Top Ten Tuesday: New to me authors I discovered in 2020.
There are few authors I actually pay attention to and get excited when I see they have published a new book. So when I looked over the list of the books read in 2020 I wasn't surprised to see that nearly all of the authors were new to me. The ten listed here struck me as especially good writers or, as in two cases illustrators, and I look forward to reading more by them. My reviews of the books are hyperlinked.
The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults today virtually from Chicago, Illinois.
A list of all the 2021 award winners follows:
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:“When You Trap a Tiger,” written by Tae Keller.
Randolph Caldecott Medalfor the most distinguished American picture book for children: “We Are Water Protectors,” by Carole Lindstrom was illustrated by Michaela Goade.
Coretta Scott King Book Awardsrecognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award: “Before the Ever After,” written by Jacqueline Woodson.
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:“R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul,” by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison.
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award: “Legendborn,” written by Tracy Deonn,
Michael L. Printz Awardfor excellence in literature written for young adults: “Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story),” by Daniel Nayeri.
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
For young children (ages 0 to 10): “I Talk Like a River,” written by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith
For middle grades (ages 11-13):“Show Me a Sign,” written by Ann Clare LeZotte
For teens (ages 13-18):“This Is My Brain in Love,” written by I.W. Gregorio.
Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:“Black Sun,” by Rebecca Roanhorse; “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” by TJ Klune; “The Impossible First: From Fire to Ice -Crossing Antarctica Alone,” by Colin O’Brady; “Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio,” by Derf Backderf; “The Kids Are Gonna Ask,” by Gretchen Anthony; “The Only Good Indians,” by Stephen Graham Jones; “Plain Bad Heroines,” by emily m. danforth; “Riot Baby,” by Tochi Onyebuchi; “Solutions and Other Problems,” by Allie Brosh; “We Ride Upon Sticks: A Novel,” by Quan Barry.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English:“Telephone Tales” by Gianni Rodari, illustrated by Valerio Vidali, translated by Antony Shugaar. (Originally published in Italian as “Favole al telefono.”)
Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults:“Kent State,”by Deborah Wiles and produced by Paul R. Gagne.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:“Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera,” written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann.
Stonewall Book Award -Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Awardgiven annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:“We Are Little Feminists: Families,” written by Archaa Shrivastav.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book is “See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog,” written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.
William C. Morris Awardfor a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens: “If These Wings Could Fly,” written by Kyrie McCauley.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: “The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh,” written by Candace Fleming.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.The award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.
The Picture Book winner is “Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist,” written by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki
The Children’s Literature winner is “When You Trap a Tiger,” written by Tae Keller
The Youth Literature winner is “This Light Between Us,” written by Andrew Fukuda
The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
Middle Grades: “Turtle Boy,” by M. Evan Wolkenstein.
Young Adult:“Dancing at the Pity Party,” written and illustrated by Tyler Feder.
I have read very few of the books listed (and the honor books I didn't list) but every year I set goals to read some of the best of the best in Children's literature and these are them. For the full list from the ALA here is a pdf. Back when I was a high school librarian I would attempt to read all the YA winners on the list now I shall just attempt to read the Printz winner and honor books sometime in 2021:
Michael L. Printz Awards:
Winner: “Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story),” by Daniel Nayer.
Weather: Rainy. We hear there is a threat of snow later this week. It is rare to snow around here, so close to sea level, so it is always a happily anticipated weather event, especially if it isn't accompanied with freezing rain, which is the worst. Our grandson asked us if we would like to make a snow angel with him. So sweet. So not happening.
Family: I spent all week wrapped around the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden. Watching it, rewatching it, talking about it, worrying something would go wrong, delighted nothing went wrong. Delighting in the afterglow of it. Today's post is an homage to the inauguration celebration.
Books: I finished one book, Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean, made progress on A Promised Land by Barack Obama, and am working away on Cybils finalists. A very good one has me captivated -- The Radium Girls.
Biden Inauguration afterglow. I watched the Inauguration once, the parade and concert twice. Now I am in the process of watching my favorite parts over and over. Those I will share with you below. Yippee. It is done. Trump is gone and new day dawns in America one built on love and a call for unity. Notice the beautiful and varied colors of Americans in these videos.
1. The Joe Biden Inaugural Address (20+ minutes). So much hope for America. Biden promises to be President for the whole country not just the people who voted for him. Since you probably don't want to rewatch the whole thing, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite lines:
"Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its
path. Every disagreement doesn't have to be a cause for total war. And
we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated,
and even manufactured." – President Joe Biden, during his inaugural
address
"We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus
urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this, if we open our souls
instead of hardening our hearts." – Biden
"This mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the
people, to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred
ground. It did not happen. It will never happen. Not today, not
tomorrow, not ever." – Biden
"We see the first woman in American history elected to national
office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don't tell me things can't
change." – Biden
"When she takes the oath of office, little girls and boys across the
world will know that anything and everything is possible." – Sen. Amy
Klobuchar of Minnesota, on Vice President-elect Kamala Harris while
giving opening remarks at the inauguration ceremony
"Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this. Bringing America
together, uniting our people, uniting our nation. And I ask every
American to join me in this cause." – Biden
2. Amanda Gorman, the first junior poet laureate of the country, stole the show at the inauguration. Re-listen to her recite her own poem, "The Hill We Climb."
3. From the Celebration 2021 Inauguration Parade Across America. This is the Dance Across America. Turn up your sound. Let's all dance in the street together. (Dance Across America)
4. From the Joseph Biden Inauguration Parade Across America. DJ Cassidy/ Earth, Wind, and Fire/ and Sister Sledge. I love this. It is so positive and calls for unity. Listen to the words to these familiar songs and to what DJ Cassidy says. It is hard to not sing along, so belt it out! (DJ Cassidy)
5. Here Lin-Manuel Miranda recites the whole poem from which Biden quoted in his August speech accepting the Democratic nomination, "The Cure of Troy" by Seamus Heaney. (Click hyperlink to read the poem.)
It's day one and we are not throwing away our shot at unifying the country and fighting for a better future for American families. Thank you @Lin_Manuel for your beautiful performance at #Inauguration2021. pic.twitter.com/VDgbTqjksd
History says, Don’t hope/ On this side of the grave, / But then, once in a lifetime / The longed for tidal wave / Of justice can rise up / And hope and history rhyme.
6. I love this rendition of "Amazing Grace" by Yo-Yo Ma during the Inaugural Celebration Concert after the inauguration. Watch the pure joy on his face. (Yo-Yo Ma) Shifting up and down the octave to bring light and shade to his
performance, Ma threw in some double stops for rich harmonic beauty,
ending the traditional hymn with a delicate fusion of Dvořák’s ‘Going Home’ melody and the spiritual ‘Simple Gifts’. Watch the whole concert by clicking on links here on the Inaugural Biden Committee site.
7. The day was full of color. Women were rocking the scene. We have a FEMALE Vice President! Congratulations Madame Vice President Kamala Harris. (Pictured: Michelle Obama, Amanda Gorman, Kamala Harris, Dr. Jill Biden)
For a bit of fun, I couldn't resist jumping onto the Bernie Sanders meme. Apparently he sat by himself at the ceremony, not dressed up a bit in his puffy coat and his woolen mittens. He looked like he was at a boring outdoor event. Bernie is now everywhere past and present. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. This was brought to my attention by my daughter. I think it is hilarious. He does look like he is just squeezing in the inauguration between other tasks of the day.
2. Thinking about the day which was full of colorful coats, Bernie's mittens made a splash, too.
3. For the Jane Austen fans, Bernie joins the Bennet family.
4. So many of the memes just made me laugh. Here he is at the big, long slide at a fair.
5. For all Girl Scout moms he is taking his turn at the cookie table.
6. Even Bob Ross painted him...
7. Iconic American scenes and Bernie...
8. And this. My daughter is in the process of crocheting a Bernie doll. (She still needs to make his puffy coat.)
Well. It has been quite a week. I hope you, too, are breathing easier these days.
