Library has latest Newbery, Caldecott winners

By Dara L. Cain

Rowan Public Library

If you haven’t already heard, January was a very exciting time in the library community. The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, has announced this year’s Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners for titles published in the previous year.

Writer Jack Gantos has won this year’s Newbery Medal for “Dead End in Norvelt.” In 2001, Gantos received the Newbery Honor Award for his book “Joey Pigza Loses Control.” This year’s Caldecott Medal has been awarded to Chris Raschka, illustrator and writer of “A Ball for Daisy.” Raschka also won the Caldecott Medal in 2006 for “The Hello, Goodbye Window.”

The Newbery Award was established in 1922 and became the first children’s book award in the world. This prestigious award is named in honor of 18th-century English bookseller John Newbery. The intent of the award is “to encourage original creative work in the field of books for children” and “is awarded to the author for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.”

Set in a real Pennsylvania town created during the Great Depression, the character Jack Gantos (named after the author) manages to find himself “grounded for life” at the beginning of his summer vacation in Dead End in Norvelt. Jack’s punishment is to help an arthritic old neighbor, Miss Volker, type obituaries filled with stories about the citizens who have lived in the town.

As one obituary leads to another, Jack finds himself entangled with twisted promises, voices from the past, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, Hells Angels and possibly a murder. In this funny adventure story, Jack learns that being grounded may have its unexpected share of surprises as he learns about facing death and his fears.

It became apparent to many people after the Newbery Award was established that the artists designing picture books for children were equally deserving of recognition and encouragement. As a result, the Caldecott Medal was established in 1938 and was named in honor of the 19th-century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott.

“This medal is to be given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year.” Every child has a special toy in the wordless picture book, “A Ball for Daisy,” illustrated by Chris Raschka. Most children will be able to relate to Daisy, an energetic black-eared dog whose favorite red ball is deflated by a big brown dog. Daisy is heartbroken but learns that sometimes losses can lead to unanticipated gains when Daisy and the big brown dog become friends and the big dog gives her a blue ball that they can play with together.

Raschka is successful in portraying the emotions of the story without the necessity of words by using ink, watercolor and gouache artwork. He effectively creates large close-ups of Daisy to emphasize emotion and smaller panels for the action scenes.

“Dead End in Norvelt” and “Daisy’s Red Ball” can be found at Rowan Public Library. Remember to also look for this year’s Newbery Honor Books: “Inside Out & Back Again,” written by Thanhha Lai, and “Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. For the younger audience, be sure to check out the Caldecott Honor Books awarded this year: “Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco; “Grandpa Green,” illustrated and written by Lane Smith, and “Me Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell.

Computer classes: Google. Feb. 20, 7 p.m., South; Feb. 21, 1 p.m., East (registration required by calling Paul at 704-216-7841); Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m., headquarters.

Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.

Children’s Storytime: Weekly story time Feb. 6-April 30. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Headquarters — Tuesday, 10:30, Toddler Time (18- to 35-month-olds); Wednesday, 11 a.m., Baby Time (6- to 23-month-olds); Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3- to 5-year-olds), 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds).

South — Monday, 4 p.m., Noodlehead; Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time and 1:30 p.m., Preschool Time; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time.

East — Monday, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time; Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time.

JR’s Adventure Club: Headquarters, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. The club will choose a project to build, and have books from the library and recommended websites that go along with the project. The club is open to all school-age children. Light refreshments. Call 704-216-8234 to learn more.

American Girl Club: Headquarters, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. A book discussion group about the life and times of the American Girls characters. This year’s discussion will focus on Addy and the Civil War.

Music and storytelling evening at South Branch — Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m., Rhythm Nights. Obakunle Akinlana will perform with storytelling and drums, and Robert Howle will play classical guitar, followed by open mic readings from the community. Everyone is welcome at these free programs.

Book Bites Club: South only, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., “Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” by Kim Edwards. Book discussion groups for both adults and children are held at South Rowan Regional Library and meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and free to join at any time. Discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.

Teen program: All 5:30-7 p.m. Chocolate festival back by popular demand. Chocolate fountain, taste testing, painting and more. South, Feb. 21; East, Feb. 27; headquarters, Feb. 28.

Displays: Headquarters — Christian log cabins by North Hills Christian School and student art by East Rowan High School; South, student art by Corriher Lipe Middle School; East, rubber stamping by Glenda Trexler.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.