Introduction written by Heavy Medal co-blogger Emily Mroczek-Bayci.
Although the Newbery Committee will meet at the end of January 2025, to choose the most distinguished books for children published in the United States in 2024, the full Committee has already “gathered” multiple times (either digitally or in person) in 2024: to discuss their service and practice discussing books.
Here at Heavy Medal, we are also going to offer the opportunity for a practice discussion today about OLIVETTI by Allie Millington. This title received 12 Heavy Medal nominations but did not make our final book list. It is not eligible for voting but will help us practice discussing!
(And of course I have to say that Merci Suarez Changes Gears was the practice title in 2018 and then went on to win the medal AND Maizy Chen’s Last Chance was the practice title in 2022 and went on to win an honor).
On the real Newbery Committee, members discuss each of the nominated books (minus any that may have been withdrawn by consensus), starting with an introduction by one committee member. We’ll follow that model in written form and then open it up to discussion.
OLIVETTI by Allie Millington depicts the story of 12-year-old Ernest and his large family, whose dynamic mysteriously changed in the past few years. Ernests mom, Beatrice, mysteriously sells the family’s cherished typewriter and simultaneously disappears.
Ernest takes it upon himself to solve the mystery, with help from Quinn, the daughter of the pawnshop owner, and surprisingly enough, Olivetti the typewriter itself.
This novel excels most in the Newbery criteria of delineation of characters and development of a plot, which go hand in hand- as we uncover the hidden histories behind Olivetti, the Brindles, and Quinn. Rotating narratives between Ernest and Olivetti provide a unique presentation that kids can identify with. Millington truly dives deep into the feelings of an “inanimate” object as shown through Olivetti’s reaction when Ernest finds him.
“Ernest was so near, I could almost touch him.
If I had hands, that is. And if there weren’t a window between us.
He wasn’t the Brindle I expected to come to my rescue- but all that mattered was he’d come. He realized I was gone and went searching.
Why did he not look more pleased to find me.”
Chapter 9, pg. 45
The plausibility of Beatrice’s disappearance and the children’s action can seem doubtful, however the book is magical realism after all.
There’s much more I can expand on here but I’ll leave room in the comments for what everyone else has to say. Is this book strong enough to be a Newbery contender? Let’s discuss.
Heavy Medal Award Committee members and others are now invited to discuss this book further in the Comments section below. Let the Mock Newbery discussion begin!