And the Winner is…

The American Library Association recently awarded its most distinguished honors to children’s and young adult books published in 2007:

1. Caldecott Medal:  The illustrator of a picture book for children in the United States.Winner: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ”From an opening shot of the full moon setting over an awakening Paris in 1931, this tale casts a new light on the picture book form. Hugo is a young orphan secretly living in the walls of a train station where he labors to complete a mysterious invention left by his father. In a work of more than 500 pages, the suspenseful text and wordless double-page spreads narrate the tale in turns. Neither words nor pictures alone tell this story, which is filled with cinematic intrigue. Black and white pencil illustrations evoke the flickering images of the silent films to which the book pays homage.”* (YA fic and J fic)

Caldecott Honor books:Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine (J973.7115 Levine)

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro (JPicture)

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis (Graphic Sis)

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Williams (JPicture)

2. Newbery Medal: Honors the best contribution to American Literature for children.

 Winner: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village by

Laura Amy Schlitz “Thirteenth-century England springs to life using 21 dramatic individual narratives that introduce young inhabitants of village and manor; from Hugo, the lord’s nephew, to Nelly, the sniggler. Schlitz’s elegant monologues and dialogues draw back the curtain on the period, revealing character and relationships, hinting at stories untold. Explanatory interludes add information and round out this historical and theatrical presentation.”*

Newbery Honor books:

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (JFIC)

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Michael L. Printz Award: Honors literary excellence in books for young adults.

Winner:  The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean “Fourteen-year-old Symone’s exciting vacation to Antarctica turns into a desperate struggle for survival when her uncle’s obsessive quest leads them across the frozen wilderness into danger.”* (YA FIC)

Printz Honor books:

Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet by Elizabeth Knox (YA FIC)

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

Come in and check out these and countless other award winners both past and present. Are you looking for something to read but need some suggestions? Take advantage of our Reader’s Advisory service. We will be happy to help you find a good book. Happy Reading!

* annotations courtesy of The American Library Association  

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http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/Printz.cfm (Accessed January 19, 200

 

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