Okay, so I'm a few weeks late, but we're all busy people, and if you're like me, you may not have yet read this year's award winning children's books.
Probably the book with the most media buzz is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It won this year's Newbery Award, which, to refresh our collective memory, is for excellence in literature. The winner needs to be an American or living in America. In his book, Gaiman describes a human baby raised by ghosts with all the concomitant sadness and humor. Gaiman is also well known for twittering in, um, colorful language, upon receiving the news of his award. But, hey, I'm sure it was an exciting moment.
The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson won this year's Caldecott book. The Caldecott award is for excellence in illustration, so while the words are important, it is much more about the pictoral elements. It is based on an old rhyme, and it's a cumulative story. I would consider it a quiet, bedtime book. The illustrations are black and white scratchboard with gold embellishment. I can't quite decide on an age range; maybe 3 or 4 on up.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is probably my favorite of the three winners. Jellicoe Road won the Printz Award for excellence in teen literature. This winner does not need to be an American, and I believe Ms. Marchetta is Australian. Jellicoe Road is the story of a boarding school and the mysteries several of its students keep. Students from a military school visit the area each year to camp, and while they are there, an unofficial war takes place. Boarding students, townies, and 'army' boys fight over territory and rights. But this year, the students find out how the war first started, proving the point there are no coincidences. Wonderfully rich and winding.
Be sure to check one out today!
