INDIANAPOLIS - Judging is now complete for the 2008 Best Books of Indiana Competition. The state book award contest was started in 2005 by the Indiana Center for the Book to renew interest in Indiana's strong literary heritage. Books by Indiana authors or books about Indiana published between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year are eligible.
The competition consists of four categories, children's/young adult, fiction, nonfiction and poetry. A panel of judges in each category considered all entries and granted awards at their discretion. Entries were judged on the quality of writing, with organization and interpretation also considered.
This year's finalists are as follows:
Children's/Young Adult Finalists
- Boomhower, Ray (Indianapolis). 2007. Fighting for Equality: A Life of May Wright Sewall. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press.
- McMullan, Margaret (Evansville). 2007. When I Crossed No-Bob. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
- Young, Julie (Indianapolis). 2007. A Belief in Providence: A Life of Saint Theodora Guérin. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press.
Fiction Finalists
- Curnutt, Kirk (Montgomery, AL). 2007. Breathing Out the Ghost. Montgomery: River City Publishing.
- Robertson Stewart, Brenda (Mooresville) & Perona, Tony (Plainfield). 2007. Racing Can be Murder. Indianapolis: Blue River Press.
Nonfiction Finalists
- Madison, James (Bloomington). 2007. Slinging Donuts for the Boys. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
- Neville, Susan (Indianapolis). 2007. Sailing the Inland Sea. Bloomington: Quarry Books.
- Robinson, Jennifer (Solsberry). 2007. The Farmers Market Book. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Poetry Finalists
- No entries selected.
State Librarian's Award for Excellence in Nontraditional Literature
- Joe Cooper as told to Suzanne Bailer Smith. Day Dreamer to Dream Catcher. 2007. Self-published.
"It is always a privilege to recognize, promote and honor Indiana authors," said Roberta Brooker, Indiana State Librarian and judge for this year's nonfiction category. "Beginning this year, the award-winning titles of all former, current and future Best Books finalists will be featured in the State Library's Indiana Authors Room indefinitely."
In addition, each category's winning title and author will be engraved on a plaque in the Indiana Authors Room. Two copies of all 2008 competition entries have been added to the State Library's collection. One copy of each entry will circulate. Indiana citizens can borrow a Best Books of Indiana title at the State Library or request it via interlibrary loan at their local public library.
The winners of the 2008 Best Books of Indiana Competition will be announced at an awards ceremony taking place on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis. A reception will follow the event. The 2008 ceremony honors books published in 2007.
A complete listing of this year's finalists and past winners and finalists can be found at http://www.in.gov/library/2315.htm.
About the Indiana Center for the Book:
The Indiana Center for the Book is a program of the Indiana State Library and an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
The Indiana Center for the Book promotes interest in reading, writing, literacy, libraries, and Indiana's literary heritage by sponsoring events and serving as an information resource at the state and local level. The Center supports both the professional endeavors and the popular pursuits of Indiana's residents toward reading and writing.
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