Award Winners

The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
2007 Newbery Medal Winner
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
2007 Caldecott Medal Winner
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Banned Books

There is much controversy when it comes to the topic of banned books. Should some be banned? What content is appropriate? What opinions should be banned and what should be available? One of the most controversial books today is also one of the most popular. Harry Potter, byJ.K. Rowling has caused a lot of controversy because of some parental and organizational opposition to the references to magic and wizardry. Fortunately, the popularity of Harry Potter has been able to overcome the opposition, but is that the case for all? What are we missing out on, and at what cost are we "protecting" our children/students. Is the end worth the means?

My Favorites

Some of my favorite children's literature is written by E.B. White. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. I think that these are really quality pieces of student literature and plan to use them in my classrooms in order to increase reading competency with a early reader maturity level. Jerry Spinelli is another great author of children's literature. His books are geared more towards middle school level readers; some of his best works are Milkweed, a story about an orphaned boy living Warsaw during the Holocaust, and probably his most popular book, Maniac Mcgee, another orphan tale about a boy who helps an entire city overcome racism and segregation.