{"id":307,"date":"2008-01-16T07:59:00","date_gmt":"2008-01-16T07:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rbicmsblog.reedbusiness.com\/elogic_660000266\/2008\/01\/16\/awarding-the-2008-morris-medals\/"},"modified":"2008-01-16T07:59:00","modified_gmt":"2008-01-16T07:59:00","slug":"awarding-the-2008-morris-medals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/?p=307","title":{"rendered":"Awarding the 2008 Morris Medals"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is not (as yet) any such thing as The Morris Medal, but every year when I get frustrated with the titles I see getting left off everyone else’s "Best of the Year" picks, I think maybe there ought to be! I’ve been intermittently adding to my list of "Morris Medal Contenders" as 2007 has progressed, and what follows is how this year’s results would<\/em> look, were actual Morris Medals being minted. Or printed on shiny self-adhesive paper.<\/p>\n

Note that because this is my<\/em> award, I can select as many Medalists and Honor books as my little heart desires, and I’ve exploited that fact, though at the expense of being able to put links in for all of these titles (there are just too many!). Note, too, that I add and subtract categories from my Medals list every year, because some years there are books that fit them well, and other years there are not. In the same vein, some categories have honor books this year, and some don’t. That’s just the way I’ve decided to do things this time, and it’s kind of nice, actually, that these awards aren’t "real" so I don’t have to take any actual flack for those changes!<\/p>\n

That having been said, let me explain that just because I don’t have actual tangible medals to award to this year’s Morris Medalists and Honor recipients, that doesn’t mean I love their books any less. My sentiments here are the real thing, even if the medals aren’t.<\/p>\n

Titles within each category are listed alphabetically by author’s last name, not by any "I like you more than this book but less than that book" or "this author was especially nice to me at such-and-such conference" ranking system.<\/p>\n

Also, on the topic of authors being nice to me, I recused myself from the voting for any books adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds, because I feel my ability to be impartial regarding said books has been extremely compromised by 10 months of blissful cohabitation. Gareth supported this decision.<\/p>\n

And one more thing: I know there are probably great books missing from each award category, but honestly? I haven’t read every single novel that came out this year, nor have I necessarily seen every<\/em> picture book. If your novel or picture book or misc. nonfiction title hasn’t made it onto this list of accolades, just assume that I didn’t read it or see it, but that I will in the very near future, okay? That way no one has to feel insulted, and I suffer a lot less guilt over the number of books I’m not getting to nowadays.<\/p>\n

And now… The lack of envelope please:<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Book Illustration goes to 6 books this year (listed alphabetically by author’s last name):<\/p>\n

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal<\/em> by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis<\/p>\n

The Castle on Hester Street<\/em> by Linda Heller, illustrated by Boris Kulikov<\/p>\n

The Owl and the Pussycat<\/em> by Edward Lear, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch<\/p>\n

17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore<\/em> by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter<\/p>\n

The Arrival<\/em> by Shaun Tan<\/p>\n

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry<\/em> collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar<\/p>\n

Honor Books (there are 18 this year, again listed alphabetically by author’s last name):<\/p>\n

The Nightingale<\/em> by Hans Christian Anderson, illustrated by Igor Oleynikov<\/p>\n

The Ugly Duckling<\/em> by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Stephen Mitchell, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher<\/p>\n

New Clothes for New Year’s Day<\/em> by Hyun-Joo Bae<\/p>\n

Deep in the Swamp<\/em> by Donna M. Bateman, illustrated by Brian Lies<\/p>\n

Let It Shine<\/em> by Ashley Bryan<\/p>\n

The Golden Rule<\/em> by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska<\/p>\n

Mary and the Mouse, the Mouse and Mary<\/em> by Beverly Donofrio and Barbara McClintock<\/p>\n

Orange Pear Apple Bear<\/em> by Emily Gravett<\/p>\n

The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County<\/em> by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Shelley Jackson<\/p>\n

Little Eagle<\/em> by Chen Jiang Hong<\/p>\n

Today and Today<\/em> by Kobayashi Issa, illustrated by G. Brian Karas<\/p>\n

Waiting for Mama<\/em> by Tae-Joon Lee, illustrated by Dong-Sung Kim<\/p>\n

Henry’s Freedom Box<\/em> by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson<\/p>\n

Red Butterfly: How a Princess Smuggled the Secret of Silk Out of China<\/em> by Deborah Noyes, illustrated by Sophie Blackall<\/p>\n

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird<\/em> by Jacques Prévert, translated and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein<\/p>\n

The Invention of Hugo Cabret<\/em> (a novel) by Brian Selznick<\/p>\n

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean<\/em> by Kevin Sherry<\/p>\n

Robot Dreams<\/em> by Sara Varon<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Writing in a Picture Book goes to:<\/p>\n

The Castle on Hester Street<\/em> by Linda Heller, illustrated by Boris Kulikov
(Apparently the text of this book is 25 years old, but it’s presented in this edition with new illustrations and the text was new to ME this year, so… It qualifies. Because I make up the rules here, remember?)<\/p>\n

Pink<\/em> by Nan Gregory, illustrated by Luc Melanson<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

 I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean<\/em> by Kevin Sherry<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Most Engaging Middle Grade Novel of the Year goes to:<\/p>\n

The Arrival<\/em> by Shaun Tan<\/p>\n

A Crooked Kind of Perfect<\/em> by Linda Urban<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

Home of the Brave<\/em> by Katherine Applegate<\/p>\n

Elijah of Buxton<\/em> by Christopher Paul Curtis<\/p>\n

When I Crossed No-Bob<\/em> by Margaret McMullan<\/p>\n

The Invention of Hugo Cabret<\/em> (a novel) by Brian Selznick<\/p>\n

The Mysterious Benedict Society<\/em> by Trenton Lee Stewart<\/p>\n

Robot Dreams<\/em> by Sara Varon<\/p>\n

The Aurora County All-Stars<\/em> by Deborah Wiles<\/p>\n

Feathers<\/em> by Jacqueline Woodson<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Most Engaging Young Adult Novel of the Year goes to:<\/p>\n

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian<\/em> by Sherman Alexie<\/p>\n

The White Darkness<\/em> by Geraldine McCaughrean<\/p>\n

Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow<\/em> by James Sturm, illustrated by Rich Tommaso<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Writing in a Graphic Novel goes to:<\/p>\n

Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow<\/em> by James Sturm, illustrated by Rich Tommaso<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Illustrations in a Graphic Novel goes to:<\/p>\n

The Arrival<\/em> by Shaun Tan<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow<\/em> by James Sturm, illustrated by Rich Tommaso<\/p>\n

Robot Dreams<\/em> by Sara Varon<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Beginning Reader Book goes to:<\/p>\n

Dodsworth in New York<\/em> by Tim Egan<\/p>\n

The Cat on the Mat Is Flat<\/em> by Andy Griffiths<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

Wiggle and Waggle<\/em> by Caroline Arnold and Mary Peterson<\/p>\n

Little Rat Makes Music<\/em> by Monika Bang Campbell, illustrated by Molly Bang<\/p>\n

My Friend Is Sad<\/em> by Mo Willems<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Book of Poetry goes to:<\/p>\n

The Owl and the Pussycat<\/em> by Edward Lear, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch<\/p>\n

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry<\/em> collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

Today and Today<\/em> by Kobayashi Issa, illustrated by G. Brian Karas<\/p>\n

T
\nap
\n Dancing on the Roof: Sijo Poems<\/em> by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Istvan Banyai<\/p>\n

This Is Just to Say: Poems of Forgiveness and Apology<\/em> by Joyce Sidman<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Read-Aloud goes to:<\/p>\n

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown<\/em> by Cressida Cowell<\/p>\n

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry<\/em> collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon<\/em> by Ruth Forman<\/p>\n

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean<\/em> by Kevin Sherry<\/p>\n

The Aurora County All-Stars<\/em> by Deborah Wiles<\/p>\n

Who Likes Rain?<\/em> by Wong Herbert Yee<\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Book Most Likely to Entertain a Toddler goes to:<\/p>\n

What’s Wrong, Little Pookie?<\/em> by Sandra Boynton<\/p>\n

Penguin<\/em> by Polly Dunbar<\/p>\n

The Police Cloud<\/em> by Christophe Niemann<\/p>\n

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry<\/em> collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Children’s or Young Adult Book to Give to Your Adult Friends goes to:<\/p>\n

A Crooked Kind of Perfect<\/em> by Linda Urban<\/p>\n

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian<\/em> by Sherman Alexie<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Book to Give to Your Teacher Friends & Their Classroom Libraries goes to:<\/p>\n

Vinnie and Abraham<\/em> by Dawn FitzGerald, illustrated by Catherine Stock<\/p>\n

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella<\/em> by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Best Ways to Beat Boredom goes to:<\/p>\n

101 Things You Gotta Do Before You’re 12<\/em> by Joanne O’Sullivan<\/p>\n

Squiggles: A Really Giant Drawing and Painting Book<\/em> by Taro Gomi<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em> <\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for Best Non-Fiction Book goes to:<\/p>\n

The Secret of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story<\/em> by Peter Lane Taylor with Christos Nicola<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Disguised: A Wartime Memoir<\/em> by Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli<\/p>\n

Vinnie and Abraham<\/em> by Dawn FitzGerald, illustrated by Catherine Stock<\/p>\n

Lightship<\/em> by Brian Floca<\/p>\n

One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II<\/em> by Lita Judge<\/p>\n

Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas<\/em> by Meghan McCarthy<\/p>\n

Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive<\/em> by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Book That Made Me Laugh the Loudest goes to:<\/p>\n

Diary of a Wimpy Kid<\/em> by Jeff Kinney<\/p>\n

A Crooked Kind of Perfect<\/em> by Linda Urban<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/em><\/p>\n

Millie Waits for the Mail<\/em> by Alexander Steffensmeier<\/p>\n

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend<\/em> by Mélanie Watt<\/p>\n

The Year of Living Biblically<\/em> by A.J. Jacobs (This is a book for grown-ups, but I had to include it here because it DEFINITELY qualifies for this award — just ask anyone who was near when I was reading it!)<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Book That Made Me the Teariest goes to:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian<\/em> by Sherman Alexie<\/p>\n

Home of the Brave<\/em> by Katherine Applegate<\/p>\n

Today and Today<\/em> by Kobayashi Issa, illustrated by G. Brian Karas<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for The Book(s) I Most Wish I’d Discovered in My Childhood goes to:<\/p>\n

How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen<\/em> by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Quentin Blake<\/p>\n

A Near Thing for Captain Najork<\/em> by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Quentin Blake<\/p>\n

**************************<\/em><\/p>\n

The 2008 Morris Medal for the Most Kid-Friendly Book of the Year goes to:<\/p>\n

Diary of a Wimpy Kid<\/em> by Jeff Kinney<\/p>\n

The Mysterious Benedict Society<\/em> by Trenton Lee Stewart<\/p>\n

Honor Books:<\/p>\n

The Lemonade War<\/em> by Jacqueline Davies<\/p>\n

The Cat on the Mat Is Flat<\/em> by Andy Griffiths<\/p>\n

How Big Is It? A Book All About Bigness<\/em> by Ben Hillman<\/p>\n

Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners<\/em> by Laurie Keller<\/p>\n

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy<\/em> by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser<\/p>\n

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean<\/em> by Kevin Sherry<\/p>\n

A Crooked Kind of Perfect<\/em> by Linda Urban<\/p>\n

Knuffle Bunny Too<\/em> by Mo Willems<\/p>\n

 **************************<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is not (as yet) any such thing as The Morris Medal, but every year when I get frustrated with the titles I see getting left off everyone else’s “Best of the Year” picks, I think maybe there ought to be! I’ve been intermittently adding to my list of “Morris Medal Contenders” as 2007 has progressed, and what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.publishersweekly.com\/blogs\/shelftalker\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}