And the Winners Are

Newbery and Caldecott medals awarded

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The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron, won the 2007 John Newbery Medal. (Photo: Courtesy Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)

January 26, 2007

They gathered in Seattle, Washington, awaiting the big news. No, not the Academy Award nominations. The standing-room-only crowd packed the house Monday, as the American Library Association (ALA) handed out its awards for this year's top books for children and young adults.

The 2007 John Newbery Medal went to Susan Patron for her novel The Higher Power of Lucky. First awarded in 1922, the Newbery Medal is given to the author of the year's most outstanding work of American literature for children.

"I got the call at 6:30 a.m. this morning," said Patron, a California librarian. "I ran upstairs to tell my husband."

In her inspiring novel, Patron tells the story of 10-year-old Lucky, who is struggling to figure out life in the aftermath of her mother's death.

"Lucky is a blend of adventure, survival, and hilarious character study," said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Jeri Kladder.

"Through Lucky's experiences, we are reminded that children support one another, just as adults do."

Flotsam, by David Wiesner, won the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal. (Photo: Courtesy Houghton Mifflin)

David Wiesner took home the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal for Flotsam, a book about a young boy who discovers an underwater camera at the beach. Each year, the Caldecott is given to the artist of the best American picture book for children.

The award isn't the first for Wiesner, one of America's top illustrators. The New Jersey native has won two Caldecotts. In 1992, he was honored for his book, Tuesday. A decade later, he won again for The Three Pigs.

"[I] like to draw weird stuff, the weirder the better, especially flying things," Wiesner previously told reporters. "My parents saved nearly everything I drew as a kid, so it's fun to go look through and see the kinds of things I still draw."

Often referred to as the "Oscars" of children's publishing, the Newbery and Caldecott Awards can transform books into instant classics. The ALA's selection for the top children's books also help direct parents, teachers, and librarians in choosing reading materials for young people. The ALA committee is made up of librarians and children's literature experts from across the country.

 

Critical Thinking Question

Read today's news story, and then answer the following question.

And the Winners Are What is your favorite children's book? Why?

Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board.

 

Karen Fanning is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.

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