Charlotte author's novel up for national award

A big congratulations to Charlotte's Jenny Hubbard, who's one of five authors in the running for the William C. Morris Award. The annual award is given by the Young Adult Library Services Association for outstanding young-adult novel by a first-time author.

Hubbard's "Paper Covers Rock" (Delacorte; $16.99) is set in a boys' boarding school, where 16-year-old Alex is devastated when he fails to save a drowning friend.

Hubbard taught English before she quit to write full time. This first effort is drawing comparisons to John Knowles' "A Separate Peace." Pat Conroy calls it "one of the best young adult books I've read in years."

The winner of the Morris Award will be announced Jan. 23.

Emily, you've won "Paper Covers Rock"

Emily, you've won this week's book giveaway. Email me your address, and I'll get "Paper Covers Rock" out to you. The young adult novel, written by Charlotte's Jenny Hubbard, is getting great reviews.

Book giveaway: "Paper Covers Rock" by Charlotte's Jenny Hubbard

The reviews for Jenny Hubbard's debut young-adult novel, "Paper Covers Rock," have been stellar. Now, the Association of Booksellers for Children has chosen the novel as one of 10 books on its New Voices YA List.

"Paper Covers Rock" is set at a boy's boarding school. Sixteen-year-old Alex has just begun his junior year when tragedy strikes: He fails to save a friend from drowning in a river on campus.

Hubbard, who lives in Charlotte, taught English before she quit to write full time, and she's hearing from lots of adults who are enjoying her book. This first effort is drawing comparisons to John Knowles' "A Separate Peace." Pat Conroy calls it "one of the best young adult books I've read in years."

Hubbard, by the way, will be signing copies 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Park Road Books, 3139 Park Road.

Want to win a copy? Leave a comment here with some way to identify you, not just "anonymous." I'll post the winner's name on Wednesday.