The International Board on Books for Young People has awarded the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award to David Almond of the UK.  The Andersen award is given out biannually to a living author  who’s complete works have made an  outstanding contribution to children’s literature.  The Andersen award is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature. The IBBY jury described Almonds writing as magic realism for children.  Almond received the Carnegie medal for Skellig, the authors first book for children, and the Michael L. Printz Award for his Young Adult novel, Kits Wilderness. You can read about the authors reaction to winning the award at the guardian.

Look for the prequel to Skellig, My Name is Mina, coming out in September 2010!

Check our catalog for books by David Almond.

April is National Poetry Month. Get into poetry by visiting the library and checking out some of the many wonderful poetry books we have for children.

Take a look at the blog 100 Scope Notes and read the poetry students are creating out of book spines, and see what you can do!

The Lightning Thief hits the big screen on Presidents’ Day and lucky for you there is no school that day.

Until then you can watch the trailer and visit the official movie website for downloads, games and more.

Get ready for the next adventure by Rick Riordan. The Kane Chronicles, Book one: The Red Pyramid is scheduled for release in May.

The Newbery and Caldecott winners for 2010 have been announced. Stop by the children’s room to check out this years award winning titles. This years Newbery winner is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The honor books for this category are Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. This years Caldecott winner is a beautiful wordless retelling of The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Caldecott honor books include All the World and Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors.  To learn more about these and other book awards visit the website for the American Library Association.

Lists of current and past winners are available in the Children’s department.