Mock Printz Today!

Wahoo! Today is the day for the Mock Printz. Shall I make my predictions?* I think books about boys will sweep it, unless a sentimental vote is given for Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere. I gave too many eye rolls when super-perfect Joe was around that I just can't cast a vote for that one.

Bacigalupi, Paolo – Ship Breaker
Benoit, Charles – You
Larson, Hope – Mercury
Marchetta, Melina – Finnikin of the Rock
Nelson, Jandy – The Sky is Everywhere
Perkins, Lynne Rae – As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth
Reeves, Philip – Fever Crumb
Sedgwick, Marcus – Revolver
Stork, Francisco X – The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Teller, Janne - Nothing

I did love Fever Crumb, but I am concerned that its connection to the trilogy may dismiss it for some. Maybe the sweetness of The Last Summer of the Death Warriors will push it past its too sweet ending. Nothing sure has the buzz, but at the end of the book I was frustrated, exhausted, and thinking it wasn't as good as it started off to be. A best book for 2010? Oh, yes. But compare it to You by Charles Benoit and I have to pull for You each time.

Printz loves Marchetta, so that could play to her doom. Finnikin is a chore to read. It's gruesome and glorious but the reader has to work for it. I think in the end it will nab some votes. But what about Hope Larson's Mercury? The graphic novel always throwing a wrench into the plans. As much as I liked it, I think it is overwhelmed in a category of excellent novels.

So that brings Ship Breaker. Distinguished on every level. I think when the votes are cast, this is the one that will rise up. Crew up!


*Okay, I didn't read Revolver. I totally missed it on my list before I left town for the holidays. I had thought the Perkins book was my last one. Shame!