Written by The winners of the third annual 
Children’s Choice Book Awards were announced at a gala in New York City last week. Colleen L. from First Book Charlotte North Carolina’s Advisory Board, myself and two other First Book employees were invited to attend this special event! The hilarious Mo Willems was the master of ceremonies for the awards portion of the night and Katherine Paterson, the current and inaugural National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature, presented the 2010 Impact Award to the event honoree, First Book’s President and co-founder, Ms. Kyle Zimmer.
Kyle was recognized for her vast contribution to the promotion of literacy and the love of reading among young people. Upon receiving this award, Kyle thanked the Children’s Book Council, the Every Child a Reader Foundation and the entire children’s book industry for their continued dedication to children from low income families and First Book’s mission.
On a side note – while I didn’t get to meet Judy Blume, we were in the same room AND at one point stood only a foot away from her! That means something right?
Additionally, if you missed the winners list – the 2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards went to:
Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
Lulu the Big Little Chick written and illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Bloomsbury USA)
Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf/Random House)
Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-fabulous Life written and illustrated by Rachel Renee Russell (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)
Teen Choice Book of the Year
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
Author of the Year
James Patterson for Max (A Maximum Ride Novel) (Little, Brown)
Illustrator of the Year
Peter Brown for The Curious Garden (Little, Brown)
