The Newbery Award is presented each year for outstanding writing and is presented by the American Library Association.
Linda Sue Park, an English teacher from New York, is this years winner for her book, "A Single Shard". (Houghton-Mifflin/Clarion Books)
Park's Korean heritage influenced this book about an orphaned boy named Tree-Ear who begins working for a master potter named Min. Set in 12th century Korea, the story conveys themes of bravery, determination and pursuit of a dream. Park is also the author of "Kite Fighters" and "See-Saw Girl".
Also receiving Newbery Honor Awards were Polly Horvath for her book, "Everything on a Waffle". (Farrar Straus & Giroux) and Marilyn Nelson for "Carver: A Life in Poems", published by Front Street.
This years winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding books by an African-American author is Mildred Taylor for her book, "The Land" published by Phyllis Fogelman Books/Penguin Putnam. Taylor, who also won a Newbery in 1977 for "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry", is a prolific author. She also received the Coretta Scott King Award for three other books, "Road to Memphis" (1991), "The Friendship" (l988), and "Let the Circle Be Unbroken" (1982).
"The Land" is a prequel to "Roll of Thunder" and draws readers into the world of Paul-Edward Logan. It is a compelling story of life in the South for a young boy who's father is white and mother is black. It is his story of courage and life-altering decisions.
Other books selected for the Coretta Scott King Honor Awards are "Money Hungry" by Sharon Flake. (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion) and "Carver" A Life in Poems" by Marilyn Nelson.(Front Street)
The Michael L. Printz Award is presented yearly for excellence in literature for young adults. This year's winner is An Na for her book "A Step From Heaven". The author is from San Diego, California, but was born in Korea. This is a compelling coming-of-age story about a young girl from a Korean immigrant family. She is torn between her old world and her new. This is An Na's first novel.
Four books were selected as Printz Honor Books. These selections were "Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by 20th Century American Art", edited by Jan Greenberg. (Harry Adams, Inc.) "Farewell", by Chris Lynch. (HarperCollins Publishers) "The Ropemaker" by Peter Dickenson. (Delacorte Press) and Virginia Euwer Wolff's book "True Believer".
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