“When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead won the 2010 Newbery Medal yesterday. The book follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old girl who “encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future.”

The American Library Association announced the awards yesterday. In addition, four books were named Newbery Honor Books: “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice” by Phillip Hoose, “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin, and “The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg” by Rodman Philbrick.

Finally, the Caldecott Medal went to “The Lion and the Mouse” illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney. Follow this link for a complete list of winners.

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A photo of the four National Book Award winners for 2009, post-ceremony…

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Colum McCann wins the National Book Award for Fiction for “Let the Great World Spin.” “Stories are the purest form of engagement…American publishing is able to embrace the other… As Dave Eggers said, we have to take this honor as a challenge.” GalleyCat interviewed the novelist before the ceremony, here’s an excerpt: watch his thoughts about Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight here.

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