Minneapolis writer Kawai Strong Washburn's debut novel, "Sharks in the Time of Saviors," which was published last March, is a finalist in two categories for a PEN America award. Washburn is only the second writer ever to have been a finalist in two categories.

"Sharks" is a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Award for the most original book in any genre, which carries a $75,000 honorarium, and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for best debut book, which carries a $10,000 prize.

Also in the debut category is Douglas Stuart's "Shuggie Bain," which won the international Booker Prize. Washburn's novel is about a working-class family in Hawaii whose lives are touched by the gods. It was on President Barack Obama's list of best books of 2020 and had been longlisted for an unprecedented three PEN America awards. "Ornamental," by Juan Cárdenas, translated from the Spanish by Lizzie Davis and published by Minneapolis' Coffee House Press, is a finalist for the PEN Translation Prize.

And Minneapolis writer Jonathan C. Slaght is a finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award for "Owls of the Eastern Ice," also longlisted for a National Book Award.

The winners will be announced April 8. For the full list of PEN America finalists, go here.

Laurie Hertzel • 612-673-7302 @StribBooks