Minnesota Book Awards Find a Dozen Winners
Sarah T. Williams, Star Tribune
April 26, 2004
Judges threw "Monkeewrench," a high-tech thriller based in Minneapolis,
into the works Sunday night at the 16th annual Minnesota Book Awards --
along with "Sweetblood," a young-adult novel based on a teenage
diabetic who has an obsession with vampires, and the children's book "Hey,
Pancakes!" an ecstatically sticky, early-morning romp in which three
kids and their dog take over the kitchen.
This year's ceremonies at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul capped
a daylong festival of presentations and readings from the state's best
authors, illustrators, publishers and photographers.
Judges favored some newer and lesser-known voices over such finalists
as novelist Charles Baxter, poet and novelist Louise Erdrich and Newbery
Medal winner Kate DiCamillo. The Minnesota Historical Society Press was
a big winner, just as it was last year, claiming awards in four of 12
categories.
A celebration of booksBrian PetersonStar TribuneKARE-TV anchor and children's
author Rick Kupchella was the host for the awards. Featured guests were
Prudence Johnson, who sang "They Can't Take That Away From Me"
(the ability to read, that is); Emilie Buchwald, publisher emeritus of
Milkweed Editions, who delivered a tribute to Paul Gruchow, longtime chronicler
of the Minnesota landscape who died in February, and former Gov. Elmer
L. Andersen, one of the state's most ardent bibliophiles.
Andersen told the audience: "I am afraid that when I get to heaven,
I'm going to look around and say, 'This is pretty good, but it's not the
Minnesota book crowd.' "
Mark Gleason, vice president of the Minnesota Humanities Commission,
which sponsors the awards, estimated attendance at the day's events at
2,500. About this year's choices, he said: "I feel the same as I
do every year. I think this is the best ever. It can't get any better.
And I'll think the same thing next year. The creativity of the authors
and their publishers is a renewable resource. It's like a new crop coming
up every year."
Here is a list of the 12 winners in their categories:
Anthology and collections: "A Place Called Home: Writings on the
Midwestern Small Town," edited by Richard Davies, Joseph Amato and
David Pichaske (Minnesota Historical Society Press). What the judges said:
"A timely book because the problems of abandonment and decay of central
business districts ... are all too evident today in small-town Minnesota."
Autobiography, memoir: "The Language of Blood: A Memoir," by
Jane Jeong Trenka (Minnesota Historical Society Press). What the judges
said: "Original in the way it blends varying formats and genres --
memoir, epistle, bureaucratic policies, drama, recipe, directions, folklore,
and monologue. ... A courageous work of art."
Children's literature: "Hey Pancakes!" by Tamson Weston, illustrated
by Stephen Gammell (Silver Whistle). What the judges said: "The illustrations
are energetic, effortlessly suggesting the fun the kids have making pancakes.
The rhythm and sentence structure is inviting, engaging."
Children's nonfiction: "Our Family Tree," by Lisa Westberg
Peters, illustrated by Lauren Stringer (Harcourt). What the judges said:
"Has strong literary merit for both the lyric quality of the writing
and the amazing illustrations."
Fine press: "Poetry of Chance Encounters," by Harriet Bart
(Mnemonic Press). What the judges said: "A totality of accomplishment
on all levels that is not often seen."
History, biography: "Mill City: A Visual History of the Minneapolis
Mill District," edited by Shannon Pennefeather (Minnesota Historical
Society Press). What the judges said: "The reader gains a sharp understanding
of how this industrial area mirrored the changing lives of the citizens."
Minnesota, nature, and region: "Looking for the Summer" by
Jim Brandenburg (NorthWord Press). What the judges said: "He reminds
us that none of us owns nature, but we have an ongoing relationship with
it and a responsibility for it."
Novel, short story: "Where No Gods Came," by Sheila O'Connor
(University of Michigan Press). What the judges said: "Portrays characters
rarely seen in literature -- a severely dysfunctional family whose members
bond, separate, and come together again."
Poetry: "Coming Late to Rachmaninoff," by Richard Terrill (University
of Tampa Press). What the judges said: "Masterful use of language
and subject matter keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested. Blends
traditional style with innovation."
Popular fiction: "Monkeewrench," by P.J. Tracy (Putnam). What
the judges said: "Original, contemporary, high-tech (but not too
technical for the average computer user) and fast-moving. The suspense
element is very deftly executed."
Young-adult literature: "Sweetblood" by Pete Hautman (Simon
& Schuster). What the judges said: "Unique to a lot of YA literature
... and something kids in this age range would latch onto. ... An original
idea that was both compelling and engaging."
Young-adult nonfiction: "Northern Lights: The Stories of Minnesota's
Past," by Dave Kenney (Minnesota Historical Society Press). What
the judges said: "The personal accounts of everyday people -- from
Ojibwe Indians to the most recent immigrants to Minnesota -- enable students
to relate the diverse history of Minnesota back to their own lives."
Sarah T. Williams is at swilliams@startribune.com
For more information on the awards, go to www.minnesotahumanities.org
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