Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
The bookstore is open for our usual hours today, and we are proud of our diverse selection of children’s books here on 65 James Street.
Speaking of children’s books, the American Library Association announced their youth media award winners last week. Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester congratulates all the winners.
The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature went to Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña.
The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children went to Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
The Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults went to Gone Crazy in Alabama, by Rita Williams-Garcia.
The Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award went to Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier.
The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award went to Hoodoo, written by Ronald L. Smith.
The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award went to Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Ekua Holmes.
The Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement went to Jerry Pinkney. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.
The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults went to Bone Gap, written by Laura Ruby.
The Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience went to Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, written by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls for children ages 0 to 10.
Fish in a Tree, written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and The War that Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley are the winners of the middle-school (ages 11-13).
The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, written by Teresa Toten.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2016 winner is Jerry Pinkney, whose award-winning works include The Lion and the Mouse, recipient of the Caldecott Award in 2010. In addition, Pinkney has received five Caldecott Honor Awards, five Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards, and four Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors.
The Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults went to David Levithan. His books include: The Realm of Possibility, Boy Meets Boy, Love is the Higher Law, How They Met, and Other Stories, Wide Awake and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
The Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience went to Drum Dream Girl, illustrated by Rafael López.
The Pura Belpré (Author) Award went to Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir, written by Margarita Engle.
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children went to Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh.
The 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 went to George, written by Alex.
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book went to Don’t Throw It to Mo! written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Sam Ricks.
The William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens went to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, written by Becky Albertalli.
The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults went to Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War, written by Steve Sheinkin.
For the full list of winners and honorees, visit the ALA announcement here.
Now, onto events and activities!! As always, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page (even linked here and at the bottom of the email for your convenience) to check for any changes in our hours or events due to inclement weather.
THIS WEEK, on Thursday, January 21, from 7:00-8:00 PM, we continue with our regular Doctor Who Talk series with this month’s focus on Planets. Join us for a discussion about the different planets the Doctor has visited, saved…or possibly destroyed. Remember, sweetie, no spoilers from this season!
Then on Friday, January 22, from 7:00-8:30 PM, we welcome Worcester Storytellers back for their regular open mic event with a featured reader Jenith Charpentier.
For the rest of the month and onward, here is the updated events information. With weather in particular, these things can get changed or postponed, so keep an eye on our Facebook page in case of any last-minute notes.
Monday, January 25, 7:00-8:00 PM – The Free People’s Artists Workshop.
Join us for an evening of creating, networking, and getting feedback from local fellow artists and creators of all types. Co-sponsored by the Worcester County Poetry Association.
UPDATED: Saturday, January 30, 2:00-4:00 PM – Cozy Cat Mysteries with Liz Mugavero
We already have copies in of her latest Pawsitively Organic Mystery release, Murder Most Finicky, and if you’d like to stock up on Liz’s other titles before the event, we have them all in stock.
Now… let’s take a look at FEBRUARY!!
NEW EVENT: Saturday, February 6, 3:00-6:00 PM – Writers Coffeehouse New England.
Led by bestselling authors Christopher Golden and James A. Moore, this Q&A Discussion of All Things Writing has moved all around the U.S., and it’s stopping by our little “bigger on the inside” bookstore. Come and ask about anything related to publishing, the writing life, and more—and get answers from people who make a living doing what they love.
NEW EVENT: Saturday, February 20, 2:00-4:00 PM – Sharon Yang presents Bait and Switch
Meet author and Worcester State University professor Sharon Yang as she talks about her debut novel, and the love of noir and film that inspired it!
As we move into a new year, we’re still continuing our regular events!
Spinning Yarns Craft and Audiobook Social, every Monday 7:00 PM (except for when the Free People’s Artists Workshop meets the last Monday of the month). Bring a craft and enjoy an audiobook or audio drama with other crafty booklovers!
Worcester Storytellers, the fourth Friday of every month from 7-8:30 PM. For the complete updates and schedules, follow Worcester Storytellers on Facebook! Next meeting on January 22.
The Free People’s Artists Workshop, the last Monday of each month from 7:00-9:00 PM. Networking and feedback from other artists and creators of all types. Co-sponsored by the Worcester County Poetry Association.
Doctor Who Talks, the third Thursday of every month from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Join us for a discussion of our favorite science fiction serial. Every month will have a different topic! Next meeting on January 21.
The Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts is an LGBTQA Book club that will meet once a month on Saturdays from 6:00-8:00 PM. Next meeting on January 16.
As always, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
May your world be filled with wonderful words!
Annie's Book Stop of Worcester 