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Results of the CCBC's Coretta Scott King Discussion
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From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 15:32:14 -0600
About 35 teachers and librarians gathered at the CCBC two weeks ago to discuss books eligible for the Coretta Scott King Award. We had a terrific discussion and all agreed that there are many excellent books eligible for the ward this year, particularly novels.
These are the results of our discussion:
Illustrator Award Winner:
"Blues Journey" illustrated by Christopher Myers; written by Walter Dean Myers.
(Holiday House) -- Our participants felt that the illustrations were the perfect match for the sophisticated poetry that was itself a blues song. We appreciated the visual play on words found in the blue-toned illustrations and felt that the pictures really contributed to the overall mood of the book.
Illustrator Award Honor Books:
"Jones Family Express" written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. (Lee & Low) -- The story was a strong validation for extended family, refreshing in that there was no major heavy trauma. The mixed-media illustrations composed of construction paper and photos aptly portrayed a child crafting a homemade gift. Overall design was pleasing with great endpapers and an easy-to-read font.
"The Magic Gourd" written and illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite. (Scholastic) -- This African folktale carries a strong message of peace, and the importance of generosity and friendship. The richly colored vibrant illustrations were filled with exquisite detail. The painted bowls used to illustrate the story literally conveyed the theme of the magic gourd.
Author Award Winner:
"The First Part Last" by Angela Johnson (Simon & Schuster) -- A compelling story of a teenage father, artfully told in alternating present?y passages and flashbacks. The structure itself provides an excellent narrative tension that keeps readers turning the pages to find out what happened before the story started; it reads like a mystery. We appreciated the excellent characterizations of the exhausted teen father who was both a child himself and an adult. The secondary characters (parents and friends) were also well-rounded. Excellent jacket art that draws teen readers in; it has already proved to be extremely popular with local teens who have read it. Comforting and uplifting.
Author Award Honor Book:
"Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam) -- Main character Lonnie is extremely credible. We could feel his emotional pain and appreciate his growth as he gradually came to understand the world around him. Excellent use of poetry as a literary device, as it shows Lonnie's growth both as a human being and as a writer. Overall message of hope.
**Complete list of the books we discussed**
Illustrator:
Beautiful Blackbird illustrated and written by Ashley Bryan. Atheneum, 2003.
Blues Journey illustrated by Christopher Myers. Written by Walter Dean Myers. Holiday House, 2003.
Don't Say Ain't illustrated by Colin Bootman. Written by Irene Smalls. Talewinds / Charlesbridge, 2003.
The Jones Family Express illustrated and written by Javaka Steptoe. Lee & Low, 2003.
The Magic Gourd illustrated and written by Baba Wagu Diakit?. Scholastic Press, 2003.
Papa's Mark illustrated by Colin Bootman. Written by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert. Holiday House, 2003.
Pictures for Miss Josie illustrated by Benny Andrews. Written by Sandra Belton. Greenwillow / HarperCollins, 2003.
Author:
Begging for Change written by Sharon G. Flake. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2003.
Days of Jubilee: The End of Slavery in the United States written by Patricia C. and Fredrick McKissack. Scholastic, 2003.
The Dream Bearer by Walter Dean Myers. Amistad Press / HarperCollins, 2003.
The First Part Last written by Angela Johnson. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Locomotion written by Jacqueline Woodson. Putnam, 2003.
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. written by Christine King Farris. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Shining written by Julius Lester. Illustrated by John Clapp. Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2003. 32 pages
Kathleen T. Horning, Director Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706
horning at education.wisc.edu Voice: 608&3721 Fax: 608&2I33 www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Received on Wed 03 Dec 2003 03:32:14 PM CST
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 15:32:14 -0600
About 35 teachers and librarians gathered at the CCBC two weeks ago to discuss books eligible for the Coretta Scott King Award. We had a terrific discussion and all agreed that there are many excellent books eligible for the ward this year, particularly novels.
These are the results of our discussion:
Illustrator Award Winner:
"Blues Journey" illustrated by Christopher Myers; written by Walter Dean Myers.
(Holiday House) -- Our participants felt that the illustrations were the perfect match for the sophisticated poetry that was itself a blues song. We appreciated the visual play on words found in the blue-toned illustrations and felt that the pictures really contributed to the overall mood of the book.
Illustrator Award Honor Books:
"Jones Family Express" written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. (Lee & Low) -- The story was a strong validation for extended family, refreshing in that there was no major heavy trauma. The mixed-media illustrations composed of construction paper and photos aptly portrayed a child crafting a homemade gift. Overall design was pleasing with great endpapers and an easy-to-read font.
"The Magic Gourd" written and illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite. (Scholastic) -- This African folktale carries a strong message of peace, and the importance of generosity and friendship. The richly colored vibrant illustrations were filled with exquisite detail. The painted bowls used to illustrate the story literally conveyed the theme of the magic gourd.
Author Award Winner:
"The First Part Last" by Angela Johnson (Simon & Schuster) -- A compelling story of a teenage father, artfully told in alternating present?y passages and flashbacks. The structure itself provides an excellent narrative tension that keeps readers turning the pages to find out what happened before the story started; it reads like a mystery. We appreciated the excellent characterizations of the exhausted teen father who was both a child himself and an adult. The secondary characters (parents and friends) were also well-rounded. Excellent jacket art that draws teen readers in; it has already proved to be extremely popular with local teens who have read it. Comforting and uplifting.
Author Award Honor Book:
"Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam) -- Main character Lonnie is extremely credible. We could feel his emotional pain and appreciate his growth as he gradually came to understand the world around him. Excellent use of poetry as a literary device, as it shows Lonnie's growth both as a human being and as a writer. Overall message of hope.
**Complete list of the books we discussed**
Illustrator:
Beautiful Blackbird illustrated and written by Ashley Bryan. Atheneum, 2003.
Blues Journey illustrated by Christopher Myers. Written by Walter Dean Myers. Holiday House, 2003.
Don't Say Ain't illustrated by Colin Bootman. Written by Irene Smalls. Talewinds / Charlesbridge, 2003.
The Jones Family Express illustrated and written by Javaka Steptoe. Lee & Low, 2003.
The Magic Gourd illustrated and written by Baba Wagu Diakit?. Scholastic Press, 2003.
Papa's Mark illustrated by Colin Bootman. Written by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert. Holiday House, 2003.
Pictures for Miss Josie illustrated by Benny Andrews. Written by Sandra Belton. Greenwillow / HarperCollins, 2003.
Author:
Begging for Change written by Sharon G. Flake. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2003.
Days of Jubilee: The End of Slavery in the United States written by Patricia C. and Fredrick McKissack. Scholastic, 2003.
The Dream Bearer by Walter Dean Myers. Amistad Press / HarperCollins, 2003.
The First Part Last written by Angela Johnson. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Locomotion written by Jacqueline Woodson. Putnam, 2003.
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. written by Christine King Farris. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Shining written by Julius Lester. Illustrated by John Clapp. Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2003. 32 pages
Kathleen T. Horning, Director Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706
horning at education.wisc.edu Voice: 608&3721 Fax: 608&2I33 www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Received on Wed 03 Dec 2003 03:32:14 PM CST
