It’s important for aspiring writers to be aware of the authors and books that have won awards. So, note that today at the American Library Association conference, Brian Selznick won the 2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic Press), a 533-page novel that he also illustrated. According to Publisher’s Weekly, it’s the first time that a novel has won the country’s top prize for illustration. Laura Amy Schlitz won the 2008 Newbery Medal for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village, illustrated by Robert Byrd (Candlewick). For more winners and information, paste this link into your browser: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6522362.html?nid=2286&source=title&rid=839111476