WNBA Pannell Award Finalists Announced

The Women's National Book Association has announced the nominees for its 2009 Pannell Awards. Established in 1981 to honor Lucile Micheels Pannell, the awards recognize retail bookstores that excel at inspiring young people's interest in books and reading. This year's awards to two bookstores -- one general and one children's specialty store -- will be presented in the spring in New York at BookExpoAmerica.

This year's nominees are:

• ... and Books, Too! in Lewiston, Idaho
• As the Page Turns Bookstore and Gallery in Northville, Michigan
• Baker Books in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
• Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona
• Cowan's Book Nook in East Ellijay, Georgia
• Downtown Books in Craig, Colorado
• Garfield Book Company at PLU in Tacoma, Washington
• Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Bookshop in LaVerne, California
• St. Helens Book Shop in St. Helens, Oregon
• Schuler Books and Music in Okemos, Michigan
• That Bookstore in Blytheville in Blytheville, Arkansas
• The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Urban Think! Bookstore in Orlando, Florida
• Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The winners will receive a check for $1,000 and a framed piece of original art by a children's book illustrator. The award is co-sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group.