ShelfEvident
Winner
Award History
| Award | Year | Status | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Book Award for Young People's Literature | 2026 | Longlist |
About This Book
After placing her baby for adoption, high school junior Jae moves to Delray Beach for a fresh start and finds a haven in the poetry club—until Derek, the school's delinquent, is forced to join. Adjoa's debut weaves prose with free verse as two teens guard secrets, plan an open mic, and test whether words can bring them together. Longlisted for the 2026 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
About the Author
Delali AdjoaGhanaian-Canadian
Delali Adjoa was born in Togo to Ghanaian parents and grew up in Canada. She writes fiction centered on identity, freedom, and family. The Free Verse Society, her debut novel, was longlisted for the 2026 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Read more →
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