2020 Nominees

 

After the Fire

by Will Hill
Moonbeam surives a confrontation between government forces and the cult that she grew up in, but needs help to heal both mentally and physically.                        

Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan
When Leigh's mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.  Leigh travels to Taiwan and chases ghosts, uncovers family secrets, and meets her maternal grandparents. 

Boots on the Ground

by Elizabth Partridge
An exploration of the Vietnam War from different perspectives including American soldiers, a nurse, and a Vietnamese refugee.                                                        

Caraval

by Stephanie Garber
Scarlett and Tella are invited to Caraval.  They escape their father only to see Tella kidnapped and learn this Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Children of Blood and Bone

by Tomi Adeyemi
Zelie, her older brother Tzain, and rogue princess Amari fight to restore magic to the land and activate a new generation of magi, but they are ruthlessly pursued by the crown prince, who believes magic will mean the end of the monarchy. 

Damsel

by Elana K. Arnold
There is more to the legends of dragons and the damsels.  The greatest threats may not be behind Ama, but around her, now, and closing in.                                      

Darius the Great is Not Okay

by Adib Khorram
Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.      

Dry

by Neal Shusterman
A lengthy California drought escalates to catastrophic proportions, turning Alyssa's quiet suburban street into a warzone, and she is forced to make hard choices if she and her brother are to survive.  

Far From the Tree

by Robin Benway
Three teenagers, biologically siblings separated by adoption, explore the meaning of family in all its forms.                                                                                        

Heretics Anonymous

by Katie Henry
New to Catholic School, atheist Michael joins Heretics Anonymous, a secret club for outcasts.  They go from secret society to rebels, exposing hypocrisies but one mission goes too far...                  

Hey, Kiddo

by Jarrett Krosoczka
Jarrett's mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and Jarrett's life.  His father is a mystery.  Jarrett lives with his grandparents who thought they were done raising children until Jarrett came along.    

The Librarian of Auschwitz

by Antonio Iturbe
Follows Dita Kraus from age foruteen, when she was put in charge of a few forbidden books at Auschwitz concentration camp, through the end of World War II and beyond.                     

LifeL1K3

by Jay Kristoff
When Eve learns she can destroy machines with her mind, she becomes a target for a group of puritanical fanatcis and cyborg assassins.                                               
 

Nyxia

by Scott Reintgen
Emmett boarded Babel's lightship hoping to earn enough money to care for his family.  But the rules change and he must decide: win at any cost, or find a way to win that doesn't compromise his humanity. 

One of Us Is Lying  (2020 winner)

by Karen M. Mcmanus
When the creator of a high school gossip app mysteriously dies in front of four high-profile students, all four become suspects.  It's up to them to solve the case.    

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo
Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood.  Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

The Prince and the Dressmaker

by Jen Wang
Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride, or rather, his parents are looking for one for him.  Meanwhile Sebastian is hiding his secret: at night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia!

Queer, There, and Everywhere

by Sarah Prager
A LGBTQ chronicle presenting 23 influential gender-ambiguous notables from the Roman Empire to the civil rights, pursue relationships, and shape culture.                      

Sadie

by Courtney Summers
Sadie's sister Maddie is found dead, and the police botch the investigation, leaving Sadie to seek out justice.  West McCray, a radio personality, hears Sadie's story and becomes obsessed with finding her. 

Starry Eyes  (2020 honor book)

by Jenn Bennett
When Zorie and Lennon are stranded in the California wilderness together, they must put aside their differences and come to terms with lingering romantic feelings, in order to survive.                      

Undead Girl Gang

by Lily Anderson
Mila's BFF Riley and mean girls June and Dayton die under suspicious circumstances.  Mila refuses to believe it was a suicide pact, so she brings the girls back to life and has seven days to find out what happened.

What If It's Us  (2020 honor book)

by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
When Arthur, a summer intern from Georgia, and Ben a native New Yorker, meet it seems like fate, but after three attempts at dating fail they wonder if the universe is pushing them together or apart. 

 

Attachment: 
PDF icon 2020 RITBA Bookmark.pdf
PDF icon 2020 RITBA Flier.pdf