Click on the images below for an enlarged view of the book cover and judge’s review.

2024 WSBA Winners
text reads: “A touching love letter to family, even with all its complications and difficulties. Jane Wong explores racism, class, and addiction with flowing ease. You'll feel every emotion while spending time amongst its pages.” Alex Yokom Browsers Bookshop the book cover of Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City by Jane Wong with the WSBA winner seal is featured. text reads: “A smart, shocking, propulsive, and disturbing novel about power dynamics in academia and beyond. Jha’s incisive critique places readers in the headspace of a hideously unreliable narrator, Oliver, a privileged older white professor infatuated with his much younger Pakistani Muslim colleague, Ruhaba. This razor-sharp reckoning with race, class, gender, and desire left me absolutely reeling.” Jennie Diaz Seattle Public Library the book cover of The Laughter by Sonora Jha with the WSBA winner seal is featured text reads: “Egan's searing history of the Ku Klux Klan condemns its subject while urging its readers that we must learn from the past by looking at it straight-on. The difficult truths contained in A Fever in the Heartland are written by an author who delivers them fully engaged, knowing how critical this past is to our present and future. ” Alex Yokom Browsers Bookshop the book cover for A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan with the WSBA winner seal is featured. text reads: “The silver-scaled fish, so integral to the Pacific Northwest, serves as inspiration for poems curated by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest. These poems, thoughtfully assembled, shine light on the complexities of a single subject and give the reader opportunity to ponder over multiple readings.” Sarah Jaffa Kitsap Regional Library the book cover for I Sing the Salmon Home: Poems from Washington State Edited by Rena Priest is featured  
text reads: “A delightful, interactive story that will engage readers across the primary and elementary spectrum. This will become a library, classroom, and bedtime favorite for many kids.” Avery Mead East Valley High School Library the cover of Ploof by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser with the wsba winner seal is featured text reads: “A sensitive, realistic exploration of the grief process and the impacts on family dynamics paired with an intriguing dive into the sport of fencing. A unique and riveting read that will resonate with a wide audience.” Jane López-Santillana Sno-Isle Libraries the cover of Duel by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley with the WSBA winner seal is featured text reads: “Margaret Owen has managed to create a follow-up to the award-winning Little Thieves that captures the same whimsy and humor while imbuing this second story in the series with a truly frightening entity in the Scarlet Maiden. Vanja Schmidt and her Junior Prefect find themselves in hotter water than ever when the Maiden sets her sights on Emeric, threatening his future and both of their lives.” Avery Mead East Valley High School Library the book cover for Painted Devils by Margaret Owen with the wsba winner seal is featured    
Creative Nonfiction/Memoir Finalists
text reads: “A heartfelt tribute to the horror genre and an antidote to exclusionary fandom. This beautifully designed and illustrated book highlights a thrilling and diverse collection of fresh voices. New fans and horror mavens alike will cherish this thoughtful curation and the many additions to their TBR lists.” Jennie Diaz Seattle Public Library the book cover of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie "Mother Horror" Hartmann with the WSBA finalist seal is included text reads: “With lyrical prose and perceptive commentary, this is a nuanced memoir that skillfully explores how personal and environmental camouflage can both conceal and reveal deeper truths about our lives.” Marcus Harrison Green WSBA Finalist the book cover of The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson with the WSBA finalist seal on it is included text reads: “Through a series of thought provoking essays, Dederer candidly explores how she has related to artists throughout her life and examines how the consumer of art must wrestle with the problematic creators of the beloved work.” Sarah Jaffa Kitsap Regional Library the book cover of Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer with a WSBA finalist seal is included text reads: “Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore has crafted a challenging, personal blend of biography, memoir, social history, and art critique. Like the collages her grandmother made before her, Sycamore finds throughlines between subjects with a careful hand and close attention to detail. I was completely absorbed by this book!” Alex Yokom Browsers Bookshop the book cover of Touching the Art by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore with the WSBA finalist seal is included text reads: “A resonant graphic novel with local Seattle/PNW history, striking illustrations, and a compassionate message to look out for our neighbors. Tuininga draws from his Sephardic heritage to explore the period of time when Japanese-Americans were forcibly evicted from their homes and imprisoned during WWII. Both gripping and timely.” Alex Yokom Browsers Bookshop the book cover of We Are Not Strangers by Josh Tuininga with the WSBA finalist seal on it is featured.
Fiction Finalists
text reads: “A prequel to Legends and Lattes, this has all the warmth and charm of the previous book, with a theme of relationships formed with the right people at the wrong time, and a side of the power of books to change lives.” Valerie McBeth NWIC Lummi Library the book cover of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree featuring the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A poignant debut novel with poetic elements that enhance the narrative’s emotional resonance of attempting to overcome your past while struggling with the chaos of the world around you.” Marcus Harrison Green WSBA Finalist the book cover of I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer by Robert Lashley with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A collection of stylish speculative short fiction, these gem-like pieces carry sadness and hope within them. Whether read in one sitting or in bite sized segments, the tales of the familiar and fantastical disturb and delight in equal measure.” Sarah Jaffa Kitsap Regional Library the book cover of Jewel Box: Stories by E. Lily Yu with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “This story of four generations of a Korean, then Korean-American family, told against the background of Korea's political history of colonialism and war, resonates with themes of loss and love.” Valerie McBeth NWIC Lummi Library the book cover of The Liberators by E.J. Koh with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A romantic languid journey into the soul of Valetto, a charming but crumbling Italian city, and its 10 remaining residents. Gentle-natured historian and widower, Hugh, unravels the thread of a mystery with the help of his eccentric aunts and grandmother, the Serafino widows, and a new arrival with a claim to the family home. A tender, sumptuous, and fully realized tale of grief, redemption, and healing the wounds of the past.” Jennie Diaz Seattle Public Library the book cover of Return to Valetto by Dominic Smith with the WSBA finalist seal is featured
General Nonfiction/Biography Finalists
text reads: “A fascinating and galvanizing lens for interpreting Seattle history. Fucoloro’s comprehensive and enthusiastic approach highlights cycling, and transportation more broadly, as a social justice issue. He champions a commitment to designing safer roads and achieving zero traffic deaths. It made me want to get out and ride!” Jennie Diaz Seattle Public Library the book cover of Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle from Behind the Handlebars by Tom Fucoloro with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A visually arresting landmark achievement that dismantles stereotypes and provides a still (and unfortunately) necessary nuanced, rich, and humanizing view of Native American culture.” Marcus Harrison Green WSBA Finalist the book cover of Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America by Matika Wilbur with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Stunning photography; well-researched and -written history, both Native and settler; stories of current situations; and a look at the future of this culturally and ecologically rich peninsula make this coffee table book both beautiful and informative.” Valerie McBeth NWIC Lummi Library the book cover of Salmon Cedar Rock & Rain: Washington's Olympic Peninsula with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Bringing together decades of research there are many historical nuggets to be unearthed in this slim volume highlighting the overlooked foundations of rock in the Pacific Northwest.” Sarah Jaffa Kitsap Regional Library the book cover of Stomp & Shout: R&B Origins of Northwest Rock & Roll by Peter Blecha with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Thoroughly researched and skillfully explored, Cram confronts the longitudinal impacts of nuclear waste with clarity and humanity. She distills challenging information and esoteric concepts into an accessible examination of a deeply complicated problem. Cram’s passionate advocacy underscores the heroic effort and profound optimism necessary for community informed containment. Urgent, important, exceptional work!” Jennie Diaz Seattle Public Library the book cover for Unmaking the Bomb: Environmental Cleanup and the Politics of Impossibility by Shannon Cram with the WSBA finalist seal is featured
Poetry Finalists
text reads: “This anthology, organized by geographical and ecological communities, expands on the traditional idea of a field guide, adding poetry, art, and story to the identification of plants and animals, recognizing relationships and encouraging engagement with our fellow beings.” Valerie McBeth NWIC Lummi Library the book cover for Cascadia: Field Guide with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A funny, honest, and emotionally trenchant exploration of the act of caregiving, evocatively told with depth, and authenticity.” Marcus Harrison Green WSBA Finalist the book cover for Childcare by Rob Schlegel with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads:“Juxtaposing cosmic events alongside intimate moments, Gailey brings the celestial down to earth, making it not just accessible, but that much more profound and resonant.” Marcus Harrison Green WSBA Finalist the book cover for Flare Corona by Jeannine Hall Gailey with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A collection of poems effortless in its use of language and interested in poetry as conversation. An assured and reflective style connects the poems, written by a precise and careful hand.” Alex Yokom Browsers Bookshop the book cover for Judas Goat: Poems with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “This collection of poetry, in the original Japanese with English translations and commentary, and accompanying essays, provides an education on the senryu as a poetic form and on the lives of those incarcerated, deeply humanzing those who lived in a most dehumanizing situation.” Valerie McBeth NWIC Lummi Library the book cover of They Never Asked: Senryu Poetry from the WWII Portland Assembly Center with the WSBA finalist seal is featured
Picture Book Finalists
text reads: “The perfect introduction to the countdown and rituals of getting ready for fall, reminding readers to enjoy the anticipation of a new school year while savoring the last moments of summer.” Jane López-Santillana Sno-Isle Libraries the book cover of And Then Comes School by Tom Brenner with the WSBA finalist seal is included text reads: “Learning to listen to boundaries is not easy for Drake becasue he is super-excited, overeager, and in-your-face, but this adorable picture book demonstrates respecting the boundaries set by others.” Lauren Kessel Kent Elementary School Library the book cover for Drake: The Super-Excited, Overeager, In-Your-Face Snake by Michaele Razi with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Corinna Luyken's sublime illustrations lend magic and mystery to this tale told in two voices, igniting imaginations and inviting readers into the story.” Jane López-Santillana Sno-Isle Libraries the book cover of In the Dark illustrated by Corinna Luyken with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A beautiful Parisian story with haunting images, following a musician as he loses his passion and income and then discovers his heart. ” Lauren Kessel Kent Elementary School Library the book cover of Maurice by Jessixa Bagley with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A fantastic, inclusive and beautifully illustrated look at the journey of a book. Each page is layered with intricate illustrations that draw readers in and remind them why books can be so captivating and magical.” Avery Mead East Valley High School Library the book cover of The Story of a Book by Joy McCullough with the WSBA finalist seal is featured
Books for Young Readers Finalists
text reads: “Another compelling story from Donna Barba Higuera, blending Hispanic culture and language seemlessly with post-apocalyptic themes and technology. The world of Alebrijes and questions about humanity linger in the imagination a long time after the final page is read.” Jane López-Santillana Sno-Isle Libraries the book cover of Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A funny and poignant story of one nonbinary child's journey coming to terms with their gender and the strained, emotionally abusive relationship with their mother. Along the way, Sparrow Malone gets to know their Aunt Mags and the eclectic cast of characters that live on the sprawling family estate, all while grappling with their shadow, which has untethered itself from their body!” Avery Mead East Valley High School Library the book cover for The Beautiful Something Else by Ash Van Otterloo with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Eden has lost the feeling of purpose and community she got as an elite gymnast, but finds it once again when she winds up volunteering at a women's shelter. There, she discovers the concept of period poverty and sets out to do something about it. This is an inspiring story for anyone interested in making a difference in their community.” Avery Mead East Valley High School Library the book cover for Code Red by Joy McCullough with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “The Clackity is back in this spooky story that returns the reader briefly to Blight Harbor before returning to the place with the dark sun. New characters such as Lark will help Evie follow clues that may even answer what happened to her missing parents.” Lauren Kessel Kent Elementary School Library the book cover for The Nighthouse Keeper by Lora Senf with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “Middle-school and IBD? What could be more embarrassing? Al has to navigate middle school and her best friend making new friends and plans alongside having a chronic illness. Humor and embarrassment throughout will transport the reader back to middle school!” Lauren Kessel Kent Elementary School Library the book cover of The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlow with the WSBA finalist seal is featured
Young Adult Finalists
text reads: “Many of the women in Shakespeare's plays, especially the tragedies, were not given the opportunity to advance their own plots. In this imaginative novel, they meet below stage after their deaths.” Lauren Kessel Kent Elementary School Library the book cover of Enter the Body by Joy McCullough with the WSBA finalist seal is featured text reads: “A gritty adventure worthy of Indiana Jones, with a resilient heroine in an intriguing new fantasy world. The cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eager to access the next book in the series.” Jane López-Santillana Sno-Isle Libraries the book cover of The Golden Needle by T.J. Carroll with the WSBA finalist seal is featured