Mary Pearson and Vicki Grove

View information about the books of the visiting author's from this year's Literature Festival for the Heartland Award for Young Adult Literature.



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Miles Between

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2010 Heartland Nominees

After Ever After by Jordan Sonneblick

Jeffrey Alper survived cancer at an early age and is in the eighth grade now! His cancer has gone into remission, but that’s not the end of it. “Treatment is nothing compared to what happens after you’ve been ‘cured.’ . . . Being a cancer survivor can be a life sentence all its own.” Jeffrey, as well as his best friend, fellow survivor Tad, the dry humored one, have all kinds of brain and nerve damage from the intense chemotherapy and radiation, leaving Tad in a wheelchair and Jeffrey with serious concentration problems. These guys work together to meet the challenges facing them as cancer survivors and as everday teen guys dealing with school, homework, tests, and girls! This story is as hilarious as it is tragic and honest, yet hopeful.

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Neily Monroe is 17 and Carly's former boyfriend. Carly was a beautiful girl who began a downward spiral after the death of her mother. Neily is the person who found Carly's body. She was brutally murdered. Carly's uncle is the man convicted of her murder. When Audrey, Carly's cousin, comes back to school she is hopeful that Neily will help prove her father's innocence. Neily was never truly convinced that the right person was convicted, and he is still very much in love with Carly, therefore agrees to help Audrey look for the real killer.

Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Alton Richards' mother insists that he help his blind great-uncle by being his chauffeur and cardturner at local bridge tournaments. The 17-year-old has only met Lester Trapp a few times and has no interest in bridge but reluctantly agrees to help. His mother dreams that this new connection will inspire the wealthy old man to write the family into his will. Alton meets Toni Castaneda at the tournaments and discovers that he's not the only long-lost relative attempting to win over Trapp for his inheritance. This story develops into an intriguing look into a crazy family with secrets and unusual quirks. At times, the story line becomes thick with technical game descriptions, though the author offers readers an option of skipping the sections, even providing a symbol to indicate more in-depth card instructions.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

During WWII, the US government recruited women to fly non-combat missions. Ida Mae has a tremendous yearning to fly! Her dad was a pilot and being black didn't prevent him from following his dreams. After the death of her father, Ida's desire to fly is stronger than ever but being black and a woman, she has two strikes against her. To join the US military program, she'd have to pass as white and that is just what she does! Ida's commitment and sacrifce to the cause is demonstrated when her much darker mother visits Ida on Christmas and poses as the family housekeeper.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

The end of a long hot summer has arrived but nothing is normal. Samara’s mother is in rehab for alcohol abuse while her father, a small town pastor, is always too busy for her, and then something tragic happens. A 13 year old girl, Jody, from their church disappears. As the days drag on after Jody's disappearance, Sam finds herself pulling away from her friends and her father, who is keeping a secret from her. She instead begins spending more time with Nick, Jody’s brother, who may or may not be a suspect in the disappearance.

Out of the Blue by S.L. Rottman

Fifteen-year-old Stu has lived on many military bases over his lifetime. However, the adjustment to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota is different. His dad has left the family, his brother is starting college, and his mom is the new commander at Minot Air Force Base. Things improve once Stu makes friends, but then his mom is unexpectedly deployed. He becomes more and more involved with their troubled neighbors, whose eight-year-old son bears the brunt of the family’s problems. The neighbors' issues cause Stu to struggle with ethical decisions. A dramatic situation results in near-tragic consequences.

Pop by Gordon Korman

In the summer Marcum moves to a new town where he knows no one! While practicing football for upcoming tryouts, he develops an unlikely friendship with an older guy named Charlie. Marcus sees Charlie as the best football player he has ever seen. Marcus can't believe it when he finds out that Charlie is actually Charlie Popovich, or "the King of Pop," as he was nicknamed during his NFL linebacker career. That's not the only special thing. There is a secret about Charlie that his family is desperate to hide.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Addie is 12 and lives with Mommers, as Addie affectionally refers to her mother. They are alone now in a trailer since her adored stepfather and half sisters move upstate. Mommers has lost custody of the “littles”, Addie's half sisters, because of neglect. Addie and her mother can laugh and have fun together but once Mommers hooks up with Pete things change for Addie at home. Addie enjoys her occasional visits to her half sisters family upstate. How long will Addie have to continue "waiting for normal"?

Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt

In 1833, Amos Kincaid was born near Independence, Missouri. He has had a difficult life from the start. His mother died giving birth to him. Amos' father is often gone trapping for extended periods of time so Amos is left with in-laws. When Amos' father Jake, and his new Otoe Indian wife, finally return to reclaim the growing boy, they take Amos on one of the many pioneer trains heading to Oregon. Jake and Amos have a valuable gift for dowsing water which will be beneficial to the new homesteaders.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia and Cassie have been best friends since elementary school but as teenagers the girls develop eating disorders that lead to disaster. Now at the age of 18, they are no longer friends. Despite their estranged relationship, Cassie calls Lia 33 times one night but Lia never answers. As it turns out, that is the night Cassie dies! As time passes, Lia's guilt for not being there to help Cassie, her need to be thin, and her fight for acceptance unravel. The reader travels with Cassoe on her agonizing journey of inexplicable pain and her attempt to make some sense of her life.

Heartland Award Nominees 2009-2010

View the book covers and read summaries for the Heartland Award Nominees 2009-2010!

Watch a power point presentation about the nominee books!