Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone," said "Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science fiction is the improbable made possible."
In the Fantasy and Science Fiction category, that sentiment is at the heart of the best novels for children and teens. The winning novel published in 2008 will have amazing world building that brings newly discovered lands and worlds to life. It will have characters who shine, who are vivid and strong against the backdrop of the world. It will have writing that surpasses all expectations, writing that shimmers and pulses with its own style and brilliance.
All of these components will come together into that magical whole: a book that speaks for its genre but also exceeds it, blasting beyond into greatness.
--Tasha Saecker, organizer
Please leave a nomination -- including author and title -- for in the comments below. One nomination per person, per category, please. Avoid duplicate nominations--it only takes ONE nomination to add a book to the list.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson!
Go Jenna!
Posted by: Jackie Parker | October 01, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Graceling by Kristin Cashore!!!
Pub date today!!!
Good thing, too, because my advance copy is falling apart from all the re-reads!!
Posted by: Leila | October 01, 2008 at 03:43 AM
I loved Justine Larbalestier's How to Ditch Your Fairy, one of the funniest fantasy titles I've ever read.
Posted by: Libby | October 01, 2008 at 04:11 AM
Out of the Wild, by Sarah Beth Durst
Posted by: Melissa | October 01, 2008 at 04:58 AM
A CURSE DARK AS GOLD
by Elizabeth Bunce
Posted by: Sarah Miller | October 01, 2008 at 05:47 AM
The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski. Historical fantasy, smart and beautifully done.
Posted by: Anamaria | October 01, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | October 01, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with fire by Derek Landy
Posted by: Jennifer | October 01, 2008 at 06:48 AM
The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Harcourt, 2008).
Posted by: Cynthia Leitich Smith | October 01, 2008 at 07:02 AM
THE DEVOURING, by Simon Holt (young adult)
Posted by: Chris Rettstatt | October 01, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Picking just one is a struggle...
Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia
by John Flanagan
Posted by: Tabatha | October 01, 2008 at 07:46 AM
I nominate Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Everyone I hand it to devours it in one sitting!
Posted by: Heather Doss | October 01, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Heck: Where the Bad Kids go, by Dale Basye
Posted by: Jean | October 01, 2008 at 08:54 AM
KAIMIRA: THE SKY VILLAGE, by Monk Ashland and Nigel Ashland
(middle grade)
Imaginative and beautifully written book!
Posted by: Kathryn Achenbach | October 01, 2008 at 09:02 AM
The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas
Posted by: Kim | October 01, 2008 at 09:09 AM
The Hunger Game by Suzanne Collins
Savvy by Ingrid Law
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Posted by: Deena | October 01, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Leila beat me to it on Graceling, so I'll nominate Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi.
Posted by: Sarah Rettger | October 01, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Ratha's Courage, Clare Bell.
Posted by: Xarka | October 01, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I'd like to nominate the second book in the "Worldweavers" trilogy by Alma Alexander, "Spellspam" (pub date March 2008)
Posted by: Robert | October 01, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke published by Scholastic
Posted by: Sonja | October 01, 2008 at 10:35 AM
The Tygrine Cat by Inbali Iserles
Posted by: K-san | October 01, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Warriors series by Erin Hunter
Posted by: K-san | October 01, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Boots and Pieces by Emily Ecton
Posted by: Sarah | October 01, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Chalice by Robin McKinley
Posted by: Angie | October 01, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Just a clearification:
The Tygrine Cat by Inbali Iserles is the book I nominated.
Posted by: K-san | October 01, 2008 at 01:39 PM
The Dark Dreamweaver by Nick Ruth =)
Posted by: Forestpelt | October 01, 2008 at 02:02 PM
I'm definitely going to nominate FROSTBITE by Richelle Mead. I thought this one was even better than the first in the series.
Posted by: Maggie Stiefvater | October 01, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Travelers Market by Maureen McQuerry
Posted by: Michele | October 01, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Angel by Cliff McNish
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 01, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I am so nominating Warrior's The Power Of Three Book 4 Eclipse! <3
Posted by: Melissa | October 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Posted by: Cynthia Lord | October 01, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Yay, someone nominated Courage. :3
Battle of the Labyrinth, Rick Riordan.
Posted by: Spirit | October 01, 2008 at 02:54 PM
The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pheffer
Posted by: Toreyy | October 01, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Runemarks (Joanne Harris)
Posted by: BNP | October 01, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Little Brother - Cory Doctrow
Posted by: bibliogrrl | October 01, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Flora's Dare by Ysabeau Wilce, please. :)
Posted by: Tiffany Trent | October 01, 2008 at 03:52 PM
WAKE, by Lisa McMann
Posted by: Robin | October 01, 2008 at 03:56 PM
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.
Posted by: Eliza | October 01, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Flora's Dare by Ysabeau Wilce
Posted by: Neile | October 01, 2008 at 04:04 PM
The Robe of Skulls, by Vivian French
Posted by: Liz | October 01, 2008 at 04:51 PM
The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Posted by: Liv | October 01, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce
Gotta fall in love with Nawat. No matter how hard you try not to, you always do.
Posted by: thelasteddis | October 01, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I nominate The Facttracker by Jason Carter Eaton
Posted by: Nan Hoekstra | October 01, 2008 at 06:37 PM
THE LAST OF THE HIGH KINGS by Kate Thompson (but choosing just one was hard!)
Posted by: Kathleen | October 01, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
Posted by: Maya | October 01, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I'm a little weirded out that no one has suggested this before me but "Lamplighter" by D.M. Cornish.
Posted by: Fuse #8 | October 01, 2008 at 07:03 PM
King's Shield (book 3 of Inda) by Sherwood Smith
Posted by: Laurel | October 01, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Warriors: The Power of Three, Book #4, Eclipse, By Erin Hunter
Posted by: Izzy | October 01, 2008 at 07:20 PM
I'd like to nominate DEAD GIRL WALKING by Linda Singleton for the fantasy/sci-fi category.
Posted by: Kim Baccellia | October 01, 2008 at 07:40 PM