The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association. The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.
Hear the entire 2008 Printz Program, courtesy Brilliance Audio!
Members of the 2008 Printz Award Committee are: Chair Lynn Rutan, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, Mich.; Julie Thomas Bartel, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City; Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Calgary, Alberta; Jonathan Hunt, Modesto City Schools, Hughson, Calif.; Walter M. Mayes, The Girls' Middle School, Mountain View, Calif.; Jolen Neumann, Madison Metropolitan School District , Fitchburg, Wis.; Hollis Rudiger, Rochester, Minn.; Amy Sears, Teaneck Public Library, Teaneck, N.J.; Tricia Suellentrop, youth services manager, Johnson County Library, Kan. and Stephanie Zvirin, Booklist consultant, Chicago.
Fourteen-year-old Symone's exciting vacation to Antarctica turns into a desperate struggle for survival when her uncle's obsessive quest leads them across the frozen wilderness into danger.
McCaughrean has won numerous awards for children's literature in her native England. Celebrated for her novels, picture books and folklore adaptations, The White Darkness is her first contemporary young adult novel.
"Symone's unforgettable voice propels this journey of discovery in a book that is intricately plotted, richly imaged and brings new meaning to the term unreliable narrator," said Printz Award Committee Chair Lynn Rutan. "Readers will need to hang onto their snow goggles in this compelling book in which nothing is as it seems at first glance."
Hear Geraldine McCaughrean's Printz Award Acceptance Speech, courtesy Brilliance Audio! The speech was given at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception in Anaheim, California, on June 30.
Hear Elizabeth Knox's speech, courtesy Brilliance Audio! The speech was given at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception in Anaheim, California, on June 30.
Hear Judith Clarke's speech, courtesy Brilliance Audio! The speech was given at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception in Anaheim, California, on June 30.
Hear A.M. Jenkins' speech, courtesy Brilliance Audio! The speech was given at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception in Anaheim, California, on June 30.
Hear Stephanie Hemphill's speech, courtesy Brilliance Audio! The speech was given at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception in Anaheim, California, on June 30.