2016 Nominees

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill*

Em and Finn make a daring escape from prison and must travel through time again and again to assassinate the man who turned their world into a totalitarian dystopia.

After tragedy strikes Emily Beam, she is sent to boarding school, where two quirky fellow students and the spirit of Emily Dickinson offer helping hands.

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulbert

Macallan and Levi are best friends from the first day they meet in 7th grade, but over the years they face a challenge—can guys and girls just be friends, or does dating get in the way?

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

What was it like to be a young, African American growing up in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s? In this memoir in verse, Woodson describes how the unwavering love and support of her family, during the turbulent time of the civil rights movement, helped her to “hold fast” to her dreams.

Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn*

After a troubled childhood, Jamie’s sister Cate was arrested for burning down a neighbor’s barn. Now she’s been released and is coming for him, blaming him for the bad things that have happened.

Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan  (2016 winner)

Based on true stories, these fictional graphic novel vignettes showcase soldiers in World Wars 1 & 2, and the Vietnam War who were aided by combat dogs.

Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Russian country girl Elena and aristocratic Ekaterina meet in an epic folklore filled adventure combining mistaken identity, an incognito prince, and the crazy witch Baba Yaga.

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

This is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—both an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of their undoing.

Forget Me by K.A. Harrington

In a town suffering after the major employer scandalously closed, Morgan uncovers a related mystery involving her supposedly dead boyfriend.

Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King*

Glory is graduating high school, but has no idea what to do next.  Glory and her best friend, Ellie, start seeing visions of pasts and futures of the people around them and the future isn’t good. Both have to decide what their own futures hold.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

With the deaths of World War 1 and the 1918 influenza outbreak all around, Mary watches mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers, and despite her scientific mind, must consider if ghosts are real.

The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez by Peter Johnson

As his English teacher focuses on poetry, Benny faces down the smartest girl at school while navigating friendships and a difficult family life due to his grandfather’s multiple strokes.

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick*

As these seven stories unfold backward through time, Merle and Eric are destined to meet on an island inhabited by Vikings, vampires, ghosts, and a powerful exotic flower. 

The Night Gardener: A Scary Story by Jonathan Auxier  (2016 honor book) 

Irish orphans Molly and Kip travel to England to work as servants in a crumbling house filled with dark secrets, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen

With mixed results and many surprises Maya attempts to become part of the “in” crowd by following advice found in a 1950’s popularity guide in this humorous memoir.

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos*

A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. A rock ‘n’ roll road trip. Through an unconventional college application essay, Harry tells about finding his place in the world.

The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer

After Grace's mother's sudden death, Grace is forced to live with a grandmother she's never met. Then she discovers clues in a mysterious treasure hunt--one that will help her find her true home.

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E.K. Johnston

In an alternate world much like ours, dragon-slaying is a lucrative corporate gig with humans and dragons battling over fossil fuels.  This is a tale of one slayer-in-training, Owen, as told by his musical bard, Siobhan.

Swim That Rock by John Rocco & Jay Primiano

A working-class Rhode Island teen fights to save his family’s diner after his father is lost in a fishing boat accident.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart*  (2016 honor book)

Cadence struggles to remember last summer's accident on her family's private island.

Winger by Andrew Smith*

Fourteen-year-old high school junior Ryan Dean West grapples with living in the dorm for troublemakers, falling for his best friend Annie, and playing wing on the Varsity rugby team.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina*

Life has changed for Piddy. Her best friend moved away, she starts a new school, and she is bullied by a girl she doesn’t even know.   What else can possible go wrong?