It’s always good to remember that there are real people behind the blogs we read. And right now, my real life is kicking my very real tail. Blogging is a release and a joy for me, but right now I’m also having to focus extra attention on other areas of my life, which means chirping crickets at Once Upon A Story.
But for the moment, the house is quiet, and I can’t let too much time pass without acknowledging yesterday’s Youth Media Awards. The complete list can be found at the link and I’m not going to pretend to have read all of them, but I have to highlight just a few favorites that were recognized.
John Newbery Award for “most outstanding contribution to children’s literature went to
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (HarperCollins)
There were several contenders for the Newbery in my mind, including this one, and I would hate to have been on the committee that had to make that choice. I’m not surprised by the choice. I was late to the party, but you can read my thoughts on The One and Only Ivan here. The three Honor books selected were Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (which I loved, but was surprised to see recognized), Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin, and Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.
Randolph Caldecott Medal for “most distinguished American picture book for children.”
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
This one was a bit of a surprise for me, though not an unpleasant one. I was rooting for Extra Yarn (also illustrated by Klassen), which instead received an Honor award. I imagine Klassen is floating right now. The other FOUR (wow! tough year!?) Honor awards went to Creepy Carrots! illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds, Green illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, One Cool Friend (YES! Another pleasant surprise!) illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo, and Sleep Like a Tiger illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue.
Those are the “big ones”, but I have to give a shout-out two other awards that made me smile.
First, a Coretta Scott King (Author) Honor book:
This book is just gorgeous, both in word and in illustration.
And finally, a smile for Katherine Paterson, who won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award which “honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.” Lifetimes ago, I read, Jacob Have I Loved, and two years ago I saw her speak and was won over again by how genuine she was. It’s wonderful to see authors win these lifetime achievement awards.
What about you? Cheers? Disappointments? Surprises? Any now that you haven’t read before but really want to read?
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I was quite happy with the selections. Three Times Lucky as an honor book was pure excitement for me as I thought the book had gotten lost in a sea of deserving contenders! I too was rooting for Extra Yarn. I had a chance to have lunch with Mac Barnett last month, and he was fabulous. But he is young…he still needs the gold to aspire to! Personally I was the bigger fan of Chloe and the Lion. Each Kindness is on my hold list at the library. Now I am chomping at the bit to get it.
What a lovely book Ivan is. I, too, read it in one sitting and loved Ivan’s distinguished voice.
I am crushed that Wonder by R J Palacio did not win ANYTHING! What happened to at least the Schneider?!! What’s your take?
I have to stay hushed about my thoughts on Wonder for the moment because it’s a Cybils finalist for Middle Grade Fiction, and I’m a judge for that category. But I know what you mean, with all the buzz surrounding that book, I would not have been surprised to see a win.
I read an article this week (if I find the link, I’ll come back and link up here) written by a woman who has been on several committees for the ALA awards. She talked about how difficult it was to make a selection, and how sometimes even the books that she wanted would get out-voted. Her bottom line was that even if a book she wanted didn’t win, it didn’t stop her from loving the book and continuing to “sell” it to her students, peers, and anyone she came across. I thought that that was a good point, and an interesting way of viewing things.
As an aside, have you seen this article on Jon Klassen’s reaction to receiving TWO Caldecott’s on Monday? I was rooting for Extra Yarn
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/55723-2013-caldecott-caps-busy-year-for-jon-klassen.html
That’s understandable! That’s how life has been with my blog too! I try to stay on top of it as much as I can, but sometimes busy schedules stop that. But I loved the books that you reccomended. I will have to check them out. They sound great!