Neal Shusterman’s catalog of genre-crossing, largely dystopian work has engaged young adult readers

around the world and earned him the 2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award for his “significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens.”

The Edwards committee chose to honor Shusterman for the “Arc of a Scythe” series, including Scythe, Thunderhead, and The Toll, as well as his novels Bruiser, Challenger Deep, Everlost, Full Tilt, The Schwa Was Here, and Unwind.

Shusterman’s books transcend time and place, offering the universal teen experience—albeit in perhaps not-so-typical settings and storylines. While those imaginative, gripping narratives draw in the readers, Shusterman offers a message of hope in each tale.

On Friday, June 7 at 1 p.m. ET, SLJ will host a webcast hour-long conversation with Shusterman, moderated by SLJ senior news editor Kara Yorio. They will be discussing his journey to becoming a writer, the key to effective collaborations, his most beloved work, and more.

This webcast will be recorded and available on-demand for registrants. A CE Certificate will be provided.