Instead of a book review, today I offer the best books kids books of the year, as chosen by the American Library Association. Each year a committee of librarians is chosen to read most of the books published for kids in the US. They choose a select few for these awards. Click on each title to check it's availability in our system.

The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Medal Winner:
Locomotive by Brian Floca

Honor Books:
Journey by Aaron Becker
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner






The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature

Medal Winner:
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Honor Books:
Doll Bones by Holly Black
The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
Paperboy by Vince Vawter





The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for the most distinguished informational book for children

Winner:
Parrots over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

Honor Books:
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your own Backyard
by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Locomotive by Brian Floca
The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers:

Winner:
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Honor Books:
Ball by Mary Sullivan
A Big Guy Too My Ball by Mo Willems
Penny and her Marble by Kevin Henkes

Book Bites Reviews

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Review by B-liz
The book is about a super awesome squirrel that can type and it can fly. My favorite character is Flora because she is a comic book reader. I liked this book because it was very hilarious.

The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
Review by Destiny
A boy from a different planet falls through a door and travels all day with a stick to hold his balance. A family finds him. My favorite character is Sally because she is funny. I loved this book because it was awesome.

Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington
Review by Elizabeth
A girl's mother is crazy. The girl is sent away and left with her drunk dad. My favorite character is Sarah Nelson because she is the main character. She thinks she is crazy and her life is funny and sad. I loved this book because it is funny and her life is crazy.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Review by Paige
A girl named Miranda is wondering why she is getting these notes. My favorite character is Miranda because the book is based on her perspective and she has a sense of humor. I loved this book because every clue she gets all come together at the end.


Other Titles Discussed
The Kite Runner