It should not surprise me at all that I have not read a single book nominated for this year’s National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. I am usually lucky to have read one book on any given set of award-winning books, and the NBAs are always a titch more obscure than the rest of the bunch, including books I haven’t even heard of.

But this year’s picks seemed an especially quirky bunch. A middle grade fantasy full of unpronounceable character names. A sad-looking YA contemporary I would have probably passed over for more exciting pastures. Another book by a previously-honored kidlit celeb. The token non-fiction offering. And a book that seems to be about people and monkeys.

I’m sorry, after muddling through Peter Dickinson’s Eva, I’m not sure I can bring myself to read another book about people and monkeys without fearing that the people might turn into monkeys at any moment.

And of course, none of which I have read. Ah, well. Better luck in January!

Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick