Neil Gaiman wins Newbery Medal

Neil Gaiman, English author of comic books and fantasy novels ( The Sandman comic series, Stardust, and American Gods) has won the prestigious Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to children's literature for "The Graveyard Book," illustrated by frequent collaborator Dave McKean. It's a big month for Neil as one of his previous books, "Coraline", has been adapted to film and is due in theatres shortly.

The Newbery is awarded by the American Library Association, and the list of previous Newbery winners reads like the canon of children's literature, including Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time", William H. Armstrong's "Sounder" and Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia". Now, Neil Gaiman rightfully takes his place in that company. His works have shown limitless imagination and interpretations of dreams, myths and fables from all parts of the world fills many a bookshelf.

Neil got the news this morning and celebrated in exuberant style, as shown in this Twitter feed chain of events (http://twitter.com/neilhimself):

woken up by assistant at 5.30 in the morning. Not quite sure why. All rather bleary, to do with someone trying to call. argh. about 3 hours ago from web

oh. forget about it. about 3 hours ago from web

About to drink second cup of tea without Marmalade this morning. Also, I just won the Newbury Medal for THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. 42 minutes

Newbery, not Newbury. Also FUCK!!!! I won the FUCKING NEWBERY THIS IS SO FUCKING AWESOME. I thank you. 41 minutes ago from web

Updated: Neil blogs about the experience on his blog in an entry called Insert Amazed and Delighted Swearing Here, which includes this excerpt:

You are on a speakerphone with at least 14 teachers and librarians and suchlike great, wise and good people, I thought. Do not start swearing like you did when you got the Hugo. This was a wise thing to think because otherwise huge, mighty and fourletter swears were gathering. I mean, that’s what they’re for. I think I said, You mean it’s Monday?

(quote pointed out to me by Newsarama blog; Neil's post pointed out to me by Nikita)