For the Nerdy Book Club, there is a sense of anticipation that comes along with a January Monday where the book lovers and librarians and teachers and students offer their predictions about the best books from the year before. Mock awards are presented in classrooms and at libraries, but we all watch and wait for this Monday. We wonder if our dearly beloved favorite books will make the cut or if we’ll be introduced to new titles for our TBR lists.
It’s like our Academy Awards – the nominations and award show all in one.
So, a drum roll please, as we give a nod to the books that have been chosen for this year’s ALA Youth Media Awards.
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
Medal
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Honor
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
The Returning by Christine Hinwood
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:
Medal
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Honor
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
Medal
A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
Honor
Blackout by John Rocco
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Me … Jane by Patrick McDonnell
Thanks for the round up. I was so excited to be able to watch most of it live before I went to work, even the hubs was excited for me. Then–when I got home I watched it from the beginning. It’s a good nerdy live!
I taped it and got to watch it later that morning! It was so exciting! I hope to actually be in the room next year!
There are many wonderful books & isn’t it quite wonderful that we are able to enjoy them all because we can read? I just read a message on Facebook that there are 3 billion people in the world who cannot read at all. We are blessed!
Your note reminds me of the Ben Franklin observation that one who does not read is no better off than one who cannot read. The ALA awards are such a great way to celebrate books that get readers to read- and love it.
And the only one I’ve heard of is Me… Jane. Guess it’s time to get reading!
Thanks for sharing these! I had been waiting for a succinct list.
You rule.
I’d picked Why We Broke Up to win the Printz award so felt at least a little bit validated that it received an honor. Our Adult Mock Newbery team also had Breaking Stalin’s Nose as an honor. We had to be one of the few groups who’d read and appreciated the title, though I must say, it wasn’t my personal pick!
Love this every year – reading and trying to predict! Now it’s time to get all these purchased for the library and then it’s on to the 2013 Awards!
Am I the only one that was disappointed with the Newberry and Caldecott winners? I don’t want to take away from these great books, but I just don’t see how they are the level of of previous award winners. However, I am happy for Jack Gantos, who is an amazing author. I just don’t think this book was the best book of the year.
I read Norvelt as soon as it came out- I’m a huge fan of his. Recommended it often, but I admit I was surprised at that choice and it would not have been mine.
I cannot imagine the stress and effort that these award committees go through each year. While I am disappointed that some of my favorites didn’t win, I recognize the value of each title that did. I was proud of myself because I recognized most of the titles at least and have read all of the Caldecott winners. I was rooting for The Scorpio Races to win a Printz nod since I read it this summer, so I was happy it won. My students are passing around Breaking Stalin’s Nose right now and they declare it outstanding.