The ALA Youth Media Awards have been announced. All that’s left to do is discuss the three categories that are most in my wheelhouse, so let’s commence…
Newbery Award: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Honor: The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
Honor: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Honor: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Honor: Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose
Nice. It seemed like When You Reach Me was experiencing some “everybody loves this book, but it can’t be that great” backlash in recent weeks, so it was nice to see it take top honors.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate also appeared to be losing steam, which caused some worry on my part as I found it to be a great book. Good to see it didn’t fall out of favor.
Claudette Colvin is a wonderful choice for Newbery regardless of genre (although it does make me glad to see a nonfiction selection).
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was also garnering a large dollop of praise since it was published, so it was no surprise to see it end up on the list.
The biggest surprise was the inclusion of The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. A Fuse #8 Production mentioned it as a Newbery contender back last summer and Literate Lives reviewed it in their Looking for Newbery series, but it didn’t receive much more than a mention on the Heavy Medal blog. I’m kicking myself because this book has been sitting on my to-be-read shelf for months. I’ll be cracking it open today. If my Cover Covers post serves as my Newbery picks, then I was 3-5. I’m happy with that.
Caldecott Award: The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Honor: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
Honor: Red Sings From Treetops by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
No real surprises here – just some very wise choices. When Pinkney’s book arrived on shelves, it felt like a statement. It appears that the Caldecott committee heard The Lion & the Mouse loud and clear. Impressive on all fronts, this was the frontrunner heading into the awards.
All the World was also not a shocker, having appeared on most mock Caldecott lists and generating plenty of buzz. This book has continued to grow on me since the first time I saw it, so I was happy it got hardware. Very deserving.
Red Sings From Treetops was another very nice book that was in the discussion as the awards approached. I picked two of the three winners in my Caldecott predictions.
Geisel Award: Benny and Penny in the Big No-No by Geoffrey Hayes
Honor: I Spy Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Honor: Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith
Honor: Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee
Honor: Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day by Kate McMullan
Did you notice that four of the five books on this list feature mice? Interesting. I have to admit that I forgot about Benny and Penny in the leadup to the awards. I read it, loved it, toon reviewed it back in March, and then it fell off my radar. Seeing it turn up is the definition of a pleasant surprise. I also was happy to see I Spy Fly Guy on the list. Ted Arnold’s series continues to be a huge hit among the young readers I work with.
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January 18, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Sondy at Sonderbooks
I was amazed that nothing by Mo Willems got a Geisel Honor. Is that a first?
I also wished that Marcelo in the Real World had gotten Printz recognition.
But I was very happy with the Newbery and Caldecott choices. I feel extra good about having “Lioned” myself! That award was so deserved!
January 18, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Tasha
I also didn’t listen to Fuse #8 when she recommended Homer P. Figg. Now I have to dig around for my copy which I never got around to reading. Love the way my reading lists grow this time of year!
January 18, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Caroline
I am really happy with the Newbery winners! I loved When You Reach Me and was really nervous that there would be an upset. The Printz ones seemed to come out of nowhere, though – I have so many books on hold now.
January 18, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Scope Notes
Ha – I know what you mean.
January 20, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Melissa (Book Nut)
Homer P. Fugg was actually one of those little books that you either really liked or didn’t get. I was surprised (but not disappointed) to see it get an Honor, but if that means more people dust it off and actually read it, then hooray for that!
February 8, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Ed Spicer
I know this is old news but I thought you might get a kick out of this:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/hall-erickson/alacognotes_hightlights2010/#/10
February 8, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Scope Notes
Ha! That’s awesome! Also: great shirt.