Someday My Printz Will Come!
The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.
The Youth Media Awards take place next Monday, January 27, 2020, at 5:00 AM PST. But for this past year, several SJPL staff members gathered to discuss notable young adult books published in 2019 and participate in a mock selection committee. And just like the Mock Printz committee last year, we then voted on what was considered the best young adult book published in 2019 that was chosen to read for the Mock Printz committee meetings based upon the actual committee's criteria and selection process.
And the 2020 SJPL Mock Printz Award winner is ...
Lovely War by Julie Berry
The Greek goddess Aphrodite recounts two tales of tragic love during WWI to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: "Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another?" but her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music revealing that War is no match for the power of Love.
Honor Titles
One more thing ...
In addition to voting for our favorite book that we read and discussed, we also decided to make up some fun fake awards working from puns of the word "Printz" and give them to other YA titles published this year that we may not have had a chance to discuss in our meetings.
So now the time has come to announce our 2020 SJPL Mock Printz "Prince" award winners!
"Freddie Prince, Jr." Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2020 that was very popular but will most likely not stand out in the overall canon of YA literature.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Working at a pumpkin patch every autumn, Deja and Josiah plan the ultimate Halloween night to celebrate their last year working together.
Honor Titles
"Prince Charming" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that had your favorite male-identifying character.
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
When seventeen-year-old Jay Reguero learns his Filipino cousin and former best friend, Jun, was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, he flies to the Philippines to learn more.
Honor Titles
"Princess Charming" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that had your favorite female-identifying character.
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
1890, Atlanta. By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel Caroline Payne, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for 'the genteel Southern lady.
Honor Titles
"The Artist Formerly Known as 'Prince'" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that has the most visually appealing design.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Friends Hetty, Byatt, and Reece go to extremes trying to uncover the dark truth about the mysterious disease that has had them quarantined at their boarding school on a Maine island.
Honor Titles
"Footprints" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that falls under the genre of historical fiction.
Lovely War by Julie Berry
The Greek goddess Aphrodite recounts two tales of tragic love during WWI to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: "Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another?" but her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music revealing that War is no match for the power of Love.
Honor Titles
"Fingerprints" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that falls under the genre of mystery or thriller.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Friends Hetty, Byatt, and Reece go to extremes trying to uncover the dark truth about the mysterious disease that has had them quarantined at their boarding school on a Maine island.
Honor Titles
"Fine Prints" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that was over 500 pages.
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
In the highly anticipated finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy, dictators, prophets, and tensions rise. In a world that's conquered death, will humanity finally be torn asunder by the immortal beings it created? Citra and Rowan have disappeared. Endura is gone. It seems like nothing stands between Scythe Goddard and absolute dominion over the world scythedom. With the silence of the Thunderhead and the reverberations of the Great Resonance still shaking the earth to its core, the question remains: Is there anyone left who can stop him? The answer lies in the Tone, the Toll, and the Thunder.
Honor Titles
"Fresh Prince" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the young adult book published in 2019 that is an #OwnVoices novel.
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
When seventeen-year-old Jay Reguero learns his Filipino cousin and former best friend, Jun, was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, he flies to the Philippines to learn more.
Honor Titles
"Le Petit Prince" Award - 2020 Winner
This award is presented to the best young adult book published in 2019 that incorporates illustrations.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Upset about her on-again, off-again relationship with her girlfriend Laura Dean, Freddy Riley depends on her friends, a local mystic, and a relationship columnist for help in dealing with her situation.
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