Tag / fiction

by Paula

2017 ALA Book Awards Announced!

 

Hooray! It’s that time of year! The American Library Association (ALA) has just announced the 2017 Youth Media Awards (YMAs).

Perhaps you are familiar with some of the most famous of these honors, such as the Caldecott and the Newbery. Maybe you recognize some of the shiny gold medals (or silver medals for honor books) from titles you’ve read and loved. But did you know there are almost twenty awards given out each year by the American Library Association? “Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media” (ilovelibraries.org). Below I highlight some of my favorite awards for Lower School students, with this year’s recipients and honor books. Click the title of each award recipient to learn more or stop by the library to see the books for yourself!

 

“most outstanding contribution to children’s literature”

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Honors:

  • Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
  • The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
  • Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk 

 

“most distinguished American picture book for children”

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

Honors:

  • Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
  • Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
  • Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis

 

“recognizing an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults”

King Author Book Award

March: Book Three written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

Honors:

  • As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds
  • Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan by Ashley Bryan

King Illustrator Book Award

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

Honors:

  • Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan by Ashley Bryan
  • Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
  • In Plain Sight, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, written by Richard Jackson

 

“honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience”

Belpré Illustrator Award

Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez
The book was written by Cathy Camper.

Honors:

  • Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, written by Susan Wood.
  • The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh.

Belpré Author Award

Juana & Lucas, by Juana Medina

Honor:

  • The Only Road, written by Alexandra Diaz
by Paula

Hello from the new LS Librarian!

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Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year, Friends Families!

This summer has brought a lot of change! As you’ll see when you visit the Lower School Library, our physical space has transformed quite a bit, but our collection remains as robust as ever! And speaking of change, I’m so excited to introduce myself– Paula – as the new Lower School Librarian! Kelly has been telling me about Friends’ amazing community of readers and storytellers, so I’m beyond eager to finally meet you all!

Hopefully your summer vacation has been filled with sunshine and some great books. If you borrowed books from the library over the summer, I encourage you to come on in and swap them out for some new ones!

For now, I’ll share with you a couple of my favorite summer reads. I can’t wait to hear about yours!

Your Fantastic, Elastic BrainYour Fantastic, Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It 

by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.

Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Just like how lifting weights helps your muscles get stronger, trying new things without giving up—like finding the courage to put your face in the water the first time you’re at a pool—strengthens your brain.  -Little Pickle Press

Click here to watch the book trailer.

 

 

Nine, Ten

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story

by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Ask anyone: September 11, 2001, was serene and lovely, a perfect day—until a plane struck the World Trade Center. But right now it is a few days earlier, and four kids in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, who lives in Brooklyn, is struggling to come to terms with the absentee father he hates and the grandmother he loves. Will’s father is gone, too, killed in a car accident that has left the family reeling. Naheed has never before felt uncomfortable about being Muslim, but at her new school she’s getting funny looks because of the head scarf she wears. Aimee is starting a new school in a new city and missing her mom, who has to fly to New York on business. These four don’t know one another, but their lives are about to intersect in ways they never could have imagined. Award-winning author Nora Raleigh Baskin weaves together their stories into an unforgettable novel about that seemingly perfect September day—the day our world changed forever. -From Simon and Schuster

 

 

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Giant Squid

by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohman

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.

An injured whale’s ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale’s belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape—these fragments of proof were all we had … until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago.

In this beautiful and clever nonfiction picture book about the giant squid, Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann explore, both visually and poetically, this hidden creature’s mysterious life.

– CandaceFleming.com

by Paula

Roald Dahl 100!

roald-dahl-100

 

This September marks Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday!

To celebrate, a month’s worth of Dahl-inspired events will be taking place all over the city (and country!) (and world!), including readings, crafts, occasions for dress-up, screenings, several Wondercrump parties, Dahlian sweet treats and more!

To learn more or to find an event near you, visit www.roalddahl.com.

roald-dahl-writing

 

I downloaded the free party pack and immediately tried out the Roald Dahl name-creator. What would my RD character name be?

The Buggle Gloop Twit!

I’ll post the key in the library; stop by and find your own Roald Dahl name!