This week in class readalouds we are looking at books about journeys. Some are light-hearted, some more serious, some historical, some involving animals...there are a lot of different variations on the topic. One noteworthy book, which I'm reading to a couple of classes in grade 4 and a couple in grade 5, is this year's winner of the Caldecott Medal: Locomotive, by Brian Floca. This long, incredibly detailed book about the Transcontinental Railroad is about as perfect a picture book as I've ever seen. Also very worthy of special mention is Flight of the Honeybee, by Raymond Huber. Although I have only taken a passing glance, what I've found so far on Mr. Huber's website is fascinating--information about bees, of course, but also some thoughtful musings on children's books and other topics. There's a link there to a very nice 6-minute film about bees.

We have an interesting literary event happening right here in Manhattan Beach: Our local independent bookstore--Pages--is hosting Stuart Gibbs, author of some very popular middle-grade novels. His Belly Up did very well with Pennekamp's 5th-grade book club a couple of years ago; and now there is a follow-up, Poached, another zoo-themed mystery (with an immediately appealing cover). Mr. Gibbs has two other successful storylines going: The Last Musketeer, followed by Traitor's Chase and Double Cross; and Spy School, followed by Spy Camp. I would recommend any of these super entertaining books to readers from grade 4 up through middle school. So, back to the event: At Pages; Wednesday, May 14; 7:00 p.m. Contact the store for more information (310-318-0900).

The public library has plenty of copies now of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, by Chris Grabenstein, for our 5th-grade book club. They are being held at the "express library," which is open Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 6, and Saturday from 11 to 3. Thanks to library manager Don Gould for obtaining these for us. The next and final book club meeting will be on June 2. By the way, our "express library" branch will be offering the usual summer reading program--be sure to sign up to keep track of your reading and earn prizes!

In library visits this week the students and I will continue our participation in the California Young Reader Medal contest (grades TK, K, and 1). Grades 2 and 3 will hear books related to the Chinese New Year (grades 2 and 3). The Chinese (or lunar) new year begins this year on Friday, January 31. This coming year is the Year of the Horse.

Grades 4 and 5 are continuing with their novels. We have not done a lot of discussion of the novels yet--I'm trying to cover some ground and allow the novels to "work their magic" without my intrusion. However, the time is coming for discussion with those grades, and you are certainly encouraged to ask your sons and daughters what they think of the books. Grade 4 is hearing When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead, winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal; grade 5 is hearing Schooled, by Gordon Korman.

The book club for grade 5 met yesterday to discuss Jinx, by Sage Blackwood. It was a very interesting discussion, with many detailed and perceptive comments from the participants. I cannot overstate how impressed I am with these students--the detail with which they read, their ability to make connections within and among books, and the respect they show each other (and me) during meetings. What a pleasure to meet with them! The club's next selection is Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, and the next meeting will be Monday, February 24. 

Also yesterday was the announcement of the American Library Association Youth Media Awards, including the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal. Congratulations to all the outstanding authors and publishers who create and deliver excellent books for young people! A selection of the winners follows, but a complete list as well as more information on the awards can be found on the website of the American Library Association (from which I created my partial list):

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature: “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures,” written by Kate DiCamillo

John Newbery Honors: “Doll Bones,” written by Holly Black; “The Year of Billy Miller,” written by Kevin Henkes; “One Came Home,” written by Amy Timberlake; “Paperboy,” written by Vince Vawter

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children: “Locomotive,” illustrated by Brian Floca

Randolph Caldecott Honors: “Journey,” written and illustrated by Aaron Becker; “Flora and the Flamingo,” written and illustrated by Molly Idle; “Mr. Wuffles!” written and illustrated by David Wiesner 

Coretta Scott King Author Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: “P.S. Be Eleven,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award: “Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me,” illustrated by Bryan Collier

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor: “Nelson Mandela,” illustrated and written by Kadir Nelson

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award: “When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop,” illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Patricia McKissack and Fredrick McKissack

 Schneider Family Book Awards for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience: “A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin,” written by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (for children ages 0 to 10); “Handbook for Dragon Slayers,” written by Merrie Haskell (ages 11-13)

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults: Markus Zusak. His books include “The Book Thief” and “I Am the Messenger.”   

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States: “Mister Orange,” originally published in Dutch in 2011 as “Mister Orange,” written by Truus Matti, translated by Laura Watkinson

Pura Belpré Illustrator Award honoring a Latino illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:: “Niño Wrestles the World,” illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales

Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor: “Maria Had a Little Llama / María Tenía una Llamita,” illustrated and written by Angela Dominguez; “Tito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del Mambo,” illustrated by Rafael López, written by Monica Brown; “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh 

Pura Belpré Author Honor honoring a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale,” written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh 

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children: “Parrots over Puerto Rico,” written by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore, and illustrated by Susan L. Roth

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers: “The Watermelon Seed,” written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor: “Ball,” written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan; “A Big Guy Took My Ball!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems; “Penny and Her Marble,” written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes