American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards

The ALA”s 2010 Youth Media Awards were held this morning, honoring some of the best writers and works in children’s and Young Adult writing. According to their website:

Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books and media for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.

Here are some of the major winners:

John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:
When You Reach Me, written by Rebecca Stead

Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children:
The Lion & the Mouse, illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
Going Bovine, written by Libba Bray

William C. Morris Award honors a book written by a first-time author for young adults:
Flash Burnout, written by L.K. Madigan

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for most distinguished beginning reader book:
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!, written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:
Jim Murphy is the 2010 Edwards Award winner

Robert F. Sibert Medal for most distinguished informational book for children:
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, written by Tanya Lee Stone

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award:
Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith, written by Deborah Heiligman

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
The Bride’s Farewell by Meg Rosoff
Everything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr.
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir by Diana Welch and Liz Welch with Amanda Welch and Dan Welch
The Magicians, by Lev Grossman
My Abandonment by Peter Rock
Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel, by Gail Carriger
Stitches: A Memoir by David Small
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson