Book of the Month: February

Published on February 2, 2012 by Leora

This month GBJCL is proud to celebrate the hard work and creativity of the 2012 Newbury and Caldecott Award winners.  Each year the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, recognizes an author and and illustrator with these distinguished awards for artistry and contributions to American Literature for Children.

This year the Caldecott Medal for illustration went to A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka.  Similar to our book for younger readers featured last month this text is also wordless.   Author/Illustrator Raschka depicts the story of an incorrigible little dog, Daisy, whose prized possession is accidently destroyed.  Oops.  A story any pet owner or admirer can relate to. Using simply watercolors and a mastery of line and color, Raschka captures Daisy’s sadness along with the tale of her recovery and a new friendship. Readers of all ages but particularly younger readers will connect with the playful character, the well-articulated story and the opportunity to lend their own voice to the book.  

The 2012 Newbery Medal winner is Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos.  This book is certainly for older readers and addresses death, loss and history with humor, eccentricity and suspense.  The importance that “history not repeat itself” is at the heart of this visit through a dying town. Gantos narrates this wild mystery in an endearing and genuine voice, inviting  readers to look at their own town, their own history and their own idiosyncrasies with sincerity and levity. “Who knew obituaries and old lady death could be this funny and this tender?” said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Viki Ash.