The Great Lakes Great Books Award is presented annually by the Michigan Reading Association. Here are the eight nominations for grades 9-12, 2021-2022 awards.

The complete list of books nominated will be available in March, following the Michigan Reading Associations Annual Conference. Voting begins in the fall, for more information visit https://michiganreading.org/student-involvement/great-lakes-great-books

“Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo

Written in verse, this novel tells the story of two girls, Camino lives in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira who lives in New York. The girls are forced to face a new reality when their father died in plane crash. As the girls face this reality they learn of each other and of their father’s secrets

“Go With The Flow” by Karen Schneemann and Lily Williams

This graphic novel is about four girls and their revolution. They are tired of an administration that puts the football team before female health, and want a change. The limits of their friendship are tested along with the girls questioning the power of their voices to heard.

“Dragon Hoops” by Gene Yang

Follow the story of the basketball team the Dragons, as told by Gene, who doesn’t get sports. The Dragons are on their way to a championship season, but as Gene gets to know these athletes, he begins to see how thrilling the game can be.

“Stamped Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

This reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s National Book Award-winning “Stamped from the Beginning” reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. I highly recommend listening to the audio version of this book.

“You Should See Me in a Crown” by Leah Johnson

Liz has a plan to get out of her hometown, attend Pennington College to become a doctor. But the financial aid she needs falls through, Liz must find a new way to pay for college. She enters the race for Prom Queen and King, with the winners earning the school’s scholarship. Liz enters the race, but her journey to the become the prom queen is quite the adventure.

“Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas

Yadriel, a brujo, has summoned ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him. He brings back the resident bad boy of the high school instead of his cousin. Left with no other choice Yadriel decides to help Julian so they both can get what they want, but the more time they spend together the less they want to leave each other.

“Dear Justyce” by Nic Stone

Dear Justyce is the story of Quan, who we met in “Dear Martin.” Quan sits behind bars while Justyce attends Yale, who grew up a block apart. We find out the back story of Quan, troubles at home and school, told through flashbacks and letters to Justyce.

“Displacement” by Kiku Hughes

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when she finds herself transported back to the 1940s, in the Japanese-American internment camp where were late grandmother was forcibly relocated.