Life has been hectic, lately! I just returned from speaking at the University of Virginia at Wise. (Another post to come on this!) So I do apologize for not posting these last few weeks. However, I do have a treasure trove of news items for you now.

Firstly, my good friend Debbie Diesen has a wonderful post about writing with rhythm and rhyme at the Write Up My Life Blog. It’s at: http://writeupmylife.com/2012/05/01/debbie-diesen-may-12-x-12-featured-author/ .  Check it out–she leads you step-by-step through her process. Clearly written and worth doing for poets and writers of children’s books.

Secondly, I recently found out that MINE! was an SCBWI Crystal Kite winner for the Texas-Okla. area. Entered by the illustrator, Patrice Barton–MINE! rose up through the ranks via voting by other children’s book writers and illustrators. What an honor, to be recognized by one’s colleagues. Way to go, Patrice! Info on the Crystal Kites is at: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/2012-Crystal-Kite-Winners.

Finally, I recently sold a new manuscript to Knopf! YAY! It will be a kind of companion book to MINE! Tentatively titled: UH-OH! Since it just sold, it will be a while before it is out. More info on this later. . .

Happy Writing!
Shutta

 Carrie A. Pearson’s site hosts an article or interview dealing with mentors and mentorship every Monday.  Today (March 12, 2012) she’s posted an interview with me (as an SCBWI mentor) and Tracy Bilen (mentoree–is there such a word?) whose teen novel What She Left Behind will be published by Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster later this year.  YAY, Tracy!  For me, it was a fun to read Tracy’s responses and then respond, myself.  Take a look at Carrie’s site . . . click here: http://www.carriepearsonbooks.com/1/post/2012/03/mentor-monday-shutta-crum-and-tracy-bilen-an-scbwi-mi-mentorship-program-success-story.html

Happy Reading!

Shutta

  The winner (drawn randomly from those who entered) of a pdf version of HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOK by Katie Davis is Vanessa Morris.  Yay, Vanessa! And a big thanks to all who entered the drawing for the free book, and who subscribed to my blog. Keep posted for future interviews and freebies.

Ciao!

Shutta

Just a short update on interviews, sites, books and links I’ve enjoyed over the last couple of weeks. Hope you’ll find something here, as well, to give you a laugh, to make you pause or furrow your brow.  Enjoy!

Interview with a wonderful children’s author Laurie Calkhoven:  Presidents, Boys of Wartime series, and writing at the “Teacher to Teacher” Blog.

Wonderful review of Dr. Fred Bortz’ latest book for kids: MELTDOWN! The Nuclear Diaster in Japan and Our Energy Future. (My teacher friends in Japan–listen up!) It’s all at the Shelf-employed Blogspot.

A fun NPR piece on the future of picture books with Dan Poynter and Roxie Munro (Feb. 21, 2012). Podcast and transcript–here.

Finally . . . an exciting giveaway at Sara Tool miller’s site. Literature & Latte has offered 3 free downloads of their new Scrivener software for PCs. Sara will choose 3 winners. But the deadline is tomorrow–8pm on Feb. 22nd!!!  So go there soon and leave a comment to enter. (Remember–this is only for their PC version, not their MAC version.) I did!

And the 2011 CYBIL winners have been announced!!!  Congrats to all the winners. (My BIG LIST of LISTS is updated as well.)

Happy Reading & Writing!

Shutta

My friend and fellow writer, Katie Davis (She of the many funny books for kids.) has a new book out for those of us who write for kids: HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOK.

With this guide and her trademark sense of humor Katie, who is both an author and an illustrator, coaches even the shyest and most promotion-reluctant writer with unique (and common) ways to sell more copies. Katie’s nine children’s books have sold over 250,000 copies so she obviously has learned a thing — or maybe 82 — in the process, and she shares it with us in her newest ebook.

Katie has graciously agreed to giving away a free copy of the PDF version of her book and to entertain a number of questions from me. Her thoughtful and energetic answers should make all of us who are media shy wake-up and take another think about promotion. Wait . . . maybe I could do that. And that . . . and maybe even that . . .

I learned so much from Katie’s book!  QR codes, teachertube, book  birthdays . . . WOW! Who knew? Enjoy this interview with Katie, and then get to work promoting.  (p.s.: Scroll down and you’ll find the details for winning her book.)  

 Shutta 

  1.) Katie, I’ve been astonished by your energy, and how much you get accomplished. How and when do you draw, or write?

I love to watch the horrified look people get when I tell them about my friend who makes his partner take his ethernet cable to work. He can’t get online and get distracted! I couldn’t do that but I could’ve used it last year while I was promoting my new picture book, Little Chicken’s Big Day. But this year I’ve been delineating my time more. It goes something like this:

• Morning coffee and social media type stuff
• get some exercise
• turn everything off and write
• lunch
• art and other things I need to do that doesn’t involved my writing brain  

   2.)    I thought I knew a great deal about the PR opportunities available to me as a writer, and then along comes your book . . . and I’m blown away by possibilities.  For the frantic writer with limited time to promote, what top three promotional outlets would you say were really vital for any author to utilize?

The most important thing is that you do it. If I say Twitter is the most important but you hate Twitter, then my advice is worthless! So I’d say find what works for you and be consistent, be transparent, be generous, and be true to who you are. That is how you will connect with people and develop relationships, and to me, that is the basis of successful promotion.  

  3.)    QR codes. Wow! I hadn’t considered them at all. But what a wonderful way to lead people to information about a book, a video, teacher materials, etc. What’s been your favorite way to use them?

There are so many creative ways to use them, but it would have to come down to practicality. The most useable, therefore my favorite so far is to include a code on your card that leads to a book trailer. It’s fun and will say something about your book that your card alone cannot.

  4.)    Have you seen any traditional promotional outlets that have been overused? I do know that book store signings—even for well-known authors–are not always successful unless they are tied into something else, like educator night, etc.  But I almost feel like we need to keep doing them to help booksellers. Any thoughts?

Though I am always up for supporting booksellers, I kind of want to turn this around and tell you what has been under used! And my answer to that? Video. (Actually, booksellers can utilize this, too. They can post book trailers on the book’s page on their site, and also have a dedicated video page.)

• Video is great for SEO (search engine optimization)
• YouTube is the #2 search engine (Owned by Google, so do the math!)
• You can make quick and helpful clips while entertaining your audience as well as getting the word out about you
• You can practice till you feel comfortable
• The camera work isn’t as important as the audio quality so get a good mic
• Make. Them. Short. * (See note below.)
• Make. Them. Short.
• Did I mention you should not make them long? Here is an example of one of my video FAQs:

And here is a funny one of me announcing the winner of my sweepstakes last year.  

  5.)    And now the really important question (I always ask at least one silly question!): Suppose you were abducted by aliens. And before they whisked you off to their planet, you were allowed to bring one thing with you—but it has to fit into your pocket. What would it be?

At first I thought, I’ll bring a map so I’ll be able to get back home! Then I thought, I’ll bring a translation device so I can talk to them! Then I thought, No! I know! I’ll bring books to read because it’s probably a really long flight.And then I realized all I need is my iPhone, and since it’s attached to my hand, I won’t even need to put it in my pocket! 

(*Usually I try to keep my videos at tops, two minutes. If I’m making a tutorial, however, it can be much longer. Also, for this tour I created a video for Chris Cheng’s Creative Spaces segment that was bit longer than my usual.)  

Keep up with Katie’s blog tour!  Here are the sites where she has been (if you want to hear a different take on her book), and where she will be appearing in the next few weeks. Enjoy them all!

  Blog Tour schedule:

Feb 1 – E is for Book

Feb 2 – Banana Peel Thursday

Feb 3 – Creative Spaces

Feb 6 – DearEditor.com

Feb 7 – Writing With a Broken Tusk

Feb 8 – Shutta Crum

Feb 9 – McBookWords

Feb 10 – Kerem Erkan

Feb 16 -Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Feb 17 – Fiction Notes

March 1 – 12×12 in 2012

March 2 – Christine Fonseca, Author

Now!  What you’ve been waiting for . . . how to get your name into the drawing for a free downloadable pdf copy!

Yippee!

To be eligible to win a free PDF copy of HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOKS by the incredible Katie Davis you just need to comment on this blog post by the end of the month – - midnight, Feb. 29, 2012. (If you have time, tell us a little about any technique that you’ve used to create some successful buzz for your book.) Then I’ll draw a name from those entered, and Katie will send you the code to download the book free.

(Your name will only be entered once during the month.)  But wait!!

 There’s more (as they say ) . . . if you go up to the top right hand side of this page and put in your email address to subscribe to updates of this blog your name will be entered two more times into the drawing. YUP! That’s a total of three chances during the month to win this wonderful resource.

Comment by clicking here, or on the comment tag below.

Here’s a little video to remind us why we should be celebrating L’Engle’s wonderful game-changing book. Enjoy!

Finally! A grant for writers that have been around for a while. Kudos to Jane! More info will be posted soon at the SCBWI site. Plan ahead! In the meantime, here is a short video of Jane talking about the grant at the recent Soc. of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator’s winter conference.

Video of Jane talking about the grant and this year’s winners.

YAY!

Shutta

The Library of Michigan announced its annual notable list of 20 titles that highlight Michigan people, places and events.

Background on the notable list is available here: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-54574_39583-248258–,00.html

The full list below:

2012 Michigan Notable Books (in alphabetical order):

Elly Peterson: “Mother” of the Moderates by Sara Fitzgerald (University of Michigan Press)
Michigan native Sara Fitzgerald writes about a different era of the Republican Party in Michigan. Elly Peterson’s story is a missing chapter in the political history of Michigan, as well as the United States. This new biography gives full credit to one of the first female political leaders in this country. A biography of a woman who helped throw open the doors to broader participation and power for women in the Republican Party and American politics.

Everyday Klansfolk: White Protestant Life and the KKK in 1920s Michigan by Craig Fox (Michigan State University Press)
Shedding light on this unsettling chapter in Michigan’s history, Fox explores the origins of the organization’s strong influence and popularity throughout the state during the 1920s, and demonstrates that their membership was bolstered by ordinary citizens. This important book is based largely on Newaygo County Klan records housed at the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University.

Fever: Little Willie John, A Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul by Susan Whitall (Titan Books)
Detroit’s Little Willie John lived for a fleeting 30 years, but his dynamic and daring sound left an indelible mark on the history of music. His deep blues, rollicking rock ?n’ roll and swinging ballads inspired a generation of musicians, forming the basis for what we now know as soul music.

Ghost Writers: Us Haunting Them, Contemporary Michigan Literature edited by Keith Taylor and Laura Kasischke (Wayne State University Press)
This anthology is a collection of stories from renowned Michigan authors collected and edited by Taylor and Kasischke. The tales range from true stories written by non-believers to purely fictional stories that provoke the imagination. The collection is set in a wide range of Michigan locations that bring a sense of history and place to the tales.

Hank Greenberg: The Hero Who Didn’t Want to Be One by Mark Kurlansky (Yale University Press)
No baseball player has ever had a swing quite like the Detroit Tigers’ Hank Greenberg. His unique athletic ability made hitting a baseball look smooth and effortless. Though Hank Greenberg was one of the first players to challenge Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record, he may be more remembered for a game he did not play. In 1934 in a game with the New York Yankees Greenberg chose not to play because the game fell on Yom Kippur. Almost instantly he became a hero to Jews throughout America. Kurlansky’s concise book describes Greenberg as the quintessential secular Jew, and argues to celebrate him for his loyalty to religious observance is to ignore the true man.

Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life by Michael Moore (Grand Central Publishing)
Oscar-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and vocal critic of the right, Michael Moore, tells his story of growing up outside of Flint, Michigan. In a series of far ranging vignettes Moore highlights stories from his early life that helped to shape one of today’s most controversial public figures. This deeply personal and honest account introduces readers to the Michael Moore they have never known.

In Stitches: A Memoir by Anthony Youn, M.D. (Gallery Books)
Dr. Youn’s memoir describes his transformation from a geeky outcast in Greenville, Michigan to celebrated plastic surgery expert on popular talk shows like “Good Morning America,” “The Rachael Ray Show” and MSNBC. With humor and heartfelt honesty Dr. Youn describes how his own surgery to correct a protruding jaw led him to his calling and the realization of how changing your appearance can so profoundly change your life.

Jacobson’s, I Miss It So: The Story Of A Michigan Fashion Institute by Bruce Allen Kopytek (History Press) This is the story of Michigan’s Macy’s, the once center of upscale clothing and lunch for ladies. Author Bruce Kopytek has found stories that date from the beginnings in Reed City, Michigan in 1869 until the sad bankruptcy and closing. Retail enthusiasts, history buffs and fashion devotees will enjoy the history and the memories.

Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art by J.H. Shapiro and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Charlesbridge)
Dedicated to the children of Detroit, J.H. Shapiro tells the story of the Heidelberg Project and Tyree Guyton. Tyree Guyton loved his childhood home where his grandpa Sam taught him to “paint the world.” Guyton wanted to wake people up through his art and make them see Detroit’s crumbling communities in a new light. This is the true story of an artist and his art and how it saved his community. Tyree Guyton was recognized with a Michigan Notable book award in 2008 for Connecting the Dots: Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project.

Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and Bloody Sacrifice by Jack Dempsey (The History Press)
Offering a fresh and readable glimpse into Michigan’s role in the preservation of the Union, Dempsey leads us through the leading characters, battles, and events during the Civil War, including Governor Austin Blair, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops.

Misery Bay by Steve Hamilton (Minotaur Books)
In this 8th novel featuring Alex McKnight, Hamilton, the 2006 Michigan Author Award winner, leads us on a suspenseful adventure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. McKnight teams up with former adversary Chief Roy Maven in investigating a string of mysterious suicides in a remote stretch of the Upper Peninsula known as Misery Bay.

Miss Martin Is a Martian by Colleen Murray Fisher and illustrated by Jared Chapman (Mackinac Island Press)
Second grader Melvin Eugene Baxter knows his new teacher is from Mars. Armed with an apropos hockey stick, head protected by a pot he is determined not to let Miss Martin the Martian take over the planet or make his head explode with too much information. Armed with a full litany of seemingly extraterrestrial powers, Miss Martin the school teacher, reveals her true mission.

Motor City Shakedown by D. E. Johnson (Minotaur Books)
Johnson’s follow-up to The Detroit Electric Scheme is a thrilling ride set in 1911 Detroit. Will Anderson looks to find justice for the death of his best friend, while battling the Detroit criminal underworld, a corrupt police department, and his own personal demons. This is Johnson’s second time on the Michigan Notable Books list (The Detroit Electric Scheme).

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial Books for Young Readers)
On the eve of World War II, boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a historic bout that was much more significant than determining who would be the next heavyweight champion of the world. Most Americans viewed the fight as a symbol of the nation’s battle against Hitler’s Germany and his “master race”. This beautifully illustrated and powerful picture book focuses on the life of Detroit’s Joe Louis and his role in helping White and African American communities set aside prejudice and come together to celebrate our nation’s ideals.

Once Upon a Car: The Fall and Resurrection of America’s Big Three Automakers-GM, Ford, and Chrysler by Bill Vlasic (William Morrow)
Once Upon a Car is a fascinating story of the “Big Three’s” fight for survival in Detroit. In a tale that reads like a corporate thriller, Vlasic, takes readers into the executive offices, assembly plants, and union halls to introduce a cast of memorable characters including the executives who struggled to save their companies but in the end had to seek a controversial, last-gasp rescue from the U.S. government. Vlasic has covered the auto industry for the New York Times and Detroit News for over fifteen years.

Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (Norton)
National Book Award finalist and past Michigan Notable Book award author for American Salvage (2010), Bonnie Jo Campbell, creates an unforgettable heroine to rival Huck Finn in sixteen-year-old Margo Crane. After the violent death of her father Margo takes to the Stark River in her boat, with only a few supplies and a biography of Annie Oakley, in search of her vanished mother. Her river odyssey through rural Michigan becomes a defining journey, one that leads her beyond self-preservation and to the decision of what price she is willing to pay for her choices.

Songs of Unreason by Jim Harrison (Copper Canyon Press)
Songs of Unreason, Harrison’s latest collection of poetry, proclaims his reverence for rivers, trees, dogs, and women. Each poem comes to life on the page with the richness and clarity of Harrison’s voice. Michigan people and places play a central role in many of the poems included. Harrison is a past recipient of a Michigan Notable Book award for Off to the Side (2003), True North (2005), The Summer He Didn’t Die (2006), Returning to Earth (2008), and The English Major (2009).

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood (Riverhead Books)
Ellen Airgood’s first novel celebrates taking joy in the little things in life. Chicago transplant, Madeline Stone, moves to the fictional town of Mac Allaster, Michigan on the southern shore of Lake Superior in hopes of finding an escape from her old life. Events and new friends quickly pull her into the world of this beautiful, gritty, and magic town. Airgood runs a diner in the similar town Grand Marais, Michigan.

Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike: From Sand Trails to US-31 by M. Christine Byron and Thomas R. Wilson (Arbutus Press)
Utilizing hundreds of historic postcards and photographs, Byron and Wilson detail the history of the road that has become US-31, and the Lake Michigan communities it connects from Michigan City, Indiana to Mackinaw City, Michigan. This is Byron and Wilson’s third time on the Michigan Notable Books list (Vintage Views of Leelanau County; Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region).

Wire to Wire by Scott Sparling (Tin House Books)
Sparling’s debut is a crime novel with a full cast of colorful characters including the brain damaged, freight car hopping lead character. Between Arizona and Michigan, Sparling nails the sense of place in his writing while taking his reader on an uncommon journey. Lovers of both trains and Michigan will enjoy this book.

I’m so excited! Friend and fellow author Katie Davis’s homemade book trailer for LITTLE CHICKEN’S BIG DAY (Written by her husband Jerry Davis, and illustrated by Katie.) won the Trailee award in the author/publisher made (early elementary) category. So sweet . . .  you’ve got to see it!

Enjoy!

Shutta

The American Library Association (ALSC) has made its choices and the long awaited winners have been announced!

The press release is here:  http://ala.org/news/pr?id=9108

The Horn Book Reviews for the winning titles are here:

http://www.hbook.com/2012/01/news/awards/ala-awards-2012-horn-book-reviews-of-the-winners/ 

The full list of winners are: 

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:

“Dead End in Norvelt,” written by Jack Gantos, is the 2012 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Farrar Straus Giroux.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Inside Out & Back Again,” written by Thanhha Lai and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; and “Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin, and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

“A Ball for Daisy,” illustrated and written by Chris Raschka, is the 2012 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco, and published by Disney · Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Grandpa Green” illustrated and written by Lane Smith, and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership; and “Me … Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell, and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley, is the 2012 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

“Why We Broke Up,” written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group; “The Returning,” written by Christine Hinwood and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group Young Readers Group USA; “Jasper Jones,” written by Craig Silvey and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; and “The Scorpio Races,” written by Maggie Stiefvater and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Two King Author Honor Book recipients were selected: Eloise Greenfield, author of “The Great Migration: Journey to the North,” illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist and published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; and Patricia C. McKissack, author of “Never Forgotten,” illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom,” is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.

One King Illustrator Honor Book recipient was selected: Kadir Nelson, illustrator and author of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” published by Balzar + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:

Ashley Bryan is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime achievement. The award, which pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.

Storyteller, artist, author, poet and musician, Bryan created his first children’s book in first grade. He grew up in the Bronx and in 1962, he became the first African American to both write and illustrate a children’s book. After a successful teaching career, Bryan left academia to pursue creation of his own artwork. He has since garnered numerous awards for his significant and lasting literary contribution of poetry, spirituals and story.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

The Jury chose not to award a book in the category for children ages 0 – 8 because no submissions were deemed worthy of the award.

Two books were selected for the middle school award (ages 9 – 13): “close to famous,” written byJoan Bauer and published by Viking, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; and “Wonderstruck: A Novel in Words and Pictures,” written by Brian Selznick and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic.

The teen (ages 14-18) award winner is “The Running Dream,” written by Wendelin Van Draanen and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

• “Big Girl Small,” by Rachel DeWoskin, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• “In Zanesville,” by Jo Ann Beard, published by Little, Brown & Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
• “The Lover’s Dictionary,” by David Levithan, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• “The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens,” by Brooke Hauser, published by Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
• “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern, published by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
• “Ready Player One,” by Ernest Cline, published by Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.(ISBN: 9780307887436)
• “Robopocalypse: A Novel,” by Daniel H. Wilson, published by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
• “Salvage the Bones,” by Jesmyn Ward, published by Bloomsbury USA
• “The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures,” by Caroline Preston, published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
• “The Talk-Funny Girl,” by Roland Merullo, published by Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video:

Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producers of “Children Make Terrible Pets,” are the Carnegie Medal winners.

The video is based on the book written by Peter Brown, and is narrated by Emily Eiden, with music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young, and animation by Soup2Nuts.

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:

Susan Cooper is the 2012 Edwards Award winner. Her books include: The Dark Is Rising Sequence: “Over Sea, Under Stone”; “The Dark Is Rising”; “Greenwitch”; “The Grey King”; and “Silver on the Tree.”

May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site:

Michael Morpurgowill deliver the 2013 lecture.

Born in England, Morpurgo was teaching when he discovered the magic of storytelling and began writing. His books are noted for their imagination, power and grace. In 1976, he and his wife established the charity Farms for City Children.  He is an officer of the Order of the British Empire and served as Britain’s third Children’s Laureate.  His novel, “War Horse,” has wowed theater audiences in London and New York and movie audiences all over.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States:

“Soldier Bear” is the 2012 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Dutch in 2008 as “Soldaat Wojtek,” written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman, translated by Laura Watkinson and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

One Batchelder Honor Book also was selected: “The Lily Pond,” published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., written by Annika Thor, and translated by Linda Schenck.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:

“Rotters,” produced Listening Library,an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., is the 2012 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Daniel Kraus and narrated by Kirby Heyborne.

Four Odyssey Honor audiobooks also were selected: “Ghetto Cowboy,” produced by Brilliance Audio, written by G. Neri and narrated by JD Jackson; “Okay for Now,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., written by Gary D. Schmidt and narrated by Lincoln Hoppe; “The Scorpio Races,” produced by Scholastic Inc., Scholastic Audiobooks, written by Maggie Stiefvaterandnarrated by Steve Westand Fiona Hardingham;and “Young Fredle,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., written by Cynthia Voigt and narrated by Wendy Carter.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:

“Diego Rivera: His World and Ours,” illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Two Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were selected: “The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred,” illustrated by Rafael López, written by Samantha R. Vamos and published by Charlesbridge; and “Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match /Marisol McDonald no combina,” illustrated by Sara Palacios, written by Monica Brown and published by Children’s Book Press, an imprint of Lee and Low Books Inc.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award:

“Under the Mesquite,” written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, is the Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Lee and Low Books Inc.

Two Belpré Author Honor Books were named: “Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck,” written by Margarita Engle and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.; and “Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller,” written by Xavier Garza and published by Cinco Puntos Press.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:

“Balloons over Broadway:  The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade,” written by Melissa Sweet, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Four Sibert Honor Books were named: “Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor,” written by Larry Dane Brimnerand published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc.; “Drawing from Memory,” written and illustrated by Allen Sayand published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “The Elephant Scientist,” written by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna M. Jackson, photographs byCaitlin O’Connell and Timothy Rodwelland published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company; and “Witches!: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem” written and illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzerand published by the National Geographic Society.

Stonewall Book Award -Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:

“Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy,” written by Bil Wright and published by Simon & Schuster BFYR, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division,is the winner of the 2012 Stonewall Award. The award is given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience.

Four Honor Books were selected: “a + e 4ever,” drawn and written by Ilike Merey and published by Lethe Press, Inc.; “Money Boy,” written by Paul Yee and published by Groundwood Books, an imprint of House of Anansi Press; “Pink,” written by Lili Wilkinson and published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins; and “with or without you,” written by Brian Farrey and published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:

“Tales for Very Picky Eaters,” written and illustrated by Josh Schneider, is the Geisel Award winner. The book is published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Three Geisel Honor Books were named: “I Broke My Trunk,” written and illustrated by Mo Willems, and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “I Want My Hat Back,” written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, and published by Candlewick Press; and “See Me Run,” written and illustrated by Paul Meisel, and published by Holiday House.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:

“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley is the 2012 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Girl of Fire and Thorns,” written by Rae Carson, published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “Paper Covers Rock,” written by Jenny Hubbard, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books; “Under the Mesquite,” written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, published by Lee and Low Books; and “Between Shades of Gray,” written by Ruta Sepetys, published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group USA.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults, ages 12 – 18, each year: 

“The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the 2012 Excellence winner. The book is published by Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science,” written by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos, published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; “Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition,” written by Karen Blumenthal, published by Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way),” written by Sue Macy, published by National Geographic Children’s Books; and “Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein,” written by Susan Goldman Rubin, published by Charlesbridge.