2008 ALA Winners!

Here are a few highlights of the top award winners in children's books. Way to go Hugo! I really didn't think they'd do it. Brian Selznick's 533-page illustrated book is certainly in a category all it's own. It's a highly creative concept that has been duly rewarded. I wasn't sure how it would really fit into the mix of things with the criteria the committee needs to follow. I think the award committee went out on a limb for this one. And Selznick has been rewarded for his passionate contribution to children's literature.

Check out the American Library Association's website for the full list of winners in all of the categories and further details. Congratulations to all!


Randolph Caldecott Medal

“The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” illustrated by Brian Selznick, is the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner.









Caldecott Honor Books:

“Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine

“First the Egg,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

“The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain,” illustrated and written by Peter Sís

“Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity,” illustrated and written by Mo Willems



John Newbery Medal

“Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village,” written by Laura Amy Schlitz, is the 2008 Newbery Medal winner.








Newbery Honor Books:

“Elijah of Buxton,” by Christopher Paul Curtis

“The Wednesday Wars,” by Gary D. Schmidt

“Feathers,” by Jacqueline Woodson, published by Putnam



Pura Belpré Award:

Illustration Winner: "Los Gatos Black on Halloween" by Yuyi Morales (written by Maris Montes)

Author Winner: "The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano," written by Margarita Engle (illustrated by Sean Qualls)

Two Honor Books for illustration:

“My Name Is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez/Me llamo gabito: La vida de Gabriel García Márquez,” illustrated by Raúl Colón, written by Monica Brown

“My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo,” written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez



Coretta Scott King Award:

King Author Book winner: “Elijah of Buxton” written by Christopher Paul Curtis

King Illustrator Book winner: “Let it Shine” written and illustrated by by Ashley Bryan

Two Honor Books for Illustration:

“The Secret Olivia Told Me,” by N. Joy, illustrated by Nancy Devard

“Jazz On A Saturday Night,” by Leo and Diane Dillon, published by Scholastic Blue Sky Press.

New Talent Author Award:

"Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It," written by Sundee T. Frazier