2008 Michael L. Printz Award

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.

Winner

the white darkness

The White Darkness

By Geraldine McCaughrean

Published by HarperTempest, an imprint of HarperCollins

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.

2008 Printz Honor Books

dreamquake

Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet

By Elizabeth Knox

Published by Frances Foster Books, an imprint of Farrar, Straus and Giroux

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.


one whole and perfect day

One Whole and Perfect Day

By Judith Clarke

Published by Front Street, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc.

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.


repossessed

Repossessed

By A.M. Jenkins

published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

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.


your own, sylvia

Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath

By Stephanie Hemphill

published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books

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.

Back to Michael L. Printz Award homepage