Ugh. It’s almost bedtime and you can not face one more night of reading about the adventures of those crazy animals at Puppy Place, or the antics of the goblins who are out to get the Rainbow Fairies. Even Jack and Annie’s time traveling treehouse has lost its excitement. But reading is important and it’s part of the bedtime routine and secretly, you love the snuggles.
Just in time, the American Library Association has named its award winners for 2018. You remember the Newbery (for excellence in children’s literature) and the Caldecott (for best picture book) from when you were a kid, right? But did you also know there are awards that, among other things, recognize African American authors and illustrators, excellence in literature written for young adults, the Latino cultural experience, artistic expression of the disability experience, and books of exceptional merit related to the LGBTQ experience.
And the winners are*:
Hello, Universe – A charming story about the unexpected friendship that arises when the neighbor boy is trapped in a well
Wolf in the Snow – A girl and a wolf cub are lost in a snowstorm one wintry night. How will they get home?
Piecing Me Together – The deeply moving story of Jade, labeled “at risk” but longing to show she is so much more
The Stars Beneath Our Feet – A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects of Harlem in the wake of his brother’s death
We Are Okay – An achingly honest portrayal of grief in a story about a girl who runs from it but can not hide
Silent Days, Silent Nights – A fictionalized biographical treatment of the life and work of deaf, mute, autistic and probably dyslexic artist James Castle.
La Princesa and the Pea – A Latino twist on the classic story with vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru
Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961 – Relies on archival documents and rarely seen images to document the story of the first days of the Freedom Ride
Charlie & Mouse – “Two brothers create four fine and loopy entertainments to fill their day”
Little & Lion – Sensitively confronts misconceptions about mental illness, bisexuality and intersectional identity
*This is a only partial list of winners. For other award winners, and to check out the notable mentions, please click here.
