High school students from across Rhode Island have voted! We're proud to announce One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus as the winner of the 2020 Rhode Island Teen Book Award. Our Honor Books are What if it's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera and Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett.
These novels were three of 22 young adult books nominated by school librarians, teachers, and public librarians from throughout Rhode Island. The nominees were selected on the basis of literary quality and their appeal to those in grades 9 and up. Throughout the past year, young adults could find copies of the books available to read at their school and public libraries and area stores.
We would also like to thank all the schools and libraries that served as voting locations and supported the Rhode Island Teen Book Award. Tiverton High School collected the most votes, and the runners up were Portsmouth High School and West Warwick High School. The Rhode Island Teen Book Award Committee would like to thank all the teens who voted this year and read from the list as well as the teachers and librarians who helped promote these titles.
In addition, the committee is proud to announce the list of 22 nominees for the 2021 award.
As Many Nows as I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl
Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
Birthday by Meredith Russo
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Internment by Samira Ahmed
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Kiss Number 8 by Colleen Venable
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All by Laura Ruby
We are Here to Stay by Susan Kuklin
XL by Scott Brown