Monday, February 12, 2018

The 2018 ALA Youth Media Awards have been announced!

Blog posts two days in a row is practically unheard of for me. But I just watched the live webcast of the ALA Youth Media Awards and you guys, it was so exciting! It's like a kidlit-loving bookworm's Oscars, but better! (Just let me nerd out, OK? I know you understand.) I missed the first 15 minutes because the link I bookmarked yesterday was wrong -- it just kept repeating a Jack Black snippet about libraries over and over again (a bit maddening, to be honest!) Anyway, I found the correct link and watched the remaining 45 minutes. My son goes to his grandparents' house on Mondays, so it was a wonderfully uninterrupted 45 minutes, too. Of course I have plenty of work and housework waiting for me, but this was too good to miss!

Since I've gotten much more immersed in children's literature over the past year, this was really the first time I knew enough about new books being published to eagerly anticipate the announcements. In past years, it wouldn't be uncommon for me to not have heard of a single title until after the awards were announced. Not this year! I had heard of lots of the books that won AND I've actually read some.

There are so many awards and wonderful books to explore, but I thought I would just share a quick list of the books I've already read -- and loved -- that took home a medal or an honor this morning:

First up, two Diverse Books Club picks!

This book won all the things. It's just that good.
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas (audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin)

Coretta Scott King Author Honor 
{outstanding books by an African-American author}

Printz Honor 
{excellence in YA}

Odyssey Award 
{best audiobook for children and/or young adults}

William C. Morris Award 
{debut book for teens}


We Are Okay, by Nina LeCour

Printz Award
{excellence in YA}

* * * * *


Next is an outstanding novel-in-verse. I'm not sure I've ever seen a book win an honor or medal for both the Printz (teen) and Newbery (children's)? Does anyone know if that's ever happened before? The Newbery is for ages up to and including 14, while the Printz is for ages 12-18. This book's jacket says for ages 12 & up -- so it makes sense! I just feel like this particular overlap is possibly even less common than the Newbery-Caldecott overlap. If you know any more about this, please share in the comments!

All the honors. It's so good.
Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds (audiobook narrated by the author)

Newbery Honor
{most outstanding contribution to children's literature}

Coretta Scott King Author Honor 
{outstanding books by an African-American author}

Printz Honor 
{excellence in YA}

Odyssey Award Honor
{best audiobook for children and/or young adults}

* * * * *


Next is an audiobook honor I actually listened to on audio! Stephen Fry is one of my all-time favorite narrators and I was so excited to see this production get a nod.

A Boy Called Christmas, by Matt Haig; narrated by Stephen Fry

Odyssey Award Honor
{best audiobook for children and/or young adults}

* * * * *


Next we have the picture books. I borrowed a LOT of new picture books in 2017 from my library, so I found the picture book awards particularly exciting!

Out of Wonder, illustrated by Ekua Holmes; written by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderly & Marjory Wentworth

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award 
{outstanding books by an African-American illustrator}


A Different Pond, illustrated by Thi Bui; written by Bao Phi

Caldecott Honor
{most distinguished picture book for children}


I only gave this one 3 stars when I read it. I think I need to revisit it.
Wolf in the Snow, by Matthew Cordell

Caldecott Medal
{most distinguished picture book for children}

* * * * *


BONUS!

These last two I have not read yet, but they were on my TBR before the awards were announced. While I really would like to read ALL THE BOOKS that won awards today, these two are on my shelves already waiting for me.


Alex Award 
{adult book with appeal to teen audiences}


I won a free copy of this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway, but never read it!
Hello, Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly

Newbery Medal 
{most outstanding contribution to children's literature}

P.S. I will be buddy-reading this book with Julie from Smiling Shelves starting on Wednesday if anyone wants to follow along over on Litsy! Find us @Bucklingbkshelf  @smilingshelves

* * * * *


Check out all the winners and honors here. The top two titles I want to read and/or pick up a copy of (that I don't already have) are: Piecing Me Together, by RenĂ©e Watson and #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy & Mary Beth Leatherdale.

Have you read any of today's winners or honors? Which ones are on your TBR? I'd love to know!


4 comments:

  1. Very cool to see the prize winners! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. You've read quite a sampling of them already! I haven't (well, technically I've read Hello, Universe now). :) You've really got me anxious to read Long Way Down, so I'll have to track down a copy at the library soon.

    I didn't realize how many different awards the ALA had. So many lists to read my way through!! :)

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    1. Long Way Down really made me think. It's not an easy read, but I think it's really important and I hope even more people read it now it has won so many awards.

      And yes, SO MANY lists! I am trying not to look at them all as checklists, but there sure is a lot of inspiration. I am a sucker for the shiny medals when I'm book browsing too -- especially at used bookstores :)

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I'd love to hear what you think :)