Merry Christmas!
With the upcoming award season on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at my favorites in a few categories that don’t normally get represented. There’s a special giveaway too detailed at the end of this post.
Without further delay, here are my GOLDEN CUP AWARDS for 2017:
FAVORITE VOICE (FEMALE PROTAGONIST) Tie: Emily (THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU) and Wren (BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD)
FAVORITE VOICE (MALE PROTAGONIST): Charlie and Armstrong from ARMSTRONG AND CHARLIE
FAVORITE SETTING: Palm Knot, Georgia (THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE)
FAVORITE BOOKS WITH DIVERSE CHARACTERS: (tie) REFUGEE and ONE GOOD THING ABOUT AMERICA
FAVORITE CHARACTER NAME: Lester Musselbaum (SUPERSTAR)
FAVORITE OPENING LINE: It was the moment Penelope Naughton saw the troll at International House of Pancakes that changed everything. GUARDIANS OF THE GRYPHON’S CLAW)
FAVORITE COVER and TITLE: I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS
FAVORITE ENDING: MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD—THE SHIP OF THE DEAD
FUNNIEST READ: WELCOME TO WONDERLAND—BEACH PARTY SURF MONKEY
SADDEST READ: REFUGEE
FAVORITE READ-ALOUD: THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM
FAVORITE ANIMAL CHARACTER: Nosewise from THE WIZARD’S DOG
FAVORITE CHARACTERS FROM HISTORICAL FICTION (TIE): Billy and Foster (CROSSING THE LINE) and Bobby Lee Claremont (BOBBY LEE CLAREMONT AND THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT)
FAVORITE FRIENDSHIP: Caleb and Kit
CREEPIEST CHARACTERS: The Bend Sinister (THE BLAZING BRIDGE)
Comment on one of your own favorites for a chance to win one of two $25 AMAZON Gift Cards. I’ll draw out the two winners on January 4, 2018.
Have a safe and happy 2018 full of reading and writing.
Always in the Middle... 
My fave cover was the one for THE STARS BEANEATH OUR FEET.
Happy Christmas Eve! This is an amazing list! (And I have to agree on Ship of the Dead.) I haven’t heard of most of these either, I’ll have to check them out. Thanks, and have a wonderful holiday(s)!
Oh! My favorite cover and title was a tie between Carry On (paperback version) and Made You Up (also paperback version XD)
Great list! Merry Christmas!
I loved Caleb and Kit. And of course I’m thrilled you gave Billy and Foster a Golden Cup for favorite historical characters. Thanks for all you do to promote writers and the love of reading.
The Last Cherry Blossom was so emotional and inspiring especially when I realized this was the author’s mother’s story! I Love You Michael Collins was also fun to read and I learned so much about this space mission. My favorite middle grade was Greetings From Witness Protection! as I loved the snarky, vulnerable POV character and engaging family. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!
Loved your choices. Even though you though Refugee was the saddest read, it was a very important read and my favorite read. Kids need to know about what refugees go through to find freedom and a better life.
Merry Christmas, Greg. Great choices. I think my favorite book and cover this year was Snow & Rose. The whole book is just beautiful. Please let someone else win. I have won recently.
I’m reading an ARC of Winterhouse right now and it’s very good. I liked the Wish Tree by Applegate also. I’ll have to check out these from your list!
What a fun idea! I love your awards. I really loved the opening lines of DEAR POPPY: “My brother is smiling so hard I think his cheeks are pinned to his ears. This would be fine, of course, if we weren’t at my grandad’s funeral.”
Hi Greg, great list. 2 of my favorite books were What the Mood Said and The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. And they also have great covers.