Draper, and if it's any indication of what kind of books get picked for this award, this is going to be a somewhat difficult project. The first book I've selected, mostly because I happened to run across it in Border's the other day, is 'November Blues' by Sharon M. This year's going to be different, though, and I will review all of the books here, mostly so I remember which ones were good come voting time. Every year, I promise myself that I will read all of them, having something of a vested interest in YA literature. The Gateway Award is an annual award that goes to the best young adult ault novel of the year, as voted on by teenagers (but nominated by adults). But will hiding behind shoulder pads really help? And will his gridiron obsession prevent him from being there for his cousin’s girlfriend when she needs him most? At the same time, he begins playing football, where he hopes the physical pain will suppress the emotional agony. He finds the only way he can escape the emptiness he feels is to quit doing the things that made him happy when his cousin was alive, such as playing his beloved trumpet. His world becomes divided into “before” and “after” Josh’s death. Jericho Prescott lost his best friend when he lost his cousin, Josh, and the pain is almost more than he can bear. How in the world will she tell her mom? And how will Josh’s parents take the news? She’s never needed a friend more. She’s pregnant and now she’s faced with the biggest decision of her life. But Josh left something behind that will change November’s life forever.

When November Nelson loses her boyfriend, Josh, to a pledge stunt gone horribly wrong, she thinks her life can’t possibly get any worse. Draper’s Jericho Trilogy and Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Jericho and November are locked together in pain from the past and fear for the future, and it feels as though there’s no way to escape either.

Sharon m draper november blues