Award Winning Youth Literature Database: Stories Without Words

Tan, Shaun. The Arrival. Scholastic, Incorporated, 2007. 128 pages. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-439-89529-3.

Annotation: In a wordless graphic novel, a man leaves his wife and child to embark on a journey to a foreign country. The lonely experience of the immigrant is portrayed as a new and, hopefully, better life is created.

Summary: In this wordless graphic novel, a man leaves his wife and child and the familiarity of his homeland and embarks on a journey to find a better life in a foreign country. He boards a steamship filled with other refugees and arrives in a weird yet wonderful country. The country has different architecture, alphabet and symbols, technologies, foods, culture, and animals. The novelty of the city and the distance from home creates much sadness and anxiety. Slowly he assimilates as he gains friends, employment, and confidence. The end is happy when he reunites with his family in the new country.

Evaluation: In this sepia-toned graphic novel, the immigrant experience is sensitively portrayed. The pencil illustrations capture the anxiety, confusion, loneliness, and wonder as an immigrant slowly assimilates into a new and strange culture. The complexity of feelings and issues for immigrants is expertly depicted with the detailed artwork. Readers will empathize with the difficulty of starting something new. Recommended for ages 12 to 17.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Stories Without Words, Immigration, Identity, Loneliness, Persistence,Aspirations

Awards: 2008 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2008 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner, 2008 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2008 ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2008 ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2008 American Booksellers Award – Children’s Literature Honor Book

Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. 40 pages. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-01356-7.

Annotation: In this wordless adaptation of Aesop’s classic fable of the lion and the mouse, the king of the beasts and a little mouse learn about the true meaning of friendship.

Summary: In this wordless picture book set in the African Serengeti, the classic fable of the lion and the mouse is beautifully portrayed in watercolor and colored pencil. A tiny mouse escapes from an attacking owl, only to find herself at the mercy of a lion. The lion ponders the situation and decides to free the mouse. Later the lion finds himself caught in a poacher’s snare and it is the little mouse that returns the favor and sets the lion free by gnawing the rope. Because of the acts of kindness, both animals are free to enjoy their respective families once more.

Evaluation: The detailed and expressive artwork conveys the classic fable so well that words are unnecessary. Through the telling expressions of the realistically drawn animals, all relevant emotions are convincingly communicated. Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Fables, Folktale, Animals, Lions, Mice

Awards: 2010 Caldecott Medal Winner, 2010 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2010 American Booksellers Indies Choice Book Award - Best New Picture Book

Listing of National Youth Literature Awards

ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Award- Given by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) through the ALA (American Library Association) to outstanding audiobooks for youth ages 12-18 that represent diverse genres and styles.
ALA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults- Given by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) through the ALA (American Library Association) to honor the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18).
ALA Best Books for Young Adults Award- Given by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) through the ALA (American Library Association) to significant adult and young adult fiction and nonfiction books for their proven or potential appeal to the personal reading tastes of the young adult.
ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens Award- Given by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) through the ALA (American Library Association) to outstanding graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction books for ages 12-18.
ALA Notable Children's Books- Given by the ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children) though the ALA (American Library Association) to the best of the best in children's books.
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Award- Given by YALSA ( Young Adult Library Services Association) through the ALA (American Library Association) to outstanding books for youth ages 12-18. These youth typically will not pick up a book on their own and read for pleasure; the award is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read.
Alex Award- Given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.
American Booksellers Association Award- Given to books that are unique, thought-provoking, and engaging. Now called the Indies' Choice Book Awards due to the independent booksellers that promote the books.
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video Award- Given to an outstanding video production for children.
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award- Given for excellence in children's and young adult literature. Typically books are of high quality and display overall creative excellence.
Charlotte Zolotow Award- Given for outstanding writing in a picture book published in the United States.
Christopher Award- Given to books that affirm the highest values of the human spirit. The goal of the award is to encourage people to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence a mass audience positively.
Coretta Scott King Book Award- Given to outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.
Golden Kite Award- Given to authors and illustrators for excellence in the field of children's books.
Jane Addams Children's Book Award- Given to books that most effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, and world community
John Newbery Medal Award- Given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award- Given to 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.
Los Angeles Times Book Prize- Given to outstanding literature. There are nine single-title categories including one for youth--young adult fiction.
Margaret A. Edwards Award- Given to an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.
Michael L. Printz Award- Given to a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award- Given to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding example of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.
National Book Award- Given to American authors to celebrate the best of American literature and to enhance the cultural value of good writing in America.
New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age- Given to various media including books to promote the best titles for teens. The selected titles have been teen-tested.
Oydssey Audiobook Award- Given to the producer of the best audiobook production for children and young adults.
Pura Belpre Award- Given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Randolph Caldecott Medal Award- Given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Award- Given to the most distinguished informational book published in English for its significant contribution to children's literature.
Schneider Family Book Award- Given to an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award- Given to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to beginning reader books of American children's literature.
William C. Morris YA Debut Award- Given to a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.

Award Winning Youth Literature Database

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Listing of National Youth Literature Awards