2012 ALA Awards

This past Monday, I was riveted by the Oscars of the children's publishing world: The ALA Awards (short for the American Library Association).  The ALA Youth Media Awards are given to the best children's book authors and illustrators of the year, chosen by national committees comprised of librarians and kid lit experts.

It's a very exciting time, especially when you hear the cheering from different sides of the floor when winners are announced (Yesterday there was quite the cake to be had at our celebration).

You can check out the winners here, but allow me to name the two super awards of the year:

The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos 

The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

A Ball for Daisy illustrated and written by Chris Raschka

Congrats to the authors and the publishing teams behind them!

Now feast your eyes on the splendor of our celebratory cake.  You almost don't want to cut into it!

Edgar Award Nominees 2012

The 2012 Edgar Award Nominees--books the Mystery Writers of America have chosen as the best of the past year--were announced yesterday.   The winners will be selected in New York City on April 26th.

Since I focus on children's publishing, here are the nominees for those categories:

Juvenile

Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger
It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett
Vanished by Sheela ChariIcefall by Matthew J. Kirby
The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey


Young Adult

Shelter by Harlan Coben 
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson 
The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall 
The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines
Kill You Last by Todd Strasser


Congrats to the all the nominees!  And to all the publishing folks who worked on these books!  One in particular I have to call out is associate editor Allison Wortche, whose book The Silence of Murder is on the YA list.  Yay!


Allison is also a talented writer whose picture book Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine debuted last month.

Coupled with Patrice Barton's lush illustrations, the story is relatable to children who don't feel like they're at the top of the class.  Little Rosie is an adorable number two who learns that everyone can shine even in their own humble way.