This has to be the longest setup for a link ever.
Earlier this week, the 2009 National Book Award finalists were announced. In case you haven’t seen the Young People’s Literature finalists, here they are:
The shocker of the group was the inclusion of the seemingly adult graphic novel Stitches by David Small. The debate has been fun to follow:
Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
A Chair, A Fireplace & a Tea Cozy
I read Stitches, loved it, reviewed it, called it a *Best New Book*, and think that it’s certainly a title for older teens and adults. I hope it gets the attention it deserves, but “Young People’s Literature” is pushing it. The hullabaloo reminded me that Small lives just south of Kalamazoo, Michigan – a mere jaunt from where I call home – and was recently featured in my (almost) local newspaper, the Grand Rapids Press. It’s a profile that is absolutely worth your time. Some revealing stuff, to be sure. Click the image below to read.
100 Scope Notes 
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October 18, 2009 at 8:47 am
Lynn Rutan
I’ve been watching the hullabaloo too. I was emailing back and forth with a friend this week and he was of the “it opens the door for all the Alex-type titles” concerns. He felt that children’s and YA literature never gets enough respect (TRUE!) and that Stitches took a spot from a deserving YA book. I respect those concerns but I have to say I disagree for two reasons.
First the rules clearly allowed the submission. Rules are rules for committees and you can’t change them in midstream. If it is an issue – and it might be – then the rules should be addressed after this award season closes.
Secondly I truly think Stitches is a YA book – top end YA but definitely YA. I know many people think it has an adult memoir looking back voice but I disagree. The text has immediacy and authenticity. It has quintessential YA themes such as coming of age, finding one’s place in the world and becoming emotionally independent of one’s parents. Further I think there is often a tendency to underestimate teens and their reading maturity. We have high schoolers in our book club who have completely appreciated Stitches.
The NBA choices often surprise me so this isn’t unusual but the committee process is incredibly important and I appreciate the time and thought that goes into the selections. I can’t wait to hear the winner.
October 18, 2009 at 10:49 am
Scope Notes
Good points, Lynn. You make the case pretty clear that Stitches works for the Young People’s category. The more I think about this book, the more I see its potential to connect with a younger audience. I think teens could absolutely appreciate it. However, there are plenty of adult books that teens can relate to and enjoy. The publisher was certainly smart in submitting the book for Young People’s consideration (which I think they did for the reasons Jonathan Hunt listed at Heavy Medal), buy as a lover of graphic novels, there’s also an element of how the genre is perceived that is playing a role in my opinion. I would have loved to have seen this appear in the nonfiction category, reinforcing the notion that exceptional GNs are legitimate adult fare. Regardless, I like that Stitches is going to continue to generate talk up until the award is handed out – a fun debate, to be sure!
October 22, 2009 at 4:27 pm
James Preller
Just to say, I was awed by this book — pressed it into my wife’s hands, and will do the same for my sixteen-year-old.
As far as categories, and awards for that matter, I’m glad I don’t have to think about that stuff. Significant issues, for sure, and I don’t dismiss the complaints. But I keep coming back to the basic fact: It’s a great book!