Ship Breaker has won the Michael L. Printz Award for 2011. That means a committee of librarians voted it the best young adult book of the year. I've read it, and I liked it--it's an action-packed adventure set in a future where kids eke out a living by stripping wire from abandoned oil tankers-- but what do YOU think? These 4 books won Printz Honor awards:

Check them  out and see for yourself! What was your favorite book of 2010?

High school juniors and seniors (including homeschoolers) can enter this Student Scholarship Essay Contest sponsored by Penguin Publishing, and try for one of 5 $1,000 scholarships for college! Plus the winner receives a Signet Classic Library set for their school or public library. Entries due by April 14, 2011. Details at the website. Get writing and good luck!

Come watch or play our Lifesize Monopoly games on Dec. 30! Spend your holiday break on Boardwalk! You become the hat, the car, or token of your choice, as you walk around our room-size playing "board." Roll giant dice--including the new SPEED DIE--and buy properties, land in Jail, do everything as in the regular game but at LIFE SIZE! Sign up with a friend to play on a team of 2 players, or be randomly assigned to a team.  The 12:30 game for 3rd-5th graders is filled up, but there's still room at 3:00 p.m. for 6th grade & up.

We're getting down to the end of the Playaway Picture This! Contest, and we need everyone to vote for us who possibly can (all you need is an email address).