Thursday, January 17, 2008

ALA Awards



The long awaited news from the ALA (American Library Association) has finally arrived. No, I'm not talking about changing the Dewey Decimal system, but the Award winners of 2007. Every year committees of librarians decide which books are the best and whether you agree or not with their choices, they are worth the read.

The Caldecott is the award for the best illustrated children’s book; the Newbery is for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.
Michael L. Printz Award is given for excellence in literature written for young adults. Also announced were the Coretta Scott King award book recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults and the The Pura Belpré Award honoring Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children's books.

The Caldicott medal went to The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick and the Newbery Medal went to Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village,” by Laura Amy Schlitz.

Caldecott Honor Books

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad
,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine
First the Egg, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, by Peter Sis
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity, by Mo Willems

Newbery Honor Books

Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Wednesday Wars,by Gary D. Schmidt
Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson

The Winner of the Michael J. Printz Award is The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean.

Printz Honor Books

Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet
, by Elizabeth Knox
One Whole and Perfect Day, by Judith Clarke
Repossessed, by A. M. Jenkins
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath, by Stephanie Hemphill

Pura Belpré Award Winners


Narrative
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano written by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Sean Qualls

Illustrations
Los Gatos Black on Halloween, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Marisa Montes

Coretta Scott King Book Awards


Elijah of Buxton
by Paul Curtis

Other award winners can be found on line at ALA Book/Media Awards web page.

Please check the library catalog for availability.
What a great way to start the new year—by reading the best in literature and illustrations for youth.
By BA and BS at Main
cover of book cover of book cover of book

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