Congratulations to all the tremendously-deserving, stunningly-talented authors and illustrators awarded in this year’s ALA ceremony.
What a gift you are to all of us who savor your words, soak in your art, grow and smile and think and imagine…because of your hard work!
As usual, I’ve reviewed a number of these titles
and I’ve not yet gotten to others. Some are in posts this week — one happened to be in the post yesterday, a gorgeous title that I’m sooooo happy to see win a Caldecott Honor.
Here’s a selection of some of the winning titles, with links to the reviews I’ve posted. You can see the complete list of winners at the ALA link here.
The Newbery Medal went to The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. It’s a gritty novel about basketball and growing up and family that’s written in fast-clipped, hip-hop style verse. Because of the brokenness and powerful, difficult emotions, I’d recommend it for ages 12 and up.
Newbery Honors went to:
El Deafo by Cece Bell, (I’m still in a long waiting line for this one at my library!)
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson which I’ve reviewed here. This book also won the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, and a Sibert Honor for informational books.
The Caldecott Medal went to The Adventures of Beekle:The Unimaginary Friend written and illustrated by Dan Santat. Haven’t seen this one yet.
Caldecott Honors went to:
Nana in the City written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo, reviewed here.
The Noisy Paint Box, illustrated by Mary GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock, reviewed here.
Illustration by Mary GrandPre from The Noisy Paint Box
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett, reviewed here.
Viva Frida, written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales, reviewed here. This book also won the Pura Belpré Award for illustration.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant, reviewed here. This book also won the Sibert Award for informational books.
Illustration by Melissa Sweet from The Right Word
This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki. This is a Young Adult graphic novel which I’ve not seen.
Rain Reign, reviewed here, won the Schneider Family Award for ages 11-13. This award is for “books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.”
Mikis and the Donkey — my glowing review for this will be up tomorrow –won the award for outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language.
Separate is Never Equal, illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh, reviewed here, won a Pura Belpré Honor for illustration and a Sibert Honor for informational books.
There’s lots more to comb through at the ALA website. Happy reading to all of us!
orange marmalade 