Book awards season provides delights, surprises
The American Library Association’s annual book awards season is an exciting time for school librarians: will our favorite titles get the recognition they deserve? This year’s awards, announced on January 27, spread the love among a large and diverse group of fantastic books.
By Kate Pritchard, MS/HS Librarian
If you are participating in our Spring Reading Challenge, remember that one category in our Spring Reading Challenge is “A book that has won an award.” Visit our What Should I Read? LibGuide to learn more about these prizes and to see all the wonderful books that have won.
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Every January, second graders enjoy a unit on the Caldecott Award, given to “the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children,” and eagerly anticipate the announcement of the newest winner. This year, we gathered in the library’s Story Room on Monday, Jan. 27, to watch the awards ceremony. The room was full of cheers when the Caldecott went to “The Undefeated,” by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This beautiful and powerful book celebrates the richness of black history through the lives of historical figures, both famous and unknown.
The Newbery Award is America’s oldest and most prestigious award for children’s books, presented annually to “the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” This year, the Newbery made history when the award went to Jerry Craft’s “New Kid,” the first time that a graphic novel has won the medal. “New Kid” tells the story of seventh-grader Jordan Banks, who is starting a new school and is one of the few black students there. The book handles heavy topics with a light touch and is one of the most popular books in our middle school collection.
Other ALA awards include the Printz and Morris awards for young adult fiction; the Sibert and YALSA awards for nonfiction; the Stonewall Award, for books about LGBTQ youth and families; and several prizes that celebrate the heritage and experiences of different cultural groups, including the Coretta Scott King Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Sydney Taylor Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award, and the American Indian Youth Literature Award.
If you are participating in our Spring Reading Challenge, remember that one category in our Spring Reading Challenge is “A book that has won an award.” Visit our What Should I Read? LibGuide to learn more about these prizes and to see all the wonderful books that have won.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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3rd graders hatch chicks in classroom
Students were able to see new chicks hatch in class as they completed their lesson on the life cycle.Read More -
May 3 is USN Night at Parnassus
Local bookstore Parnassus will share a percentage of its profits with USN between 3 and 6 p.m. to support faculty and staff professional development.Read More -
HS Spring Instrumental Concert April 30
Chamber Ensemble, Concert Band, and M.I.C. Ensemble will perform 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in Durnan Auditorium.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.