Every year, children's librarians across the country look forward to hearing what books won the big awards for the year. You've probably heard of the Newbery and Caldecott awards, and read some award winners in school. But have you heard of the the Pura Belpré Award and the Coretta Scott King Award? These awards celebrate creators from different cultures creating books celebrating their heritage.
Before the real awards are announced by the American Library Association on January 27, librarians at Chicago Public Library come together to discuss great books of the year and vote on their top books of the year.
Mock Newbery
The Newbery is given to an author for their writing and is typically awarded to a chapter book.
The 2019 mock Newbery goes to New Kid. In this graphic novel, Jordan starts a new school in 7th grade, but as one of the only kids of color, he doesn't feel like he fits in. Will his love of drawing and sense of humor find him real friends?
Two honor books were selected:
Genesis Begins Again: Meet Genesis, a girl with a complicated family situation just trying to find a way to make friends, accept herself and sing her own song.
This Promise of Change: Writing in verse, Jo Ann Allen Boyce tells her personal story of integrating a high school along with 11 other teens in Clinton, Tennessee in 1956.
Mock Caldecott
The Caldecott is an award given to an artist for their illustrations and is typically awarded to a picture book.
The 2019 mock Caldecott goes to The Undefeated. Kadir Nelson uses his signature illustrations to celebrate and illuminate Black leaders and Black history.
Two honor books were selected:
Saturday: Ava and her mother have a special Saturday planned together. What will they do when their plan doesn't work out?
My Papi Has A Motorcycle: Daisy and her papi take their nightly ride around the neighborhood, checking out what's happening with everyone they know.
Mock Belpré
The Pura Belpré Awards honor Latino/a illustrators and authors who portray the Latino cultural experience. This year, we selected a 2019 mock Belpré Illustrator Award: My Papi Has A Motorcycle
Two honor books were also selected: ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market gives readers a tour of a busy mercado in English and Spanish and Planting Stories, the story of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré.
Mock Coretta Scott King
The Coretta Scott King Awards honor African American authors and illustrators creating books demonstrating an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. This year, we selected a 2019 mock Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award: The Undefeated
Two honor books were also selected: Saturday and Sulwe, about a five-year-old who is teased for her skin color but finds love and acceptance in a beautiful fable of Night and Day.
Do you have a favorite book you think should win an award this year?
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