Just a quick report, with a longer piece to follow:
This morning, the American Library Association announced the 2016 winners of various book awards, for books, video, and audiobooks written for children and teens. Some aren’t well known outside libraries, but some, like the Caldecott, Printz, and Newbery, gain instant acclaim and book sales.
Every year, there are a few titles which win multiple titles. Sometimes it’s a honor citation in one category, the actual award in another.
This year, that book was “March, Book Three”, the final volume of Representative John Lewis’ memoir as a civil rights activist and statesman.
What did it win?
Well, John Lewis received the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award for “books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.”
Book One was an CSK honor book in 2014.
Then, YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, gave it the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults!
YALSA immediately followed it with the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature! (It’s like the Newbery, but for teens.)
Previous graphic novels honored by the Printz include “This One Summer”, an honor book in 2015, and “American Born Chinese”, which won the award in 2007.
Finally, the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal honored all creators of the book for “the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English”. Most honorees are usually richly illustrated with archival materials, although a few have been picture books. “March, Book Three” is the first graphic novel I can recall to be so honored. (Even though graphic novels and comics are a perfect format for presenting information!)
March wasn’t the only graphic novel honored this year!
A quick list, with commentary and analysis later:
- Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, by Cathy Camper and Raul the Third received the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award
- We Are Growing, by Laurie Keller, won the Geisel Award for the best beginning reader book.
- Nimona, curiously, won the Odyssey Award for the best audiobook for children and young adults!
- Ryan North, cartoonist, wrote “Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure”, which, although written for adults, was cited as an Alex Award winner for adult books which appeal to teens!
- [UPDATE] Vera Brosgol, Eisner and Harvey-winning cartoonist, received a Caldecott Honor citation for “Leave Me Alone!”.
