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Award-winning children’s books The tale of a 10-year-old planning to run away and the magnificent illustrations in a story about a science-minded boy searching the beach recently took top honors from the American Library Association. Susan Patron, author of “The Higher Power of Lucky,” and David Wiesner, illustrator of “Flotsam,” are the 2007 winners of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature. The awards were announced in late January. The Newbery, named for an 18th-century British bookseller, is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The Caldecott, which takes its name from 19th-century English illustrator, honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children each year. Newbery Medal Winner ‘The Higher Power of Lucky’ by Susan Patron Lucky, 10, can’t wait another day. The meanness in her heart and the questions in her brain make running away from small-town Hard Pan, Calif., the only choice she has. It’s all Brigitte’s fault for wanting to go back to France – guardians are supposed to stay put and look after girls in their care. Instead, Lucky is convinced she’ll be abandoned to some orphanage in Los Angeles where her beloved dog, HMS Beagle, won’t be allowed. She’ll lose her friends – Miles, who lives on cookies, and Lincoln, future U.S. president (maybe). Just as bad, she’ll have to give up eavesdropping on 12-step anonymous programs where the interesting talk is all about higher powers. Lucky needs her own higher power – and quick – but she hadn’t planned on it coming in the form of a dust storm. For ages 9-11. Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson, $16.95. Other Newbery honor books ‘Penny from Heaven’ by Jennifer Holm It’s 1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter-pecan ice cream, swimming and baseball. But her summer is nothing like that. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother is afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. Her Nonny cries every time Penny’s father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other. Inspired by the author’s own Italian-American family, “Penny from Heaven” is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a recent time in America’s history when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. Ages 9 and up. Random House, $15.95. ‘Hattie Big Sky’ by Kirby Larson For years, Hattie has been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, the 16-year-old courageously leaves Iowa to “prove up” on her late uncle’s homestead claim near Vida, Mont. With a stubborn streak, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, she forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends – especially Charlie, fighting in France – through letters and articles for her hometown paper. Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels pressured to be a “loyal” American, which forbids friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie is determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home. Ages 10-14. Delacorte Press, $15.95. ‘Rules’ by Cynthia Lord Catherine, 12, just wants a normal life, which is nearly impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. To avoid David’s embarrassing behaviors, she has spent years trying to teach him the rules – from “a peach is not a funny-looking apple” to “keep your pants on in public.” But the summer she meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she’s always wished for, it’s her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal? Ages 9-12. Scholastic, $15.99 2007 Caldecott Medal Winner ‘Flotsam’ illustrated by David Wiesner A day at the beach is the springboard into a wildly imaginative exploration of the mysteries of the deep. In “Flotsam,” a bright, science-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine anything that has washed ashore. Bottles, lost toys and small objects of every description are among his usual finds. But there’s no way he could have prepared for one particular discovery: a barnacle-encrusted underwater camera. Ages 5-8. Clarion, $17. Other Caldecott honor books ‘Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet’ written and illustrated by David McLimans This stunning visual treat transforms each letter of the alphabet into a graphic depiction of an endangered animal. Wildly inventive icons are created by merging the letter forms with the animals’ physical features. The more you look at them, the more you’ll see. Readers learn about rare creatures such as the spotted owl, the piping plover and the snow leopard. This visual tour of the earth’s most vulnerable creatures will appeal to younger children learning their letters, older children researching endangered animals, and adults looking for a beautifully illustrated collectible book. All ages. Walker Young Readers, $17.85. ‘Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom’ illustrated by Kadir Nelson Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman hears words from God one summer night and decides to escape, leaving her husband and family behind. Taking with her only her faith, she must creep through woods with hounds at her heels, sleep for days in a potato hole and trust people who could have easily turned her in. This unique and moving portrait of one of the most inspiring figures of the Underground Railroad is bolstered by Nelson’s emotionally charged paintings embodying strength, healing and hope. Ages 5-8. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, $15.99.
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