Young Adult Literature: Printz Award Books

Printz Medal, 2024
Based on a prompt from the editor, A.S. King, nine of the best YA novelists wrote stories about how anything can be collected and how any collection can tell a story.

Printz Honor, 2024
Ánte’s life has been steeped in Sámi tradition. It is indisputable to him that he, an only child, will keep working with the reindeer. But there is something else too, something tugging at him. His feelings for his best friend Erik have changed, grown into something bigger. Ánte is so aware of Erik and his body in relation to his own; everything he does matters so much. What would people say if they knew? And how does Erik feel?

Printz Honor, 2024
Ian Gray isn’t supposed to have a dog, but a lot of things that shouldn’t happen end up happening anyway. And Gather, Ian’s adopted pup, is good company now that Ian has to quit the basketball team, find a job, and take care of his mom as she tries to overcome her opioid addiction. For awhile, things are going well. But an unforeseen tragedy results in Ian and his dog taking off on the run, trying to evade a future that would mean leaving their house and their land. Even if the community comes together to help him, would Ian and Gather have a home to return to?

Printz Honor, 2024
Erin Powers navigates growing up as a mixed-Black transracial adoptee being raised by a white, closeted lesbian mother. Based on the author’s experience.
Two girls on different timelines-- each growing up as a mixed-Black transracial adoptee-- find their lives bridged by a mysterious portal.

Printz Honor, 2024
Raised in a free-spirited home by two loving parents who encourage Cerulean to be their full self, they’ve got big dreams of moving cross-country to live off the grid with their friends after graduation. When a fight with a teacher spirals out of control, Cerulean impulsively drops out to avoid the punishment they fear is coming. Why wait for graduation to leave an oppressive capitalist system and live their dreams? But their sheltered upbringing hasn’t prepared them for the consequences of their choice--- especially when it is compounded by a family emergency that puts a parent out of work... and the money they’d been stacking with their friends is a resource that the family needs to stay afloat.