Coretta Scott King Award Book Club discussion

Here are some thoughts about what may be in consideration for CSK Honors and Award this year. Please add any others you think may or should be considered.

Each year the American Library Association honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.

The 2016 Youth Media Awards will be announced at 8 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition in Boston. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. local time.

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper. When the Ku Klux Klan's unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella's segregated southern town, bravery battles prejudice in this Depression-era tour de force from Sharon Draper. Age Range: 9 - 13 years, Grade Level: 4 - 8, Lexile Measure 740L.
I read this over Christmas 2015 and liked it.
http://sharondraper.com/

The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds. Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he can't handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl who's dealt with a lot more--and who just might be able to clue him in on how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down. Age Range: 12 and up, Grade Level: 7 and up, Lexile Measure: HL760L.
http://www.jasonwritesbooks.com/

Note on "HL760: ' A text designated as "HL" has a Lexile measure much lower than the average reading ability of the intended age range of its readers. Librarians and booksellers sometimes refer to young adult books with disproportionately low Lexile measures as "high-low" books, meaning "high-interest" plus "low-readability." These books receive an HL code. Often fiction, HL books are useful when matching older (grade 7 and beyond) struggling or reluctant readers with text at both an appropriate difficulty level and an appropriate developmental level. Despite their short sentences and basic vocabulary, HL books are designed to appeal to readers at a more mature developmental level. ' (from lexile.com)

Here is a possible Illustrator nominee:
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. Illustrated by Christian Robinson. This reminds me of Ezra Jack Keats' books. Age Range: 3 - 5 years. Lexile Measure: AD610L.
http://theartoffun.com/about/

Note on Lexile "AD" rating.: 'AD: Adult Directed Picture books are frequently considered for an AD or "adult directed" code because they are usually read to a child, rather than a child reading them independently. This is the classic example of parent and child sitting together on the couch with the book open in their laps. Although seemingly easy reading, picture books can still present a challenging independent reading experience to an age-appropriate reader for reasons of text difficulty and book layout or design.' (from Lexile.com)

Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia. My beloved votes YES! for this book. It can be read on its own without reading the other two books by Ms. Williams-Garcia about the same three girls. Age Range: 8 - 12 years, Grade Level: 3 - 7, Lexile Measure: 740L.

http://www.ritawg.com/

I was underwhelmed by Stella by Starlight. I've heard great things about Williams-Garcia, and I want to read some of her books soon. I haven't heard of the others you mentioned.

12/28/2015 I added age ranges, grade ranges and lexile measures now that the books have been out for several months. The ALA conference is two weeks away. We will soon find out is any of these books make a CSK (or Newbery or Caldecott) Award/Honor this year. - Jack