American Library Association Awards 2018
Marcia Strykowski
♦ February 12, 2018
♦ 44 Comments
Congratulations to all the winners for this year’s ALA awards! There are so many wonderful new books released each year and it’s certainly not easy to stand out in the crowd. Here are a few winners from the children’s books categories who did stand out.
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: Hello, Universe written by Erin Entrada Kelly, is the 2018 Newbery Medal winner. A funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. The book is published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children: Wolf in the Snow, illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell is the 2018 Caldecott Medal winner. A heartwarming adventure about helping others. The book was published by Feiwel and Friends, an Imprint of Macmillan.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognizing African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults: Piecing Me Together, written by Renée Watson, is the King Author Award winner. A timely, important, and deeply moving novel. The book is published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award to affirm new talent: The Stars Beneath Our Feet, written by David Barclay Moore, is the Steptoe Author Award winner. A debut novel that celebrates community and creativity–soon to be a movie. The book is published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults: We Are Okay, written by Nina LaCour, is the 2018 Printz Award winner. A beautiful story about grief and the power of friendship. The book is published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
Silent Days, Silent Dreams, written and illustrated by Allen Say and published by Arthur A. Levine Books, an Imprint of Scholastic Inc., wins the award for young children (ages 0 to 8).
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess, written by Shari Green and published by Pajama Press Inc., is the winner for middle grades (ages 9-13).
You’re Welcome, Universe, written and illustrated by Whitney Gardner and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC is the winner for teens (ages 14-18).
Each of the above mentioned prestigious prizes has honorable mentions, as well. There were also lifetime achievement awards and other honors announced today. For the complete listing, click here.
Congratulations again to everyone involved in the business of making beautiful books for children.
Marcia Strykowski 
Wow! These all look wonderful. I’m excited to check them out. Thanks, Marcia!
LikeLike
An exciting day for sure! 🙂
LikeLike
WOW! Thanks for being the first to announce on my email feed! Every year I await to hear that children and young adults are asked to serve on the committees of the ALA Awards. I hope they agree with these award winner choices.
LikeLike
It must be so difficult to narrow down the top awards from the short list in each category. Thanks for your comment!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing these!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Yvonne!
LikeLike
Thank you for posting the winners, Marcia. Congratulations to all! My favorites, my hopefuls, were not winners. So many good books!
LikeLike
I’m sure there were many that just missed the cut. It’s been another great year for children’s books. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing these books, Marcia. What a joy that there are wonderful new books produced every year. I love them as much as my grandson. 🙂
LikeLike
Me, too. Children’s books are really for all ages!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some amazing books this year. So pleased for Shari Green. Congratulations to all the winners.
LikeLike
I was happy to see Shari’s book get honored, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I better get busy reading – haven’t read any of these, other than the Shari Green novel – happy to see a fellow Pajama Press author honored! Thanks for the summary.
LikeLike
I’ve read Wolf in the Snow and both Hello, Universe and The Stars Beneath Our Feet were already in my to-read pile. Time to add a few new ones!
LikeLike
Wow! I wish I lived in your town – i would be at your library at least once a week. the children who are your library patrons are so lucky, Marcia! Helo, Universe resonates – i love the song by Mose Allison from the 60s.
LikeLike
Thanks, Colleen. We do have a great library with a lot of fun programs for all ages. I wasn’t familiar with Mose Allison, but now I’m listening to “Hello There Universe” as I type. 🙂
LikeLike
I am eager to read this year’s medal winner, because “funny and poignant neighborhood story” is just my cup of tea. Doesn’t sound “high concept,” and frankly too many MG are pushed to be earth shattering save-the-world stories. Outstanding!
LikeLike
There have been a lot of save-the-world type stories, now that you mention it. 🙂
LikeLike
Some beautiful books mentioned. Great blog, as usual!
LikeLike
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for bringing these interesting books to our attention, Marcia. Will definitely be adding ‘Wolf in the Snow’ to my reading pile.
LikeLike
You’ll love Wolf in the Snow, Clare. Such a sweet book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These look like great books with good stories. I don’t know if I’ll get the chance to read them but they look enticing. Maybe I’ll have to put them on a wish list so I don’t forget about them. Thanks for the list!
LikeLike
Happy to bring them to your attention, Sharon!
LikeLike
Great!! I’m always curious who will win and be nominated for the Caldecott and Newbery awards!!
LikeLike
It’s fun to make predictions. 🙂
LikeLike
Cool Marcia! Thanks for passing these along!! I’m not up on new books coming out!! So thankful you bring beautiful books to our notice. I’m off to amazon to read more summaries of the books you mentioned! How are you doing?? Happy weekend ahead– what are you up to?? and what are you reading?? hugs hugs!
LikeLike
Hi Rhonda! I’ve got kind of a work schedule going this weekend, working at the library on Saturday and meeting with my critique group on Sunday. But both are fun and I’ve got the next two weekends off. I’m reading “10% Happier” by Dan Harris, rather interesting. 🙂 I’m hoping to make your Balsamic & Rosemary chicken soon–looks delicious. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Hi Marcia– OK, what’s a “critique group?” I’m imagining a lot of smart friends sitting around the talking through new books for the library… Would love drop in on that to see how it works! I’ve heard of 10% Happier– I’ll have to put it on my library list! thanks. hugs hugs Marcia!
LikeLike
Oh, sorry, I shouldn’t assume everyone knows the lingo. 🙂 Critique groups (in my case) are groups of writers. We send each other our latest WIP (work-in-progress), carefully pour over it, read it aloud, analyze sentences, write in corrections/suggestions and then we meet and take turns sharing thoughts and feedback on everyone’s work. Currently I’m in two groups, each meets monthly. It can take a lot of time and effort but the rewards are worth every minute. Most authors would be nowhere without their critique groups! Have a great week, Rhonda!
LikeLike
Wow- so interesting Marcia! And what a wonderful support. I’m trying to imagine how it all works. And I’m not sure I would be brave enough to put my work out there. I’m guessing you build a strong comaraderie that would be so helpful. So how is the new book coming along?? Do you have a turn in date?? So exciting! hugs hugs Marcia.
LikeLike
You get used to putting your work out there. 🙂 As for the new book, I’m mostly just waiting, all the writing and editing is done. Waiting to see final pages, cover, etc. Happy weekend, Rhonda! xo
LikeLike
Will be exciting to see it Marcia! You’ll post it to us, right?? Can’t wait! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations to all the ALA award winners! I love children’s books! These all look very interesting. I will have to stop by my local library and pick out a few to read. Thank you for another great post! 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome, enjoy your new reads! 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats to all the winners. I still have to read all of these! I have had some of them on my list- but I do look forward to reading all of them. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I like to make sure I read all the winners, too, a good way to figure out what makes a book special. 🙂
LikeLike
Reading about this year’s Newberry winner reminded me of how my children and I enjoyed reading some of the really old Newberry winners when they were younger. A Trumpeter of Krakow was a particular favorite. I just went the the Newberry site and see that it was the 1929 winner. Carry on, Mr. Bowditch (1956) was another favorite.
LikeLike
Hi Sheryl, I’m glad the post brought back good memories for you. I love those book choices. Makes me want to go back and read some of the old winners, too. 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on SHIFT2Drive.blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reblog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this blog too
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person