Welcome to the (Mildred L.) Batchelder Award home page
The Batchelder Award is a citation awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.
2010 Award winner
A Faraway Island, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, written by Annika Thor, translated by Linda Schenck.
Originally published in Swedish in 1996 as En ö i havet, A Faraway Island was The book tells the story of two Jewish sisters from Vienna, Austria, twelve-year-old Stephie and her younger sister Nellie, who are sent by their parents to Sweden to escape the Nazis. Nellie adapts easily, but Stephie faces painful challenges. This engaging novel explores the importance of family, friendship and personal growth.
“Stephie and Nellie’s everyday hopes and fears personalize the effects of war on children’s lives. This is the first book in a series so popular with readers that it was adapted for Swedish television,” said Batchelder Committee Chair Annette Goldsmith.
2010 Honor Books
Eidi, published by Farrar Straus Giroux, written by Bodil Bredsdorff, translated by Kathryn Mahaffy. Originally published in Danish as Eidi: Børnene i Kragevig 2.
Feeling displaced by the birth of her half-brother, Eidi leaves her beloved family in Crow Cove and sets out on a journey to discover her independence and talents in this sequel to The Crow-Girl.
“Eidi’s story has the timeless quality and power of a northern folktale. This is that rarity, a lyrical yet plot-driven book,” said Goldsmith.
Big Wolf and Little Wolf, published by Enchanted Lion Books, written by Nadine Brun-Cosme, illustrated by Olivier Tallec, translated by Claudia Bedrick. Originally published in French as Grand Loup et Petit Loup.
Big Wolf lives alone under a tree until one day Little Wolf appears. Bit by bit, Big Wolf allows Little Wolf to join him in daily activities. Only when Little Wolf goes away does Big Wolf realize how much he cares for his new friend.
“The committee was completely won over by this poetic and subtle tale of new friendship for all ages. Though brief, this elegant translation communicates a universal story that is very French,” said Goldsmith.
Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness, published by Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., written by Nahoko Uehashi, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, translated by Cathy Hirano. Originally published in Japanese as Yami no Moribito
Bodyguard-for-hire Balsa returns in this tale of redemption and political intrigue set in a fantasy world reminiscent of medieval Japan.
“This masterful translation features a rich and complex array of characters. Action-packed and soul-searching, “Moribito II” is a narrative of reconciliation with broad appeal,” said Goldsmith.