Recently, the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children, and the American Library Association Youth Media Awards were awarded. The following resources from ReadWriteThink.org and NCTE give ideas for teaching with award-winning literature.
The Orbis Pictus Award was established by the NCTE Elementary Section in 1989 to honor nonfiction for children. “The Significance of Topics of Orbis Pictus Award-Winning Books,” a chapter from NCTE’s The Best in Children’s Nonfiction explores the elements that come into play as the committee chooses the winner. The book offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the world of children’s nonfiction, as well as practical tips on teaching these texts. This year’s Orbis Pictus winning book, The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming provides information not only on the history of these famous figures but also on the Russian people living at the time and on the social conditions that contributed to the family’s demise.
Listen to “A Conversation with Candace Fleming” from ReadWriteThink.org.
The NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children was established in 2014 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of fiction for children. This award recognizes fiction that has the potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder. The inaugural winner of the Huck Award is Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin. Told through the voice of a young girl on the autism spectrum, the story gives readers the perspective of someone who sees life in black-and-white, and who struggles when rules are broken, or routines are changed.
Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) recognizes a multitude of books and authors for their quality and impact. Ranging from awards for young children’s books such as the Caldecott and Newbery Medals, to the Belpré award for books celebrating Latino culture, to the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, the ALA recognizes a wide range of outstanding material for children, young adults, and adults.
This ReadWriteThink.org calendar entry provides links to and ideas on teaching with winning titles.
The NCTE text A Master Class in Children’s Literature: Trends and Issues in an Evolving Field discusses contemporary issues in children’s literature and offers suggestions, strategies, and resources for teacher educators, teachers, and librarians. Read more in this sample chapter.
Looking for more things to celebrate? Visit the Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week calendar entry at ReadWriteThink.org for details on the event that takes place the first week of February.