The Oscars for Libraries, but with Sensible Shoes.

January 23, 2012

A very cool event took place this morning—the American Library Association announced their Youth Media Awards winners!  It’s like the Oscars for libraries, but with sensible shoes. Committees of librarians are nominated by their peers to evaluate the whole of Children’s and Teen Media and select the best of the best each year.  It’s a very secretive process, and those who have served are regarded with much esteem in our profession. This year, at the ALA Midwinter Conference, the Youth Media Award Ceremony was streamed live, and though we weren’t able to be at the conference, we got to experience the event. 

You too can view the list of winners and runner-ups. Check our catalog for titles and to place holds—everyone will want to read these! 

The big winners this year: A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka won the Caldecott award for most distinguished American picture book illustration for children; Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos won the Newbery award for most outstanding contribution to juvenile literature; Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley won the Printz award for excellence in literature written for young adults. 

I’ve read Dead End in Norvelt and I loved it! I listened to Jack Gantos read it on audio, and he adds a wonderful element to the story—I highly recommend it! I haven’t read the Printz winner, and I wish I could have been in the room for the Caldecott discussion. It’s a tough field, and I wonder what they deemed so distinguished about it. But what do you think? Am I mad? Is the committee mad? Have you read these titles? Were you rooting for a different title to win?

Jessie Alexander-East
Youth Services Manager