Columbia native shortlisted for National Book Award
Columbia native Noelle Stevenson is a finalist for a 2015 National Book Award. Stevenson’s fantasy graphic novel, “Nimona,” is one of five finalists in the of Young People’s Literature category.
“Nimona” tells the story of a shapeshifting girl who becomes the sidekick to supervillain Lord Blackheart, a former knight with a bionic arm. Together they vow to wreak havoc for the kingdom’s Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics.
The comic started as a web series Stevenson created while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. Along the way, HarperCollins signed on to publish the physical book. And a few months ago, Fox Animation optioned “Nimona’s” film rights.
At 23, Stevenson is the youngest National Book Award nominee this year. The A.C. Flora graduate has also been on the New York Times bestseller list and written for Marvel and Disney.
“I didn’t even know comics got nominated for book awards,” the now L.A.-based Stevenson told The Washington Post. “It’s all pretty exciting!”
The winner of the National Book Awards will be announced Wednesday.
Young People’s Literature finalists:
Ali Benjamin, “The Thing About Jellyfish”
Laura Ruby, “Bone Gap”
Steve Sheinkin, “Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War”
Neal Shusterman, “Challenger Deep”
Noelle Stevenson, “Nimona”