YALSA Award for Exellence in Nonfiction & The Sibert Informational Book Medal

This Part 2 in a continuing discussion of book awards presented annually by the American Library Association.


The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) branch of the ALA presents the Award for Excellence in Nonfiction to honor the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18). The 2011 winner is Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel. "From her humble beginnings in a small town in Texas to her marquee life as a superstar of 60's rock, Janis Joplin remains an icon of music. Despite her short life, she left an indelible impression on the music on an era." Other finalists are They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell Bartoletti; Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement by Rick Bowers; The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul Janeczko; and Every Bone Tells a Story: Hominin Discoveries, Deductions, and Debates by Jill Rubalcaba and Peter Robertshaw.


The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually by the ALA to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the receding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, IL. The 2011 medal winner is Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Bird, written by Sy Montgomery and illustrated by Nic Boshop. "Kakapo Rescue is an inspiring call to action. This visually appealing and engaging book takes readers on an unforgettable journey to New Zealand. Naturalist Sy Montgomery and wildlife photographer Nic Bishop document the successes and failures of the rescue team dedicated to saving a species of flightless parrot numbering fewer than 100." Sibert Honor Books are Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan and illustrated by Brian Floca; and Lafayette and the American Revolution written and illustrated by Russell Freedman.

On Tuesday, 15-FEB, I will visit with K-Geelan and 2-Glawe. K-G will listen to Hokey Pokey: Another Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Janie Bynum. 2-G will listen to the book, Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters and Nancy Carpenter. On Thursday, 17-FEB, Mrs. Olson will meet with 3-Zuehl and will read Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh.

Next week I will be in Kanawha on Tuesday and meet with K-Geelan and 2-Glawe on Thursday.

Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian