2013 Best Children's Books - Newbery and Caldecott Awards

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Yes, feel free to scream!

We have a list of best children's books in 2013!

It's crazy!

Who doesn't love great children's books?

The American Library Association (ALA) made its announcement with the names of the best children's books in a just 5 minutes ago (at time of writing!).

You can find the full list of 2013 children's book awards below.

And, at the end of the post, I will reveal which two awarded books this year have made it on my to-read list!

This lists of awarded books are so useful as they help us find new gems for our kids

But you have to promise not to say anything about my planned book purchases to my kids. Deal?

Now read on for the best children's books in 2013 as selected by ALA on on January 28, 2013.

2013 ALA Children's Book Awards

• Most outstanding contribution to children's literature (John Newbery Medal):

The One and Only Ivan

(author: Katherine Applegate, publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Most distinguished American picture book for children (Randolph Caldecott Medal): 

This Is Not My Hat

(author and illustrator: Jon Klassem, publisher: Candlewick Press)

• Most distinguished informational book for children (Robert F. Sibert Medal):

Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon 

(author: Steve Sheinkin, publisher: Flash Point)

• Most distinguished beginning reader book (Theodor Seuss Geisel Award):

Up, Tall and High

(author and illustrator: Ethan Long, publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

• Outstanding children's book translated from a language other than English (Mildred L. Batchelder Award):

My Family for the War 

(author: Anne C. Voorhoeve, publisher: Dial Books)

• Excellence in literature written for young adults (Michael L. Printz Award):

In Darkness 
(author: Nick Lake, publisher: Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers)

Best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults (Odyssey Award):

The Fault in Our Stars

(written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd,
produced by Brilliance Audio)

• African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults (Coretta Scott King [Author] Book Award):

goes to Andrea Davis Pinkney

author of 

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America

(published by Disney/Jump at the Sun Books)

• African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults (Coretta Scott King [Illustrator] Book Award):

goes to Bryan Collier

illustrator of 

I, Too, Am America

(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

• Books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience (Schneider Family Book Award):

Children ages 0 – 8

Back to Front and Upside Down!

(written and illustrated by Claire Alexander, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)

Middle School award 
A Dog Called Homeless
(author: Sarah Lean, publisher: Katherine Tegen Books)

Teen award 

Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am
(authors: Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis, publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR)

• Best nonfiction book published for young adults (YALSA Award):

Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon 

(author: Steve Sheinkin, publisher: Flash Point)

You must be tempted by these fabulous offerings? I know I am! But, there is more - check out all the youth media awards winners and contenders on the ALA web site.

Oh, yes, and two books that I intend to buy from the awarded group?

My choices are: The One and Only Ivan and the Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon !!



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