The end of January is a big time of year for young adult literature fans, as it marks the announcement of that year’s award winning novels. Many people are familiar with the popular children’s awards, The Caldecott and The Newberry, but fewer people realized that young adult books also receive awards. The Young Adult Library Services Association (or YALSA) hosts and organizes this annual event. After committees read, nominate, and vote on winners throughout the year, the association meets at the end of each January to announce the yearly winners.
The Printz
The Printz award is perhaps the most coveted and prized of all young adult fiction awards. The purpose of this award is to identify “a book that exemplifies literary excellent in young adult literature.” One book each year is granted this honored award, but four as also selected as the honorary books of the year.
This years winner, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, is a story about Taylor Markham, a young woman haunted by her past, who reluctantly leads the students of the Jellicoe School in their secret territory wars against the Townies and the Cadets. Marchetta’s lyrical writing evokes the Australian landscape in a suspenseful tale of raw emotion, romance, humor and tragedy.
Melina Marchetta lives in Sydney, Australia, and is the award-winning author of two previous novels. A former high school teacher, she is recognized for the authenticity of her teen characters’ voices.
2009’s Honorary Printz Awards include:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II, The Kingdom on the Waves, by M.T. Anderson; The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart; Nation, by Terry Pratchett; and Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan.
The Margaret A. Edwards Award
The Edwards Awards is in honor of one outstanding author whose body of writing has made a significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. Furthermore, "it recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world."
I was excited to find that this year, Laurie Halse Anderson, was selected to recieve this award. As the recipient of this year's awards she will be the key note speaker at this years annual YALSA conference this upcoming summer. Although Anderson has written a number of different books, this award particularly highlights her novels Catalyst, Fever 1793, and Speak. With the publication of Speak, itself a 1995 honory Printz book, Anderson marked herself as a strong author who not only produces high-quality literature, but also as someone who can appeal to young adult readers.
The Alex Awards
The Alex Award is given yearly to ten books written for adults, but which would have particular appeal for to young adults, ages 12-18. Many books, either fiction or non-fiction have recieved this honor.
William C. Morris Award
The Morris Award saw it's debut this year with the selection of A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce. The award is given to an first-time publishing author writing to teens and "celebrates impressive new voices in young adult literature."
In addition to these particular awards, YALSA publishes a number of different booklists each year. These lists are a wonderful place to start when looking for good literature to read. Each year's lists include: (To see this years winners in each category, click on the link below.)
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
Fabulous Films for Young Adults
Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Oustanding Books for the College Bound
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
Whatever your personal interest, the books selected by YALSA each year can be a great place to start looking when you need something new to read. Understanding the awards and the purpose of each award can help you deliberate, decide and better appreciate the literature you find on the bookstore or library shelve.
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And don't forget the Cybil awards! They are the Children's and Young Adults Bloggers' Awards. The panel is made up of Child Lit Bloggers -- a past Columbus member (Stephanie Ford) is on one of lead moderators. Check it out: http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/
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