Reading Rules!

Reading Rules!

TFK Kid Reporter Forrest Simpson reports on the 2009 Children's Choice Book Awards

By TFK Kid Reporter Forrest Simpson
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1899667,00.html

The second annual Children's Choice Book Awards were held on Tuesday May 12, in New York City. The awards were part of Children's Book Week, which is celebrated across the country from May 11 to May 17. It is the nation's oldest literacy event, now celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Kid Reporter Forrest Simpson was there to see popular authors including Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and Lauren Myracle (Thirteen). But in the end, the vampires ruled, as Stephenie Meyer, author of the hugely popular Twilight series earned Author of the Year. Meyer beat Kinney, Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series), James Patterson (Maximum Rider) and Christopher Paolini (Brisingr) for the top title.

A Star-Studded Night

The gala was all part of a week-long effort to encourage kids to pick up a book and gain a passion for reading. Authors, illustrators and special guests gathered to talk about the importance of reading. "Books expose us to a world of possibilities," says Robin Adelson, the executive director of the Children's Book Council.

The awards were funny and lively, thanks to host Jon Scieszka. Scieszka is the author of several best-selling children's books including Time Warp Trio and The Stinky Cheese Man.

Whoopi Goldberg was honored with the Impact Award. She explained that because she was dyslexic, she came to reading late. "I didn't really pull it together until my teens, but I've always loved stories," she said. "I've always thought that if you could give kids fun and interesting books that they would grasp and hold onto reading."

What Was Your Favorite Book?

More than 220,000 kids around the country voted for their favorite books and authors. Here's what they chose:

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Spooky Cemeteries by Dinah Williams
Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year Thirteen by Lauren Myracle
Teen Choice Book of the Year Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Author of the Year Stephenie Meyer for Breaking Dawn
Illustrator of the Year Jon J. Muth for Zen Ties

Max-I think reading books will be fun for all of us, because many books include an interesting story that lets us have different feelings and when you had done reading the first chapter, you may have the curiosity to keep reading. Like me, I don’t like reading Chinese books before, but now I like reading books because I start reading a few books a day.