This past Monday I was anxiously awaiting the Newbery Awards announcement, thinking I'd discover the list online sometime that day. However, as I tootled through my Facebook feed, I noticed a post by a well-known children's book editor with the link for the live webcast of the ALA Youth Media Awards from Seattle. So, as I sat in front of my laptop, wearing my jammies and drinking my morning coffee, I had my first glimpse at the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting. WOW! Here it was in my own backyard and I never thought to attend - even though I have local peers whom I know did attend.
As a long list of various and illustrious awards was announced, I realized I was getting a broad overview of the children's writing community. And, even though I am a very small fish in a very big pond, somehow I felt I was a part of that community, and was connected to it in a way that I had never experienced.
In addition to that, as the names of the award-winning authors, illustrators, and book titles were read I was introduced to a wide array of wonderful books - and the names of their creators, that I might never have encountered. A few of the honored books were winners in multiple categories. I also learned a lot about various, lesser known awards that gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the community I have grown to love.
Now back to the exciting news I anticipate every year -
The Newbery Awards! In case you haven't heard, here is the list of the 2013 winners:
Newbery Honor - Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz
Newbery Honor - Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage
Newbery Honor - Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal -
the World's Most Dangerous Weapon,
by Steve Sheinkin (Multiple winner)
Newbery Medal Award - The One and Only Ivan,
by Katherine Applegate
After I heard the exciting news I was off to my local bookstore just as fast as my ten-year-old car could safely travel to pick up my copy of
The One and Only Ivan!
Have you ever attended or followed the ALA Midwinter Meeting?
Do you look forward to hearing the Newbery Awards announced?
(Be sure and visit Writ of Whimsy tomorrow when I will honor two special writers!)
