The books that won the Caldecott and Newbery awards that were announced at the American Library Association's Midwinter meeting in Boston on Monday might be surprises just because they weren't surprises, given that librarians considered them likely choices.

"The Lion & the Mouse" is a virtually wordless telling of the Aesop's fable about a mouse that helps a lion. "When You Reach Me" is a more complex mystery about a latchkey girl and her single mom in Manhattan. Set in 1979, the story pays homage to "A Wrinkle in Time."

The Coretta Scott King prize for an illustrated work went to "My People," in which a story written by Langston Hughes was illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.

The Coretta Scott King prize for writing went to "Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal," by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.

One of the quirkiest, most original winners (Printz Award for young adults) was the surrealist fantasy "Going Bovine" about a slacker youth who turns out to have mad cow disease.

Here is the list from the ALA of the major award winners and honor books. These awards often mean that these are the titles schools and libraries will keep in print - and on their shelves - for decades.

Other winners:

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award - "The Rock and the River," by kekla magoon.

Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement - Walter Dean Myers.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator - "Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos el día de los niños/El día de los libros," illustrated by Rafael López, written by Pat Mora.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award - "Return to Sender," by Julia Alvarez.

- More, stltoday.com/bookblog