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PHILADELPHIA– “​​​​​​The Field Guide to North American Teenager,” written by Ben Philippe and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has been named the 2020 winner of the William C. Morris Award, which honors a book written for young adults by a previously unpublished author. The award was presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) at the 91��ý’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held Jan. 24 – 28, in Philadelphia.

Norris Kaplan, a Black French-Canadian teen, moves to Austin, Texas, and tries to survive American high school life by notating his observations, most of which are based on clichés from U.S. movies and television shows. However, as he gets to know the so-called jocks, cheerleaders, loner, and Manic Pixie Dream Girl better, the hilarious but cynical Norris slowly realizes that he shouldn't judge others based on labels and first impressions.

“Unconventional anti-hero Norris Kaplan, along with a well-developed cast of characters, challenge the stereotypical labels of high school,” said Morris Award Chair Terry Young.

The award is named for William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. William “Bill” Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens. The Morris Award is awarded annually at 91��ý’s Midwinter Youth Media Awards and will be presented at a reception in Philadelphia on Monday, Jan. 27, from 10:30 a.m. – noon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The 2020 Morris Award finalists, announced in December, included:

• “The Candle and the Flame,” written by Nafiza Azad, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic
• “The Field Guide to the North American Teenager,” written by Ben Philippe, published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
• “Frankly in Love,” written by David Yoon, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House
• “Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams, published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
• “There Will Come a Darkness,” written by Katy Rose Pool, published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Members of the 2020 William C. Morris Award Committee are: chair Terence Young, Jr., School Libraries Work, New Orleans; Diane Fuller, Gilman School, Baltimore; Diana Tixier Herald, Mesa (Colo.) County Libraries; Carrie Kausch, Falls Church (Va.) High School; Kristen Kwisnek, Severn School, Severna Park, Md.; Katrina Ortega, New York Public Library; Anjelica Rufus-Barnes, Prospect Heights (Ill.) Public Library District; Elizabeth Saxton; Rachel Zuffa, J.I. Case High School, Racine, Wis.; and Booklist consultant Sarah Hunter, Chicago.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to , or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or email, yalsa@ala.org.

For more information on the William C. Morris Award and other 91��ý Youth Media Awards, please visit .