Last Monday was the Youth Media Awards and I’m sure I wasn’t the only of us who was watching the announcements live. Here in Portland, it was at 6am! I watch it on my laptop and have my phone within reach so I can request winners I haven’t read yet from my local libraries. I usually watch Betsy Bird’s pre-show but since they’ve been so early, I end up watching it later in the day.
Here are the winners and honors I’ve read including ones I read since the announcements… Surprisingly, I haven’t read any of the Newbery titles this year.
Caldecott
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this last year but I guess my review was lost in the shuffle when I was in between using Goodreads and The Storygraph but luckily this was just awarded the Caldecott Medal so I was able to notice its absence.
It’s a playful picture book of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life to the beach where one can soak up the rays to feel (re)energized going back home.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My #antiracistreads for this month wasn’t on my radar but it should definitely be on yours. It is Jason Reynolds’s upcoming teen novel Ain’t Burned All the Bright which includes art by Jason Griffin. This very unique book is an experience about black lives in a time of a pandemic when the world is on fire- literally and metaphorically. Jason Reynolds is like a sorcerer with his ability to captivate readers. It’ll be interesting to listen to the audiobook version as well. This comes out January 11th.
Berry Song by Michaela Goade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’d been putting off reading this book but I’m glad I did since I want to live in the illustrations.
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Joy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A great example of a picture book where the text and the art work together perfectly. Impactful and a must-own for any library that wants an inclusive representation of US History.
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Adorable and a little dark.
Coretta Scott King
Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A wonderful unique way of telling Octavia Butler’s life story.
The Talk by Alicia D. Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Despite the fact I use Goodreads- and part of last year, The Storygraph- and also keep a spreadsheet of books I’ve read, this fell through the cracks. I thought I had written a review because I remember thinking I thought this was going to be an adaptation of one of the stories from an anthology with the same name. But it wasn’t.
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’d been seeing this around and I was curious about it. Perfect for fans of John Lewis’s March trilogy.
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual by Carole Boston Weatherford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An inspiring read using a spiritual song to tell the stories of African American history. The audio book has the author singing the song.
Schneider Family Book Award
Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s been awhile since I’ve read any of Natalie Lloyd’s novels even though A Snicker of Magic is one of my 52 favorite books of all time. I really didn’t think I’d like Hummingbird because I admit I’ve grown quite cynical over the years but it was the perfect book to remind me there are (still) whimsy and wonder in the world- and in words. And I loved that I listened to the audiobook version since Natalie Lloyd did an outstanding job narrating it. So, if you want a feel good and uplifting story, look no further.
Pura Belpre
The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding by Karina Nicole Gonzalez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Nature. Family. Community. All play a factor in starting over after a tragedy.
A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters by Duncan Tonatiuh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I always look forward to Duncan Tonatiuh’s books. His art is so unique and I love that he’s always presenting something new about his culture that most people don’t know about.
Sibert
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A simple but informative book about a plant’s life cycle.
Stonewall
Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A sweet picture book about a first crush perfect for anyone looking- or who remembers looking- for someone to go adventuring with.
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beautifully illustrated of a forgotten tale. The short film can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO29Q…
Strong by Rob Kearney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised with this picture book. I thought this was just going to be a general positive message type of story. I didn’t realize it was a memoir about a gay strongman defying expectations of who can be great in that athletic field I didn’t know anything about.
Geisel
Fish and Wave by Sergio Ruzzier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A new early reader comic series featuring a fish meeting new friends.
Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Intergenerational. Cross-cultural. I enjoyed the relatable clashing when Gigi welcomes her grandfather from Japan to live with them. I can’t wait for more in this new levelled reader series.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Nana, Nenek & Nina by Liza Ferneyhough
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A girl celebrates both sides of her cultural identity when she spends time with her grandmothers- one in England and one in Malaysia. I’m sure readers (of any age) will enjoy seeing some similarities in the different ways they end up spending time together.
You can view all my reviews over on Goodreads. Please consider supporting independent bookstores when you want to buy any of the books I’ve mentioned via Bookshop.org or Libro.fm.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy Reading!
The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer - Earl Dizon 
I did the same thing, hovering at my library site during the awards. I managed to grab a copy of Freewater, & the early ones you mentioned, too, Earl, like Hot Dog, Berry Song, & Choosing Brave. There are others I need to find, like Star Child, but I will! I loved Ain’t Burned All the Bright & Knight Owl. We are lucky to have so many special ones! Happy Reading this week!
I completely missed the awards ceremony, but am happy to read about them here. I adored some of the books on your list today. The Talk was one of our book club selection picks last month. I adored Hummingbird. I listened to it as well and agree that it reminds us that there is “whimsy and wonder in the world- and in words.” I am sad that my local library doesn’t have a copy of Duncan Tonatiuh’s book. I am going to have to request a purchase for it.