IT'S ALMOST CALDECOTT AND NEWBERY TIME!

Ooh, ah! The American Library Association will announce all of the Youth Media Awards on Monday, January 24th! These awards are like the Academy Award of children's literature. The books that earn the actual medal - or honor book medals - get a big boost in sales. There are blogs devoted to following books published and that outline the criteria that must be met. I just finished listening to a Webcast presented by members from the Heavy Medal blog and sponsored by School Library Journal. Heavy Medal follows books that are eligible for the Newbery Award. Calling Caldecott over at The Horn Book looks at picture books that might earn a medal based on the merit of the illustrations in the book. I don't feel qualified to actually predict who is going to win. BUT - I will show you the list of titles that these two groups came up with and then mention my own favorites. I am going to start with the Newbery! Caldecott hopefully tomorrow.

The contributors to the Heavy Medal blog selected fifteen titles that they think are deserving of consideration for the Newbery. Their choices and discussion have ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING on what the actual selection committee discusses and selects. It's just a fun - if somewhat intense - process to highlight a book that might win. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only person that is interested in the process and results. The process is complicated but the blog does a good job of breaking it down so if you are interested in that aspect, please take a peek at Heavy Medal. 

And without further ado - here are the books they liked.

                               

 

Quite a variety of books! We have fantasy, realistic, historical, and science fiction; two picture books; two non-fiction; and a collection of short stories. I have read ten of them. I am not a fan of picture books for the Newbery. So while I really enjoyed both Milo and Watercress, I would not vote for them. I am sad that there are not more graphic novels on the list. I think this will change gradually over time as they become more accepted. I enjoyed Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School but - again - would not vote for it simply because it reaches such a limited audience. So what would I vote for out of these? 

Amber & Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz. It's a big book but it is in verse so it reads quickly. Multiple points of view (POV) set in ancient Greece. Socrates and the Greek gods make appearances. 

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. I loved all of the characters in this fairy-tale like fantasy. But it's a dark story of treachery and suppression.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Science fiction doesn't win too often but science fiction about the importance of story might just make it!

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Irealand. Also told from multiple POVs - including the city of Pittsburgh and a house. Historical - set in the 1920s. There are lots of ghosts and murder so it's historical/mystery/supernatural. I would like to read more about Ophie!

Starfish by Lisa Fipps. There are not a lot of middle grade books where the fat kid is the protagonist and not the bully. Or where the bully is a parent..... This is a book I think everyone should read. 

What else did I read this year that I think might be noticed by the committee? 

       

 

Have you read anything that deserves a shiny sticker? 

(Today I learned that the selection committee gets to decide where the stickers are placed on the covers of the books selected!)