2018 National Book Award Longlist

The 2018 National Book Award Longlist was announced today and although there are a number of areas in which you can check out on the National Book Foundation website, below I’ve listed the Young People’s Literature award. I’ll be honest there are a number of titles on the list that I haven’t even heard of, let alone, read yet, which just means I have more on my TBR list now!

I’ve heard a lot about Blood Water Paint and with (almost) an art history minor, this is one that definitely intrigues me and I have read both middle grade titles (which were both really good). I’m excited to see the diversity of authors on the list, but it still leans heavily on young adult literature and I, personally, would love to see more middle grade novels on the longlist.
What are your thoughts on the list? Anything missing that you wish was on the list?

Elizabeth Acevedo, “The Poet X” (YA, realistic fiction)
HarperTeen / HarperCollins Publishers

M. T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin, “The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge” (YA, fantasy)
Candlewick Press

Bryan Bliss, “We’ll Fly Away” (YA, realistic fiction)
Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins Publishers

Leslie Connor, “The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle” (MG, realistic fiction)
Katherine Tegen Books / HarperCollins Publishers

Christopher Paul Curtis, “The Journey of Little Charlie” (MG, historical fiction)
Scholastic Press / Scholastic, Inc.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, “Hey, Kiddo” (YA, graphic memoir)
Graphix / Scholastic, Inc.

Tahereh Mafi, “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” (YA, realistic fiction)
HarperTeen / HarperCollins Publishers

Joy McCullough, “Blood Water Paint” (YA, historical fiction)
Dutton Children’s Books / Penguin Random House

Elizabeth Partridge, “Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam” (YA, nonfiction)
Viking Children’s Books / Penguin Random House

Vesper Stamper, “What the Night Sings” (YA, historical fiction)
Knopf Books for Young Readers / Penguin Random House