I feel like the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards don’t get much play… and maybe I’m biased because A) I’ve been able to attend the awards ceremony for the past two years and B) I spent a semester hanging out in the Horn Book offices this past semester as an intern, but I LIKE the BGHB Awards. There are three categories – Picturebook, Fiction, and Nonfiction – with runners up for each. The picturebook award goes to author AND illustrator, which is cool. I like that the committee usually digs up some unconventional titles – a variety from the expected – and they announce in June rather than during “awards season.” All in all, I was excited to see these awards and pleased with the selection – all are moving directly to my to-read list.

Picturebook Award

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illus. Jon Klassen

Picturebook Honors

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illus. Erin E. Stead

And the Soldiers Sang by J. Patrick Lewis, illus. Gary Kelley

Fiction Award

No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illus R. Gregory Christie

Fiction Honors

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Nonfiction Award

Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Close

Nonfiction Honors

Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O’Keeffe Painted What She Pleased by Amy Novesky, illus. Yuyi Morales

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson