Probably the most excitement generated by the announcement of the National Book Award this year was their mistake in their listing of young adult literature finalists.  Lauren Myracle’s book  – Shine – about a gay teenager who is the victim of a hate crime made the list.  Oops – the committee revealed later that the finalist was supposed to be Fran Billingsley’s tale of a teenage witch in Chime.

How do you mistake a Shine for a Chime?  typo?  It seems the committee creates the list verbally to maintain secrecy until the official announcement.  Maybe they need an exercise in elocution – or spelling – C, as in Charlie; M, as in Mary…

Ironically, Shine is enjoying great sales from the inadvertent recognition – no publicity is bad.   And, the National Book Award committee is compensating with a $5000 donation to a foundation for gay youth.   But, they did remove Shine from their list.

The winner will be announced in November; the other four books nominated in this category:

•  My Name Is Not Easy
•  Inside Out and Back Again
•  Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy
• Okay for Now