Kirkus Prize Shortlist 2024Like this list

18 items

• The Mighty Red

  a Novel

  Erdrich, Louise,

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  "The Red River of the North cuts a vivid track through the hardscrabble lives that anchor Erdrich’s surpassing North Dakota fiction. In this tender and capacious story, love and tragedy mingle along the river and into the world." - Kirkus

• James

  a Novel

  Everett, Percival,

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  "Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' as told from the perspective of a more resourceful and contemplative Jim than the one you remember. One of the noblest characters in American literature gets a novel worthy of him." -Kirkus

• Playground

  a Novel

  Powers, Richard, 1957-

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  "A story of friendship, technology, oceans, and a small island. An engaging, eloquent message for this fragile planet." -Kirkus

• Prophet Song

  Lynch, Paul, 1977-

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  "As Ireland devolves into a brutal police state, one woman tries to preserve her family in this stark fable. Captivating, frightening, and a singular achievement." -Kirkus

• Margo's Got Money Troubles

  a Novel

  Thorpe, Rufi,

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  "A college freshman finds out that everyone was right: Her decision to have her English professor’s baby really does ruin her life. Until it doesn’t. Terrific characters, rich worldbuilding, deep thoughts about fiction and morality, a love story,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Achilles Trap

  Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq

  Coll, Steve,

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  "The Pulitzer Prize–winning author returns with a tour de force examination of the events leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Required reading for all conscientious citizens." -Kirkus

• Challenger

  a True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

  Higginbotham, Adam,

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  "A deeply researched, fluently written study in miscommunication, hubris, and technological overreach." -Kirkus

• Feeding Ghosts

  a Graphic Memoir

  Hulls, Tessa, 1984-

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  "A graphic novelist contends with her maternal family’s complicated history. A work that glimmers with insight, acumen, and an unwillingness to settle for simple answers." -Kirkus

• The Garden Against Time

  in Search of a Common Paradise

  Laing, Olivia

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  "An intellectually verdant and emotionally rich narrative journey. Laing describes gardens of her own acquaintance in sensuous, compelling detail, allowing readers to see, smell, and touch them alongside her." -Kirkus

• Another Word for Love

  a Memoir

  Wallace, Carvell,

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  "The story of a poet and podcaster’s journey to claim the fullness of his identity and power as a queer Black American. An exquisite, soulful must-read." -Kirkus

• Undue Burden

  Life-and-death Decisions in post-Roe America

  Luthra, Shefali,

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  "Health care reporter Luthra makes her book debut with an intense look at the lives of patients and providers after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Vivid portrayals of lives disrupted and freedom denied." -Kirkus

• We Who Produce Pearls

  An Anthem for Asian America

  Ho, Joanna,

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  "Laced with references to historical figures, movements, and events, Ho’s rich, mesmerizing text begs to be discussed. Ho’s verse is brought to vivid life by Phingbodhipakkiya’s arresting, vibrant images. Striking and defiant: an unabashed…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• There Was a Party for Langston

  Reynolds, Jason,

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  "Reynolds sets a syncopated pace with his debut picture book, delivering not only a celebratory dance of a biography, but a primer in Hughes’ own jazz poetry. A bar set stratospherically high and cleared with room to spare." -Kirkus

• Safiyyah's War

  Khan, Hiba Noor,

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  "In this novel inspired by a true account of French Resistance during World War II, a courageous 11-year-old Muslim girl joins the effort to save lives. A must-read distinguished by its powerful plot and poignant writing." -Kirkus

• Shark Teeth

  Winston, Sherri,

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  "A Florida middle schooler tries to hide her problems at home as she attempts to have a normal school experience. A deeply satisfying tale with an irresistible protagonist." -Kirkus

• Gather

  Cadow, Kenneth M.,

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  "Cadow’s debut novel portrays a challenging coming-of-age in rural Vermont with warmth, humor, and insight. A heartfelt novel about the challenges of youth and the value of community." -Kirkus

• Bright Red Fruit

  Elhillo, Safia,

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  "A teen poet in Washington, D.C., becomes entangled with an older man as she tries to break free from her mother’s expectations. A stunning work that deeply explores poetry, the complexities of identity, and the longing for love." -Kirkus

• 2024 Kirkus Prize Finalists Revealed

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