Outstanding Nonfiction for Children - 2009 Orbis Pictus

The National Council for Teachers of English (CTE) has announced this year's Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Although only one title is singled out for the award, up to five Honor Books are also recognized. NCTE also lists a number of recommended books.

This year's winner, Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator, written by Shelley Tanaka and illustrated by David Craig, was a 2008 Cybils nominee in the category of nonfiction MG/YA.

Honor Books

George Washington Carver
written by Tonya Bolden
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA book)

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
written by Candace Fleming
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA book)

Washington at Valley Forge
written by Russell Freedman

We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
writen and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
(finalist for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA)

When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone
written by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent and illustrated by Dan Hartman

Recommended Books
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
(finalist for 2008 Cybils nonfiction picture book)

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
written and illustrated by Gina Capaldi
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction picture book)

The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West
written by Sid Fleischman
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA book)

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Through the Gates and Beyond
written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Ice Bears
written by Brenda Z. Guiberson and illustrated by Ilya Spirin

Sisters and Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World
written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction picture book)

In Defiance of Hitler: The Secret Mission of Varian Fry
written by Carla Killough McClafferty
(nominee for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA book)

Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life, written by Martin W. Sandler
(finalist for 2008 Cybils nonfiction MG/YA)

For a more user-friendly list, download the pdf file highlighting these titles.