Two Printz Winners

Every year I try to read all the National Book Award finalists for juvenile fiction, Newberry Winners, Caldecotts, etc. I simply see it as part of my job, and I LOVE to read them. However, I haven't been so faithful with the Printz awards, so I've been trying to catch up. I have two wonderful Printz Award Winners to recommend to you. The first one is Looking for Alaska by John Green. I couldn't put it down. It's a fabulous new classic. Teen-age boys everywhere will fall in love with this book (and Alaska). So well-drawn with characters you'll adore. No matter your age, pick it up. My husband LOVED it as I think all men will. Next, I read I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. A completely different take on a boy's coming-of-age. The protagonist is a male, like in Alaska, but the mystery and intrigue is taken way up a notch. Where Alaska is character- driven, I would call Messenger plot-driven but the gritty, urban, underachieving characters are no less lovable. Another one I'd highly recommend. And you'll think about it long after you've finished it. Check them out!