Mock Newbery Challenge!

The Newbery Medal is one of the most prestigious literary awards, given annually to a work that exhibits excellence in writing for young people by a citizen or resident of the US. 

The Mock Newbery is a fun way to get involved in trying to guess the next winner (which will be announced at the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference this January)!

The five titles we're reading are: As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds, The Best Man by Richard Peck, The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Regan Barnhill, Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo, and Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk.

Each of these titles received starred reviews from four or five professional reviewers and are considered strong contenders. They represent a range of genres and subject matters.

Any OWS student who would like to participate just needs to read two or more of these books. As you finish, let Ms. Simeon or Ms. Richey know. We'll keep track of your progress and record your vote before the winner is announced. Remember, the winner may not be one of these books: the Newbery committee chooses from thousands of eligible titles each year. Sometimes the winner is quite a surprise and sometimes it’s one many had tipped to win. We’ll just have to wait and find out... Ms. Simeon will be tweeting from the ALA conference, so stay tuned!

Middle school videos support K-3 contest!

A highlight of the year for Kindergarten through 3rd grade students is the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, which allows students to select from 20 nominees. Over 100,000 students across the state take part, and everyone waits with great anticipation to see whether their favorite will emerge victorious!

Adding to the excitement, 5th graders created video book trailers to promote each title. In the process they practiced important information literacy skills, such as:

• Respecting copyright by using images licensed by Creative Commons
• Effectively conveying the essence of a book (using "hooks," revealing just enough of the plot, and choosing images and music that fit the story)
• Keeping your intended audience in mind when crafting a promotional item (how much text to use and how quickly should it scroll by?)
• Proofreading your own work and offering constructive criticism to others

The results were very impressive! I wish I had room to share all 33 video trailers with you, but since I don't, here are just a couple for you to enjoy!

Find out who won!

Check out Facebook, Twitter or the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards page to see who won the Newbery, Caldecott and other awards this year! Just in case you need a few ideas for your reading list - there are plenty there...

December book presentation for 5th grade: ALA award winners!

The American Library Association sponsors many book awards, some of which are widely recognized (the Caldecott and Newbery, for example), while others honor equally worthy material but are less well-known.

This month's book presentation for Ms. Russell's class will be on a book of appropriate length and difficulty which is not a biography and was selected as a medal or honor book for one of the ALA awards listed below.

We have many qualifying titles on display in the school library for students to choose from. Or you may follow the links below to see what else there is! Remember to run your selection past Ms. Russell for her approval!

The Batchelder Award is "awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. ALSC gives the award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children's books abroad and to promote communication among the peoples of the world."
The Pura Belpré Award is "presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."
The Coretta Scott King Award is "given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society."
The Newbery Medal is "awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it be original work."
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal "is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year."

Award winners announced!

A few days ago the announcement readers and writers everywhere awaited with anticipation: this year's Association for Library Service to Children award winners were named! These include the very well-known Newbery and Caldecott books, as well as the very special, but not as widely appreciated Batchelder Award for books in translation, Sibert Medal for nonfiction, and Geisel Award for beginning readers.

Looking for a great new book to read? These new winners aren't a bad place to start!

Meet our new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature!

Last week we heard the exciting news that prolific, award-winning author Walter Dean Myers has been named the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress! He will serve in this capacity as someone who will help raise "national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people."

Not only is Myers an incredibly gifted writer, he is also a caring human being. One story about him that impressed me greatly was that after a young fan, Ross Workman, wrote to him, he struck up a correspondence with the teen which led them to co-author the novel Kick! Watch this short video clip of Myers and Workman discussing their collaboration. How cool is that?!

5th grade book report: December

This month's book presentation will be on a book of appropriate length and difficulty which is not a biography and which was selected as a medal or honor book for one of the American Library Association awards shown below.

We have dozens of titles on display in the school library or you may follow the links below to choose one yourself. Remember to run your selection past Ms. Russell for her approval!

The Batchelder Award is "awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. ALSC gives the award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children's books abroad and to promote communication among the peoples of the world."

The Pura Belpré Award is "presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."

The Coretta Scott King Award is "given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society."

The Newbery Medal is "awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it be original work."

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal "is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year."

Participate in the Mock Newbery!

The Newbery Medal, given by the American Library Association each year to the author of a notable contribution to young people's literature, is widely recognized and respected as one of the country's most prestigious literary awards. Did you know that many public library systems hold Mock Newbery panels every year? King County Library System is no exception and they welcome participation from readers of all ages!

Just go to their You Choose the Next Newbery at KCLS blog, read at least four of the eight finalists, and vote online in January!

If you look at their past blog entries you will also find more wonderful reading suggestions among the many great titles that didn't make the final cut. Right now I'm listening to one of their finalists, Gary Schmidt's Okay for Now, which is a deeply moving account of artistic and personal discovery and dysfunctional family life in Vietnam War-era America (also shortlisted for the National Book Award)!

Happy reading!

The 2011 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Winner!

This year's results for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award are in.... and the state-wide winner is Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery! This is a heartwarming true story about a dog in the deserts of Iraq who formed a special bond with a Marine and ended up starting a new life in California. Larson, a local author, has written some other student favorites, including Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival.

Meanwhile, the winner at Open Window School (where Nubs came in second place) was Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, an incredibly clever offering by the beloved author of Little Pea and Spoon. You can even see an animated version of the book on YouTube!

The Cybils Are Here!

The 2010 Cybil winners - books for children and young adults that best "combined literary merit with kid appeal" have been announced!

This is a delightful list chosen by children's and YA literature bloggers from a crop of literally thousands of new releases.

Check them out and enjoy some great reading over midwinter break!

Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010 & the WCCPBA

Recently the New York Times chose the Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010 and there are some wonderful selections on the list that can be enjoyed by all ages!

Picture books are a format rather than a genre. They generally are 32 pages long and what makes them different from books that have some or no illustrations is that in a picture book, text and illustrations unite to create a new whole that is equally dependent on both elements. (Having said that, some are slightly longer or shorter and there are wordless picture books!)

There are picture books for infants and there are others that are more sophisticated or that deal with more mature topics that only an older teen or adult will fully appreciate. You can find just about any genre written in picture book format. It is a rich and innovative area of publishing!

Right now, grades K-3 are taking part in the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Awards. This is an annual tradition that the students greatly look forward to. We will read all 20 nominated books during library classes, then students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite. The nominees appeal to a wide range of tastes and ages, and always spark spirited discussions.

What is most fascinating for me is to observe different reactions to the same book across grade levels. For example, so far this week I've read Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Duck! Rabbit! to kindergartners, first graders and third graders. Kindergartners were intrigued but rather literal-minded in their interpretations, first graders thought it was simply hilarious, and third graders delved deeply into the meaning of the story and its implications for conflict resolution and building empathy between people. All this from one small picture book!

The process of participating in the WCCPBA also allows us to talk about how books are chosen to receive awards, who does the selecting for most awards (adults!), and how very difficult it is to choose one "best" book. Why not check out their website and borrow some of the past winners to enjoy with your family?

Award-winning books

The theme for the December 5th grade book report is award-winning books, specifically a "just right" book that won a medal or honor as part of an American Library Association award.

Links to the award websites are below. While the Newbery is perhaps the most famous of the ALA awards, there are several others that recognize truly outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction.

Parents should be aware that the intended audience may be older than 5th grade. Please read professional reviews of the book (e.g. on KCLS) and help your student make an appropriate choice. Many of the awards cover books intended for a wide span of ages.

Each student must select a different book! When you have chosen your book, Ms. Russell must approve it and record the title. Let her know which award the book won.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award - Given to an outstanding book originally published in a language other than English.

Pura Belpré Award - Recognizes "a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."

Coretta Scott King Book Award - Is for "outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience."

John Newbery Medal - Awarded "to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

Michael L. Printz Award - Given to "a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature."

Schneider Family Book Award - Is awarded to "honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences."

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal - Honors "the most distinguished informational book published in English in the preceding year for its significant contribution to children’s literature."

Bank Street College of Education Book Lists & Awards

The venerable Bank Street College of Education in New York City gives out an annual award to works "of outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally."

In addition to descriptions of the winners from this and previous years, their website also has Best of the Best reading lists for under 5s through the teen years. Happy reading!

The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards

Looking for some inspirational summer reading for all ages? Look no further than the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, given annually to works "that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence."

From their list of 2010 winners, I would particularly recommend National Book Award winner Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose. Wonderful for grades 6 and up, this book tells parts of the story of the Montgomery bus boycott that have long been forgotten.

Almost a year before Rosa Parks famously stood up for equal rights, a courageous high school student independently challenged the segregated seating arrangements on the buses and was arrested and imprisoned as a result. Instead of becoming a hero, Colvin was shunned by many in her community and later fell into obscurity. You can read more about this remarkable woman in the New York Times.

Congratulations, first graders!

Two talented first graders from our school, Maggie and Sarah, are recent winners in local contests!

Maggie's entry was selected from many entries in the University Book Store's annual bookmark contest. Soon you'll be able to pick up free bookmarks decorated with her delightful artwork at any branch of the bookstore!

Sarah's story, The Walk of Danger, was chosen as one of the winners in the PBS Kids Go! Writers' Contest. Be sure to read this riveting and suspenseful adventure story!

Congratulations, girls!

Open Window's Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Winner!

Every year our Kindergarten through Third Grade students enjoy voting in the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Awards. After reading all 20 nominees during library, students have the opportunity to vote for their favorite book. This requires careful deliberation as students weigh the merits of all the ones they like the best.

We have just finished counting up the ballots for our school and we have a winner:

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina by Kirby Larson

This book is a moving, true story of friendship, loyalty and kindness in the midst of a huge disaster. The website has more information about the remarkable animals who feature in this tale that touched all our hearts.

Keep an eye on the WCCPBA homepage to find out which book won at the state level!

Announcing the New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

The prolific, acclaimed children's author, Katherine Paterson, has been named as the successor to Jon Scieszka, last year's National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Paterson has won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, and the National Book Award for The Great Gilly Hopkins and The Master Puppeteer. She was honored with the title of Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000.

She has chosen as the theme for her tenure "Read for Your Life," a wonderful bit of advice for all of us to follow!

...and the winners are...!

Today the American Library Association announced the winners of this year's Newbery and Caldecott Medals!

Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me, one of the most startlingly clever and deeply moving works of juvenile fiction I've read in a long time, won the coveted Newbery Medal.

Celebrated artist Jerry Pinkney won yet another well-deserved Caldecott for his The Lion and the Mouse, a gorgeous adaptation of the fable from Aesop.

You can also check out lists of winners of other ALA awards, such as ones for non-fiction, easy readers, books in translation, and so on. These prestigious awards mark some of the finest children's literature being published today.

Help Choose the Next Newbery Winner at KCLS!

The American Library Association will announce the next winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal for distinguished achievement in children's literature on January 18th. Between now and the 17th you may vote for your own choice on the KCLS Blog. Read at least four of the eight titles on the KCLS final ballot, and then pick the one you like best!

Check out past winners on the official Newbery site and stay tuned for announcements about this year's winner as well as winners of other American Library Association awards!

Award books

Fifth graders will be reading a book that is an award winner for their next book report for Ms. Russell. She shared a very useful link to the Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature.

Meanwhile, there are a few great awards that are not listed on that site that I would like to share:

• Children's Choices (the only national children's choice award, co-sponsored by the International Reading Association & the Children's Book Council, chosen by kids ages 5-13)


• The Cybils (Children's & Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards)


• The Sasquatch Award (Washington state children's choice chapter book award)


• The Young Readers' Choice Award (Pacific Northwest children's choice chapter book award)

Happy reading!