A GATHERING OF GREAT READS
BREAKING DOWN THE YOUTH MEDIA AWARD WINNERS FOR 2022
If you watched the awards on Monday morning, you will know that they start with the lesser known awards and work their way up to the Caldecott and Newbery. I'm reversing that process and starting with the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
Érase una vez - or, once upon a time, - there was a girl named Petra Peña who wanted to be a storyteller just like her Lita (abuelita). She didn't want to be a botanist like her mom or a geologist like her dad - she wanted to tell stories. But first, she and her parents have to board a spaceship to escape the impending doom of the Earth by Halley's Comet. That is the premise for this year's Newbery winner - The Last Cuentista written by Donna Barba Higuera.I am a little over halfway through reading this and so far it is a compelling read! - apocalyptic sci-fi at its best. Sci-fi does not win the medal very often. A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead are the three that pop into my head.
Four (FOUR!) Newbery Honor Books were named: Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca; A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger; Too Bright to See written by Kyle Lukoff; and Watercress by Andrea Wang with illustrations by Jason Chin.
Watercress, illustrated by Jason Chin, was also chosen as the 2022 Caldecott Medal winner. Hooray! As Chin said in an interview, winning the award means the book will find its way into more schools, libraries, and bookstores and ultimately into the hands and minds of more kids. Which is the important thing about all of these awards - they open doors and windows.
There were also four (FOUR!) Caldecott Honor Books. Have You Ever Seen a Flower? illustrated and written by Shawn Harris; Mel Fell illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor; Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre illustrated by Floyd Cooper, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, and Wonder Walkers illustrated and written by Micha Archer.
I think everyone should read Watercress and Unspeakable. Both of these books (especially Unspeakable) face push back from people who do not want certain uncomfortable truths taught so you might have to purchase a copy if your local library does not order it. Then you can donate it to a school or public library!
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre also won the Coretta Scott King Book Award which recognizes African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Three King Author Honor Books were selected: Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo; Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People written by Kekla Magoon; and The People Remember written by Ibi Zoboi and illustrated by Loveis Wise.
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre illustrated by Floyd Cooper, is the King Illustrator Book winner.Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: Nina: A Story of Nina Simone illustrated by Christian Robinson; We Wait for the Sun illustrated by Raissa Figueroa; and Soul Food Sunday illustrated by C.G. Esperanza.
The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award goes to Me (Moth) written by Amber McBride. The Me I Choose to Be illustrated by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt is the Steptoe illustrator award winner.And Nikki Grimes is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. Grimes has been widely recognized for her distinguished contribution to children’s and young adult literature, winning numerous major awards. She has written more than 77 books including two of her most recent books - Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance and Off to See the Sea. She has sealed her own legacy by weaving poetry and novels in verse into an impressive body of work.
I highlighted the books that I have read in purple - if you have any questions!
No comments:
Post a Comment