Alex Awards 2017 Nominees

In addition to the ten winning titles, the Alex Award committee also publishes a vetted list of official nominations. The following titles were official nominees for the 2017 award.

“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack, published by Archie Comics (9781627389877). In this perfect blending of art and story, Sabrina must choose between a normal high school life and becoming the bride of Satan.

“All the Birds in the Sky,” by Charlie Jane Anders, published by Tor (9780765379948). Will the relationship between a time-traveling techie boy and a magical girl who talks to birds save or destroy the world?

“If at Birth you Don’t Succeed: My Adventures of Disaster and Destiny,” by Zach Anner, published by Henry Holt and Co. an imprint of Macmillan Publishers (9781627793643). A look at life, romance, media, creativity, and disability from Anner's unusual, humorous, and insightful perspective.

“Rush, Oh!” by Shirley Barrett, published by Hachette Book Group (9780316261548). During a tumultuous year in New South Wales, teen Mary Davidson must support a family upset by the scarcity of whales, a volatile "killer" whale, and the loss of a crew member.

“Everyday Sexism,” by Laura Bates, published by Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press a division of Macmillan Publishers (9781250067937). Blending stories shared by people all over the world with data and accessible analysis, Bates explores sexism in our society and offers strategies for improvement.

“Brotherhood of the Wheel,” By R.S. Belcher published by Tor (9780765380289). Secret warriors fight travel via ley lines and freeways to keep the country safe from Black-Eyed Kids and free an imprisoned town.

“The Courier,” by Gerald Brandt, published by DAW an imprint of Penguin Random House (9780756411398). When her last delivery of a mysterious package leaves her a witness to murder, Kris flees through her city looking for answers and running for her life.

“Tetris: Games People Play,” by Box Brown published by SelfMadeHero (9781910593226). Refined art and clear text detail the history of one of the most revolutionary games created by a soviet software developer as a side project.

“Dead Presidents: An Amazing Adventure Into the Strange Deaths and Surprising Afterlives of Our Nation's Leaders” by Brady Carlson, published by W. W. Norton & Company (9780393243932). Carlson’s search for presidential graves, libraries and memorials provides a provocative look at how we celebrate our former leaders.

“The Wangs vs. The World,” by Jade Chang, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (9780544734098). The Wangs respond to the 2008 financial crisis with a road trip and an escape to China, romantic entanglements, and plenty of humor, compassion, and adventure.

“The Invisible Library,” by Genevieve Cogman, published by Roc an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. (9781101988640). Librarian Irene and her novice, Kai, explore a Victorian-esque era London filled with spies, dragons and Fae. An exciting story and great series start.

“Saving Alex,” by Alex Cooper, published by HarperOne an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (9780062374608). After coming out to her Mormon parents, Alex is sent to be reprogrammed and subjected to abuse. A heartbreaking story about the search for acceptance.

Midnight Bowling Quinn Dalton (9780932112828). While bowling star Tess Wycheski deconstructs the complicated lives of the adults who love her, she also constructs familial and "new love" relationships, finding her own best path.

“The Boys of Dunbar,” by Alejandro Danois, published by Simon & Schuster (9781451666977). In 1981, an inner-city Baltimore high school basketball team included four boys who’d eventually play for the NBA made history. This is their community’s story.

“How to Make White People Laugh,” by Negin Farsad, published by Grand Central Publishing an imprint of Hachette Book Group (9781455558223). Comedian Farsad brings humor and insight to issues of culture, race, gender, and the experience of being a “hyphenated-American.”

“Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders,” by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, and Ella Morton, published by Workman Publishing Company (9780761169086). Combining humor, history, and awe, this is a unique glance at the world we inhabit via obscure crypts, festivals, statues, and natural wonders.

“We Love You, Charlie Freeman,” by Kaitlyn Greenidge, published by Algonquin Books a division of Workman Publishing Group (9781616204679). Charlotte’s entire family struggles when they move to an all-white town to raise their new brother: a chimpanzee named Charlie.

“The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band,” by Michelle Cruz Gonzales, published by PM Press (9781629631400). A journey of self-discovery, punk rock, and identity, this book includes photos and ephemera from the girl who blazed the trails for female musicians.

“The Last Girl,” by Joe Hart, published by Thomas & Mercer an imprint of Amazon Publishing (9781503952089). Captivity in a research lab is the only life that Zoey has ever known, and she's determined to escape before the next round of tests.

“My Best Friends’ Exorcism,” by Grady Hendrix, published by Quirk Books (9781594748622). Abby and Gretchen have been friends forever and nothing, not even the demon living inside Gretchen, will keep them apart.

“The Rise of the Rocket Girls,” by Nathalia Holt, published by Little, Brown and Company an imprint of Hachette (9780316338929). Holt presents a detailed account of the amazing women who broke boundaries and stereotypes all while changing the course of space exploration.

“The Butterfly Garden,” by Dot Hutchison, published by Thomas & Mercer an imprint of Amazon Publishing (9781503934719). A wealthy, powerful man kidnaps and "collects" young women. When his psychopathic world collapses, survivor Maya helps the FBI untangle the situation.

“Mongrels,” by Stephen Graham Jones, published by William Morrow an imprint of a HarperCollins (9780062412690). A teen boy reflects on his life being raised by werewolves, while hoping that he will become one himself.

“An Olympic Dream: The Story of Samia Yusuf Omar,” by Reinhard Kleist, published by SelfMadeHero (9781910593097). This inspiring graphic novel follows Omar as she chases her dreams and seeks opportunities on foreign land.

“Relief Map,” by Rosalie Knecht, published by Tin House Books (9781941040225). The claustrophobic quarantine that surrounds the town of Lomath brings to light racism, rivalries, and fears--today’s cultural climate in microcosm.

“Fresh Romance Vol 1,” by Kate Leth and Sarah Vaughn, published by Oni Press (9781620103463). These romance tales of witches, supernatural beings, and other fantastic creatures are filled with diverse romantic short stories in a graphic form.

“Arabella of Mars,” by David D. Levine, published by Tor (9780765382818). Facing Napoleon's privateers, mutiny, and the travails of solar-system travel, Arabella returns to Mars to save her brother.

“The Wolf Road,” by Beth Lewis, published by Crown, an imprint of Crown Publishing a division of Penguin Random House (9781101906125). Pursued by a killer and burdened with secrets, Elka seeks both truth and redemption with grit, resourcefulness, and the mixed blessings of friendship.

“The First Book of Calamity Leek,” by Paula Lichtarowicz, published by Flatiron Books an imprint of Macmillan Publishers (9781250087935). Calamity was perfectly content to stay within the garden wall. But when one sister escapes, she must do whatever it takes to save her from sin.

“Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening,” by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda, published by Image Comics (9781632157096). Half-human, half-animal, Maika has been bought to be experimented on. But they don’t know what lurks inside her.

“Kingfisher” by Patricia McKillip, published by Ace an imprint of Penguin Random House (9780425271766). When Pierce learns that his father is a knight in the king’s court, he travels south to find his legacy and finds himself embroiled in a quest.

“Perfect Days,” by Raphael Montes, published by Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House (9781594206405). There are no perfect days in Montes’ creepy road trip tale about a young medical student who kidnaps a classmate and drags her across Brazil.

“Catching the Sky,” by Colten Moore and Keith O’Brien, published by 37 INK, an imprint of Atria (9781501117244). Moore’s memoir of a high-risk, high-reward lifestyle in extreme sports takes you from the panhandle of Texas to the mountains of Colorado.

“Certain Dark Things,” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, published by Thomas Dunne Books an imprint of Macmillan (9781250099082). Mexico City: the near future. While fleeing a vampire war, Aztec vampire Atl finds an unexpected ally in street kid Domingo.

“Baby Doll,” by Hollie Overton published by Redhook, an imprint of Hachette Book Group (9780316268714). Lily escaped her kidnapper, but is she truly free? She’s determined, along with her twin sister Abby, to know true freedom —no matter the consequences.

“Starlit Wood,” by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe, published by Saga Press an imprint of Saga & Schuster (9781481456128). Mimicking traditional fairy tales, prominent writers spin modern-day stories, rich in morals and shock appeal… but not necessarily within the deep-dark wood anymore.

“The Lightless Sky: A Twelve-Year Old Refugee’s Harrowing Escape from Afghanistan and his Extraordinary Journey across Half the World,” by Gulwali Passarlay, published by HarperOne an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (9780062443878). Refugee Passarlay chronicles his escape from tyranny and offers hope with his new-found freedom.

“Grunt: the Curious Science of Humans at War,” by Mary Roach, published by W.W. Norton & Company (9780393245448). Roach delivers accessible, informative, and humorous explanations of the science behind military equipment and operations.

“Firewalk,” by Chris Roberson, published by Night Shade Books (9781597808798). A serial killer who terrorized the seaside city died five years ago. So why are people dying now?

“Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History,” by Molly Schiot, published by Simon & Schuster (9781501137099).Combining arresting photographs with accessible narrative, Schiot presents the fascinating and inspiring stories of women—many of them very little-known—who pioneered sports.

“Mermaid’s Secret,” by Katie Schickel, published by Forge, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers (9780765381309). Jess is caught between two worlds as she comes to terms with the circumstances of her sister’s death.

“Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers,” by Stephen Shames and Bobby Seale, published by Abrams (9781419722400). Striking photographs and eyewitness testimony immerse readers in the world of the Black Panthers: revolutionary thinkers who inspired with their vision for a just society.

“Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Woman who Changed the World,” by Ann Shen, published by Chronicle Books (9781452153933). Combining elegant watercolors with short stories of amazing women from history, from Cleopatra to Coretta Scott King, this book has something for everyone.

“Art Ops Vol 1: How to Start a Riot,” by Shaun Simon published by Vertigo an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC (9781401256876). Art industry sion is pulled into his mother’s secret world of art espionage. Art actually flows through his veins.

“Disappearance at Devil’s Rock,” by Paul Tremblay, published by William Morrow a division of HarperCollins (9780062363268). Is 13-year old Tommy’s disappearance a result of his emotional distress and bad decisions or something more ominous?

“Smoke,” by Dan Vyleta, published by Doubleday an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC (9780385540162). In this coming-of-age, good vs. evil saga, three teens navigate a world where emotions are transparent and sin is a commodity manipulated by the powerful.

“What’s it Like in Space,” by Ariel Waldman, published by Chronicle Books (9781452144764). From sneezing to farting, these anecdotes from astronauts are paired with vibrant illustrations.

“Girls on Fire,” by Robin Wasserman, published by HarperCollins Publishers. (9780062415486). A suicide brought them together, and drugs, alcohol, bullying and satanism will not pull them apart.

“Loner,” by Teddy Wayne, published by Simon & Schuster (9781501107894). Harvard freshman David's journeys from misunderstood geek to a full-fledged stalker misfit with sociopathic tendencies.

“Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman,” by Lindy West, published by Hachette Book Group (9780316348409). Passionate and outspoken writer and comedian West writes about sex, body image, abortion, misogyny, romantic relationships, career, finding one’s voice, and challenging oppression.

“Security,” by Gina Wohsldorf, published by Algonquin an imprint of Workman Publishing Group (9781616205621). Camera 1: hotel elevator. Camera 2: pool of blood. Will any camera catch a killer?