Some familiar names, including thriller writer John Sandford, humorist Kevin Kling, children's author Kate DiCamillo and poet Dobby Gibson, are among the finalists for this year's Minnesota Book Awards, announced Saturday night. The finalists -- four each in eight categories - were chosen by 24 judges from around the state. They are:

Children's Literature

"The Longest Night" by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ted Lewin; "Red Sings from Treetops" by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski; "Song of Middle C" by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Scott Menchin, and "Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School" by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Steven Salerno.

General Nonfiction

"Drink This" by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl; "I Go to America" by Joy K. Lintelman; "Journeywell" by Trish Herbert, and "Richard Parkes Bonington: The Complete Paintings" by Patrick Noon.

Genre Fiction, sponsored by Wellington Management Inc.

"Frag Box" by Richard A. Thompson; "Jelly's Gold" by David Housewright; "Rough Country" by John Sandford, and "The Silent Governess" by Julie Klassen.

Memoir & Creative Nonfiction

"The Bullhead Queen" by Sue Leaf; "Going Blind" by Mara Faulkner, OSB; "Holiday Inn" by Kevin Kling, and "The Wolf at Twilight" by Kent Nerbern.

Minnesota, sponsored by Xcel Energy

"Honor Bright" by Dave Kenney; "Jewel of Como" by Leigh Roethke and Bonnie Blodgett; "Minneapolis in the Twentieth Century" by Iric Nathanson, and "Opening Goliath" by Cary J. Griffith.

Novel & Short Story

"The Annunciations of Hank Meyerson, Mama's Boy and Scholar" by Scott Muskin; "The Book of Night Women" by Marlon James; "A Travel Guide for Restless Hearts" by N. M. Kelby, and "The Turtle Catcher" by Nicole Helget.

Poetry

"Faith Run" by Ray Gonzalez; "I Wish I Had a Heart Like Yours, Walt Whitman" by Jude Nutter; "Skirmish" by Dobby Gibson, and "Unrest" by Joanna Rawson.

Young People's Literature, sponsored by 3M

"Crows & Cards" by Joseph Helgerson; "Lucy Long Ago" by Catherine Thimmesh; "The Magician's Elephant" by Kate DiCamillo, and "The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind" by Kirstin Cronn-Mills.

Winners will be announced April 17.

Minnesotans are also invited to vote for the Readers' Choice Award throughout March. Two awards for contributions to the literary and artistic community in Minnesota will also be given April 17.

Wilber H. Schilling is the recipient of the third Book Artist Award, presented with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. He owns Indulgence Press, which specializes in hand-bound, letterpress-printed, fine-press books. A reception featuring his work will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Open Book Building.

The Kay Sexton Award, sponsored by Common Good Books, will be announced later in February.

The Minnesota Book Awards is led by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, in consortium with the St. Paul Public Library and the St. Paul mayor's office.

Laurie Hertzel is the Star Tribune's books editor. She is at 612-673-7302.