Bram Stoker Award Finalist Lists
The eleven finalist lists have now been announced on their web
page. In the category
Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel the finalists are: Jennifer Brozek for
Never Let Me Sleep (Book 1 of the Melissa Allen Trilogy), Michaelbrent Collings for
The Ridealong, John Dixon for
Devil’s Pocket (sequel to
Phoenix Island), Tonya Hurley for
Hallowed (Book 3 of the Blessed trilogy), Maureen Johnson for
The Shadow Cabinet (Book 3 of the Shades of London series), and Ian Welke for
End Times at Ridgemont High. I have not read any of these titles, which shows me a gap in my effort to include all genres of books in my reading and recommendations to Nebraska librarians. (I
did read The Diviners and
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray.) I promise to include more in my reading (and keep the light on at night).
We Forgot Brock! written and illustrated by Carter Goodrich shows the great friendship between Phillip and his imaginary friend Brock. One fun illustration shows Phillip’s parents in the foreground looking out the window and seeing only Phillip, when the reader knows Brock is there too. Life takes a turn when the family goes to the Big Fair. Phillip and Brock have a great time on the rides but Phillip is sleepy when it is time to go home. Brock, still at the Fair, looks but cannot find Phillip anywhere. Fortunately he is rescued by Anne and her imaginary friend Princess Sparkledust. Phillip and Brock struggle to go on without each other – until they run into each other again! Soon all four are friends. A fun picture book for preschool through grade 1.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
