The Best of 2013

February 12, 2013

Sometimes it is hard to find a good book. No, not just a good book, but a GREAT book. That is why I love when the award books are announced! I get list of lots of different types of books to read that have people singing their praises. It makes me feel like a kid in a candy store!

Each year after much deliberation, a winning title is chosen at The American Library Association’s Midwinter meeting for various youth categories. The winners are deemed the best book of the year in each category. Their runner-ups are given the distinguishing title of "Honor Books" or "Finalists."

The following are the winners and honor/finalist books for the teen awards in 2013:

Michael L. Printz Award: This award is given to the book that displays excellence in literature written to a young adult audience.
Winner: In Darkness by Nick Lake
Honor Books: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alir Saenz, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Dodger by Terry Pratchett, The White Bicycle by Beverley Brenna

Alex Awards: This is an award for the top 10 adult books that teens will also want to read.

1. Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman
2. Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman
3. Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross
4. Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
5. My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf
6. One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard
7. Pure by Julianna Baggott
8. The Round House by Louise Erdrich
9. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
10. Where’s You Go, Bernadette? By Maria Semple

Stonewall Book Award: This award is given to an English-language children’s and young adult book of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.
Winner: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Honor Books: Drama by Raina Telgemeier, Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman, and Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie by S. J. Adams

William C. Morris Award: This award is given to an author for their debut teen book.
Winner: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Finalists: Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby, Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo, After the Snow by S. D. Crockett, The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth.

MCPL owns many of these titles, so be sure to click the links and read them for yourself. Then tell us what you think. Do you agree with these winners? If not, what books would you have nominated? What have been some of your favorite reads of 2013?

Happy Reading,

Katie Gregory
Youth Services Department