Small, Hoose, Heiligman: National Book Award Finalists

By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 10/14/2009

A graphic novel memoir, a love story about the man who developed the theory of evolution, and a gritty narrative about three teenage girls are among this year’s finalists for the National Book Award in the category of young people’s literature.

David Small’s Stitches (Norton, 2009), originally published for adults, is a depiction of the author’s hellish childhood and marks only the second time that a graphic novel has been nominated in this category.

Other finalists include Deborah Heiligman for Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith (Holt, 2008), a biography that describes the effect of Darwin’s marriage on his life and his work; Phillip Hoose for Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (Farrar, Straus, 2009), a true story about a teenage girl who refused to give up her seat to a white women on a bus years before Rosa Parks—and who actions lead to the landmark court case Browder v Gayle; Laini Taylor for Lips Touch: Three Times (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2009), three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls; and Rita Williams-Garcia for Jumped (HarperTeen, 2009), a narrative that intertwines three very different lives and explores the impact that choices have on one’s life.

Given by the National Book Foundation, the award recognizes the best of American literature and also raises the cultural appreciation of great writing in this country. Nominees for young people’s literature were selected from 251 book submissions published between December 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009 and were chosen by a panel of fellow authors that include last past National Book Award finalists Kathi Appelt, Carolyn Coman, Nancy Werlin and Gene Luen Yang. Other award categories include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Over the summer, the judges read every book submission and by mid-September, each chose their 'top 10' choices. A book had to have the backing of at least two of the judges to make it in to the semifinals.

“There were some tough choices, some very worthy books were set aside, and that was heartbreaking,” says author Coe Booth, one of the judges. “But after several heavy-duty phone conversations, the final five emerged via another round of weighted voting, albeit narrowly [and] we had to say goodbye to some excellent books.”

Although some may see the list as eclectic, this was not the judge’s intention. “Even though we didn't set out to have a diverse list, we believe that it exemplifies the range of writing that is being done in children's letters,” says Booth. “At the end of the day, these worthy books won out over the others. We love our final five.”

The winner will be announced at a gala in New York City on November 18th.