Click on the images below for an enlarged view of the book cover and judge’s review.

2023 WSBA Winners
a cover of the book Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe with the WSBA winner seal on it. text reads: “A powerfully affecting autobiography that reckons with trauma, displacement and colonization and the pathways towards healing and finding one’s way home. Lapointe writes with a ferocious honesty that’s both breathtaking and radiant. A quintessential western Washington classic for decades to come.” Tiffany Midge Author and 2021 WSBA Winner an image of the book cover of Kim Fu's Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century with the WSBA winner seal attached. text reads: “Dystopian, speculative, and fantastical, these short stories celebrate and observe the macabre trials of human relationships and center the question “what if,” with remarkable and riveting results. If you loved the dark scifi elements of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone you will delight in these fascinating boundary crossing tales.” Tiffany Midge Author and 2021 WSBA Winner a cover of the book The Work by J. Kenji López-Alt with the WSBA winner seal attached. text reads: “Science, ingredients, equipment, technique, recipes, and really fun prose.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library the cover for the book: We Had Our Reasons: Poems by Ricardo Ruiz and other hard-working Mexicans from Eastern Washington with the WSBA winner seal attached. text reads: “Part collaboration, part journalism and one-hundred percent poetry. Ricardo Ruiz brings the experiences and lives of Mexican and Latin American migration into vivid portraitures. These are bilingual accounts of agricultural and migrant laborers of Eastern Washington, narratives of community, family, celebration and lament.” Tiffany Midge Author and 2021 WSBA Winner  
an image of the book cover of how to hug a pufferfish by ellie peterson with the wsba winner seal on it. text reads: “There are many endearing reasons for everyone to want to hug Pufferfish but Pufferfish is not the touchy-feely type. This charming and thoughtful exploration of social comfort is a winner! Full of humor and empathy, How to Hug a Pufferfish is a great choice for read-alouds, sparking conversations around support for social interaction and personal preferences.” Jane López-Santillana Managing Librarian Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries the cover of jennifer chan is not alone by tae keller with the wsba winner seal attachd. text reads: “Newbery winning author Tae Keller follows her previous success with another compelling read. Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone explores the trajectory and consequences of middle school bullying through the viewpoint of an unintentional “mean girl.” Keller’s insightful writing on the heartbreak and complexity of friendships, infused with exploration of extraterrestrial science and a missing person mystery, will hook readers from start to finish.” Jane López-Santillana Managing Librarian Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries the cover of the language of seabirds by will taylor with the wsba winner seal attached. text reads: “A tender, moving book about a boy falling in love with another boy for the first time, while also learning how to stand up for himself and those he loves. Gorgeous language and a beautifully rendered seaside setting guide readers through main character Jeremy's exploration of identity and love. This is truly a remarkable and rare book that is perfect for kids in upper middle grade & lower high school years.” Avery Mead Teacher Librarian East Valley High School Library    
Creative Nonfiction/Memoir Finalists
the cover of fearlessly different: an autistic actor's journey to broadway's biggest stage by mickey rowe with the wsba finalist seal on the cover. text reads: “Using his own personal experiences growing up and working as an actor, this book strongly advocates for, and supports the dreams of, those who are neurodivergent, disabled, or don’t fit the mold created by an ableist society. Mickey Rowe’s book serves as a testament that being different can be a major strength.” Heather Carruth Adult Services/ Resource (Assistant) Librarian East Adams Library District an image of the cover of ma and me by putsata reang with an image of the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “This monther/daughter relationship, with hardship overcome, is influenced by the mother's traditional Khmer upbringing before the family's escape from Cambodia when the daughter is an infant. Their conflict is deep, both culturally and individually, long lasting and painful, but ultimately their bonds are stronger.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library an image of the book where the language lives: vi hilbert and the gift of lushootseed by janet yoder. text reads: “Language carries culture, living language promotes living culture. This work documents Vi Hilbert's extraordinary work in preserving and promoting the culture of her people of the Salish Sea.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library    
Fiction Finalists
the cover of jess walter's the angel of rome with the wsba finalists seal. text reads: “A collection of beautifully crafted gems, strung together by their sheer humanity.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library the cover of david guterson's the final case including the wsba finalist seal. text reads: “A story of what families do for and to each other, set in the context of a court trial, that expounds upon the very function of our judicial system.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library the cover of travis baldree's legends and lattes with the wsba finalist seal. text reads: “For readers and fans of the mythic realms and D&D, and for those who relish the idea of their fantasy life blending with their everyday, this cozy chronicle is sure to please. If Hallmark made a movie about a barbarian Orc starting over in a new town, opening a coffee shop and taking a chance at love…YES, please!” Tiffany Midge Author and 2021 WSBA Finalist the cover of never meant to meet you by alli frank and asha youmans with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “This heartwarming, tear-jerking story sprinkled with sassy humor, will keep you entertained until the final page. A tribute to true friendship in the unlikeliest of places.” Heather Carruth Adult Services/ Resource (Assistant) Librarian East Adams Library District  
General Nonfiction/Biography Finalists
an image of Mónica Guzmán's I never thought of it that way with the WSBA finalist seal on it. text reads: “An eye-opening personal how-to guide on how to effectively communicate. Mónica Guzmán provides us with the tool kit that enables us to learn from and understand people’s divergent world views during (politically) divided times.” Heather Carruth Adult Services/ Resource (Assistant) Librarian East Adams Library District an image of rena priest's northwest know how beaches with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “A guidebook describing where to find what - but the prose desciptions, traditional stories, and poetry elevate it to an entirely different level.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library an image of the cover of clyde w. ford's of blood and sweat: black lives and the making of white power and wealth with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “Through stories of individuals, this work compellingly examines slavery as the foundation of the economics of this country and its continuing ramifications.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library an image of william alexander's ten tomatoes that changed the world with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “A fun, fact-filled read about a fruit/vegatable that kind of gets taken for granted... and put into the larger context of climate change and the future of agriculture.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library  
Poetry Finalists
the cover of []banana by paul hlava ceballos with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “An eloquent call to recognize... to human beings... the cost of the banana with respect to racism, colonialism, and capitalism.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library the cover of claudia castro luna's cipota under the moon with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “Poems depicting the experience of Salvadoran immigrants, and the experiences that lead to emmigration... expressing resilence, hope, and ultimately thriving.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library an image of the cover of contemplations by scott oki with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “Compelling, rich and nostalgic free verse poetry... a true expression of the human/family experience. There is a poem for everyone to relate to.” Heather Carruth Adult Services/ Resource (Assistant) Librarian East Adams Library District the cover of the necessity of wildfire by caitlin scarano with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “Human trauma and environmental trauma combine, separate, recombine, become recognizable and unrecognizable, in these poems of becoming.” Valerie McBeth Librarian Northwest Indian College Lummi Library the cover of when i was the wind by hannah lee jones with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “A storybook map towards destinations both actual and cosmic. These poems calibrate by cardinal points and seasons, by the four elements and landscapes therein, creating a stunning tapestry of place, memory and consciousness.” Tiffany Midge Author and 2021 WSBA Finalist
Picture Book Finalists
the cover of the birders by rob albanese with the wsba finalist seal on it. text reads: “When a cantankerous old man & a precocious, mischevious young boy find themselves working together to view an elusive snowy owl, hilarity ensues. The Birders is a delightful tale about unlikely friendships, working together, and finding joy in small moments.” Avery Mead Teacher Librarian East Valley High School Library the cover of old wood boat by nikki mcclure with the wsba finalist sticker on it. text reads: “With stunning papercut illustrations, this book takes the reader on an adventure as the old wood boat is lovingly restored and taken out again. Children and their adults will love reading about the beautiful boat and its new adventures.” Lauren Kessel Teacher Librarian Technology Integration Specialist Kent Elementary School the cover of working boats: an inside look at ten amazing waterfract by tom crestodina. text reads: “Working Boats delivers an insider’s view for all the boat enthusiasts who wonder and wish they could peek inside the vessels that sail through the Salish Sea. Intricate cross sections unveil the multiple levels of working ships, revealing the boating lifestyles of Coast Guards, marine scientists, and fire boat crews. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this delightful and informative maritime exploration!” Jane López-Santillana Managing Librarian Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries    
Books for Young Readers Finalists
the cover of ben clanton's narwhalicorn and jelly with the wsba finalist seal. text reads: “Ben Clanton takes us on another wacky adventure with Narwhal and Jelly in this adorable tale about setting boundaries, even with your closest friends. After Jelly asks Narwhal about unicorns, Narwhal is determined to go visit some, even though Jelly says that it is past his bedtime. Narwhalicorn and Jelly teaches that one should always listen to and respect their friend's boundaries and that it is okay to set those boundaries.” Lauren Kessel Teacher Librarian Technology Integration Specialist Kent Elementary School the cover of sonja thomas' sir fig newton and the science of persistence with the wsba finalist seal. text reads: “Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence is a celebration of unexpected friendship, a passion for science, resilience, and unfaltering love for a cat. Author Sonja Thomas explores difficult and relatable family challenges through the viewpoint of a plucky tween who doesn’t let anything deter her. An uplifting story for readers needing a positive narrative for overcoming hardships.” Jane López-Santillana Managing Librarian Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries      
Young Adult Finalists
the cover of shaun david hutchinson's howl with the wsba winner seal. text reads: “Virgil has just moved to a small town in Florida from the West Coast when he is attacked by a monster. No one believes that he was attacked by a monster and Virgil does not want to draw attention to himself. Howl is an allegory that takes the reader on a wild ride through not turning into a monster yourself, no matter how brutally you were attacked.” Lauren Kessel Teacher Librarian Technology Integration Specialist Kent Elementary School the cover of the turning pointe by vanessa l. torres with the wsba finalist seal. text reads: “A cinematic story about Rosa Dominguez, a talented dancer who yearns to dance for her idol, Prince. When Rosa meets genderqueer boy Nikki, she begins to see that perhaps she doesn't need to play by the rules. Perhaps it's time to break the mold & become her own version of the Purple One.” Avery Mead Teacher Librarian East Valley High School Library