Lafayette author Ingrid Law’s young adult novel, Savvy, has been named a runner up for the prestigious Newbery award.

The award was announced this morning in Denver, at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting.

"I've been sort of floating on the ceiling most of the day," said Law of her response to the honor. Reached on her cellphone this morning, she was at the grocery store buying food to donate to a local food bank. "I think when good things happen, you need to keep putting that good energy out there," she said.

The Newbery Medal, given to “the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature,” went to noted fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, for The Graveyard Book, illustrated by Dave McKean.

In addition to Savvy, other runners up, referred to as "Honor Books" by the ALA, included:

The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small.

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom, by Margarita Engle

After Tupac & D Foster, by Jacqueline Woodson.

Savvy, is the story of a 12-year-old girl born into a family in which members come to possess supernatural powers — or their “savvy” — at age 13. Two days before her big day, the girl’s father is injured in a car crash, and she sets out on a mission to help him.

The book received widespread praise upon its release. Booklist called the story “rollicking...wholly engaging and lots of fun.” Rocky critic Jennifer Miller called it “a deeply satisfying coming of age story.”

The ALA also awarded the Caldecott Medal for “the most distinguided American picture book for children” this morning. It went to The House in the Night, by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes.