Hi, I’m Victoria Sanchez from the Milwaukee Public Library, and thank you for choosing my new blog, “Read All About It.”  Through this blog I hope to share tips for reading with your children along with suggestions for fostering a love of reading.  We have a lot of great books and family happenings at the Milwaukee Public Library.  So, Read All About It.  I hope you’ll enjoy!

The American Library Association (kind of our very own Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science) recently announced its annual book awards.  Among library circles this is the equivalent of Oscar Night, the Emmys, the Tonys and the Grammys. 

And the winners are:

2009 Awards for Children's Books:

Newbery Award for Literature: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Caldecott Award for Illustration: The House in the Night illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson

King Award for African-American Authors: We are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball words and paintings by Kadir Nelson

King Award for African-American Illustrators: The Blacker the Berry illustrated by Floyd Cooper, written by Joyce Carol Thomas

Sibert Award Informational Book Award: We are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball words and paintings by Kadir Nelson

Geisel Award for Beginning Reader Books: Are You Ready to Play Outside by Mo Willems

Awards for Young Adult Literature:

Printz Award for Literature: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

So what is all the fuss about? Award winners are a good reference point for finding what’s “hot” in literature for children.  Much like the results of the Oscars, there are strong opinions about the winners and losers in this balloting. Why not check out some of these books yourself and decide if you agree or disagree with the results.   

Get your kids involved with the process by asking them their opinion of these award winners compared to the panel of experts.

For a complete list of award winners and honors visit www.mpl.org.