ALA MidWinter, Youth Media Awards, and Celebrating My Inner Book Geek

Two years ago, I accidentally outed myself as a book geek.  I had always been a book geek but I just usually kept it quite.  No need to reveal just how obsessed I could be about books.  If someone asked about a book, I would share and leave it at that.  Due to several life circumstances aligning themselves in a fateful way, I started exploring where I could find other book geeks. One thing led to another, and I recently found myself in San Diego, CA at the American Library Association's (ALA) MidWinter Meeting. 

I thought that having been a frequent attender at the L.A. Times Festival of Books would have prepared me for ALA but this was a very different concentration of bibliophiles.  Walking around the exhibit hall surrounded by publishers, vendors, books, lots of people, more books, authors, even more books, I was in heaven.  And what was so cool is that no one was wondering why you would spend hours looking at books, talking about books, or gushing about books to editors and publishers.

An Abrahms Rep with some of their Award Winners!!!

Here are some of my highlights:

* Meeting up with Twitter Pals such as Mr. Schu (@mrschureads), Shannon Messenger (@sw_messenger), Suzanne Santillan (@suesantillan),  Cindy Pon (@cindypon) and many, many more...
* Being invited to a special luncheon hosted by MacMillan Children's Publishing Group on behalf of Mary Pearson (if you haven't read Mary's books go out and do so immediately) - not only did I get to spend time with Mary but also some wonderful ALA folks like Teri Lesesne, Walter Mayes, Liz Burns among others
* Spending time with my book buds Alethea (@frootjoos) and Marianne (@penwallace)
* Hearing Mitali Perkins speak at the USBBY Presentation
* Chatting with author/illustrator Kathryn Otoshi - she signed a copy of ZERO & ONE for me
* Networking with Publishers, Sales Reps, Editors, and more
And of course....Attending the Press Conference for the ALA Youth Media Awards

Congratulations to Random House on some heavy medal winners!!!

I was a lucky receiver of a signed copy of JANIS JOPLIN by Ann Angel.  Winner of the YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction.

Speaking of the ALA Youth Media Award...

Congratulations to BINK & GOLLIE  for winning the Giesel Award.  A definite favorite of mine and listed on my End of the Year MG picks.

Congratulations to FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB for receiving the Schneider Family Award - YA Pick.  This was my top YA book of 2010.  (When this was announced, I nearly jumped out of my seat.)

Congratulations to THE PIRATE OF KINDERGARTEN for receiving a Schneider Family Award for Picture Book.  This was featured in my National Inclusive School's Week picks.

Congratulations to ONE CRAZY SUMMER - not only did it receive a Coretta Scott King Award Author Award but also a Newbery Honor Medal.  This was one of my choices for the Newbery. 

Congratulations to DAVE THE POTTER: ARTIST, POET, SLAVE - this beautiful book received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and a Caldecott Honor Medal.  I had listed this is my Caldecott predictions.

Congratulations to JIMI: SOUNDS LIKE A RAINBOW which received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator honor award.  Another book I really loved and featured on the blog.

Congratulations to THE DREAMER which received a Belpre Author Award.  I loved this book and had it on my Newbery list.

Congratulations to A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE which walked away with the prestigious Caldecott Medal.  If CHALK couldn't win, then I am thrilled that AMOS did.

Congratulations to MOON OVER MANIFEST by Clare Vanderpool whose debut middle grade novel walked away with the big one - the Newbery Medal.  I wasn't expecting this but going to move it up to the top of my to-read pile.

HarperCollins Presents: The Dark Days of Supernatural Tour

Brace yourself for the Dark Days ahead.
Paranormal thrillers. Supernatural romance. Otherworldly adventures.
Discover new books from acclaimed authors Ellen Schreiber, Claudia Gray,
and Kimberly Derting, as well as from debut authors Cynthia Hand and
Courtney Allison Moulton, on tour this winter.
Darkness falls this winter. Be prepared.

Once In A Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Release Date: 12/28/10

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: 1/4/11

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Release Date: 2/15/11

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: 2/15/11

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Release Date: 3/8/11

Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

Follow @pitchdarkbooks and use #DarkDays in your tweets

Check out the Trailer for The Dark Days of Supernatural Tour:

It's that time of the year - Newbery Predictions

On Monday, January 10, 2011, the American Library Association will announce all of their Youth Media Awards at their Midwinter Conference in San Diego.  Last year, the announcements were made from Boston and I woke up at 5 a.m. (on my day off) to listen to as they were reported as well as watch the Twitter feed.  I was thrilled to have read WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead prior to the announcement of it's selection as the Newbery Medal winner.  And I was shocked that I actually recognized the winner of the Caldecott Medal - Jerry Pinkey's THE LION & THE MOUSE.  However, I have to admit that I hadn't paid much attention to what might end up on the short list for the awards that year.

This year, I started paying attention to the buzz around mid-year as to what books might be considered.  As a result, I started reading several of these much discussed books.  And thanks to the Midwinter Conference being closer to home, I am hoping to be present for the Award's Press Conference.

Here are the five books that I expect to be walking away with the prestigious John Newbery Medal or one of the Newbery honor medals given "to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children".

 

ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia
This coming of age, historical novel set in 1968 in San Francisco tells the story of Delphine and her sisters as they spend the summer with their mother who abandoned them 7 years earlier.  A powerful look at a time filled with protests and social turmoil through the eyes of a young girl. ONE CRAZY SUMMER is a beautiful story which I am excited to say recently received the Scott O'Dell Award for best historical fiction. 

 OUT OF MY MIND by Sharon M. Draper
This touching story of a 10 year old with severe cerebral palsy who discovers her voice through the use of an assistive communication device is my personal favorite for an award.  I would be super thrilled if it received both a nod for a Newbery as well as a Schneider Family Award. 

COUNTDOWN by Deborah Wiles
This seems to be the year for 1960's historical fiction.  Whereas, One Crazy Summer is looking at Civil Rights in San Francisco in 1968, Countdown is set in 1962 in Washington D.C. during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Countdown is told through the eyes of a 12 year old girl living in Washington, D.C. at the time.  It also is filled with amazing photos and media images from that time period.

THE DREAMER by Pamela Munoz Ryan
Told in a poetic and lyrical manner portrays a young boy (Neftali) who overcomes shyness and a harsh life under the rule of his father to become the widely known poet, Pablo Neruda. Though a fictional portrayal of Neruda's childhood, this book is filled with the poetry of one of the world's most famous poets.

MOCKINGBIRD by Kathryn Erskine
This story of a young girl with Asperger's who after a tragic event must learn to deal with the loss of her brother and how to navigate her world has already been awarded a National Book Award for Young People.  As a result of the significant interest in this book, I expect that this will be a strong contender.    

For another peek at several of the books listed above, click here to check out Mr. Schu's, a K-5 Librarian, post on his Newbery Predictions. 

It's that time of year - Caldecott Predictions

On Monday, January 10, 2011, the American Library Association will announce all of their Youth Media Awards at their Midwinter Conference in San Diego.  Last year, the announcements were made from Boston and I woke up at 5 a.m. (on my day off) to listen to as they were reported as well as watch the Twitter feed.  I was thrilled to have read WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead prior to the announcement of it's selection as the Newbery Medal winner.  And I was shocked that I actually recognized the winner of the Caldecott Medal - Jerry Pinkey's THE LION & THE MOUSE.  However, I have to admit that I hadn't paid much attention to what might end up on the short list for the awards that year.

This year, I started paying attention to the buzz around mid-year as to what books might be considered.  As a result, I tried to read as many of the picture books being released this year and began choosing my favorites about a month ago.  And thanks to the Midwinter Conference being closer to home, I am hoping to be present for the Award's Press Conference.

Here are the five books that I expect to be in the running for the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Award or one of the Caldecott honor medals given "shall be awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States".

CHALK

by Bill Thomson

This wordless picture book is simply amazing.  It was recently selected as a 2010 Cybils Finalist.  If you have read any of my recent blog posts, you'll know that I have a huge bias towards this story about 3 children who discover a bag of chalk.  I will continue to send it positive thoughts and good vibes for this book to be a winner. 

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE

by Philip Christian Stead, Illustrated by Erin Stead

Initially, I could not find this book in any of my local books stores.  However, just the other day, I ran across this book and fell in love.  Well maybe not as much as I am in love with CHALK but still this beautiful, gentle story about a friendship between a man and various animals at the zoo ranks high on my list.  This book also made the list of finalists for a Cybils 2010 Award.

ART & MAX

by David Wiesner

I love Wiesner's books.  There is something that is usually a tad different in each of his stories.  This story about Art - a talented artist and Max - well let's just say Max has his own thoughts about art - is entertaining on one level but can be used on so many other levels.  Wiesner has been a recipient of the Caldecott, and the Caldecott Honor medals in the past.

THE BOSS BABY

by Marla Frazee

Marla Frazee is not new to the world of the Caldecott Medals.  Last year, her book ALL THE WORLD, received an honor medal.  With classic Frazee illustrations, this story about an infant who directs the lives of his parents is a fun reminder to families just who is in charge.  

CITY DOG, COUNTRY FROG

Written by Mo Willems, Pictures by Jon J. Muth

Many people are familiar with Mo Willems from his Pigeon stories or Elephant & Piggie stories which are filled with fun and humor.  In this story of a friendship between a dog and a frog, we get to see another side to Willems' writing.  Muth's illustrations were wonderful and I loved the one where the dog puts on a "froggy" smile.

So do you have a prediction about which 2010 picture book will walk away with a shiny gold medal?

PoC Reading Challenge 2011

Though I try to read a lot of books, it is hard to participate in too many challenges.  I have limited myself to 3 challenges this year.  I posted about the Debut Author Challenge on November 21st.  You can click here to read about it.  I was going to stop there, but some friends pointed out the Books I Should Have Read Challenge.  You can read about this challenge here.  Now I was up to 2 challenges, but when I heard about the People of Color Reading Challenge and decided this would be my 3rd and final challenge for the year.  To read more about the challenge and to sign up, you can click here.

The People of Color (PoC) Reading Challenge is actually very near and dear to my heart.  I have worked in an urban setting for many years and 64% of the students at my school are Latino and another 16% are African American and another 10% are Caucasian and the final 10% are made up of a variety of racially diverse students.  It is important for me to find books that feature children of color as the main character and books that appropriately portray People of Color.  If I count picture books, I read over 40 books with People of Color represented in the pages of these books. 

This year, I intend to read at least 12 Middle Grade or YA books featuring PoC.  And I will continue to read a variety of picture books that represent the diversity that fills the halls of my school.  My students are diverse and so should the books that they read reflect them. 

Can I count on you to join in as well? - Aly