>> good evening welcome to the 2020 award ceremony. i'm your host and them coming

to you live from the beautiful central public library beautiful austin texas. in a typical year this would be filled with the brightest stars in america and around the country publishers agents with laughter you can feel the nervous energy and the champagne would be flowing the price is a what you might imagine thinking of literary award ceremonies the reasonably greater assigned seating come it is a cocktail party with the glamour and energy all its own. has shown entertainment weekly wrote about the literary award referred to as go on - -

golden globe to and to show that and give you claims of what it is like to attend the ceremony a person. our editor at large caught up with issues final is to connect with them as if we were all at e party together you can view the full conversation at kirkus.com. >> in a typical year will be the ceremony everybody mixing and mining so where could we find you as a finalist before the award ceremony? you can find me by the many dessert table. [laughter] so where cane find you fore the awarderemony?

>> attended the award ceremony in 2018 so i know the library has an amazing deck area so that's where i hung out. that's we will find me. >> what is the highest complementary reader code make? >> it's weird but i like when they tell me they feel bereft and what their life looks like now where it's going that way no longer belong to the author and that for me is how i like to engage so one of the things is when people write to me and say how are they are what's

going on with them but for me that's my favorite complement. >> i host the annual post prize karaoke. world you come to karaoke? and what word you sing? >> absolutely. it would be something from the xanadu soundtrack school only via newton-john i just got back into rollerskating. [laughter] >> i thank you would want me to sing. i love the sixties like chicago i'm also a big fan of billy joe joel.

>> how did you hear the news? >> it is fortunate that i have worn this will before so i recognize this is one of the few awards that honors the integrity of the work a couple years back i one for a book nobody read that one of the best i had ever written just from the integrity of the actual work so that was a big deal for me and because of that i am grateful because it is a different time it feels that kirkus honors the work for the writing and the holistic view and the subject matter. i don't know if every word it does that so much so i'm

always honored when kirkus gives anything out. >> the kirkus prize recognizes remarkable achievement. that recognition comes in the form of one of the richest reforms of the world. $50000, fiction, nonfiction and young readers literature. in addition each winner is awarded a trophy a commissioner piece. every detail is hand made from the porcelain pages of the open book to the handblown glass. we create these each year as an appreciation for the winners contribution for our industry from our art and world. this year perhaps more than any other the contribution is

profound. books offer and escape and we need an understanding and new perspective and the kind of writing that we celebrate tonight gives us the opportunity to experience the world. one of the most powerful acts of empathy and where did we that more than this year? in the conversation we had with the fiction finalist a part of the conversation we had there is a discussion paid and npr critic said her book will destroy you and meant that as a good thing. to me, that phrase captures the power of this art. 2020 has done a fine job to destroy us in real life.

but the books that reach the level of kirkus prize finalist cuts through external realities to touch the exact feelings that need attention. when the book destroys us and to find a channel. the writers we celebrate give us the complex feelings we share in 2020, loneliness, love, communiy and loss and a safe place to be explored. last year awarded the kirkus prizes to those it went on to report surprise with colson whitehead. and new kid which went on to become the first graphic novel in history on - - history to win the newberry. we connected to hear about that experience. let's take a look.

>> what was your experience like? >> i figured kids would like the book but i think i would get critical acclaim feeling that i wound when up against and to be brought up against the avengers. so let me jot down a few notes just in case i win but i stuck in my back pocket but before then sometimes graphic novels are not taken seriously. i even get a table. standing in the back with my editor and i was filming it

expecting to post congratulations. here e-is when they called my name it was very surreal. >> i was standing by a you it was one of a very favorite memories what was that experience like? >> it is pretty overwhelming. but halfway into the book tour it is a surreal experience you are in one mode and then swept into the glamour and the glitz if you want a glass of champagn champagne. >> you also joined us in austin that year you cannot join us how did you receive the news? >> it was great to be

recognized in the number going to the hotel and then i finish my book so i can pay my mortgage and then i was on tour and they came back from new york so i walked out with

my son so i associate the prize with working hard and doing their doesn't always happt way. it's been memorable in different ways i feel fortunate. >> did you have any congratulations or advice?

>> it's great a real vote of confidence we think that is the blessing that it is. >> you have earned this joy and even beyond the pandemic i think it can be difficult to metabolize these miracles if we are lucky enough we get to experience and amidst everything that is happening you can grant yourself time to do karaoke in your living room and celebrate

it because as they can tell you we don't know what is on the other side. >> to look back and have fond memories inspired by the prize or the fun you had. >> i love to the advice to the finalists to capitalize this career miracle. just in case it seems hyperbolic to you, i would like to share some data that illustrates how hard it is to be named for the prize. for the 202 2020 prize we ranked 2,308 fiction books, 2,713 nonfiction books and 4,524 books for young readers. that's a total of more than 10,000 that means less than .2%

of the books we reviewed were named for the prize. every year the editors create a panel of judges with three categories. each panel is made up of one bookseller or librarian, one critic and one offer. to be eligible for the prize, a book must first earn a star review. then the judges select six titles in each categories and choose the winner. i want to welcome the finalists who are joining us live from around the world this evening. in america, london and as far as malaysia. the first award will be in the category of the young readers literature. the judges for the 2020 prize in young readers literature are author nicola, librarian roxanne

and critic kyle. the finalist are by elizabeth. our critic said every line is laced with betrayal and longing as they struggle with loving someone despite their imperfections a standing ovation. i am every dead thing by eric barnes illustrated by gordon james lays out the foundation for the black readers to go forth into the world filled with confidence and self assurance. the title says it all, black boys are every good thing. fighting words by kimberly brubaker bradley refusing to soft pedal hard issues the novel speaks with an astringent

honesty at ones heartbreaking and hopeful. the girl and the ghost gripping lee heart wrenching and speaks to deeper things such as trauma and friendship a page turning tail we are water protectors by carol lindstrom illustrated by michaela and inspiring call to action for all who care about the interconnected planet. and stamped by jason reynolds. worthy of inclusion in every home and in curricula and libraries everywhere impressive and much needed. as you may have noticed, this category includes two picture books, two middle grade books and two young adult or team books. every one is a triumph.

congratulations to all the finalists. the winner of the 2020 prize for young readers literature is why in every good thing by derek barnes and gordon james thank you. holy moly. [cheering]

[laughter] so because i'm over here hugging people i want t sayhank you everybody that read the book and everybody that enjoyed the boo to my s has on the cover, can you say hi to everybody this is my wif putting upith me being gone a my daughter who is not here a theater practice and my parents that have always put so much behind me. i want this book to be out there in t world so that our voice and all the pple who love them and who don't even know them can

know that they are important and worthy and valued and if they are not getting it at home, they will get that message in this book and i they are not getting it in the classroom they will get it in this book and i'm glad i got the chance to work on it. >> i'm glad you went first. i just want to thankou for always showing us love. my wife just walkedn the door and does testing twice week. so proud of her and we've been together for 20 years. i used to sneakn her dor room we would be up at like 2:00 in the morning and iever thought that it would lea to this.

every single writer and illustrator you are doing god's work. the children that read your books always think about the legacy and the work thate create lon past the time on this planet earth and you want to trade something that makes people fl good about themselves.

everybody else in the category, i wish i was there to meeyou all in person. >> congratulations. you are now the first winners in the history of the prize. author nicola prepared this statement about why they chose your book. >> i am every good thing illustrated by gordon and uncompromised celebration of

responsibility. and ixpressive figure depicting thosehat range from philosophers not only a joyous affirmation of identity buthe universal human right. i am every good thing is a combination of these records. now i would like to introduce the judges in the category of nonfiction. bookseller and critic erica rohrbach. the finalist for this year's prize in nonfiction are a furious sky.

our critic called it a sweeping history of nature's power. fathoms by rebecca a thoughtful and viciously crafted appeal for the preservation of marine mammals. the address book a standup book of sociological history and current affairs. world of wonders the writing dazzles. michael dennis l smith urgent provocative work that deserves the broadest possible audience and cast by isabel wilkerson that exposes the history in which you can take pride.

to all of the finalists, we needed your voices this year. thank you for sharing your talent and congratulations to all of you. the winner for the 2020 prize for nonfiction is stakes is high. wow. i'm genuinely excited to be a finalist. i didn't expect to win anything and i'm honored to be a finalist among such an amazing group of

authors $50,000 a day before my birthday is a lot of money to be irresponsible with and iromise that i will not let youown. my editor it is as much her award as it is mine and my agent has seen mehrough so many iterations of my career and coul have been a rock for me

who has worke so hard. this book just doesn't exist without any of them. it just is such an honor. i think i was worried about this book and i didn't know how it was going to be received. i am a different writer for having done it and i'm really proud of it.

i cannot thank them enough the book deals with a lot of ongoing political issues and i hope that it lives on past this 2020 election however long that goes on it is meaningful to people to have those questions percolating and to be able to do all the work that's necessary to make the country that i think we want to live in. i cannot say thank you enough to

everyone and all of my friends and loved ones that are watching. i guess i can go and process some of this now congratulations, michael. this statement about why they chose your book stakes is high, life after the american dream charged with a distinct lack of leadership is a call to action needed to push beyond 2020. the razor-sharp manifesto demands us to question two the individual's core of the problematic concept of the

american dream. he dares them to undo what the state sanctioned suffering has brought to the society. each has been craft in a poignant consistently and vigorously that we are the change we have been waiting for and the actions might be the only way to move towards a more progressive, inclusive future. with not a word wasted, he delivers the book of our very fraud moment. now for the final category of the night here are the judges for the prize for fiction the

finalist for the prize infection are black sunday when sisters cut adrift in the duplicitous world learned only otherwise survived, a formidable debut. translated by ann goldstein a girl, a city and inhospitable society the formula works again. luster by raven leilani, strange propellant and a whole lot of fun. a rachel deeply felt novel about the family ties, longing, faith

and desire, simultaneously law and luminous. thseeingscene by scene this booa masterpiece. congratulations to all of the finalists you've touched so many people with your work this year. the winner of the 2020 prize for fiction is luster by raven. >> this is deeply surreal. thank you so much it meant so

much. first i want to thank my mom. this has been an interesting year for us. we have had a lot of loss but i want you to know you are the reason i had the nerve to do this and to be as honest as i could on the page. i appreciate and i think my family for being the kind of people that made this feel like a worthwhile thing to pursue. i appreciate all the mentors and friends i had it is as it tends

to always be and i appreciate everybody that stood beside me while i was encouraged to do this. i appreciate and thank you for helping me try to usher this book into the world. it's just been the most surreal and special first time around. i'm so thankful for this. thank you for engaging the framework. thank you to the writers. it wouldn't be fair to not have

that support. >> congratulations. you are officially the youngest writer to ever win the prize. here is a prepared statement from the judges about why your book was selected as this year's winner. >> luster. the debut novel kicks off with a bang and never lets up offering a literary roller coaster ride. with the unapologetic peoples young black woman at the book center with an unforgettable character whose agency is the urgency with which the unusual

story unfolds. the author tackles race and gender, sex, class and power with a knack for nuance, a generous spirit and i towards regulatory details with an eye-opening novel that is candid and compassionate, dangerous and disarmingly original. emotionally raw and polished that would stand the test of time and of the novel that we need right now. >> congratulations to all of tonight's winners. the prize wouldn't exist without the owner of the review. thank you for your unwavering support and generosity. i'd also like to thank all of our judges as well as the editors and the staff. a big thank you to the austin public library for sharing the space with us tonight and our production team.

tonight is a night for celebration. many in our community are still suffering the effects. please consider donating to independent booksellers and for load bookstore employees battling economic hardship for the book industry charitable foundation and to support the writers tonight you can donate providing assistance to the writers that have experienced income loss. you can find links to these resources as well as the full conversations with last year's winners and this year's finalists by following the link on the bottom of the screen. thank you for joining us. good night.

>> i wasn't a supporter of his in the 2016 election and what worried me is that he was a populist and it seems designed to stop populists. it's antidemocratic in nature in many ways. he received a mandate and would strain against even and go beyond the constitutional restraints of the power and i was worried in the beginning that he was doing that with things like the travel ban, threats to build a border wall without the congressional approval and to use the presidential powers primarily for national security and foreign affairs instead to understand the domestic affairs

his role has enforced and to get the legislation passed. i think trump is so outrageous they launched attack after attack on his legitimacy. trump's critics talked about getting rid of the electoral college and talked about backing the supreme court with six new members and want to return us to permanent statutorily protected council which i think criminalize our politics. >> it uses the constitution more as a shield to pursue its own

self-interest either intentionally or unintentionally these become more the defender of the constitution than his critics. >> to watch the rest of the program visit the website booktv.org. click on the "after words" page to find all previous episodes. ... >>