annually—except when the committee can’t pick a winner (or decides no book is
deserving), which happened in 2012—and only the crème de la crème are
nominated, much less win. There are three finalists. And this is one of those
things where being nominated really is
an honor. With authors like Edith Wharton, John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway
in its ranks, it’d be hard not to find yourself in good company! Here are 10
coming of age stories that just so happened to score (or be nominated for) this
practically impossible prize.
The Yearling by Marjorie
Kinnan Rawlings (won in 1939)
To Kill a Mockingbird by
Harper Lee (won in 1961)
Birdy by William Wharton
(nominated in 1980)
That Night by Alice McDermott
(nominated in 1988)
An Unfinished Season by Ward
Just (nominated in 2005)
The Bright Forever by Lee
Martin (nominated in 2006)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar
Wao by Junot Diaz (won in 2008)
All Souls by Christine Schutt
(nominated in 2009)
Swamplandia! By Karen Russell
(nominated in 2012)
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
(won in 2014)
Show of hands: Who wants to do a
Pulitzer challenge?
