My students and I spent most of December and January discussing our favorite books of 2011. We created shortlists and discussed which books we thought would receive shiny stickers. A stream of kids came to the library this morning to see which books won the 2012 Youth Media Awards. I attended the press conference for the first time. I told them that you could feel the energy in the room. Billy Elliot would have said it felt "like electricity." I expressed how much respect and admiration I have for those who serve on book award committees.
Many of the 2012 winners have videos and activity guides. To see the complete list of winners, please visit ALA.org.
Download a discussion guide.
Jack Gantos presented at the 2011 National Book Festival.
Newbery Honor Books
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai, published by HarperCollins Children's Books
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin, published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: Tales for Very Picky Eaters, written and illustrated by Josh Schneider, published by Clarion Books
2012 Geisel Honor Books
I Broke My Trunk , written and illustrated by Mo Willems, published by Hyperion Books for Children
Download an Elephant and Piggie event kit.
Play the Elephant and Piggie Dance Game.
I Want My Hat Back, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, published by Candlewick Press
See Me Run, written and illustrated by Paul Meisel, published by Holiday House
See Me Run is part of Holiday House's new I Like to Read series.
Caldecott Medal: A Ball for Daisy, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, published by Schwartz & Wade Books
"Whether it's music, loss of something, loneliness or friendship — if that emotion is heightened in some way and painted to fit in between the covers of 32 pages, that can become a picture book." - Chris Raschka, from his NPR interview
Caldecott Honor Books
Blackout, written and illustrated by John Rocco, published by Disney Hyperion Books
John Rocco shares his reaction to winning a Caldecott Honor.
Grandpa Green, written and illustrated by Lane Smith, published by Roaring Brook Press
Me … Jane, written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell and published by Little, Brown and Company
Download the Me...Jane educator's guide.
I walked around the Exhibit Hall snapping pictures of the stars of the show.
