Mock Printz 2026 discussion

The runner-up in our March Mock Printz reading poll is the latest from a previous Printz honoree. What makes this book stand out in the YA literary landscape?

This seemed like two separate books to me - a delightful high school romance (with yet another totally perfect boyfriend character)- alongside a problem novel featuring a doughty teenage girl whose PTSD-ridden father could neither earn a living nor function as her parent.

I'll have to say the relationship between the teenagers was more credible than that between father and daughter. For instance, it didn't make a lot of sense to me that a man so vulnerable to breakdowns would be able to tolerate the prickly, bristly conversations that were typical of Andy's communication with Hayley. And it was also hard to believe that the chaotic lifestyle which level-headed Hayley had long endured had not intersected more with social services networks.

While I appreciate the (relatively) sympathetic presentation of a returning soldier with PTSD in this novel, I think Anderson's book SPEAK (read a long! time ago) was a much more successful treatment of a serious social issue.

Laurie Halse Anderson is a wonderful storyteller, and this book is no exception, but I'm not sure it will be a Printz title.

One of the things that bothered me while reading was the timeline - I think Hayley refers to the second semester starting, and then starts talking about the upcoming holidays. It really left me confused as to how much time had passed in the story.

I also felt like Hayley was Anderson's mouthpiece at times. I have heard her speak several times, and she is a wonderful advocate for school librarians, which is much appreciated. But when Hayley starts complaining about school district (e.g.: how it has cut all the librarians), it didn't really seem authentic to me - if she was a recent transplant to the school, it didn't seem like she would really be that well versed in school cuts that occurred before she was even living in town.

The things that makes this book stand out in YA lit (relatable teen going through a very difficult time, PTSD suffering father will speak to children whose parents might be going through that situation, etc) don't necessarily make this Printz-worthy, but it's still a good read that will appeal to its target audience.

Just finished this one. I absolutely hated Hayley by the end of it. I guess my biggest problem with her was her continuing deflection of issues - she refused to confront her father's issues and seek help, refused to reconcile her beliefs about Trish. She didn't grow at all.

I don't want to be spoilery, but you know That Thing That Happened Near The End? How much better would the book have been if That Thing had gone the other way, and we could see how Hayley dealt with it? Instead of glossing over all of the major issues in her life and tying them in a bow, what if we actually got to see her DEAL WITH A THING? Man. I want that ending.

And that romance with Finn, which was based on nothing. We don't know why he likes her in the first place. We don't know why he pursues her when she repeatedly, aggressively waves him off. I really don't like the message that sends to teen girls OR boys. Stop it with the "unrequited like is beautiful and not at all creepy, you are entitled to her affection, so just keep wearing her down!" narrative, American Popular Culture At Large.

I'll throw a fit if this gets a Printz nod.

Impossible Knife...by Anderson. This book resonated with me. Tears came when I reached the point where I THOUGHT I knew how it would end. The book has me thinking about how many teens are out there parenting their parents and they can't see any way out of the situation. I will remember this book for a long time. 4stars.

I agree with you Kelly! I thought everything wrapped up way too nicely and quickly at the end, avoiding some of the big, real issues. I also found the relationship a little creepy and unrealistic.