Excelsior Award Black 2023
2023 Shortlist
The books on the Excelsior Award Black shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 16+ (or Sixth Form in schools).
We are avoiding topics that could be considered "offensive" or "too adult" for a school library, but books on this shortlist may include moderate swearing and moderate violence, akin to a 15-rated movie.
Click on book's title for extra information
United States, 1937. In the middle of the Great Depression, 22-year-old photographer John Clark is brought in by the Farm Security Administration to document the calamitous conditions of the Dust Bowl in the central and southern states, in order to bring the farmers’ plight to the public eye. When he starts working through his shooting script, however, he finds his subjects to be unreceptive. What good are a couple of photos against relentless and deadly dust storms? The more he shoots, the more John discovers the awful extent of their struggles, coming to question his own role and responsibilities in this tragedy sweeping through the center of the country.
Details
Writers: Aimee de Jongh
Artist: Aimee de Jongh
Published by SelfMadeHero
ISBN-13: 978-1914224041
Any love story aficionado will say that the key to a successful couple is intense desire for one another - but what if the characters in question are an asexual woman with a passion for Boys Love stories and a gay man whose heart forever belongs to his oblivious childhood friend? Although romance will never be in the cards for newlyweds Yuriko and Gakurouta, the bond blossoming between them promises to be a wonderful relationship - the likes of which neither has ever experienced before…
Details
Writer: Honami Shirono
Artist: Honami Shirono
Published by Yen Press
ISBN-13: 978-1975338961
The mysterious Mr. Knight has opened his Midnight Mission, his people petitioning for protection from the weird and horrible. The Moon Knight stalks the rooftops and alleys marked with his crescent moon tag, bringing violence to any who would harm his people. Marc Spector, in whichever guise he dons, is back on the streets, a renegade priest of an unworthy god. But while Khonshu languishes in a prison that Moon Knight put him in, Moon Knight must still observe his duty: protecting those who travel at night. Let it be known - Moon Knight will keep the faith.
Details
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
Published by Marvel Comics
ISBN-13: 978-1846533495
Nothing worries Satomi Oka more than the upcoming final choir competition of his middle school career - right up until he is accosted by a stranger from the shadows who demands, “Let’s go karaoke!” As a yakuza, Kyouji Narita doesn’t scare easily, but a terrifying prospect has driven him to seek Satomi’s help. The boss is holding a karaoke contest, with the loser forced to get a tattoo to be selected and torturously applied by the boss himself! Oka has been to many vocal rehearsals over the years, but never one-on-one karaoke sessions with a gangster!
Details
Writer: Yama Wayama
Artist: Yama Wayama
Published by Yen Press
ISBN-13: 978-1975340032
Humanity is on the verge of discovering immortality. As a result, the Avatar of Death is cast down to Earth to live a mortal life in Mumbai as twenty-something Laila Starr. Struggling with her newfound mortality, Laila has found a way to be placed in the time and place where the creator of immortality will be born. Will Laila take her chance to stop mankind from permanently altering the cycle of life, or will death really become a thing of the past?
Details
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Filipe Andrade
Published by Boom Studios
ISBN-13: 978-1684158058