Children’s and YA literature circles are abuzz today with the award winners announced by the American Library Association. Read the press release for full information.

I’d like to send out particular congratulations to Jacqueline Woodson, the author of Newbery Honor Book Show Way, illustrated by Hudson Talbott (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2005). Jackie also was named recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award (for lifetime contribution to teen literature).

In addition, I’d like to cheer Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (author interview), Pura Belpré Honor Author of César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!, illustrated by David Diaz (Marshall Cavendish, 2005). By the way, David Diaz also earned a Belpré illustrator honor for this same title.

I also was pleased to see that Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart (recommendation), illustrated by Raul Colón and written by Pat Mora (Knopf, 2005) took the Belpré Illustrator Medal.

Bravo to all the winners and honor recipients!

Cynsational Notes

Two recent author interviewees on Cynsations recommended Show Way among the best of their recent reads: Esmé Raji Codell and Justina Chen Headley.