The Michael Printz Award is the highest award given in Young Adult Literature by the American Library Association each year. In an attempt to connect students with this great literature all three high schools hold a Mock Printz Workshop in early January where the participants try to figure out what will be the winning books and runner-ups for the year. 

In preparation participants are asked to read five to fifteen predetermined books prior to the workshop and to come prepared to discuss and defend their choices for which books they think should be the winners. On the day of the actual workshop students get together to defend their choices and to vote. The whole process is very energizing and fun.

After much spirited discussions and several levels of balloting the following books were selected as the Mock Printz Award winners of the year from the different schools:

BHS: Nothing by Janne Teller (a thought provoking novel which looks at the effects of peerpressure and “group think.” This book actually won a Printz Honor.

GKHS: The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (A novel about a teen boy who becomes a card-turner for a blind uncle and in the process learns about Bridge and himself.)

SLHS: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (A novel that deals with issues related to grief and young love.)

The actual Printz Award Winner: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (a Sci-Fi novel set in New Orleans of the future.)

 

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