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In addition to the , the Alex Award committee also publishes a vetted list of official nominations. The following titles were official nominees for the 2021 award.

Official Nominations

The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin, published by Harper Perennial, an imprint of HarperCollins (9780063017504). A beautiful intergenerational story about an unlikely friendship that develops through an art class intended for patients under end-of-life care.

Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser, published by St. Martin’s Press, a division of Macmillan (9781250270863). Growing up in an economically disadvantaged part of Philadelphia, the Rosser brothers discover a horse stable. Their relationships to the horses, riding and polo change all their lives.

How Lucky by Will Leitch, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins (‎978-0063073098). Daniel has a good friend, a routine that involves football game day in the South, and a debilitating disease that has robbed him of body control and speech. He copes with help from his friend, and several rotating workers. When he is the only witness to a kidnapping, it causes several issues that might risk his life.

The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu, published by Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250767769). Set in Dystopic Scotland, Ghost talker Roya, uses her Zimbabwean magic to investigate the mysterious disappearances of missing children.

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, published by Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250789068). The lives of a young transgender runaway, a violin teacher who’s sold her soul to the devil, and a refugee alien starship commander twine together in a story full of music, found family, and donuts, that is both joyful and amusing, as well as tender and heart-rending.

Lore Olympus, Vol. 1 by Rachel Smythe, published by Del Rey, an imprint of Penguin Random House (ISBN 9780593160299). A contemporary graphic novel depicting the love story of Hades, the god of the Underworld, and Persephone, the daughter of Demeter and goddess of spring. This modern-day retelling of the Greek myth, with colorful illustrations, focuses on Hades and Persephone meeting and the various machinations of the gods.

Malice by Heather Walter, published by Del Rey, an imprint of Penguin Random House (ISBN 9781984818652). This Sleeping Beauty retelling is a dark fantasy novel where Alyce, known as The Dark Grace for her ability to create curses with her blood through elixirs, meets Princess Aurora, who was born to a curse where she will die if she does not find true love by her twenty-first birthday. Their friendship and love grow as they increasingly struggle to find a way to break Aurora’s curse before her time runs out.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins (9780062943477). Three young women from very different pasts work for the war effort at Bletchley Park, where their involvement with code breaking saves lives and alters theirs. Their efforts help to out a mole in the super-secret agency.

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell, published by Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250758835). This sci-fi novel combines the intrigue of a thriller and the passion of a romance. An arranged marriage between a prince and a diplomat is meant to strengthen alliances, but suspicions of conspiracy and murder force the new husbands to lay aside their own secrets and work together.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, published by ACE, an imprint of Berkley, a division of Penguin Random House (9780593099940). A Norse Mythology retelling from the feminine perspective of a three-times burned Witch. She sets out to change the course of the lives she loves.

Honor List

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert, published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks (9781728226033). Nerdish Jasper believed himself over the death of his friendship with jock-y Milo, but then Milo suddenly re-enters his orbit. Jasper would cut him off, except Milo is spiraling and missing valuable trading cards, and Jasper needs a body to cosplay at a local hospital. Maybe they can make a deal.

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick, published by Orbit, an imprint of Hachette Book Group (9780316539678). In a city filled with dreams and mirrors, Ren sets out on the con of her life, posing as the long-lost cousin of a prestigious noble family. Yet in the lush city of Nadežra, Ren is not the only one who wears a mask, soon finding herself embroiled in intrigues, secrets, and schemes that threaten to not only destroy her, but also the whole city.

We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen, published by Mira Books, in arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. (9780778331391). A villain with the ability to read and manipulate memories and a hero with super strength and super speed form an unlikely alliance to discover the secrets behind their shared and forgotten pasts, in an action-packed story filled with humor and heart.

The Apocalypse Seven by Gene Doucette, published by Mariner Books, an imprint of HMH books (9780358418948) - What happens to a group of people who wake up and discover they are seemingly the only people left in the city? Welcome to the Whateverpocalypse.

Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff, published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins (9780063031906). Two friends find themselves escaping to the Northwoods of Wisconsin believing they have committed murder. It will be their friendship and the bond they have forged which will save them.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow, published by Tordotcom, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250765352). “Sleeping Beauty” is given new twists, crossed with the idea of multiverses each containing their own Beauties. A dying girl who identifies with the tale's cursed heroine is transported magically into the original fairy tale and sees a chance to save the princess--and perhaps herself as well.

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, published by HarperCollins (9780063065390). Penelope, Helen, Hecabe, and other female players in the story of the Trojan War are given voice in this incredible work of historical fiction. Their feelings of loss, anger, and helplessness are balanced by the strength and courage they each show in the face of a male-driven conflict.

Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde, published by Lake Union Publishing (9781542027731). When 13-year-old Abby saves seven puppies from being drowned, she takes on more than she bargained for since she needs to find a place to care for them while also hiding them from her emotionally abusive father.

The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff, published by Park Row Books, in arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. (9780778389385). Sadie and her pregnant mother are forced into the sewers of Krakow during the evacuation of the Jewish ghetto during WWII. One day Sadie looks up through a grate and meets the eyes of a girl above ground. Despite the risks, the girl begins to help Sadie. Based on a true story.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, published by Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster (9781982137632). Wonderfully sarcastic Jade sees the world through the lens of slasher movies. When events begin to unfold like a slasher movie made real, Jade uses her horror knowledge to save the town and herself.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, published by St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan (9781250244499). The modern-day daily commute on a NYC subway seems like drudgery to August until she meets a gorgeous and charming fellow passenger named Jane. August must overcome her own fears to help Jane who is still living (literally) in the 1970's.

Rabbits by Terry Miles, published by Del Rey, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House (9781984819659). K is a fanatic about following the history of the internet game Rabbits. It is so secretive; it is not even a sure thing it is happening at all. K gets a visit from a previous winner that a new iteration of the game is coming, and it could have huge ramifications. The problem is that those that play Rabbits tend to be destroyed by it – if it is even real.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy, published by Hyperion Avenue, an imprint of Buena Vista Books, a division of Disney Enterprises (9781368050388). A Cinderella retelling set amongst a reality dating competition where the main character, Cindy Woods, joins the competition as a last minute contestant with her two stepsisters in hopes of launching her fashion career and with no intention of winning “Prince Charming”.

The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian, published by Sourcebooks Landmark, an imprint of Sourcebooks (9781728245751). Two teen girls and their year of adversity together in a stilt house in a Mississippi swamp. There's murder, a baby, blackmail, racism, and bad decisions.

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor, published by Tordotcom, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250772800). This sci-fi novella explores the possibilities and sinister dangers of networking technology. A young girl is capable of killing anything, including electronic devices, at a touch, setting her apart from the rest of world, both as an “Angel of Death” and as a person without a digital footprint.

Made in China: A Prisoner, an SOS Letter, and the Hidden Cost of America's Cheap Goods by Amelia Pang, published by Algonquin Books, a division of Workman Publishing (9781616209179). An investigative story about political prisoner Sun Yi's desperate letter, included in an internationally shipped product, attempting to contact the World Human Rights Organization about prison labor in China.

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group (9781538719367). Amber Ruffin, a writer living in NYC, and Lacey Lamar, her sister living in their home state of Nebraska, share both the hilarious and horrifying stories of racism they have faced.

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang, published by Doubleday Books, an imprint of Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House (9780385547215). A memoir of young Qian and her educated professional parents who moved to the US from China as undocumented immigrants. Despite all their hard work at menial jobs, they barely scraped by. An insightful look at the struggles of a young girl trying to fit in, to make sense of a new place, and dealing with a sick mother plus a father who struggled with depression and anger.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House (9780593135204). Middle-school science teacher Ryland wakes from space sleep to dead crewmates and his fuzzy memory reminding him he is Earth’s last hope to foil an extinction-level event. Weir sacrifices nothing of science, nor fiction in this gripping, unexpected hard-science thriller.

Version Zero by David Yoon, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House (9780593190357). Young programmer Max works for Wren, the most potent social media site. He’s seen the ugly behind the scenes. Then he’s fired and kept from working in the industry. Frustrated and desperate, he bands with friends to pull a stunt that catches the eye of the media, and a reclusive tech billionaire. Soaked in current internet issues, but with unexpected twists too.