Thursday, January 29, 2009

Printz Books

This past year, I've had the privilege of serving on the 2009 Printz Committee.

Serving on the committee is, without a doubt, the highlight of my career; all the better by having a year of amazing books to read. All the copy below used to describe the books is taken from the ALA website.

The 2009 Printz Winner:

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Haunted by the past, Taylor Markham 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.

“This roller coaster ride of a novel grabs you from the first sentence and doesn’t let go. You may not be sure where the ride will take you, but every detail—from the complexities of the dual narrative to the pangs of first love—is pitch perfect,” said Printz Award Committee Chair Mary Arnold.

The four Printz Honor Books:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson.

Caught in the crossfire of the American Revolution, escaped slave Octavian joins the British army in hopes of finally securing his own freedom.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
by E. Lockhart.

Can the old-boy network at her elite boarding school survive the mal-doings of Frankie Landau-Banks?

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Pratchett’s trademark humor leavens this epic tale of ravaged islands, shipwrecked nobles and survival.

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

In utterly original language, Lanagan re-imagines “Snow White and Rose Red” and explores the brutality and beauty of life.

2 comments:

Jess said...

I was thrilled when I saw the announcement - you guys did GOOD!

Anonymous said...

Thanks you, Liz, and your fellow committee members, for your hard work.

And I'm not just saying this because Jellicoe Road won! :)

Trisha