How amazing to be nominated for a BFYA 2021 award! Thank you so much, YALSA! A division of the American Library Association, YALSA is a national organization made up of librarians and advocates dedicated to strengthening services for teens. They do do incredibly important work for this powerful, passionate population of readers, and I am a dedicated fan and supporter of both ALA and YALSA. Libraries and Librarians are two of the most crucial elements of our society. So I am especially honored and grateful for this nomination, and for WHAT I CARRY to be considered among a list of truly gorgeous books I have read and love. Thank you, YALSA, and notably Amanda Kordeliski, for all you do, and for this very appreciated honor. Learn more about YALSA and some more nominees , and here is Amanda Kordeliskis’ lovely synopsis of WHAT I CARRY:
“Muir has one year left of foster care. One more placement, and then she is completely on her own. Having spent her entire life moving from one foster home to the next, she has learned a lot of things about how to survive. The biggest takeaways: don’t get attached to anyone or anything and fit everything you own in a single suitcase. As Muir settles into her final placement, she struggles to remain detached from the new people in her life. Desperately wanting meaningful connections with people but worried she won’t survive when she has to walk away when she turns 18.
An emotionally intense read, Longo begins each chapter with the history behind an item Muir carries with her in her suitcase. Muir’s relationships with her foster parent Francine, her new friend Kira and her developing feelings for Sean are rich and realistic. Muir makes mistakes and her insecurities and worries are present even when she has wonderful experiences. What I Carry weaves the challenges facing foster kids into the novel seamlessly and readers don’t realize they are learning more about the system as they bond with Muir.
Teens who love stories that focus on forming relationships and learning to trust others will enjoy this book. Give this to fans of Robin Benway’s Far From the Tree, Kate McLaughlin’s What Unbreakable Looks Like, and for a slightly younger audience, One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.” - Amanda Kordeliski