CHICAGO TRIBUNE || JANUARY 2012

The American Library Assn. announced the 2012 winners of its annual Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and other awards Monday in Dallas. The awards are given to authors and illustrators of books, audio books and videos for children and young adults.

Jack Gantos won the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature with his novel “Dead End in Norvelt.” The ALA described the book as “an achingly funny romp through a dingy New Deal town.”

Author and illustrator Chris Raschka took the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children with “A Ball for Daisy.”

“Where Things Come Back,” from debut young adult author John Corey Whaley, won the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults, as well as the William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. The ALA described Whaley’s novel about a boy agonizing over his brother’s disappearance as “a groundbreaking coming-of-age tale.”

Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” won the Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing African American authors. Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom,” won the Coretta Scott King Book Award for illustration. >>READ MORE

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