WLA Announces 2025 Children's Book Award Recipients

The Children’s Book Awards Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) has announced its Children’s Book Awards for 2025.    They will be recognized at the Awards & Honors Banquet  during the WLA Annual Conference at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton.  Many thanks to the Children's Book Awards Committee for their hard work, and to everyone who submitted a nomination.     The Elizabeth Burr - Sheridan/Worzalla Award: Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier.  Named for notable Wisconsin librarian Elizabeth Burr (1908-1996), and made possible by Sheridan/Worzalla, a Wisconsin-based publisher,  this annual award is bestowed upon the most distinguished work in children’s and young adult literature written and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator. The Wisconsin Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award: Author and Illustrator Aaron Boyd.  This annual award honors Wisconsin authors, past and present, for their literary contributions.   In addition, ten noteworthy honor titles written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators were selected for Outstanding Achievement Award in children’s literature: Brownie the War Dog: Veterans' Best Friend by Kelly Nelson, Author and Aaron Boyd, Illustrator Lost Kites and Other Treasures by Cathy Carr So Cold! by John Coy No Bear Anywhere by  Leah Gilbert In Repair by A.L. Graziadei The Running Machine: The Invention of the Very First Bicycle by Keith Negley The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith! by Dean Robbins Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet by Geo Rutherford I'm From Here Too by Kashmira Sheth This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

WLA Burr Worzalla Children's Book Awards Announced

From the Wisconsin Library Association: 

WLA Announces 2024 Children's Book Awards

 

The Children’s Book Awards and the Literary Awards Committees of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) have announced the recipients of their annual awards for 2024.   Many thanks to both committees for the many hours they spent reading to arrive upon these great lists of titles and authors. The time and expertise you shared is much appreciated! 

 

Children's Book Awards

The Children’s Book Awards recognize outstanding books for youth by Wisconsin-connected authors and illustrators. This year’s recipients are:

• The Elizabeth Burr/Sheridan Worzalla Award to What Happened to Rachel Riley by Claire Swinarski.  Named for notable Wisconsin librarian Elizabeth Burr (1908-1996) and made possible by Sheridan Worzalla, this annual award is bestowed upon the most distinguished work in children’s and young adult literature written and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator.
•  The Wisconsin Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award to author Miranda Paul.  This annual award honors Wisconsin authors, past and present, for their literary contributions.

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski 

Anna Hunt is an eighth grader and is the “new kid” at East Middle School. She is into podcasts, and she has stumbled on to a mystery within the school walls. Last year the most popular girl was Rachel Riley, but this year she is not. Anna decides to investigate interviewing various classmates including Rachel herself. Rachel was blamed for a barn fire from the year before, but Anna believes that Rachel didn’t do it. Anna follows the evidence, and the story is told through notes, emails, texts, voice recordings, and Anna’s podcast episodes. This all leads to a mysterious website created by some of the boys at school. Anna finds the truth elusive but follows her instincts to the surprising conclusion. Primarily a middle-grade mystery that shines an important light on peer pressure, the power of silence, body image, and harassment.

About the Author

Claire Swinarski is the author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books, wears babies, and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.

 Honor Titles

Ten noteworthy honor titles written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators were selected for Outstanding Achievement Award in children’s literature:

• How to Catch a Polar Bear - Stacy DeKeyser
• The Wishing Machine - Jonathan Hillman
• Dogs: A History of Our Best Friends - Lita Judge
• How Mr. Silver Stole the Show - Kate Klise & M. Sarah Klise
• Starlings - Amanda Linsmeier
• Team Meena - Karla Manternach
• Full Moon Pups - Liz Garton Scanlon
• Always the Almost - Edward Underhill
• What Rosa Brought – Eliza Wheeler (illustrator)
• The Cartographers - Amy Zhang

Notable Wisconsin Author - Miranda Paul
Miranda Paul is an award-winning children’s author of One Plastic Bag and Water is Water, both named Junior Library Guild selections. 365: How to Count Your Year, released in September 2023, was named a CCBC Choices pick. In 2020, the CBAC recognized her and her husband’s book, I am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon as one of its Outstanding Books of the year.

Her titles have received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly in addition to being named to several recommended and “best of” reading lists.  10 Little Ninjas also was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month (August 2016).

Miranda makes regular appearances at schools, libraries, and bookstores, and has been a guest presenter at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center along with environmental activist Isatou Ceesay. Miranda also serves as Mentorship chair for We Need Diverse Books™ (www.diversebooks.org), volunteers for Books for Africa, and is a regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers (Wisconsin Chapter). She believes in working hard, having fun, and being kind. Learn more about her current and forthcoming titles at www.mirandapaul.com.

You can read the full information with press releases here at the WLA  Children's Book Award page at the WLA website

COMMITTEE MEMBERS | 2024

Chair - Murray Johnson

Hanna Collins, Youth Services Librarian, Slinger Community Library
Dawn Tevis, Youth Services Coordinator, La Crosse County Library 
Katrina Wulff, Youth Services Manager, Neenah Public Library
Ann Vickman, Portage Public Library
Sarah French, Irvin L Young Memorial Library

You can read more about this committee's work here at the WLA website.

WI Children’s Book Award Committee Openings

Are you an adult who loves reading children's and teen books? Would you like to critically discuss excellent youth books with your peers? 

If so, please consider applying for WLA's Children's Book Award Committee (CBAC)! The CBAC annually bestows the Burr/Worzalla Award and Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award upon Wisconsin's best and brightest book creators.  https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/childrens-book-awards-committee

The CBAC is looking to fill 2 vacant committee seats starting in 2024. The committee will meet (likely virtually) three times during the Spring of 2024 to deliberate and decide. If you are interested, please review the committee duties and submit the following via email to YSS Chair Alison Loewen alison.loewen@meadpl.org

• Name, Job Title, Library, and City
• Are you a current member of WLA and YSS?
• Please describe your professional library work experience, including any reviewing experience and/or WLA committee work.
• Please detail your reading preferences, including any areas of special interest.
• Why should we consider you for a position on this committee?

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Friday, October 13.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the CBA Committee Chair Murray by email.

The CBAC is a great way to meet new friends, read new books, and be a part of the one of the coolest committees on the planet!


Alison Loewen, YSS Chair: alison.loewen@meadpl.org
Murray Johnson, CBAC Chair: MJohnson@marshfieldlibrary.org

Chair's Corner - September 2023 YSS Board Updates

This month's September YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

The annual WLA conference is scheduled for October 24-27th in Middleton. The program schedule is live on the website, so you can peruse offerings and determine if a full conference, or single day registration makes sense for you and your Library.  There are some amazing off-site tours and events you should take advantage of if you can, including YSS social at the CCBC Wednesday, October 25 from 6-7:30 p.m.  This will be a great opportunity to not only check out the amazing space and chat with CCBC Librarians, but also to reconnect with your board members, and other YS staff from around the state.  The event requires special registration, so sign up now by clicking this link.  You do not need to attend the conference to attend the social, so keep the social in mind when planning your Wednesday evening.

Another Fall opportunity, is an invitation to apply for WLA’s Children's Book Award Committee (CBAC)! The CBAC annually bestows the Burr/Worzalla Award and Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award uWhile it is still technically summer for a week or so longer, it sure does feel like Fall.  Summer reading prizes have been awarded, and the kids are back in school.  Every book on apples has disappeared off the shelves, and just like squirrels gathering acorns, you might consider placing holds on your favorite winter read-alouds just to make sure you are ready for when the inevitable snow arrives.  It’s also time to think about a few opportunities that WLA has on the horizon.

pon Wisconsin's best and brightest book creators.  

The CBAC is looking to fill 2 vacant committee seats starting in 2024. The committee will meet (likely virtually) three times during the Spring of 2024 to deliberate and decide. If you are interested, please review the committee duties  and submit the following via email me at alison.loewen@meadpl.org

• Name, Job Title, Library, and City

• Are you a current member of WLA and YSS?

• Please describe your professional library work experience, including any reviewing

            experience and/or WLA committee work.

• Please detail your reading preferences, including any areas of special interest.

• Why should we consider you for a position on this committee?

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Friday, October 13.

If you have any questions about any of these opportunities, feel free to reach out to myself or other members of the board, 

Looking forward to seeing you at WLA!

The Children's Book Award Committee wants YOU!

 Hello YSS members!

Are you an adult who loves reading children's and teen books? Would you like to critically discuss excellent youth books with your peers? If so, please consider applying for WLA's Burr/Worzalla Children's Book Award Committee (CBAC)! The CBAC annually bestows the Burr/Worzalla Award and Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award upon Wisconsin's best and brightest book creators.  https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/childrens-book-awards-committee

The CBAC is looking to fill 4 vacant committee seats starting in 2023. The committee will meet (likely virtually) three times during the Spring of 2023 to deliberate and decide. If you are interested, please review the committee duties and submit the following via email to YSS Chair Claire Parrish, claireparrish@ricelakegov.org:

• Name, Job Title, Library, and City

• Are you a current member of WLA and YSS?

• Please describe your professional library work experience, including any reviewing        experience and/or WLA committee work.

• Please detail your reading preferences, including any areas of special interest.

• Why should we consider you for a position on this committee?

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Friday, October 14. 

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the CBA Committee Chair, Briony Zlomke, briony.zlomke@mcfls.org. 

The CBAC is a great way to meet new friends, read new books, and be a part of one of the coolest committees on the planet!

Thanks for considering!

YSS Chair, Claire Parrish: claireparrish@ricelakegov.org

CBAC Chair, Briony Zlomke: briony.zlomke@mcfls.org

Claire's Corner - August 2022 YSS Board Updates

Today's August YSS board meeting update is from Claire Parrish, YSS 2022 Chair and Public Services Director at Rice Lake Public Library.

I’m back! This summer looked way different for me as I was out of the library on maternity leave. It was a little strange to not be a part of all our amazing programming, but a huge shout-out of thanks to my amazing team who all stepped up and made it a fantastic summer at the library. I hope that you all are taking a deep breath as your programs are wrapping up or have wrapped up. Summer is both a wonderful and incredibly draining time, and it’s completely okay to take a little time off from programming to bounce back. Cheers to all library staff serving youth for another summer done.

YSS also takes the summer off, but I’m happy to say that the Board has jumped right back into things. This is the time of year that we are looking for a few folks to join us on the Board or volunteer for a role on the Children’s Book Award Committee. Curious about what those positions entail? Keep reading to find out!

The Burr/Worzalla Children’s Book Award Committee has several openings for the next year, with duties starting in January 2023. The full list of committee duties can be found HERE, but involves a few virtual meetings and reading lots of books written by authors with ties to Wisconsin. If you’re interested in joining the committee, please fill out the application and return it to me at claireparrish@ricelakegov.org.

Another leadership opportunity available is to serve on the YSS Board. We are looking for a Chair-Elect (3 year commitment) and two folks for Director-at-Large (2 year commitment) for our fall 2022 ballot, with the term starting in January 2023. This volunteer board opportunity offers so many benefits. You will:

●     Network with peer youth library staffers from around the state.

●     Help create continuing education opportunities for library staff serving youth.

●     Enjoy the camaraderie of a wonderful group of like-minded professionals.

●     Build leadership, planning, and networking skills.

●     Rub elbows with fantastic authors, illustrators, and smart people.

Typically the board meets via Zoom monthly during the school year, making it a very easy commitment to keep. Between times, tasks are divided among the board members and everyone pitches in a bit to help make the fun happen! Please contact Jenny Wegener to volunteer for the one of these YSS board positions: jenny.r.wegener@gmail.com

I personally started as a Director-at-Large, which was a great way to get a feel for the group and the workload. I then came back to run for the Chair-Elect position because I felt so strongly about the work that YSS does and the awesome opportunities provided by being a part of this section. Please take a moment to consider joining us!

Announcing the 2022 Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award Winners!

*drum roll, please!* 

Awarded to the most distinguished work in children’s and young adult literature written and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator. The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award is made possible by the Worzalla Publishing Company, Stevens Point, through a grant to the WLA Foundation.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

Pahua, an eleven-year-old Hmong American girl, is shy, a bit awkward, and mostly friendless. With her mother always busy with work and her father out of the picture, Pahua gets lost in her imagination, daydreaming adventures with her little brother Matt and her sassy cat Miv, a cat who just happens to be a spirit. In fact, there are a lot of spirits populating Pahua’s world—and only she can seem to see them.

After school one day, Pahua encounters a lonely spirit who turns suddenly vengeful, possessing Matt and leaving him comatose. What does this spirit want with her and her family? Is it possible Pahua isn’t quite the ordinary girl everyone thinks she is? With the help of Miv and Zhong, a young shaman in training, Pahua must find the courage to save her brother’s soul, even if it means plunging into a dangerous otherworld of demons and despair.

Lori M. Lee’s Pahua and the Soul Stealer, another page-turning volume in the “Rick Riordan Presents “series, draws its inspiration from Hmong oral tradition, weaving ancient magic with the relatable concerns of an everyday middle schooler. Overflowing with both humor and heart—and enough creepy vibes to keep you reading at night with the lights on—this middle-grade fantasy novel has the makings of a modern classic.

About the Author: 

Born in the mountains of Laos, Lori M. Lee moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin when she was three years old. Before arriving in the United States, she temporarily lived in Thailand as a refugee until a Wisconsin family sponsored her family. Lee began writing in grade school, and her first unpublished novel is 300 handwritten pages long. Lee would eventually graduate from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a creative writing degree.  

As a Hmong author, Lee aspires to write books reflective of her heritage. Her middle-grade debut, Pahua and the Soul Stealer, a Rick Riordan Imprint, combines elements of Southeast Asian mythology and fantasy with Hmong Shamanism. Lee strives to create entertaining books where her readers can find escape and refuge while advocating for more Asian diaspora in the publishing world. Pahua and the Dragon Secret is expected to be published in fall 2023. 

In addition, Lee is an author of six young adult books and several short stories. She is a self-proclaimed unicorn aficionado, caps lock writer, and enjoys marathoning television shows. Lee still lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and a shih-tzu.

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Notable Wisconsin Author: Deborah Underwood

For her incredible body of work in children’s literature, Deborah Underwood was selected as the 2022 Wisconsin Notable Children’s Author. After spending her early childhood in Madison, WI, Deborah Underwood grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. When she was little, she wanted to be an astronomer. Then she wanted to be a singer. Then she wanted to be a writer.

Ms. Underwood lived in Wisconsin as a small child while her father worked on his PhD in mathematics. After college she became a street musician and then worked in an accounting office typing memos and when the accountants weren’t looking she was writing screenplays.

She then decided to write children’s books. She has authored 28 nonfiction titles. She helped co-write Whoopi Goldberg’s Sugar Plum Ballerinas series, and has 28 picture books to her credit including Outside In a 2021 Caldecott Honor book, which was also a CBAC Honor winner. The CBAC also honored her work Reading Beauty in 2020.

She currently resides in northern California where her cat Bella assists her with writing and has taken credit for the Here Comes Cat series.

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Outstanding Books of the Year

Noteworthy honor titles are selected for Outstanding Achievement in children’s literature, written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators. 

American Betiya by Anuradha D. Rajurkar
Rhino & Dino in: Juice! by Erin Kant Barnard
Butterfly for a King: Saving Hawaiʻi's Kamehameha Butterflies by Cindy Trumbore and Susan L. Roth
Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth
We Want Snow: A Wintry Chant by Jamie A. Swenson
Meena Lost and Found by Karla Manternach
Indestructible Object by Mary McCoy
The Fishermen, the Horse, and the Sea by Barbara M. Joosse, illustrated by Renee Graef
The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor by Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs
365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr

YSS Virtual Luncheon with Geoff Herbach!

Join YSS for special virtual luncheon with guest speaker, Geoff Herbach, author of the 2020 Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award-winning title, Cracking the Bell!  

We'll also hear from this year's Notable Wisconsin Author winner, Kashmira Sheth and have the opportunity to recognize all of the 2020 Outstanding Achievement recipients. 

Even better? The YSS Luncheon is included in your registration for this year's WLA Virtual Conference!

So...what are you waiting for?  You bring the food, we'll provide the fun!  Hope to see you there!

Get to Know Your YSS Webpage - Part 5

This is one in a series of Monday posts to familiarize you with the Youth Services Section's (YSS) webpage. Hosted as part of the Wisconsin Library Association website, the webpage has a host of helpful resources free to anyone (although if you aren't a member we hope you'll join to help us continue our work!). And now we present....

Bravo - Children's Book Award Committee/Burr Worzalla Award
The Children's Book Award Committee is part of YSS. The YSS chair annually appoints members to the committee (members serve alternating 2 year terms). They award the prestigious Burr Worzalla Award annually - announced in summer and presented at the WLA fall conference. They also select up to ten outstanding books for the year published by Wisconsin authors.

To find out all about the committee and their work, click here.

To explore more about the awards, you can find information about Elizabeth Burr, for whom the award is named; the annual list of notable authors  as well as the annual list of Outstanding Book Awards.

Click these links to find more YSS resource blog posts (as they are published weekly)
Part 1 - Free CE- Archived YSS Webinars
Part 2 - Teen Power - 52 Weeks of YA Programming
Part 3 - In a Minute! YSS Board Meeting Notes
Part 4 - Coding Power - 12 Months of Coding Resources
Part 6 - Follow the Leaders - The YSS Board
Part 7 - Knock-Knock - The YSS Homepage Address

And don't forget to visit the main WLA website for news and updates of conferences and other opportunities.

2019 WI Burr Worzalla Youth Book Award Announced

From the WLA blog:

Children’s graphic novel The Cardboard Kingdom, created by Chad Sell and published by Penguin Random House, has won the coveted Burr/Worzalla Award for 2019. The Children’s Book Award Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section annually presents the Burr/Worzalla Award to the most distinguished work in literature written and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator. The Cardboard Kingdom is an impressive debut from Sell, who grew up in Wisconsin and currently lives in Chicago. 

In a society where the lines that divide people have only seemed to deepen, there’s one thing that can bring an entire neighborhood of kids together: cardboard. With enough cardboard, you can make anything. A noble knight’s sword. The headdress of an evil enchantress. A robot. A mad scientist’s lab. What starts as a game between brother and sister soon grows into a sprawling kingdom, where imagination is only limited by how much cardboard you can get your hands on. 

A neighborhood of refreshingly diverse characters each has their own personal quest to fulfill. A young boy who is drawn to the glamor of dressing up as an evil sorceress. A girl who uses her big voice to transform into a gentle but powerful monster. A bully who makes fun of the game he desperately wants to be a part of. As more kids are invited to play in the cardboard kingdom, unique and genuine characters begin to emerge as kids find courage in their fantasy world to truly be themselves. 

Through the refreshingly diverse cast of characters, this compassionate gem of a graphic novel rejects stereotypes and teaches lessons about acceptance, understanding and identity without being heavy-handed. Readers will love the bold, colorful illustrations and imaginative, character-driven story that will no doubt have kids asking adults for spare cardboard boxes this summer.

 For her amazing body of work in children’s literature, former Wisconsin resident Peg Kehret was selected as this year’s Wisconsin Notable Children’s Author. Best known for her inspiring biography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, Kehret is a prolific, respected author of children’s literature, with her books spanning multiple genres. Many of Kehret’s novels have been selected as “children’s choice” award winners by young readers across the country. The Children’s Book Award Committee is very pleased to bestow yet another award upon this master storyteller. 

Five noteworthy honor titles have also been selected for Outstanding Achievement in children’s literature, written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators: 

• The Button War by Avi
• Lowriders Blast from the Past by Cathy Camper
• Hooper by Geoff Herbach
• Margot and Mateo Save the World by Darcy Miller
• Capsized!: The Forgotten Story of the SS Eastland Disaster by Patricia Sutton 

The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award is made possible by the Worzalla Publishing Company, Stevens Point, through a grant to the WLA Foundation. 

Click here  on the YSS WLA website for more information about the Children’s Book Awards Committee.

Chair:  Abby Bussen, Chair, Muskego Public Library

• Amanda Brandt
• Ashley Borman
• Julia Lee
  
• Katherine Schoofs
• Aimee Schreiber, Co-Chair
• Emily Stueven

2018 Burr/Worzalla Children's Award Winners and Honors

Children’s book Roll, written by Darcy Miller and published by HarperCollins, has won the coveted Burr/Worzalla Award for 2018.  She will present at the WLA conference in La Crosse on Thursday October 25 at 1:45 p.m.  Roll, is a hilariously funny and poignant coming-of-age story about Lauren, or rather “Ren,” who learns about friendship, family, and Birmingham Roller Pigeons after he moves to the country.  Roll is an impressive debut from Miller, who lives with her family in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.  The Children’s Book Award Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section annually awards the Burr/Worzalla to the most distinguished work in literature for children written and/or illustrated by a Wisconsin book creator.

This year’s Wisconsin Notable Children’s Author, Laurence Yep, was chosen for his amazing body of work in children’s literature. A former Marquette University student, and respected author of children’s literature, Yep was the 2005 recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his career contribution to children’s literature.  Yep’s many notable works include two Newbery honor titles, Dragon Wings and Dragon’s Gate.  The Children’s Book Award Committee is very pleased to bestow yet another award upon this master storyteller.

Ten noteworthy titles were selected for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Literature, written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators:

The March Against Fear: The Last Great Walk of the Civil Rights Movement and the Emergence of Black Power by Ann Bausum

Big and Little Questions (according to Wren Jo Byrd) by Julie Bowe

Claymates written by Dev Petty, illustrated by Lauren Eldrige

Slider by Pete Hautman

Egg by Kevin Henkes

Noah Webster’s Fighting Words by Tracy Nelson Maurer

Someday Birds by Sally Pla

Liberty: The Spy Who (kind of) Liked Me by Andrea Portes

Pomegranate Witch written by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

Where Are You? By Sarah Williamson

The 2018 Children’s Book Award Committee members consist of Judy Jones, Chair, U.S.S. Liberty Memorial Public Library (Grafton), Abby Bussen, Chair Elect, Muskego Public Library, Amanda Brandt, Hudson Area Library, Jenni Frencham, Hilarie Kane, Prairie Hill Wardorf School, Katherine Schoofs, Aram Public Library (Delavan) and Aimee Schreiber, Sparta Free Library.  For more information about the Children’s Book Awards Committee, visit http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/yss/childrens-books-award-comm.