Young adult author Lauren Myracle has withdrawn from consideration for the 2011 National Book Awards. On Twitter, writers and readers have rallied to support Myracle at the #isupportshine hashtag.

The author (pictured, with young fans) was named during the National Book Award announcement last week. According to the AP, a communication problem put Myracle’s Shine on the finalist list instead of Franny Billingsley‘s Chime.

Here’s more from the AP: “Her decision, announced Monday by Amulet Books, follows a miscommunication last week between judges and the award’s sponsors … Myracle said in a statement that she was asked by the foundation to withdraw to ‘preserve the integrity’ of the awards process.”

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The National Book Award finalists were revealed today on the Think Out Loud radio show. We live blogged all the action. Below, we’ve linked to free samples of all the finalists.

Here’s more about the announcement: “The twenty Finalists for the 62nd National Book Awards will be announced on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s morning radio program, Think Out Loud, in front of a live audience at the new Literary Arts Center in Portland, Oregon.”

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