The 2006-2007 nominee lists for the Children’s Gallery, Crown, and Lamplighter Awards, endorsed by the National Christian Schools Association, have been announced.

On the Children’s Gallery Award (kindergarten through second grade) nominee list, highlights include: Buddy, The Story of Buddy Holly by Anne Bustard, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus (Simon & Schuster)(author interview); A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes: A Pocket Book by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser (HarperCollins); and When You Were Born by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Candlewick)(author interview).

On the Children’s Crown Award (grades three through six) list, nominee highlights include: Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein (HarperCollins)(author-illustrator interview); and The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney (Putnam)(recommendation)(author interview).

On the Lamplighter Award (grades six through eighth) nominee list, highlights include: Albino Animals by Kelly Milner Halls (Darby Creek)(author interview); and Monsoon Summer by Mitali Perkins (Delacorte)(excerpt).

Cynsational News & Links

The 5th Annual Plano Book Festival will be held in historic downtown Plano, Texas on March 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. See featured authors.