ALA aftermath and awards!

Well, the attendees of the American Library Association midwinter meeting are packing their bags and heading back to their respective libraries, publishing houses, and writer's garrets -- some making a detour to the George on the way out of town -- and with them goes the gigantic-book-clubby feeling Boston had over the weekend. I attended the exhibit hall on Saturday and felt like Charlie in Wonka's factory; there were delicious books as far as the eye could see, and (if you asked nicely) you could even take some home with you. I now have more supernatural YA advance reader copies than you can shake a stake at!

Even more exciting than new ARCs, yesterday the ALA announced its annual Youth Media Awards, including the best known and most prestigious of their awards, the Caldecott and Newbery. And the winners are (cue suspenseful music)...

Caldecott Medal for Most Distinguished Picture Book
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Caldecott Honors
- All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee and written by Liz Garton Scanlon
- Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Joyce Sidman

Newbery Medal for Most Distinguished Children's Literature
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Newbery Honors
- Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, written and illustrated by Grace Lin
- The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Printz Award for Exemplary Young Adult Literature
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Printz Honors
- Tales from the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes
- Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
- Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
- The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Coretta Scott King Award for African American Author of Outstanding Children's Literature
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Coretta Scott King Author Honor
- Mare's War by tanita s. davis

Coretta Scott King Award for African American Illustrator of Outstanding Children's Literature
My People, illustrated by Charles R. Smith and written by Langston Hughes
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
- The Negro Speaks of Rivers, illustrated by E.B. Lewis and written by Langston Hughes

Giesel Award for Most Distinguished Beginning Reader
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!, written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes
Giesel Honors
- I Spy Fly Guy!, written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold
- Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day, written by Kate McMullan and illustrated by R.W. Alley
- Little Mouse Gets Ready, written and illustrated by Jeff Smith
- Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends, written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee

Sibert Award for Most Distinguished Informational Book
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
Sibert Honors
- The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors, written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tony Persiani
- Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 13, written and illustrated by Brian Floca
- Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose

YALSA Excellence in YA Nonfiction Award
Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Phew! You can access the full list (yes, there are more) and view highlights of the conference and ceremony at the ALA Award page. Congratulations to all the winners! Now on to commentary...

Book buyer Donna wants me to tell you that we have "lots and lots" of Caldecott winner The Lion and the Mouse. Not just lots, but lots and lots. As in stacks and stacks. I can also confirm that we have lots and lots of Newbery winner When You Reach Me. Don't forget the honor books! Curious George is your one-stop shop for award winning and honored books.

If you haven't already read Nikki Grimes's excellent essay "Speaking Out," about African American illustrators being passed over for the Caldecott, now is the time to do so. This year Jerry Pinkney is the first individual African American artist to win, despite his and many other black illustrators' essential contributions to the picture book canon.

We're especially happy for our friend and alum Grace Lin, who received a Newbery honor for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Lovely in both story and illustration, this is a book I recommend frequently. I'm so glad to see it -- and wonderful Grace -- recognized! Hooray!

Finally, some savvy staff members knew what was up months ago -- Taylor recommended When You Reach Me in a staff pick:

When whip-smart, instantly likeable 12-year-old Miranda begins to receive mysterious notes with even more mysterious directives, she is catapulted into a mission — à la her favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time — to save someone she loves. You will quickly find yourself embroiled in the mystery along with her.

Rachel's been a fan of the Fly Guy series since the first book, Hi, Fly Guy! She wrote in her pick:

Buzz knows Fly Guy is the best pet ever—he can even say Buzz’s name! The judges at the Amazing Pet Show need a little convincing, though…. Be sure to check out the other Fly Guy books, including the latest installment, I Spy Fly Guy!

All this ALA talk is making me antsy to go finish reading Printz Honor The Monstrumologist, so this is your ALA special reporter Katie, signing off!