The most prestigious awards in young people’s literature were announced on January 28 during the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting. Place a hold on one (or all!) of the winners today!
John Newbery Medal
Instituted in 1922, the Newbery Medal is given to the author of the most distinguished original contribution to American literature for children during the preceding year.
2013 Medal Winner
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
Honor Books
- Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
- Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
- Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
The Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal was established jointly in 1938 as an annual prize to recognize the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published during the preceding year.
2013 Medal Winner
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen. A tiny minnow wearing a pale blue bowler hat has a thing or two up his fins in this underwater light-on-dark chase scene.
Honor Books
- Creepy Carrots! illustrated by Peter Brown and written by Aaron Reynolds
- Extra Yarn illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett
- Green illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
- One Cool Friend illustrated by David Small and written by Toni Buzzeo
- Sleep Like a Tiger illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Mary Logue
The Coretta Scott King Awards
The Coretta Scott King Awards recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.
2013 Author Winner
Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Praise songs, poetry, text and vibrant illustrations are used to profile the lives of ten influential African Americans, including Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, and Barack H. Obama.
Author Honor Books:
- Each Kindness written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
- No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
2013 Illustrator Winner
I, Too, Am America illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Langston Hughes. The poetic wisdom of Langston Hughes merges with visionary illustrations from Bryan Collier in this inspirational picture book.
Illustrator Honor Book:
- H. O. R. S. E. illustrated and written by Christopher Myers
- Ellen's Broom illustrated by Daniel Minter and written by Kelly Starling Lyons
- I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given to “the author(s) and illustrator(s) of a beginning reader book who demonstrate great creativity and imagination in his/her/their literary and artistic achievements to engage children in reading.”
2013 Winner
Up, Tall and High! written and illustrated by Ethan Long. Through illustrations and simple text, birds demonstrate the meanings of the words up, tall, and high.
Honor Books
- Let’s Go for a Drive! written and illustrated by Mo Willems
- Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, created and illustrated by James Dean
- Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover written and illustrated by Cece Bell
Michael L. Printz Award
Named for a school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association, the Michael L. Printz Award recognizes literary excellence in young adult literature.
2013 Winner
In Darkness by Nick Lake. In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, fifteen-year-old Shorty, a poor gang member from the slums of Site Soleil, is trapped in the rubble of a ruined hospital. As he weakens, he has visions and memories of his life of violence, his lost twin sister, and of Toussaint L'Ouverture, who liberated Haiti from French rule in the 1804.
Honor Books
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
- Dodger by Terry Pratchett
- The White Bicycle by Beverley Brenna