whether the style ended up taking over substance. Or rather, the substance of the style overtook the story.
Let’s talk now about the non-reluctant reader for a second. I mentioned in the book above I had a hard time figuring out an audience for such a heavy, literary novel. In the case of John Corey Whaley’s Where Things Come Back, I have no trouble knowing that readers who would appreciate this one are those who like their works challenging, substantial, and literary. Where the Hubbard book lacked a strong storyline for me, Whaley’s nails it.
I’ve actually talked about this book before (briefly), so I won’t go too much into what worked for me. This is a book where two very separate storylines compel the reader forward to figure out how they are related to one another. It’s layered and nuanced and complicated, but it doesn’t become overly aware of itself in the process. We are grounded in the story, rather than caught up in the technique to make the story.
As soon as I finished reading this book earlier in the year, it became the top runner in my mind for Morris consideration, and I’m thrilled to see it made the list. I’d love to see this one take the top prize come January because I think that it not only deserves it, but I think it give this gem a little more attention than it’s already received. Cullen’s voice is authentic, memorable, and, I think, relatable to so many readers, particularly those who aren’t city kids but rather are your average, small town kids.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys was a non-surprise for me on this list, and that’s not meant to be a bad or a good thing. The book got loads of good attention, and it’s one that I’m glad I read. I had no idea about this facet of history, nor that Stalin actively deported Lithuanians. It was a horrifying read because of how eye-opening it was. And for me, I don’t see a problem with teen appeal here at all. The teens I’ve worked with are fascinated by World War II stories and devour them. Giving them a book that takes such a different approach to the war and opens up an entire new story is exactly what I want to do, and I know they’ll read it.
However — and I know this is going to be unpopular — I’m not sure how well written the book itself is. Lina, the main character, seems to take forever to develop a real voice. It’s a story of horror and fear and torment and that’s all there. But I often question while reading a book set in this era or similar ones how much of that is the work of strong writing skills versus how much is the weight these events carry on their own. While Lina does eventually gain a voice (and a killer one that led me to mark a few really powerful and moving lines), it took a long time to come. I’m conscious of the fact it’ll be overpowered by the events, as it should be, but at the same time, I go back to the question of whether that’s necessarily a fair argument to even make given the situations themselves carry so much.
For me, the story was completely there, but I would have liked tighter, maybe even more compelling, writing throughout, rather than at the end of the book. I think what pleases me about the Morris shortlist is that, despite my issues with the writing in this book, Between Shades of Gray deserves its spot because of the story itself.
Rae Carson’s The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the one book I haven’t read so far, but I’ll link again to Kim’s review. Even though I’m not a fantasy reader, I’ve put this one on hold because I’m curious enough to pick it up (see, Morris awards have another great purpose!).
What I know about this book, though, is that it’s huge on appeal. A strong girl main character in a fantasy world and comparisons to Tamora Pierce? I don’t see how this book doesn’t sell itself to those readers.
I’m pleased to see that a book which has huge reader appeal made the list, as well as those which have more limited appeal. Even though I don’t get caught up on the idea of balance when it comes to award lists, it feels like this year’s field of Morris shortlist titles is quite well balanced. There are some titles I’m sad didn’t see the list, but on the whole, I think this is a pretty good, albeit not all that surprising, roster.
In the end, my money’s on Where Things Come Back. I’m really looking forward to being able to attend my first Youth Media Awards ceremony and knowing I’ll have read all of these books by then only makes it that much sweeter.
Show-Stopping Books: Gifts for the Artistic Readers in Your Life (YA Edition)
Abby and I were talking recently about the growth of performance as a theme in kid lit. There have been a ton of books exploring different forms of artistic expression in the last few years, and we thought it would be neat to highlight some of these books. It’s our hope these’ll offer ideas for book lists, displays, and maybe even a few holiday gift purchases. I’m tackling young adult titles, and you can hop over to Abby’s blog today and get a peek at picture books and middle grade titles.
Note these lists are in no way inclusive, and we’d love any other suggestions you have. All descriptions are via Worldcat.
When pulling together the titles, I noticed there are definitely holes in this area. Are there any recent titles featuring a male lead dancer? What about hip hop dancers? Jazz? The ones here are a nice mix of contemporary and historical novels.
Strings Attached by Judy Blundell: When she drops out of school and struggles to start a career on Broadway in the fall of 1950, seventeen-year-old Kit Corrigan accepts help from an old family friend, a lawyer said to have ties with the mob, who then asks her to do some favors for him.
Bunheads by Sophie Flack: Hannah Ward, nineteen, revels in the competition, intense rehearsals, and dazzling performances that come with being a member of Manhattan Ballet Company’s corps de ballet, but after meeting handsome musician Jacob she begins to realize there could be more to her life.
dancergirl by Carol Tanzman: A friend posted a video of me dancing online and now I’m now longer Alicia Ruffino. I’m dancergirl—and suddenly it’s like me against the world—everyone’s got opinions. My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he’s acting weird. And some stranger isn’t content to just watch anymore. Ali, dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you’ve seen me online, I’ve trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life. (Description via Goodreads)
Leap by Jodi Lundgren: Having just turned 15 and gone through her parents’ divorce, Natalie and her best friend Sasha are going to be practicing with their dance team all summer, but her friendship with Sasha goes on the rock, and her relationship with her boyfriend Kevin who is Sasha’s brother goes too far. Will she be taking on all these changes with confidence?
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe: When sixteen-year-old Sara, from a small Vermont town, wins a scholarship to study ballet in New Jersey, her ambivalence about her future increases even as her dancing improves.
Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher: In 1940s Chicago, fifteen-year-old Ruby hopes to escape poverty by becoming a taxi dancer in a nightclub, but the work has unforeseen dangers and hiding the truth from her family and friends becomes increasingly difficult.
When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer: Soledad Reyes decides to dance Carmen as part of a drum and bugle corps competition, not knowing if it will help or harm her chance of becoming a professional ballet dancer but eager to pursue new options, including a romance with the boy who invited her to audition. Reviewed here.
This category has so many titles to pick from, though again, I find it’s heavy on female leads. I’ve included music in a variety of forms. I’d be interested in hearing more recent titles featuring male leads, non-traditional music, or other facets within music.
Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft: As Seattle sixteen-year-old Jonathan helps a dying man come to terms with a tragic event he experienced during World War II, Jonathan begins facing his own demons, especially the death of his twin brother, helped by an assortment of friends, old and new. Reviewed here.
Amplified by Tara Kelly: When privileged seventeen-year-old Jasmine Kiss gets kicked out of her house by her father, she takes what is left of her meager savings and flees to Santa Cruz, California, to pursue her dream of becoming a rock musician. Reviewed here.
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley: One Australian summer, two very different sixteen-year-old girls–Charlie, a talented but shy musician, and Rose, a confident student longing to escape her tiny town–are drawn into an unexpected friendship, as told in their alternating voices. Reviewed here.
Rival by Sara Bennett-Wealer: Two high school rivals compete in a prestigious singing competition while reflecting on the events that turned them from close friends to enemies the year before. Reviewed here.
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez: Just before the most important violin competition of her career, seventeen-year-old violin prodigy Carmen faces critical decisions about her anti-anxiety drug addiction, her controlling mother, and a potential romance with her most talented rival.
Notes From an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne: French horn virtuoso Elsie Wyatt resents having to join her high school’s marching band playing a mellophone, but finally finds a sense of belonging that transcends the pressure she has always felt to be as good as her father, principal french horn player in the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John: Eighteen-year-old Piper becomes the manager for her classmates’ popular rock band, called Dumb, giving her the chance to prove her capabilities to her parents and others, if only she can get the band members to get along. Reviewed here.
Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson: When Pete, a talented bass player, moves from playing in the high school jazz band to playing in a popular rock group, he finds the experience exhilarating even as his new fame jeopardizes his relationship with girlfriend Margaret.
Glitz by Philana Marie Boles: Sixteen-year-old orphan Ann Michelle runs away from her grandmother’s house in Toledo, Ohio, with a new friend who is intent on seeking her own fame while the teenagers follow a hip-hop musician to New York City.
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (series): Seventeen-year-old Bertie strives to save Theater Illuminata, the only home she has ever known, but is hindered by the Players who magically live on there, especially Ariel, who is willing to destroy the Book at the center of the magic in order to escape into the outside world.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green: When two teens, one gay and one straight, meet accidentally and discover that they share the same name, their lives become intertwined as one begins dating the other’s best friend, who produces a play revealing his relationship with them both. Reviewed here.
Dramarama by E Lockhart: Spending their summer at Wildewood Academy, an elite boarding school for the performing arts, tests the bond between teens Sadye and her best friend Demi.
Withering Tights by Louise Rennison: Self-conscious about her knobby knees but confident in her acting ability, fourteen-year-old Tallulah spends the summer at a Yorkshire performing arts camp that, she is surprised to learn, is for girls only.
My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff: While working backstage on a high school production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” sixteen-year-old Adam develops feelings for a beautiful actress–which violates an unwritten code–and begins to overcome the grief that has controlled him since his father’s death nearly two years earlier.
Carter Finally Gets it by Brent Crawford (series): Awkward freshman Will Carter endures many painful moments during his first year of high school before realizing that nothing good comes easily, focus is everything, and the payoff is usually incredible.
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