A Sampling of 2007 American Library Association (ALA) Honor Books
Selected by Marybeth Hassett-Murphy, Reference & Youth Services Librarian.
Scheduled to be published in the Times Union on 4/2007.
| Title: Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet Author: McLimans, David ALA 2007 Caldecott Honor book or ages: 5 and up Stark, inventive illustrations incorporate features of the endangered species representing each letter in this alphabet; the bladelike beak and sinuous neck of the oriental white stork grace the “S”, yak horns sprout from the “Y”. A great introduction to some endangered members of the animal kingdom and their environments. |
| Title: Jazz Author: Myers, Walter Dean, Illustrated by Christopher Myers ALA 2007 Coretta Scott King Honor book (illustrator) for ages: 9 and up Vibrant, color saturated pictures play give and take- surrounding, supporting, intertwining- with this free verse tribute to the American art form - jazz. This is a good pick for the young musician ready to explore beyond the mainstream. A prose introduction, glossary and timeline fill some gaps; better explaining the evolution of the music. Couple this book with recordings of different jazz styles to amplify the experience. |
| Title: Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon Author: Thimmesh, Catherine ALA 2007 Sibert Medal Book for ages: 6 and up Anyone who has dreamed of being an astronaut when they grow up will love this book. Interviews and photographs combine to convey the hope, fear and ultimate triumph of landing men on the moon. |
| Title: Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea Author: Montgomery, Sy, Photographs by Nic Bishop ALA 2007 Sibert Honor Book for ages: 6 and up A trek through an exotic environment, the search for a rare, elusive species and the native people working to protect and preserve their land unite in this beautifully photographed adventure. Guaranteed to create wanderlust for children and adults. |
| Title: Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement Author: Bausum, Ann ALA 2007 Sibert Honor Book for ages: 10 and up Two more dissimilar backgrounds might be hard to imagine as this book traces the paths taken by two young Americans; one black, one white, and their meeting in common cause to further democracy for all in the 1960s in the United States. |