Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book

Last updated

Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
Awarded forBest young adult science fiction or fantasy book
Presented byWorld Science Fiction Society
First awarded2018
Most recent winner Nnedi Okorafor ( Akata Woman )

The Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book is an award given annually to a book published for young adult readers in the field of science fiction or fantasy. [1] The name of the award was chosen because a lodestar is "a star that guides or leads, especially in navigation, where it is the sole reliable source of light—the star that leads those in uncharted waters to safety". [2] The nomination and selection process is administered by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), and the award is presented at the Hugo Award ceremony at the annual World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, although it is not itself a Hugo Award. [1]

Contents

Lodestar Award nominees and winners, using the same procedures as the Hugo Awards, are chosen by supporting or attending members of the Worldcon, and the presentation evening constitutes its central event. The final selection process is defined in the WSFS Constitution as instant-runoff voting with six nominees, except in the case of a tie. The books on the ballot are the six most-nominated by members that year, with no limit on the number of books that can be nominated. Initial nominations are made by members from January through March, while voting on the ballot of six nominations is performed roughly from April through July, depending on the dates of that year's Worldcon. [3] Worldcons are generally held in August or early September, and are held in a different city around the world each year. [4] [5]

Prior to the creation of the award, unsuccessful attempts had been made to add a Best Young Adult Book or similar category to the Hugo Awards, leading to the creation of a WSFS committee in 2014 to make recommendations on the issue. The committee concluded in 2017 that opposition to the category was largely due to its nature as a type of story rather than a format, like the other categories, and proposed making it a named non-Hugo award instead. [2] This proposal was agreed upon by the WSFS members. The award was created and named in separate amendments to the WSFS constitution, in 2017 [6] and 2018 [1] respectively, so it did not have a formal name in its inaugural year, and was referred to as the World Science Fiction Society Award for Best Young Adult Book. [7]

In the seven years the award has been given, 26 authors have had works nominated. Nnedi Okorafor has won twice, in 2018 and 2023. Each other year has seen a different winner: the 2019 award by Tomi Adeyemi, the 2020 award by Naomi Kritzer, the 2021 award by Ursula Vernon under the alias T. Kingfisher, and the 2022 award by Naomi Novik. Charlie Jane Anders, Frances Hardinge, Kritzer, Novik, and Vernon (as Kingfisher) have had works nominated three times, and six other authors have been nominated twice.

Winners and finalists

In the following table, the years correspond to the date of the ceremony, rather than when the novel was first published. Each year links to the corresponding "year in literature". Entries with a blue background have won the award; those with a white background are the finalists.

  *   Winners

Winners and nominees
YearAuthor(s)TitlePublisherRef.
2018 Nnedi Okorafor * Akata Warrior Viking Press [8]
Ursula Vernon (as T. Kingfisher)Summer in OrcusSofawolf Press [8]
Sarah Rees Brennan In Other Lands Big Mouth House [8]
Frances Hardinge A Skinful of Shadows Macmillan Publishers / Harry N. Abrams [8]
Sam J. Miller The Art of Starving HarperTeen [8]
Philip Pullman The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage Alfred A. Knopf [8]
2019 Tomi Adeyemi * Children of Blood and Bone Henry Holt and Company / Macmillan Publishers [9]
Holly Black The Cruel Prince Little, Brown and Company / Hot Key Books [9]
Dhonielle Clayton The Belles Freeform / Gollancz [9]
Rachel Hartman Tess of the Road Random House / Penguin Teen [9]
Justina Ireland Dread Nation Balzer + Bray [9]
Peadar Ó Guilín The Invasion David Fickling Books / Scholastic [9]
2020 Naomi Kritzer *Catfishing on CatNet Tor Teen [10]
Frances Hardinge Deeplight Macmillan Publishers [10]
Yoon Ha Lee Dragon Pearl Disney/Hyperion [10]
Ursula Vernon (as T. Kingfisher)Minor MageArgyll Productions [10]
Fran Wilde Riverland Amulet Books [10]
Holly Black The Wicked King Little, Brown and Company / Hot Key Books [10]
2021 Ursula Vernon (as T. Kingfisher)* A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Argyll Productions [11]
Aiden Thomas Cemetery Boys Swoon Reads [11]
Naomi Novik A Deadly Education Del Rey Books [11]
Darcie Little Badger Elatsoe Levine Querido [11]
Tracy Deonn Legendborn Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing [11]
Jordan Ifueko Raybearer Amulet Books / Hot Key Books [11]
2022 Naomi Novik * The Last Graduate Del Rey Books [12]
Naomi Kritzer Chaos on CatNet Tor Teen [12]
Xiran Jay Zhao Iron Widow Penguin Teen / Rock the Boat [12]
Jordan Ifueko Redemptor Amulet Books / Hot Key Books [12]
Darcie Little Badger A Snake Falls to Earth Levine Querido [12]
Charlie Jane Anders Victories Greater Than Death Tor Teen / Titan Books [12]
2023 Nnedi Okorafor * Akata Woman Viking Books for Young Readers [13]
Tracy Deonn Bloodmarked Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers [13]
Charlie Jane Anders Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak Tor Teen / Titan Books [13]
Naomi Novik The Golden Enclaves Del Rey Books [13]
Rachel Hartman In the Serpent's Wake Random House Books for Young Readers [13]
Catherynne M. Valente Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods Margaret K. McElderry Books [13]
2024 P. Djèlí Clark Abeni's Song Starscape [14]
Naomi Kritzer Liberty's Daughter Fairwood Press [14]
Charlie Jane Anders Promises Stronger than Darkness Tor Teen [14]
Garth Nix The Sinister Booksellers of Bath Katherine Tegen Books / Victor Gollancz Ltd / Allen & Unwin [14]
Moniquill BlackgooseTo Shape a Dragon's Breath Del Rey Books [14]
Frances Hardinge Unraveller Macmillan Children's Books [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

Worldcon, or more formally the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939. The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual Hugo Awards, which are presented at each convention.

The Hugo Award for Best Novel is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published in, or translated to, English during the previous calendar year. The novel award is available for works of fiction of 40,000 words or more; awards are also given out in the short story, novelette, and novella categories. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction", and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

The Hugo Award for Best Novella is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The novella award is available for works of fiction of between 17,500 and 40,000 words; awards are also given out in the short story, novelette and novel categories. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Novelette</span> Annual award for science fiction or fantasy stories

The Hugo Award for Best Novelette is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The novelette award is available for works of fiction of between 7,500 and 17,500 words; awards are also given out in the short story, novella and novel categories. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

The Hugo Award for Best Short Story is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The short story award is available for works of fiction of fewer than 7,500 words; awards are also given out for pieces of longer lengths in the novelette, novella, and novel categories. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Fanzine</span> Annual award for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award for Best Fanzine is given each year for non professionally edited magazines, or "fanzines", related to science fiction or fantasy which has published four or more issues with at least one issue appearing in the previous calendar year. Awards were also once given out for professional magazines in the professional magazine category, and since 1984 have been awarded for semi-professional magazines in the semiprozine category; several magazines that were nominated for or won the fanzine category have gone on to be nominated for or win the semiprozine category since it was established. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist</span> Annual award for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist is given each year for artists of works related to science fiction or fantasy which appeared in low- or non-paying publications such as semiprozines or fanzines. A Hugo Award for professional artists is also given. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

The Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer is the Hugo Award given each year for writers of works related to science fiction or fantasy which appeared in low- or non-paying publications such as semiprozines or fanzines or in generally available electronic media during the previous calendar year. There is no restriction that the writer is not also a professional author, and several such authors have won the award for their non-paying works. The award was first presented in 1967 and has been awarded annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine</span> Annual awards for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine is given each year to a periodical publication related to science fiction or fantasy that meets several criteria having to do with the number of issues published and who, if anyone, receives payment. The award was first presented in 1984, and has been given annually since, though the qualifying criteria have changed. Awards were once also given out for professional magazines in the professional magazine category, and are still awarded for fan magazines in the fanzine category.

The 66th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Denvention 3, was held on 6–10 August 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver, Colorado, United States.

The Hugo Awards are presented every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially known as the Science Fiction Achievement Award. The award has been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing". In addition to the regular awards that have been given in most years that the awards have been active, several discontinued Hugo Awards have been presented throughout the years, only to be removed after a few years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award</span> Annual awards for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by the World Science Fiction Society. The Hugo is widely considered the premier award in the science fiction genre, and winners are often noted on book covers. It is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. Hugos were first given in 1953, at the 11th World Science Fiction Convention, and have been awarded every year since 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story</span> Annual award for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story is given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories told in graphic form and published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. It has been awarded annually since 2009. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Award for Best Fancast</span> Annual award for science fiction or fantasy

The Hugo Award for Best Fancast is one of the Hugo Awards, and is awarded to the best non-professional audio or video periodical devoted to science fiction, fantasy, or related subjects. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".

The 76th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Worldcon 76 in San Jose, was held on 16–20 August 2018 in San Jose, California, United States.

The Hugo Award for Best Series is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The award is available for series of science fiction or fantasy stories consisting of at least 3 published works totaling at least 240,000 words, with at least one work released or translated into English during the previous calendar year. A losing finalist becomes eligible again with the publication of at least two new works totaling at least 240,000 words.

The 78th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as CoNZealand, was held from 29 July to 2 August 2020. It was planned to be held at the TSB Arena and Shed 6, Intercontinental Hotel, Michael Fowler Center, in Wellington, New Zealand. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers announced in March 2020 that it would be held as a virtual convention, with no on-site attendance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">80th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 80th Worldcon (2022)

The 80th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Chicon 8, was held on 1–5 September 2022 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The 81st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) was held on 18–22 October 2023 in Chengdu, China. The choice of location was the subject of some controversy as it seemed that many of the votes cast for Chengdu at the 79th World Science Fiction Convention had the same handwriting and used the same mailing address. A hundred authors signed an open letter to the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) asking it to revoke the bid in protest of the ongoing persecution of Uyghurs in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">82nd World Science Fiction Convention</span> 82nd Worldcon (2024)

The 82nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Glasgow 2024, will be held in 2024 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Constitution of the World Science Fiction Society, as of August 21, 2018" (PDF). World Science Fiction Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  2. 1 2 "The Complete YA Award Study Committee Report" (PDF). Worldcon 75. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  3. ↑ "The Hugo Awards: Introduction". World Science Fiction Society. 2007-07-18. Archived from the original on 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  4. ↑ "The Locus index to SF Awards: About the Hugo Awards". Locus . Oakland, California: Locus. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  5. ↑ "World Science Fiction Society / Worldcon". World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  6. ↑ "Constitution of the World Science Fiction Society, as of August 22, 2017" (PDF). World Science Fiction Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  7. ↑ "2018 Hugo Winners Announced". Worldcon 76. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2018 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2018-03-15. Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2019 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2019-09-18. Archived from the original on 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2020 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2020-04-07. Archived from the original on 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2021 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2021-12-18. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2022 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2022-09-04. Archived from the original on 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2023 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2023-07-06. Archived from the original on 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2024 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.