It's a big weekend in the children's literature world...the American Library Association's (ALA) midwinter meeting! Each year the ALA honors authors and illustrators for their distinguished contributions to children’s literature. The big announcements—the Caldecotts, the Newberys, and more—will come on Monday, so today, let's take a look back at some of our favorite Scholastic books that have been honored. (Meanwhile, follow all the fun at the ALA Midwinter website.)
Caldecott Award: Named in honor of Randolph Caldecott, this award is presented annually to the American illustrator of the most remarkable picture book for children. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret Brian Selznick (Caldecott Medal)
- No, David! David Shannon (Caldecott Honor)
- Zen Shorts Jon J Muth (Caldecott Honor)
Newbery Award: Awarded annually to the author of the most outstanding contribution to American literature for children. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Echo Pam Muñoz Ryan (Newbery Honor)
- Out of the Dust Karen Hessee (Newbery Medal)
- A Corner of the Universe Ann M. Martin (Newbery Honor)
Coretta Scott King Award: Named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King’s constant effort towards peace, this award is given to exceptional books for young adult and children by African American authors. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis (Coretta Scott King Author Award)
- Fallen Angels Walter Dean Myers (Coretta Scott King Author Award)
Michael L. Printz Award: For a young adult novel that demonstrates literary excellence. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- The Scorpio Races Maggie Stiefvater (Michael L. Printz Honor)
- Stolen Lucy Christopher (Michael L. Printz Honor)
Mildred L. Batchelder Award: This award is given to an American publisher for an excellent children’s book which was originally published in a foreign language and then translated in English. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- An Innocent Soldier Josef Holub (Mildred L. Batchelder Award)
Pura Belpré Award: Presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best celebrates the Latino cultural experience through literature. (Check out this glorious look back at 20 years of the Pura Belpré!) Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- The Dreamer Pam Muñoz Ryan (Pura Belpré Award)
- Esperanza Rising Pam Muñoz Ryan(Pura Belpré Honor)
- The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano Sonia Manzano (Pura Belpré Honor)
Robert F. Sibert Honor: Awarded to informational books that made a significant impact on children’s literature. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Drawing From Memory Allen Say(Robert F. Sibert Honor)
- Scholastic Reader Level 2: Spiders Nic Bishop (Robert F. Sibert Honor)
- Titanic: Voices from the Disaster Deborah Hopkinson (Robert F. Sibert Honor)
Schneider Family Book Award: Awards an author or illustrator for a book that exemplifies artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Wonderstruck Brian Selznick (Schneider Family Book Award)
- Marcelo in the Real World Francisco X. Stork (Schneider Family Book Award)
Stonewall Book Award: Books which present outstanding value relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transsexual orientations. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- George Alex Gino (Stonewall Book Award)
- The Porcupine of Truth Bill Konigsberg (Stonewall Book Award)
- Drama Raina Telgemeier (Stonewall Book Honor)
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor: An award given annually to an American children’s author(s) and illustrators(s) who contributed significantly to beginning readers books. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Fly Guy #1: Hi! Fly Guy Tedd Arnold (Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor)
William C. Morris Award: Honors a first-time author who has written a YA debut novel. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- A Curse Dark As Gold Elizabeth Bunce (William C. Morris Award)
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Honors best nonfiction book for YA readers. Past winning Scholastic titles include:
- Titanic: Voices From The Disaster Deborah Hopkinson (YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist)
Odyssey Award: An award for the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:
- Echo Pam Muñoz Ryan, narrated by Mark Bramhall, David De Vries, Rebecca Soler, MacLeod Andrews (Odyssey Honor)
- A Snicker of Magic Natalie Lloyd, narrated by Cassandra Morris (Odyssey Honor)
Follow along at #alamw17. Good luck to all of the eligible authors and artists!
