2009 American Library Association Medal Winners

John Newbery Medal

2008-02-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

The John Newbery Medal is for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. This year's winner is "The Graveyard Book," written by Neil Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman introduces Bod, a boy who is the only living resident of a graveyard. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? (ages 10-14)

Newbery Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:36:00.000-08:00

"The Underneath," by Kathi Appelt

Abandoned and about to have kittens, a calico cat is befriended by a hound dog who urges her to raise her kittens underneath the porch of his owner's house, where they will be safe--as long as they stay in the Underneath. This harrowing yet sweet story is a tale about the power of love and hate. (ages 8-12)

Newbery Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

"The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom," by Margarita Engle

It is 1896. Cuba has fought three wars for independence and still is not tree. People have been rounded up in reconcentration camps with too little food and too much illness. Rosa is a nurse, but she dares not go to the camps. So she turns hidden caves into hospitals for those who know how to find her. Black, white, Cuban, Spanish--Rosa does her best for everyone. Yet who can heal a country so torn apart by war? Acclaimed poet Margarita Engle has created another breathtaking portrait of Cuba. (ages 10-17)

Newbery Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:27:00.000-08:00

"Savvy," by Ingrid Law

For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a savvy--a supernatural power they acquire at 13. On the eve of Mibs's big day, she finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up. (ages 8-12)

Randolph Caldecott Medal

2008-02-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is for the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year's winner is "The House in the Night," by Susan Marie Swanson.

A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home, in this bedtime book for young children. (ages 3-6)

Caldecott Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:16:00.001-08:00

"Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity," written and illustrated by Mo Willems

This stunning follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale" begins as Trixie excitedly takes her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny to school to show her friends. However, an awful surprise awaits her. (ages 4-8)

Caldecott Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

"The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain," written and illustrated by Peter Sis

In his most personal work to date, award-winning author Peter Ss offers a brilliant graphic memoir, taking readers on an extraordinary journey as he recalls his youth growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, when his country was on the Communist side of the Iron Curtain. (ages 8-12)

Caldecott Honor Book

2008-02-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

"First the Egg," written and illustrated by Laura Vacarro Seeger

The acclaimed author of "Black? White? Day? Night?" gives an entirely fresh presentation of the concepts of transformation and creativity in this book with simple die-cuts that magically present change from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, and caterpillar to butterfly. (ages 4-6)

Caldecott Honor Book

2008-02-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

"Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story of the Underground Railroad," by Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir Nelson

In this powerful story, Levine weaves together the extraordinary events in the life of Henry "Box" Brown, who as a young boy hid in a wooden crate in one of the most amazing escapes using the Underground Railroad. (ages 4-8)

Coretta Scott King Book Award - Author

2008-02-01T05:43:00.000-08:00

The Corretta Scott King Book Award recognizes an African Amerian author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. This year's author winner is "Elijah of Buxton," by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Its 1860, and 11-year-old Elijah is a first-generation freeborn child. His Canadian town of Buxton serves as a haven for runaway slaves. When the towns corrupt preacher steals money from a citizen whos been saving to buy his familys freedom, Elijah sets off for America in pursuit, in this powerful new novel by a Newbery Medalist. (ages 8-12)

Coretta Scott King Book Award - Illustrator

2008-02-01T05:37:00.000-08:00

"Let It Shine," written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan

With a kaleidoscope of color and cut paper, a two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner celebrates three favorite spirituals: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." (ages 4-8)

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

2008-02-01T05:32:00.000-08:00

"Jazz on a Saturday Night," by Leo and Diane Dillon

The authors use bright colors and musical patterns that make music skip off the page, in this toe-tapping homage to many jazz greats. Learn about this popular music form and read a biography of each player pictured--and then hear each instrument play on a specially produced CD. (ages 4-8)

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

2008-02-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

"The Secret Olivia Told Me," by N. Joy ; illustrated by Nancy Devard

Can you keep a secret? Olivia has a BIG secret. It's a secret that she tells only to her very best friend. And her friend promises she won't say a word. But the secret is really BIG and JIUCY. What happens when a trusted friend slips and the secret gets out? Can you keep a secret? In the Secret Olivia Told Me, find out what happens when Olivia's friend can't. (ages 3-8)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

2008-01-30T19:09:00.001-08:00

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given for the most distinguished book for beginning readers. This year's winner is "There Is a Bird on Your Head," written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

Gerald the elephant discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head-- two birds on your head! Piggie will try to help her best friend. (ages 4-6)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

2008-01-30T18:52:00.000-08:00

"Vulture View," written by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by Steve Jenkins.

Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don't hunt--they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature's clean-up crew. In her signature poetic, energetic style, acclaimed nature writer April Pulley Sayre introduces young readers to the world of the turkey vulture. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Steve Jenkins capture these birds in all their surprising majesty. (ages 5-8)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

2008-01-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

"Jazz Baby," written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin' baby gets his whole family singing and dancing. Things wind down when Mama and Daddy sing blues so sweet. Now a perfectly drowsy baby sleeps deep, deep, "deep." (ages 3-7)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

2008-01-30T18:22:00.000-08:00

"Hello, Bumblebee Bat," written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne

Seventeen cultures, seventeen gorgeous babies. Appealing color photographs depict diverse traditions and showcase clothing worn by babies from around the world. A simple narrative helps demonstrate that no matter how different babies appear, they are all very much alike--nurtured and loved by those who care for them. (ages 3-6)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

2008-01-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

"First the Egg," written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Robert F. Sibert Medal

2008-01-21T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Robert F. Sibert Medal is for the most distinguished informational book for children. This year's winner is "The Wall: Growing Up Behind The Iron Curtain," written and illustrated by Peter Sis.

In his most personal work to date, award-winning author Peter Sis offers a brilliant graphic memoir, taking readers on an extraordinary journey as he recals his youth growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, when his country was on the Communist side of the Iron Curtain. (ages 8-12)

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

2008-01-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

"Nic Bishop Spiders," written and illustrated by Nic Bishop

Bishop's amazing trademark images show the beauty and other worldliness of spiders. Simple, engaging text conveys basic information about spiders as well as cool and quirky facts. (ages 4-8)

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

2008-01-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

"Lightship," written and illustrated by Brian Floca

Lightships once served where lighthouses could not be built. They helped to guide sailors safely through the fog. (ages 4-7)