And this year’s winners are ...

Each year the Assn. of Library Services to Children, a division of

the American Library Assn., honors outstanding achievements in

children’s and young adult literature. Three of the most notable

awards are the Caldecott Medal, the Newbery Medal and the Michael L.

Printz Award.

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of 19th Century English

illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually to the

illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for

children during the previous year. The winner for 2004 is “The Man

Who Walked Between the Towers,” illustrated and written by Mordicai

Gerstein. It is the true story of aerialist Philippe Petit’s 1974

tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.

The Caldecott books for 2004 are “Ella Sarah Gets Dressed,”

illustrated and written by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Despite the advice

of others in her family, Ella Sarah persists in wearing striking and

unusual outfits of her own choosing. “What Do You Do with a Tail Like

This?” illustrated by Robin Page and written by Steve Jenkins, offers

a scientific look at the many amazing things animals can do with

their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails. “Don’t Let the

Pigeon Drive the Bus” is illustrated and written by Mo Willems. When

the bus driver has to leave he asks us, the readers, to please not

let the pigeon drive the bus. What follows is an example of a

masterful act of persuasion by the pigeon, which tries to change our

minds by pleading, begging and throwing a fit.

The Newbery Medal is given each year to the author who has made

the most distinguished contribution to American literature for

children in the previous year. The 2004 winner is “The Tale of

Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a

Spool of Thread,” by Kate DiCamillo. This is the heartwarming story

of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess

he loves and a devious rat determined to ruin everything.

The honor books are “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes.

Twelve-year-old Martha receives a strange gift -- a page from the

journal of a dead classmate she hardly knew. What she then does with

the information from the journal makes for an amazing story. In “An

American Plague” by Jim Murphy, the author recreates the devastation

rendered to the city of Philadelphia in 1793 by an incurable disease

known as yellow fever, detailing the major social and political

events of the time, including medical beliefs and practices.

The Printz Award, named for longtime librarian Michael L. Printz,

is awarded to books that exemplify literary excellence in young adult

literature. The 2004 recipient of the Printz award is author Angela

Johnson for her book “The First Part Last.” Johnson’s moving and

poignant novel tells the story of a 16-year-old father struggling to

raise an infant daughter. Alternating chapters go back to Bobby and

Nia’s relationship, how their family responded to the news of a baby,

and ultimately why Bobby is raising their child alone. The writing is

powerful and beautiful and illustrates the realities of teen

fatherhood.

The Printz Honors went to four diverse titles. “A Northern Light,”

by Jennifer Donnelly, is a historical title that weaves romance and a

murder mystery into a moving and lyrical novel. “Keesha’s House,” by

Helen Frost, is a novel in poems. Her novel tells the story of seven

teenagers who are all looking for a safe place. They all find

Keesha’s house and the true meaning of home. “Fat Kid Rules the

World,” by K.L. Going, also took an honors award. Going’s edgy novel

opens with 300-pound Troy contemplating suicide when he meets Curt, a

semi-homeless punk guitarist who stops him from jumping. An

unconventional, unlikely friendship develops between the two and it

may save them both.

The final title to take home an honor is “The Earth, My Butt and

Other Big, Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler. Mackler, with insight

and humor, writes the tale of Virginia, who sees herself as the

blond, round, average daughter in a perfect family. The reader

follows Virginia’s struggles with her weight, her family and

achieving the ability to stand on her own two feet.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Bonnie McLaren. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information, please

contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.