On Monday, the American Library Association's (ALA) Youth Media Awards will be announced. I have done book award units with students in the past that have included the Caldecott Award, Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Schneider Family Book Award, Pura Belpré Award, and the Robert F. Sibert Informational Award all of which are ALA Youth Media Awards. Fifth graders recently finished a unit on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards which are presented annually by the American Library Association to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults. We read five books that were past Coretta Scott King winners. Students used key details from the text to support criteria listed on the Coretta Scott King Book Award site. They also wrote about their favorite part of the books. And finally, they voted on which book they though should be the winner and explained why they chose that book. Each fifth grade class had a different winner and every book got at least one vote from students. Overall, students enjoyed the books - asking many questions and giving thoughtful responses. Our overall winner (book that got the most total votes) was Firebird by Misty Copeland; ill. by Christopher Myers. Here is one student's response as to why she chose this book:
"I chose this book because it tells people if you try hard, you can accomplish your dream. This book encourages the readers to follow their dreams. This book should be kept so kids can read it and be inspired."
See full results below:
Books we read:
Litlle Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russel-Brown; ill. by Frank Morrison
Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson
The Faithful Friend by Robert San Souci; ill. by Brian Pinkney
Firebird by Misty Copeland; ill. by Chistopher Myers
Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams; ill. by R. Gregory Christie
Overall Winner (book that got the most total votes)
Firebird
Crocker 5th grade class winner
The Faithful Friend
Rogers 5th grade class winner
Tie between Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan & The Faithful Friend
Thacker 5th grade class winner
Firebird
"I chose this book because it tells people if you try hard, you can accomplish your dream. This book encourages the readers to follow their dreams. This book should be kept so kids can read it and be inspired."
See full results below:
Books we read:
Litlle Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russel-Brown; ill. by Frank Morrison
Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson
The Faithful Friend by Robert San Souci; ill. by Brian Pinkney
Firebird by Misty Copeland; ill. by Chistopher Myers
Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams; ill. by R. Gregory Christie
Overall Winner (book that got the most total votes)
Firebird
Crocker 5th grade class winner
The Faithful Friend
Rogers 5th grade class winner
Tie between Brothers in Hope: the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan & The Faithful Friend
Thacker 5th grade class winner
Firebird