Children's Literature

American Library Association Awards

The American Library Association gives out awards every year to exceptional children’s authors and their books. The award criterion is different for each, so you are sure to get a wide range of subjects to engage your child.

The books discussed were all awarded their honors in 2006. If the award is not annual, the current winning book is listed.

Newbery Medal

The Newbery Award’s purpose is “To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, and opportunity to encourage good writing in this field.”

The award winning book is Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. It is a coming of age story focusing on Debbie and Hector, age 14, who discover what happens when you choose one path in life over another. A secondary plot revolves around a lost locket that different characters in the novel end up with at one time or another.

Batchelder Award

This award is given to a foreign language book that is translated into English and published in the United States. The award is given to the publisher.

The current winner is the publisher Arthur A. Levine Books for An Innocent Soldier by Josef Holub. It was translated from German by Michael Hoffman. Aimed at older children, this book follows the story of a young farmhand who is enlisted in Napoleon’s army under his employer’s son’s name. With detailed descriptions, the reader follows his journey from innocence in youth to becoming a seasoned soldier.

Belpre Medal

The Belpre Award is given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best celebrates the Latino culture. This award is only given biennially.

The current narrative winner is Viola Canales for The Tequila Worm. This book is appropriate for middle-school children. It follows Sofia from her childhood into her teen years as she works her way through public school, only to be given a scholarship to an elite boarding school.

Giesel Award

Relatively new to the children’s book award, the Theodore Seuss Giesel Award is given annually to the best in beginning reading books. The books should demonstrate creativity and imagination to get children excited about reading.

Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Sucie Stevenson is the current winner. Part of the Henry and Mudge series, this installation follows their visit to see their Great Grandpa Bill and go swimming with him in a pond.

Wilder Award

This award, named for author Laura Ingalls Wilder, is awarded to an author or illustrator that has made a lasting contribution to children’s literature through the years.

The current winner is Laurence Yep, who writes about Chinese Americans. His books include Dragonwings, The Rainbow People, and The Khan’s Daughter. His books are geared towards middle elementary school children.

International Reading Association

The International Reading Association gives out awards every year for excellence in children’s literature to first or second-time authors. Awards are given based on level of reading (primary, intermediate, and young adult).

Awards were given to the following books in 2006:

• Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton—The primary fiction award winner follows Russell as he tries to go to sleep.
• Night Wonders by Jane Ann Peddicord—Follow the primary nonfiction award-winning author as she travels through outerspace and back again.
• The Bicycle Man by David L. Dudley—This intermediate fiction winner’s book is about 12-year old African-American Carissa and how she meets an elderly stranger.
• Americans Who Tell the Truth by Robert Shetterly—The nonfiction intermediate winner introduces 50 famous Americans through their quotations and portraits.
• Black and White by Paul Volponi—The young adult fiction book follows the story of two best friends and basketball players (one black, one white) down their path of destruction as they commit armed robberies.
• JAZZ ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits by Wynton Marsalis and Paul Rogers—Learn about the biggest names in jazz history through this young adult nonfiction winner.

Other Children’s Book Awards

In addition to the awards given by the American Library Association and International Reading Association, several other organizations have set up processes to acknowledge excellence in children’s literature. Just as the various Library awards have different criteria, each of the following awards is given for different accomplishments.

The American Booksellers Association gives out annual Book of the Year awards. In 2006, the winner was Inkspell by Cornelia Funke. A sequel to the fantasy book Inkheart, this second book involves characters who have the ability to bring book characters to life. The book-within-a-book plotline emphasizes reading for all.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators gives out the prestigious Golden Kite award every year. The 2005 fiction winner was Mary E. Pearson, for her work A Room on Lorelei Street. Aimed at upper level high-school children, this book follows Zoe as she struggles to deal with her alcoholic mother, “accidental” death of her father, school, work, and more.

Caldecott Awards are given to outstanding illustrated books. Although they are given based on the pictures, the story is often just as good. The 2006 winner was illustrator Chris Raschka for The Hello, Goodbye Window written by Norton Justor. This first-person book is about the daily activities of a young girl and her grandparents. Perfect for very young children, as it is written in language they would use.