Michael L. Printz Award 2016: Complete list of winners

The Michael L. Printz Award, which celebrates the most outstanding literary work written for young adults, announced its 2016 winner with Bone Gap by Laura Ruby taking the top honor. Ruby’s haunting novel—a genre-bending mystery wrapped in magical realism—stood out among a competitive field for its lyrical prose and willingness to challenge conventional storytelling. The Printz Award, often called the “Newbery for teens,” has long been the gold standard for recognizing ambitious YA literature that doesn’t talk down to its audience, and Ruby’s win demonstrates the award’s continued commitment to honoring complex, artfully crafted work.

Bone Gap tells the story of a girl vanished without a trace, leaving her younger sister and the boy who loves her to untangle a mystery that defies rational explanation. What makes Ruby’s achievement particularly significant is how she weaves together elements of magical realism, contemporary young adult concerns, and genuine literary sophistication—the kind of ambitious storytelling that the Printz recognizes and rewards. The novel proves that YA literature, when given proper recognition, can achieve the same narrative depth and artistic merit as any adult literary fiction, and Ruby’s win signals that the award committee continues to champion boundary-pushing voices in teen literature.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s honoree and what made it a standout in young adult publishing:

Young Adult

• Bone Gap by Laura Ruby