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All week, the National Book Awards will be releasing its longlists of honorees: each day, a new genre. The finalists will be announced Oct. 13, and the winners will be named on Nov. 16.

Today the organization unveiled the contenders for the Young People's Literature prize:

Kwame Alexander's book has been hailed as the perfect pick for reluctant readers. It dives into the life of a 12-year-old soccer nut, who'd rather play sports than read books. But when problems at home and a neighborhood bully complicate his life, he learns to see the power in words. 

For Kwame Alexander, poetry and love and sports all fit together

Minnesota author Kate DiCamillo, who charmed readers with "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tale of Desperaux," returned with this heartfelt tale of childhood dreams. The book follows 10-year-old Raymie, whose father has run off with a dental hygienist. Raymie becomes determined to enter — and win — the Miss Central Florida Tire contest. She's sure that if her father sees her smiling victory picture in the paper, he will come back home. But first, she needs to learn to twirl a baton.

With humor, heart, and twirling batons, Kate DiCamillo delivers a new novel for young readers

"March: Book Three" by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell

This kinetically illustrated graphic novel tells the story of U.S. Rep. John Lewis and his historic role in the civil rights movement. Lewis himself collaborated on the book, the first in a trilogy, to share his personal story, from his childhood in rural Alabama to the lunch counter sit-ins.

"When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

This fantasy takes its inspiration from Chinese folklore: The book follows young Pinmei, whose beloved grandmother, known for her storytelling powers, is stolen away by the Emperor's soldiers. Determined to get her back, Pinmei sets out to find the Luminous Stone, which she knows the Emperor covets. If she can find the stone — which she has only heard about in stories — maybe she can exchange it for her grandmother's freedom.

"When the Moon Was Ours" by Anna-Marie McLemore

"When the Moon Was Ours" paints a love story that's been largely missing from the genre: a relationship between LGBT characters of color. The book follows Miel and Samir, who are inseparable, even as rumors of their strange powers swirl around them. Sam paints moons all over town, and roses grows out of Miel's wrists. When those roses catch the eye of a family of sisters who are rumored to be witches, Miel and Sam's secrets are threatened. 

Meg Medina brings back the summer of 1977 in vivid, aching detail: Fires are flaring up all over New York City — the work of arsonists — and disco music is thumping in the nightclubs. The Son of Sam serial killer is loose on the streets. Into this mix of fear and freedom, Medina drops 17-year-old Nora Lopez, whose home life is growing less safe by the day. Can Nora make it through the summer?

"Pax," written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Jon Klassen

"Pax" tells the story of a boy, Peter, and his fox, living under the shadow of war. When Peter's father leaves to join the fight, Peter must send Pax away into the woods while he goes to live with his grandfather. But the separation is too much, and Peter runs into the wild to find his best friend.

Ghost, Lu, Patina and Sunny have almost nothing in common, they think — except they can all run 

. The four middle schoolers, all from different backgrounds, are chosen by Coach to join an elite middle school track team. If they can learn to run as a team, they could make the Junior Olympics, but Ghost's past is slowing him down. 

"Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story" by Caren Stelson

This account of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki tells the true story of 6-year-old Sachiko Yasui, who survived the blast and struggled to find peace in the aftermath. Caren Stelson describes the chaos and destruction of the city in the first few days after the bomb, and follows Sachiko's story to 1995 — the 50th anniversary of the bombing. 

Young love happens fast: In Nicola Yoon's lyrical romance, Natasha and Daniel meet, debate the meaning of life, and fall in love in less than a day. In this relationship, the clock is ticking. Natasha's family is scheduled to be deported to Jamaica in a matter of hours. What could be a sappy story sidesteps those overly sweet pitfalls and instead delivers a satisfying story of the power of fate.

Ten young adult books adults should read, too

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Tracy Mumford

Author

This year's authors captivated readers with tales of soccer, the 1970s, wild foxes, friendships, beauty pageants, Chinese folklore and the thrill of first loves.

The National Book Award young adult longlist

2016 National Book Awards: Young people's literature

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