ALA Award Winners

The winners are announced! Here in San Antonio, Texas, (a cool, crisp, sunny morning) the Association for Library Service to Children has brought the award winning book and film titles to the attention of the world. The Newbery Award goes to Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. There were four Honor books: Whittington by Alan Armstrong, Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, and Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson. The Caldecott Award goes to The Hello, Good-bye Window by Chris Raschka. There were also four Honor books: Rosa, illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Nikki Giovanni, Zen Shorts written and illustrated by Jon Muth, Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride written and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, and Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems illustrated by Beckie Prange and written by Joyce Sidman.
I haven't read or seen all of these books, but I am delighted by most of the choices. My favorite book this year has been Hitler Youth which also won a Sibert Honor award for nonfiction. It was a gripping story of the children brought up in Germany during 1933-1945. Bartoletti makes you care about these young people and see the world through their eyes. She follows up with interviews and tells us what happened to the young people in the book.
I loved Zen Shorts, Rosa, and The Hello, Good-bye Window. All were excellent choices and wonderful books to share with children. Let me know what you think and come into the library to check these titles and other award winners! I'll be back in the library on Wednesday ready to talk about San Antonio and great books! Joyce Laiosa