Sadie (novel)
![]() First edition | |
Author | Courtney Summers |
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Language | English |
Genre | Young adult novel, mystery fiction |
Publisher | Wednesday Books |
Publication date | September 4, 2018 |
Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback) |
Pages | 308 |
ISBN | 9781250105714 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/Sadie_%28novel%29.jpg/220px-Sadie_%28novel%29.jpg)
Sadie is a novel written by Courtney Summers. The book was released on September 4, 2018,[1] and is told from two perspectives: some chapters offering Sadie's point of view and some chapters being styled as transcripts from a podcast called "The Girls" hosted by a man named West McCray. The release of the book was accompanied by the release of a mock true-crime podcast titled The Girls: Find Sadie which is available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.[2]
Reception
[edit]Sadie became a New York Times bestseller[3] on September 29, 2018, and is a Junior Library Guild book.[4]
The novel received starred reviews from Booklist,[5] Kirkus Reviews,[6] Publishers Weekly,[7] and Shelf Awareness.[8]
Explaining the book's structure, Booklist wrote, "Alternating between transcripts of the podcast and Sadie’s first-person account of her investigation, Summers’ novel is filled with her trademark biting commentary on sexual assault and the mistreatment of girls and women at the hands of predatory men." They concluded, "Though Sadie’s story is occasionally a bit overwrought, her hunt for Mattie’s killer is captivating, and Summers excels at slowly unspooling both Sadie’s and West’s investigations at a measured, tantalizing pace."[5] Also discussing the book's format, Publishers Weekly wrote, "Initially distracting, the podcast becomes an effective way to build out backstory and let myriad characters have their say. The result is a taut, suspenseful book about abuse and power that feels personal, as if Summers ... can’t take one more dead or abused girl. Readers may well feel similarly."[7]
Kirkus called the novel "a riveting tour de force,"[6] and School Library Journal referred to it as "a heartrending must-have."[9]
Shelf Awareness wrote, "Haunting, captivating and full of surprising moments of beauty, Sadie leaves a mark on the reader and will open eyes to how very many stories begin with, end with or are wholly about 'a dead girl.'"[8]
Quill & Quire highlighted how "Summers specializes in depicting the raw emotions of traumatized girls, drawing her reader deep into the characters’ anguished and often unhinged thoughts. ... It leaves you haunted by Sadie’s and Mattie’s tragic lives and mindful of all the real-life missing and murdered girls with similar stories. Most importantly it questions why society is simultaneously desensitized and addicted to these narratives and the ethics of making entertainment out of them."[10]
The audiobook, narrated by Dan Bittner, Rebecca Soler, Gabra Zackman, and a full cast, received a starred review from Booklist.[11]
Kirkus,[6] NPR,[12] and Publishers Weekly[13] named Sadie one of the best novels of 2018. School Library Journal named the audiobook one of the top ten audiobooks of 2018.[14]
Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Booklist Audio Stars for Youth | Selection | [15] |
Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction | Winner | [16] | |
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction | Nominee | [17] | |
2019 | Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults | Top 10 | [18][19] |
Audie Award for Young Adult Title | Finalist | [20][21] | |
Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Novel | Winner | [22][23][24] | |
John Spray Mystery Award | Winner | [4] | |
Odyssey Award | Winner | [25] | |
Outstanding Books for the College Bound in Literature and Language Arts | Selection | [26] | |
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers | Top 10 | [27] | |
2020 | White Pine Award | Winner | [28] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Sadie | Courtney Summers | Macmillan". US Macmillan. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^ "The Girls: Find Sadie". Macmillan Podcasts. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^ "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Sept. 30, 2018 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^ a b "Sadie by Courtney Summers". Junior Library Guild . Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ a b Hunter, Sarah (2018-05-01). "Sadie". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ a b c "Sadie". Kirkus Reviews. June 18, 2018. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ a b "Sadie by Courtney Summers". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ a b Gaetano, Siân (October 9, 2018). "Sadie". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Mastrull, Amanda (2018-08-01). "Sadie". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Deziel, Shanda (21 June 2018). "Sadie". Quill & Quire. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Hong, Terry (February 15, 2019). "Sadie". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Goldfarb, Alice (2018-11-27). "NPR's Book Concierge". NPR. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "Best Books 2018 Publishers Weekly". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Klose, Stephanie. "Top 10 Audiobooks | 2018". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Booth, Heather (February 20, 2019). "Audio Stars for Youth: 2018". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "2018 Cybils Winners". Children's and Young Adult Book Lovers' Literary Awards. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "Sadie". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "2019 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults: 2019". Booklist. March 15, 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Katz, Danielle (5 March 2019). "Audies Press Release Winners Final (2019)" (PDF). Audio Publishers Agency (APA). AudioFileMagazine.com. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ "2019 Audie Awards". Audio Publishers Association. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "Awards: Edgars; Publishing Triangle". Shelf Awareness. 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ "2019 Nominees and Winners". Edgar Awards. Archived from the original on 2019-08-18.
- ^ Colyard, K.W. (April 26, 2019). "2019 Edgar Award Winners Are Must-Reads For Anyone Who Loves Mystery Novels & True Crime". Bustle. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Communications and Marketing Office (2019-01-28). "Macmillan Audio wins 2019 Odyssey Award for "Sadie"". American Library Association. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^ "2019 OBCB Literature and Language Arts". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "2019 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Scriver, Amanda (March 2021). "YA novelist Courtney Summers and the complicated allure of cults". Quill & Quire. Retrieved 30 August 2021.