Award season has descended upon us—not just the SAG Awards, the BAFTAs, or the Oscars. This is also the season for book awards. The American Library Association (ALA), the largest professional association in the library industry, announced the Youth Media Awards in January, recognizing outstanding materials for kids and teens. Although they give 18 different awards, here are a few of the more prestigious medals.
The Caldecott Award is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year, Catia Chen won for her illustrations in Fireworks, written by Matthew Burgess. It is a tale of a sweltering day in the city that ends with a dazzling pyrotechnic display at night. Full of vibrant colors and onomatopoeia, this is a great one to share aloud with a group of little ones.
Named after the author most of us know as Dr. Seuss, the Geisel Award is given for the most outstanding American book for beginning readers (kindergarten through 2nd grade). Jonathan Fenske’s Stop That Mop! earned the award for its tale that guarantees giggles from readers. Sound patterns are reinforced while telling the story of a mop, sick of cleaning up messes, that runs away and is chased by different creatures before a fun, surprising ending.
The Newbery Award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Renée Watson received the award for her novel All the Blues in the Sky. Told in verse and recommended for ages 10–14, the story explores the feelings of Sage, whose best friend has recently died. Watson delicately shows how grief and recovery happen in different ways for different people—and that joy can still exist even after sorrow.
The Printz Award is given to a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. This year, a collection of short stories won: Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. A food truck provides the setting for 18 stories written by different Indigenous authors. This set of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread. The collection is perfect for picking up, flipping open anywhere, and enjoying a quick read.
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