A good many readers (including my good buddy Darren over at Bart’s Bookshelf no doubt 
)) are going to be delighted with yesterday’s announcement that Neil Gaiman has been awarded the prestigious children’s literature award – The Newbery Medal, for his latest children’s novel The Graveyard Book.
Established in 1922, the Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. It’s a prestigious award to win and previous winners include Louis Sachar (1999 for Holes), Patricia MacLachlan (1986 for Sarah, Plain and Tall) and Hugh Lofting (1923 for The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle).
I’ve got to say I’m pretty delighted about the news myself. The Graveyard Book is a fantastic novel, especially for children, and it’s one that even I, the most unlikeliest of fans, couldn’t put down (you can check out my afterthoughts HERE).
A worthy winner for a worthy book and if you haven’t read it already, you’ve now got an extra reason to do so.
Congratulations Neil!
About Rob
I’d also highly recommend Gaiman’s excellent audio book version of the book. This, along with his brilliantly read recording of his earlier novel, Stardust. In both, he does a great job portraying the various character types by their voices and accents.
says:
I was most certainly chuffed for Neil – he’s linked to my blog, so I can call him Neil, right?
– as I was for Terry Pratchett and his Prinz Honours listing.
says:
Gary – Thanks for the ‘heads up’ on the audio version of the book. I’m not usually a fan of audio books but there’s got to be something special about an author doing the narrating himself, and judging from your comment there must be.
Bart – Geez can I not even talk about you behind your back without you finding out? Only j/king! As for you being on first name times with Mr. Gaiman – I wouldn’t expect anything less
).
That was a right turn up for the books (pun intended), Mr. Pratchett receiving a knighthood wasn’t it? Rightly deserved though, although I wonder if he and all other contemporary ‘knights’ would have been so keen to have taken the title during the Middle Ages, when engaging in bloody battle was a prerequisite of carrying the title
).