Honorable mention: Kate DiCamillo

Has this Minneapolis writer ever had an off year? My goodness, in 2008, she published two more children's books -- the picture book "Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken" and the latest in her Mercy Watson series, "Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig." The big news, of course, was that the movie version of her Newbery Award-winning "The Tale of Despereaux" opened Dec. 19, all big ears and endearing mouse face. DeCamillo has three more books coming out in 2009, when Candlewick will issue a new paperback edition of her first novel, "Because of Winn-Dixie," as well as the sixth Mercy Watson book, "Something Wonky This Way Comes." Another novel for young adults, "The Magician's Elephant," is due in September and film rights have already been sold.

DiCamillo charged out of the chute in 2000 with "Winn-Dixie," a Newbery Honor book that was later made into a movie. Her second book, "The Tiger Rising," was a National Book Award finalist. Altogether, she has published a dozen books. Was 2008 her year? Will 2009 be? Which year hasn't been?