B.S.D. 2017 Mock Printz list
1. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Six starred reviews.
It is historical/horror/mystery with a strong message for young women to follow their dreams.
2. The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
Five starred reviews.
Another historical novel, this one is set in Provence in the 1200s and deals with the topic of a Christian mystic and the Inquisitions.
3. Jazz Day by Roxanne Orgill
Six starred reviews.
This is a surprise addition since it looks more like a Caldecott book. It is a collection of poems about the amazing photograph taken in the late 1950s about the day many Jazz musicians came together for one phenomenal photograph. We think our teen readers will like it but wouldn't read it without this gentle nudge.
4. Character Driven by David Lubar
Four starred reviews.
A coming-of-age tale about a boy named Cliff whose life is right on the edge of a precipice.
5. Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
Four starred reviews.
Set in New York City during the summer of 1977 when the city was burning up and Son-of-Sam was busy killing people.
6. Exit, Pursued By a Bear by E.K Johnston
Four starred reviews.
A realistic story about being a member of a team, and about friendship even in the face of tragedy.
7. Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett
Four starred reviews.
A new family moves into a neighborhood in Australia and their boys seem to have every toy any boy could ever want. But the toys come with a cost. A sinister message told through the voice of three narrators.
8. The Reader by Traci Chee
Four starred reviews.
Set in a world where reading and books are unheard of. It is both a fantasy and adventure novel.
9. We Are the Ants by Shawn Hutchinson
Four starred reviews.
A gay teenager is abducted by aliens and offered a change to save the world. But he is not sure if he will do it.
10. The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
Four starred reviews.
A suicidal girl comes to grips with her feelings through her hospitalization and therapy.
11. Railhead by Philip Reeve
Three starred reviews.
Science Fiction. A small-time thief travels between worlds on a interstellar train and is asked to steal something which may swamp the universe
12. Essential Maps of the Lost by Deb Caletti
Three starred reviews.
There are lots of ways people become lost and sometimes, if you are really lucky, you find a map to find your way back. A romance story set in Seattle.
13. A Rebel of the Sand by Alwyn Hamilton
Three starred reviews.
A fantasy novel set a desert kingdom. It is the first book in a series.
14. The Memory Book by Lara Avery
Three starred reviews.
A teen girl is diagnosed with a genetic disease which is robbing her of her memories. She decides to write down her memories so she can have them when she needs them.
In addition. we are considering these books as additions to the list:
A. Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter (Urban Fantasy)
B. Steeplejack by AJ Hartley (Mystery)
C. Still Life in Tornado by A.S. King (Realism)
D. Lucy and Linh by Alice Ping (Multicultural)
Lastly we are offering our readers a challenge to read:
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Four starred reviews.
Since it is the fourth book in the Raven Cycle series we didn't think we could add the book to our list because readers would need to read the first three books of the series before reading it, but we think the book is worthy of a Printz consideration.
Comment:
We are aware this list isn't as diverse as we usually select. In past years we have included at least one nonfiction title, a graphic novel, and a novel written in verse. We decided that the Printz committee must not be interested in nonfiction after snubbing two fabulous selections last year so we decided that we wouldn't go out of our way to add one to our list this year. Jazz Day is our nod to poetry and to illustrations! We also try to include as many genres as we can. This year our one horror book (The Lie Tree) isn't very horrifying and it is also our only mystery so far.
