So, you heard that the 2010 ALA Awards have been announced?
Newbery goes to Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool -- a title that was one of the nominees for Cybils Middle Grade Fiction, but sadly neither Ashley nor I could get a hold of it. I bet it will be easier to find now!
Printz (a.k.a. the YA Newbery) goes to Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi -- I happened to have it checked out from the library when the announcement was made, so I jumped right on that. I have to say it is not my favorite book of the year. It lends itself handily to comparison with The Hunger Games, but for me was not as enjoyable. And I don't really call the Hunger Games enjoyable. Ship Breaker had an engaging plot and provided lots of food for thought, but the violence in it was more personal than the Hunger Games violence (which was about my limit) and had the added disadvantage (in my opinion) of plenty of swearing. What is family? What would you do for freedom? What does killing a person do to you? How much does your heritage affect your ultimate self? These are interesting questions, but I prefer to ponder them without graphic violence and crude language.
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