Diverse authors and titles from 2014, such as “The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander and “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson, were highlighted with many awards, causing the audience to cheer the choices by the committees.
The Caldecott Medal went to “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” illustrated and written by Dan Santat, which follows the journey of an imaginary friend in search of his perfect match.
The Newbery Medal was awarded to “The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander, a story about family and brotherhood told through verse by 12-year-old twin basketball players Josh and Jordan Bell.
Parents can use these titles as a guide when considering what books to recommend to their children and teens, while teachers and librarians look to the award-winning and runner-up titles as a helpful list of what to keep on the shelves in classrooms and libraries.
The ALA Youth Media Awards were announced during the organization’s winter meeting in Chicago and selected by a national judging committee of librarians and children’s literature experts.
Here’s the list of winners:
John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature
“The Crossover,” written by Kwame Alexander
Honor books:
“El Deafo,” written and illustrated by Cece Bell
“Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson
‘Lemony Snicket’ author sorry for ‘racist’ joke at National Book Awards
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children
“The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” illustrated and written by Dan Santat
Honor books:
“Nana in the City,” illustrated and written by Lauren Castillo
“The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art,” illustrated by Mary GrandPré and written by Barb Rosenstock
“Sam and Dave Dig a Hole,” illustrated by Jon Klassen
“Viva Frida,” illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales
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“H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination,” produced by Live Oak Media, written by Christopher Myers and narrated by Dion Graham
Honor audiobooks:
“Five, Six, Seven, Nate,” produced by Simon & Schuster Audio, narrated and written by Tim Federle
“The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place,” produced by Listening Library, written by Julie Berry, narrated by Jayne Entwistle
“A Snicker of Magic,” produced by Scholastic, written by Natalie Lloyd, narrated by Cassandra Morris
Andrew Carnegie Medal for children’s video
“Me … Jane,” produced by Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Elllard, Weston Woods Studios
Alex Awards for 10 adult books that appeal to teens
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
“Bellweather Rhapsody” by Kate Racculia
“Bingo’s Run” by James A. Levine
“Confessions” by Kanae Minato, translated by Stephen Snyder
“Everything I Never Told You” by Celeste Ng
“Lock In” by John Scalzi
“The Martian” by Andy Weir
“The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice” by Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” by Michael Koryta
“Wolf in White Van” by John Darnielle
