Yes, I know the Olympics are still a few weeks away. I'm talking about the gold medal in young adult literature also referred to as the Printz Award. This award created to honor Michael L. Printz, a school media specialist from the mid-west, celebrates the cream of the crop of books written for teens in the previous year. Think the Newbery Award but for older readers.

This year's committee of nine librarians selected Going Bovine by Libba Bray. This title is a departure from her previous historical/magical books you may be more familiar with (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and A Sweet Far Thing). This story will instead take you on a twisted road trip with a sixteen year old diagnosed with mad cow disease. While elements of the supernatural realm may appear, you will not be led on any Victorian adventures by curious and determined teenage girls.

You can learn more about previous winners as well as honorable mentions at the award's page on YALSA's website (Young Adult Library Services division of the American Library Association).