From: Christine Hill <chill>
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 16:25:02 -0500

My favorite YA novels of the year will both be discussed with the NBA finalists, so I'll be brief. Both Monster and Speak feature stunning first person narrative voices, masterful pacing and foreshadowing as they gradually reveal a shocking secret. I give the slight edge for the Prinze Award to Monster, as Speak falters slightly at the end, while Monster is flawless, as far as I can see. I have been interested to see Monster as the winner of several mock Newbery votes. I think it is right on the edge of the age eligibility, not because of the content, but the format. I think younger readers would find the screenplay format and the ambiguity very challenging. Christine M. Hill Willingboro Public Library One Salem Road Willingboro, NJ 08046 chill at willingboro.org My new book! Robert Ballard: Oceanorgrapher Who Discovered the Titanic, Enslow, 1999
Received on Fri 17 Dec 1999 03:25:02 PM CST