The Sydney Taylor Book Award (1968-2011)

from Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) accessed 11/13/09

The purpose of the Sydney Taylor Book Award is to encourage the publication of outstanding books of Jewish content for children and teens, books that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. It is hoped that official recognition of such books will inspire authors, encourage publishers, inform parents and teachers, and intrigue young readers. The committee also hopes that by educating readers about the Jewish experience, they can engender pride in Jewish readers while building bridges to readers of other backgrounds.

History
The Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) has been recognizing quality Jewish literature for many years. In 1968, AJL established a children's book award called the Shirley Kravitz Children's Book Award. The first winner of this award was author Esther Hautzig for her book The Endless Steppe. This award was renamed "the Sydney Taylor Book Award" in 1978 after the death of Sydney Taylor, author of the All-of-a-Kind Family series.

2011
Younger Readers: Gathering Sparks by Howard Schwartz, illustrated by Kristina Swarner
Older Readers: Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch, author and illustrator
Teen Readers: The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt

2010
New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Waylnd; illustrated by Stephane Jorisch [Younger Readers]
The Importance of Wings by Robin Friedman [Older Readers]
Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle [Teen Readers]

2009
As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson; illustrated by Raul Colon [Younger Readers]
Brooklyn Bridge by Karen Hesse [Older Readers]
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea by Valerie Zenatti [Teen Readers]

2008
The Bedtime Sh'ma: A Good Night Book by Sarah Gershman; illustrated by Kristina Swarner [Younger Readers]
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk by Sid Fleischman [Older Readers]
Strange Relations by Sonia Levitin [Teen Readers]

2007
Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin [Younger Readers]
Julia's Kitchen by Brenda Ferber [Older Readers]
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak [Teen Readers]

2006
Sholom's Treasure by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein [Younger Readers]
Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Darer Littman [Older Readers]

2005 - Dating system changed this year to reflect year in which award is announced instead of year of publication. Award-giving did NOT skip a year.

2004 - no winner for Younger Readers
Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass [Older Readers]

2003 Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis, illustrated by Dusan Petricic [Younger Readers]
Who Was the Woman Who Wore the Hat? by Nancy Patz [Older Readers]

2002
Chicken Soup by Heart by Esther Hershenhorn, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger [Younger Readers]
Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine [Older Readers]

2001
Rivka's First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski [Younger Readers]
Sigmund Freud: Pioneer of the Mind by Catherine Reef [Older Readers]

2000 Gershon's Monster by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Jon J. Muth [Younger Readers]
The Key Is Lost by Ida Vos [Older Readers]

1999
The Peddler's Gift by Maxine Rose Schur, illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root [Younger Readers]
Speed of Light by Sybil Rosen [Older Readers]

1998
Nine Spoons by Marci Stillerman, illustrated by Pesach Gerber [Younger Readers]
Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli [Older Readers]

1997
When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street by Elsa Okon Rael, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman [Younger Readers]
The Mysterious Visitor: Stories of the Prophet Elijah by Nina Jaffe, illustrated by Elivia Savadier [Older Readers]

1996
Shalom Haver/Goodbye Friend by Barbara Sofer [Younger Readers]
When I Left My Village by Maxine Rose Schur, illustrated by Brian Pinkney [Older Readers]

1995
Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt [Younger Readers]
Dancing on the Bridge of Avignon by Ida Vos [Older Readers]

1994
The Always Prayer Shawl by Sheldon Oberman, illustrated by Ted Lewin [Younger Readers]
The Shadow Children by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Herbert Tauss [Older Readers]

1993
The Uninvited Guest by Nina Jaffe [Younger Readers]
Sworn Enemies by Carol Matas [Older Readers]

1992
Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman [Younger Readers]
Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse [Older Readers]

1991
Cakes and Miracles by Barbara Diamond Goldin, illustrated by Erika Weihs [Younger Readers]
Daddy's Chair by Sandy Lanton, illustrated by Shelly O. Haas [Younger Readers]
The Diamond Tree by Howard Schwartz & Barbara Rush, illustrated by Uri Shulevitz [Older Readers]

1990
My Grandmother's Stories by Adele Geras, illustraed by Jael Jordan [Older Readers]

1989
Berchick by Esther Silverstein Blanc, illustrated by Tennessee Dixon [Younger Readers]
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry [Older Readers]

1988
The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco [Younger Readers]
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen [Older Readers]

1987
The Numbers on My Grandfather's Arm by David Adler, photos by Rose Eichenbaum [Younger Readers]
The Return by Sonia Levitin [Older Readers]

1986
Joseph Who Loved the Sabbath by Marilyn Hirsh, illustrated by Devis Grebu [Younger Readers]
Beyond the High White Wall by Nancy Pitt [Older Readers]

1985
Brothers by Florence B. Freedman, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker [Younger Readers]
Ike and Mama and the Seven Surprises by Carol Snyder [Older Readers]

1984
Mrs. Moskowitz and the Sabbath Candlesticks by Amy Schwartz [Younger Readers]
The Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev [Older Readers]

1983
Bubby, Me and Memories by Barbara Pomerantz, photos by Leon Lurie [Younger Readers]
In the Mouth of the Wolf by Rose Zar [Older Readers]

1982
The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller [Younger Readers]
Call Me Ruth by Marilyn Sachs [Older Readers]

1981
Yussel's Prayer by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Michael J. Deraney [Younger Readers]
The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky [Older Readers]

1980
A Russian Farewell by Leonard Everett Fisher

1979
Ike and Mama and the Block Weddings by Carol Snyder

1978
The Devil in Vienna by Doris Orgel

1977
Exit from Home by Anita Heyman

1976
Never to Forget by Milton Meltzer

1975
Waiting for Mama by Marietta Miskin

1974 - no award

1973
Uncle Misha's Partisans by Yuri Suhl

1972 - author Molly Cone for general contributions to Jewish children's literature

1971 - author Isaac Bashevis Singer for general contributions to Jewish children's literature

1970
The Year by Suzanne Lange

1969
Our Eddie by Sulamith Ish-Kishor

1968
The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig

Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award Winners:
2004 - Eric A. Kimmel
2003 - Judye Groner & Madeleine Wikler, founders of Kar-Ben Copies
1997 - Barbara Diamond Goldin
1989 - Yaffa Ganz
1984 - Miriam Chaikin
1981 - Barbara Cohen
1980 - Sadie Rose Weilerstein
1979 - Marilyn Hirsh
1978 - Sydney Taylor