Category: Young Adult Novel / Works for Young Readers

AWARDS:

Oware Mosaic (Omnium Gatherum), Young Adult Novel, 2019

BIO: Nzondi was born Acemandese Nzondi Hall in Elmhurst, New York. He earned his BFA from C. W. Post, Long Island University. Having resided in Los Angeles for sixteen years, Nzondi is a gym enthusiast, enjoys drop-biscuit peach cobbler, hiking, sweet and oaky-flavored whiskey and writing. His daily thoughts and shenanigans can be found on his Instagram, Twitter or Facebook pages under his handles Ace Antonio Hall or @Nzondi3. More literary news and contact is at AAntonioHall.com

NOMINATIONS:

Speak No Evil (Vesuvian Books), Young Adult Novel, 2019

BIO: Liana Gardner is the multi-award-winning author of 7th Grade Revolution, The Journal of Angela Ashby, and Speak No Evil. The daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface.

Liana volunteers with high school students through EXP (expfuture.org). EXP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, EXP helps young people EXPerience, EXPand, and EXPlore.  

Engaged in a battle against leukemia and lymphoma, Liana spends much of her time at home, but her imagination takes her wherever she wants to go.

Liana is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and  Illustrators.

NOMINATIONS:

Five Midnights (Tor Teen), Young Adult Novel, 2019

BIO: Ann Dávila Cardinal is a novelist and director of student recruitment for Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) where she earned her MFA in Writing. She also helped create VCFA’s winter Writing residency in Puerto Rico. She comes from a long line of Puerto Rican writers, including poets Virgilio and José Antonio Dávila, and her cousin, award-winning fiction writer Tere Dávila. Ann lives north of Stowe, Vermont with her husband Doug and son Carlos, and likes to spend her free time cycling, doing fiber arts, and preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Five Midnights (Tor Teen) was her first solo novel, and the sequel, Category Five, comes out June 3, 2020.  —