Teen librarians from across the city came together to discuss some of 2019's very best teen titles yesterday, in celebration of the annual American Library Association's Youth Media Awards. The ALA awards will be announced January 27; in the meantime, check out some of our staff favorites.
Mock Printz Award for Literary Excellence
Winner: If you loved Poet X, (last year's Mock Morris winner), get ready to feast on With the Fire on High. Emoni is a teen mom who dreams of becoming a chef. She’s resigned to work in a fast food joint after high school until she takes a culinary class that breaks open her career options as well as offers possible romance.
Honor Books: Dig and Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All
Mock Morris Award for Best Debut Novel
Winner: Australian teen Biz not only struggles with depression and panic attacks, but she’s experiencing visitations from her dead father. After her mental health problems cause her to drop out of school, Biz sets out on a road trip to visit places that were meaningful to her dad in our winner, How It Feels to Float.
Honor Books: Frankly in Love, Wilder Girls and Out of Salem
Mock Award for Best Manga/Graphic Novel
Winner: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me tells the tale of a toxic relationship that's oh-so-relatable. Against her better judgment, Freddy keeps getting back together with her charismatic, so very cool, but not so loyal girlfriend, Laura Dean. Freddy ignores all the warning signs from her friends, turning to a medium and an advice columnist to help untangle herself from this bad romance cycle. This is a gorgeous comic about learning to spot the signs of a toxic relationship and being present for friends.
Honor Books: I Want to Eat your Pancreas and Harley Quinn
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