Round 2, Match 3: Starry River of the Sky vs. Splendors & Glooms
What judge Thanhha Lai has to say about Starry River:

“Starry River drops readers into ancient China, yet its timeless theme of finding one’s self by returning to one’s roots will be understood by any video-game junkie living in, let’s say, Dallas.”

And about  Splendors:

“Readers then step into the enchanting horror of icy Strachan’s Ghyll, where a puppet, a witch, two kids and a villain come together for a good vs. evil battle that rivals any video game.  In this verbal version, the sentences alone will remind a certain junkie of what words can do—as entertainment.”

Her choice? Splendors. Do I agree? Yes. Although I enjoyed Starry River, between these two, Splendors is the richer, deeper novel.

Jonathan asks the most intriguing question in the commentary, though: ” Is there a subtle bias at work that favors young adult novels over middle grade novels?”

Possibly. Because, as adults (who are judging this), I think we crave the complexity in the story that a YA novel usually provides over a middle grade one. With the exception of Bomb and Starry River (up to now), the winners have been the complex, deeper novels, with richer narratives. It’ll be interesting to see if that trend holds (it probably will this year).

Round 2, Match 4: No Crystal Stair vs. Seraphina
What judge Paul Griffin had to say about No Crystal Stair:

“Lewis Michaux’s legacy is one of courage.  It’s in the literacy and fearless love he gave to his neighbors.  Part of Vaunda’s legacy will be that she showed us that love with selflessness.”

 And about Seraphina:

 Rachel never lets up on the tension, and this 450-page novel reads like a 200-page thriller.  I can see our YA friends trying to read it all in one sitting.  I know I did.

His decision? No Crystal Stair. Do I agree? NO! Actually, for the first time, I can see Roger Sutton‘s point about judges being wimps and not actually choosing. Griffin flipped. a. coin. to get the winner (at least he didn’t pretend!), and while I agree both of these books are excellent, I think Seraphina is the stronger novel. But perhaps that’s my bias for fantasy leaking out.

Between the two, though? I’m calling Splendors & Glooms to reach the final. Maybe I’ll be surprised.