The The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic) has won the American Library Association (ALA) 2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal--the first time that a novel has won the top US prize for illustration.

The 500-plus-page novel features large sections of graphic novel-style illustrations, which tell the story visually, between longer tracts of text.

Amy Schlitz, author of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village (illustrated by Roberty Byrd, Walker Books) won the 2008 Newbery Medal, awarded by the ALA ‘to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.'

One Whole and Perfect Day, by Australian author Judith Clarke (A&U) was named an Honour Book in the Association's Michael L Printz Awards for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, with the prize going to The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean (OUP).

Last year's honours list for the prize included fellow Australians Markus Zusak (The Book Thief, Picador) and Sonya Hartnett (Surrender, Penguin).

For a full list of award-winners and honour books, visit the American Library Association's website.