The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first given in 2009, honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.
FINALISTS
Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
WINNER
If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds, art by Danica Novgorodoff (9781534444959)
The original verse novel by Reynolds won many awards, including a Newbery Honor, Printz Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor. I was hesitant to take a look at the graphic novel version of the book, wondering how it could work. While the graphic novel does not improve the book (because how could it), instead it is like a new jazz version of the original, taking the story and transforming it into something similar but altogether different. This new graphic version is incredible, just as moving, tense and personal as the original.
Readers who may hesitate at picking up a verse novel will find this new version more approachable. Beautifully, Reynold’s wring is intact here, so many of his important lines and statements left to speak directly to the reader. Novgorodoff manages to transform the work with her art. She sweeps the pages with watercolor blues, fills violent parts with blood spattering red, highlights Will on his elevator journey through death and hope using color and light.
Amazing, transformative and fully in honor of the original work. Appropriate for ages 12-16.
Reviewed from copy provided by Atheneum.
YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, has announced the titles included in their 2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list. The list includes 126 titles selected from 145 official nominations. It’s one of the best library collection development tools for YA graphic novels. The committee also selected a Top Ten, which follows:
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Blue Flag (vol 1-5) by Kaito
Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence by Joel Christian Gill
Go with the Flow by Karen Schneemann, art by Lily Williams
Guantánamo Voices: True Accounts from the World’s Most Infamous Prison by Sarah Mirk, art by Gerardo Alba, Kasia Babis, Alex Beguez, Tracy Chahwan, Nomi Kane, et al
The Low, Low Woods by Carn Maria Machado, art by DaNi
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, art by Gurihiru
Wonder Twins (vol. 1 & 2) by Mark Russell, art by Stephen Byrne
It was a year of incredible diversity in teen novels. Here are my favorites of the year:
Again Again by E. Lockhart (9780385744799)
“I particularly loved the characters that Lockhart creates here. They are maddening at times but also glorious individuals who are creative and interesting.”
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (9780062990297)
“Just starting reading, it is clear that the poems are done by a master storyteller. They allow readers to deeply understand the struggles of Michael from his family life to friendships that come and go to coming out and then performing.”
The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg (9781338325034)
“He gives us the darkness and then the light, the ending portrayal of their stories are just what the reader needs, hope and unlikely friends.”
Burn by Patrick Ness (9780062869494)
“Ness as always surprises and amazes in this new novel. His world building is remarkable, combining alternative history of the late 1950’s with fantasy into a world that is entirely believable.”
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (9780062882769)
“Beautifully written, this is another marvel of a read from Acevedo.”
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (9781646140053)
“It’s a rich tapestry of fantasy, centered on Native American culture. That tapestry is impressive on its own but adding to the appeal is a deep murder mystery as well as a façade that must fall.”
Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh (9780525556206)
“Her verses are searing at times, other times like a dream, and still others a call to action. She writes with such compassion and courage here that it’s incredible that this is her first novel.”
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri (9781646140008)
“It’s a world of stories that shows the tangled lives of immigrants, from what they have lost to what they discover as well.”
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (9780062840356)
“Jackson writes with such raw power here. She harnesses growing tensions, fear for Enchanted’s life, and reader’s horror at the situation that Enchanted finds herself in.”
Kent State by Deborah Wiles (9781338356281)
“Brace yourself for this one. Wiles doesn’t pull any punches here. She allows all of the voices to speak, almost a chorus of the times, speaking about the draft, the Vietnam War, the incredible pressures on college students, the attitudes of the town, and the expectations for the National Guard.”
Layoverland by Gabby Noone (9781984836120)
“Hilarious, romantic and never dull, this novel is heavenly.”
Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles (9780062349217)
“A frank look at sex, lies and toxic masculinity with a main character to cheer for, despite it all.”
Parachutes by Kelly Yang (9780062941084)
“Yang tells the story of Chinese parachute students who come to the United States for high school. Their experience is fascinating and unique.”
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (9780062996480)
“Told in verse, this is a powerful book that insists that readers see how the system actually works, its inherent racism, and the way that Black youths, particularly boys, are seen by white communities and white teachers.”
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko (9781419739828)
“The depth of this teen novel is remarkable, particularly for a debut novel. It is a book that submerges the reader into a world they have never seen or experienced before.”
Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold (9780062742377)
“With ties to both fantasy and elements of allegory, this novel is dark and bloody, just right to be relished by young feminists.”
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown (9780062891495)
“Unique, detailed and fascinating, this first book in a series is a heady mix of African myth, political intrigue and fantasy.”
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (9781534457690)
“A dynamite first book in a dazzling fantasy series.”
Three Things I Know Are True by Betty Culley (9780062908025)
“Culley’s verse is written with the tautness of a violin string. Her words stretch and hum, resonant with meaning. She doesn’t use any extra words, her poetry spare and rich with emotion that goes unstated but fills the pages.”
Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry (9781616208967)
“Mabry’s novel is exceptional. Her writing is achingly beautiful, telling a story of profound grief and pain.”
Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus (9781419708978)
“A large part of the success here is Preus’ writing which contains a strong sense of justice and resistance in the face of the Gestapo.”
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert (9781368053297)
“Political and romantic, this book is also a clarion call to vote and get involved.”
Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour (9780593108970)
“Gorgeously written and filled with icy darkness and glowing warmth, this novel is a triumph.”
The Way Back by Gavriel Savit (9781984894625)
“It is a great twisting and writhing story that the reader simply must give themselves up to and enjoy the journey.”
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee (9780358131434)
“Her writing is exceptional, moving from straightforward storytelling to passages that sing with poetic touches to direct verse. All of it screams of the injustice, demanding that people see what actually happened in the camps and the impossible decisions faced by the Japanese Americans who were held there.”
YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, has released their list of the 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults. The list contains 85 titles, selected from 124 official nominations. They have also selected a Top Ten, which appears below:
Be Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnis
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
This Is My America by Jenny Torres Sanchez
What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
Here are my favorite 20 graphic novels from 2020. They cover a wide variety of topics and age levels. Enjoy!
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha (9780062685094)
“Ha’s memoir is marvelous. She creates real emotion on the page, not shying away from the raw reaction that she had as a teen to being moved to an entirely different country unexpectedly. “
Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, illustrated by Maris Wicks (9781626728776)
“A stellar look at gender in space and science that is inspiring. “
Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada, illustrated by Hyung-Ju Ko (9781945820427)
“This graphic novel is so powerful. It looks at a totalitarian regime and the efforts to overthrow it, particularly the ideas and books that the regime forbids.”
Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne (9781534441538)
“Layne has created a graphic novel for middle schoolers and teens that is an intoxicating mix of magic, goblins and love.”
Displacement by Kiku Hughes (9781250193544)
“Hughes ties our current political world directly to that of the camps, showing how racist policies make “solutions” like internment camps more likely to happen. “
Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song (9781984895837)
“Screamingly funny at times and wildly silly…”
Dungeon Critters by Natalie Reiss and Sara Goetter (9781250195463)
“Perfect for anyone who has spent time with Dungeons and Dragons or crawled through video game dungeons like World of Warcraft, this book is captivating.”
Flamer by Mike Curato (9781250756145)
“Curato has created a graphic novel that really speaks to self discovery and learning how to survive.”
Fly on the Wall by Remy Lai (9781250314116)
“There is so much sheer honesty and vulnerability on these pages that it is breathtaking.”
The Last Halloween: Children by Abby Howard (9781945820663)
“Perfect for teens who enjoy blood, gore and demons mixed with lots of humor.”
Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert (9780062990471)
“The art and story flow together seamlessly, creating a world that shines with golden light. He creates vistas in his world so that readers can view the expanse of the continent.”
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds, art by Danica Novgorodoff (9781534444959)
“Beautifully, Reynold’s wring is intact here, so many of his important lines and statements left to speak directly to the reader. Novgorodoff manages to transform the work with her art.”
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen (9780593125298)
“It is remarkable that this is a debut graphic novel. It is done with such finesse, weaving the fairy tales and the modern world together into a place full of possibility and transformation.”
Pea, Bee & Jay: Stuck Together by Brian “Smitty” Smith (9780062981172)
“Smith has created a madcap race of a book. Filled with all sorts of puns about peas and bees, the book’s writing is pure silliness.”
Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz (9780525552857)
“Goerz creates a mystery where all of the elements snap into place by the end and it also becomes about more than punishing a culprit, ending with new friendships and greater understanding.”
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh (9781250171122)
“The writing is superb, the plotting is clever and clear. The art is phenomenal with race and gender playing major roles. The characters are deep, well conceived and very diverse.”
Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley (9780593125243)
“Knisley fills her book with small moments of life on a farm and in the country. Every person who lives, loves or tolerates the country will enjoy her depiction.”
Twins by Varian Johnson, illustrated by Shannon Wright (9781338236132)
“Sure to be popular, this graphic novel appears light but has lots of depth to explore about sisterhood.”
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed (9780525553908)
“Human, tragic and empowering, this book gives a human face to the many refugees in our world.”
Witchlight by Jessi Zabarsky (9780593124185)
“Set in a diverse medieval fantasy universe, this graphic novel demands that people of all races and abilities be seen and accepted.”
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram (9780593108239)
This second book about Darius takes place after he returns home from his family’s visit to Iran. A lot has changed since he made his first real friend in Iran, someone he still talks with often and considers his best friend. Now Darius is on the school soccer team and has a boyfriend. He works at a tea store that his boyfriend’s father owns, immersing himself in something he loves. But his family is struggling with money and with his father taking more jobs where he has to travel, his grandmothers move in to help. Darius can’t help but notice how different his grandmothers are than his mother’s family in Iran. He works to connect with them, but doesn’t make much headway. His relationship may not be as great as he though either, since Landon wants to move a lot faster than Darius is ready for. Plus a boy on his soccer team is becoming a closer friend, though he did used to bully Darius. Nothing is simple or easy in this second book, as Darius continues to learn about himself.
Returning to the world of Darius was amazing. Khorram’s writing is marvelous, exuding a natural warmth in his storytelling. His empathy for Darius is clear, as Darius struggles with what he is ready for, what family means to him, and who he wants to have in his life. Even his relationship with tea becomes problematic, as he may lose something he loves because he fears failure so much. And beware how much you will want to try some of the teas mentioned here, because Darius is passionate about them!
Darius is hero material. Thoughtful and sometimes depressed, he is complex and marvelous. From his best friend in Iran to his boyfriend to his new friendships on the soccer team, Darius is brave and manages to continue coming out through this new novel. He faces fear in ways that preserve what he loves, sets real boundaries to keep true to himself, and manages to be hilariously funny too.
Another great Darius book. Can there please be a third? Appropriate for ages 14-18.
Reviewed from library copy.
Dungeon Critters by Natalie Reiss and Sara Goetter (9781250195463)
Join a band of brave heroes who adventure through dungeons and then take on more sinister threats above ground. There is Rose, the pun-flinging pink cat mage. June is the quieter dog healer who keeps the entire group alive. Goro is the big green creature who serves as the muscle. Finally, Jeremy is the frog with a sharp sword and a vendetta against The Baron. After finding a strange plant, our heroes must figure out how it is being used by The Baron to potentially take over the world. As they work through the threats and puzzles, the group steadily reveal themselves to the reader. Goro misses his boyfriend Horse Boy and Jeremy seems to be far more royal than he first appeared. Meanwhile, there is some romantic heat between Rose and June that plays out throughout the book.
Perfect for anyone who has spent time with Dungeons and Dragons or crawled through video game dungeons like World of Warcraft, this book is captivating. There is plenty of action for those who love that aspect of gaming, but really where this book shines is in the character development, just like any great D&D campaign. The inclusion of LGBT elements and full-on romance is marvelous. It’s a book sure to make everyone feel included in gaming, dungeons and even fancy dances.
The art is bright and dashing while the writing adds the joy of puns as well as moments that will have you laughing out loud. The two together make for a book that is a fast read because the action gallops along and readers will want to know what happens to these characters that they love.
Full of action, romance and humor, this is a dungeon worth crawling for. Appropriate for ages 10-14.
Reviewed from library copy.
Here are the final lists of finalists (get it?) for the 2020 Cybils Awards. The lists below are focused on books for high school and teens: YA Graphic Novels, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Speculative Fiction, and High School Nonfiction. Look for the winners of all of the categories on February 14th.
YA GRAPHIC NOVELS
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
Displacement by Kiku Hughes
Flamer by Mike Curato
Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by Gurihiru
That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story by Huda Fahmy
You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez, illustrated by Julie Maroh
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
The Edge of Anything by Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
YOUNG ADULT SPECULATIVE FICTION
Burn by Patrick Ness
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold (I nominated this one!)
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
HIGH SCHOOL NONFICTION
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Laura L. Sullivan
Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights by Karen Blumenthal
The Radium Girls Young Reader’s Edition: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy: The Evolution of Gender, Identity and Race in Sports by Robyn Ryle
Walk Toward the Rising Sun: From Child Soldier to Ambassador of Peace by Ger Duany and Garen Thomas
Waking Brain Cells 