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“It’s a Good Book and I Love the Message, but…”: how “didactic content” can...
Way down at the bottom of the Newbery Terms and Criteria, below age ranges and literary qualities and the rest, we find one last admonition: “The award is for literary quality and quality presentation...
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First Time a Charm?: A debut novel that could be a Newbery contender
Debut authors don’t often win Newbery Medals (though it did happen last year). Guest blogger Sara Beth makes a convincing argument that Lisa Gerlits’ first novel deserves a close look in this year’s...
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Thirteen Kids in Peril and One Grieving Young Woman: death, danger, and two...
I’ve served on the Newbery a couple times, and when I look back, I remember that February was a fun month both times. The February at the beginning of my term was great: it’s when you first start to...
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The Heavy Medal Award Committee: a sneak preview (with a new twist)
For the past three years, the online book discussion on this blog has culminated in a mock vote for the Heavy Medal Newbery Winner. We’ll continue that tradition this year, with a new live discussion...
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A Different Kind of Pioneer Story: Racism and Empathy in PRAIRIE LOTUS
In PRAIRIE LOTUS, Linda Sue Park explores a time and place similar to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books…but also very different. Guest blogger Michelle describes the strengths and weaknesses...
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Narrowing Down the Newbery List: Choose two for November
What books have risen to the top of your Newbery list? Now is your chance to put forward two titles for the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Nominations process. We’re following the process of the real...
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Nests Within Nests, Cast Away Trash, and Creatures of the Woods: Poetry...
The Newbery Medal has not gone to a poetry collection since Paul Fleischman’s JOYFUL NOISE (1989), but poetry has not been ignored. Recent years’ honored titles have included solid representation for...
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Show Me a…Newbery Medal? A unique #ownvoices historical novel might have a...
After finishing most of the Newbery contenders on this list, SHOW ME A SIGN quickly stood out as a top contender and clear front runner. This historical fiction novel offers a beautiful #ownvoice...
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Mock-Newbery Nominations List: 43 titles to consider (so far…)
Our November Nomination period is closed, and the results are listed below: 43 books that Heavy Medal readers have identified as the strongest Newbery Medal contenders so far this year. The tallies...
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A Heroine’s Journey Home: Squirrels, a fox, and a broken family enter the...
Jenn Reese’s A GAME OF FOX & SQUIRRELS is riveting and distinct. The strengths of this story lie in the unique exploration of theme, characterization and writing style. Abuse is a heavy subject...
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Moving Up to a Medal?: The Newbery prospects for short chapter books
We’ve had some great discussions this year about some very meat-y children’s fiction: Books with intricate plots, like A GAME OF FOX AND SQUIRRELS and RETURN OF THE THIEF. Books that tackle complex...
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Hero, Celebrity, and Nazi Supporter: The Newbery Medal Prospects of a...
Candace Fleming’s latest biography explores the complex and controversial life of Charles Lindbergh. Guest Blogger Olivia Tompkins explores the Newbery prospects of this thought-provoking nonfiction...
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The “Early Six”: Creating the list for our Mock Newbery Medal discussion
Our discussion of the best children’s books of 2020 is leading up to an eventual Mock-Newbery vote, where the not-yet-formed Heavy Medal Award Committee (HMAC) will choose a winner from a list of...
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What Did We Miss? Six books that should be in our Mock Newbery conversation
So far this fall we’ve discussed a bunch of books on Heavy Medal. 43 to be exact, ranging from fairly brief introductions to longer, more involved conversations. We still have three more Guest Blogger...
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Is Ryan Hart a Ramona Quimby for the 2020’s? WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE enters the...
Portland 4th grader Ryan Hart navigates family, friends, and school with irrepressible spirit in Renee Watson’s middle grade novel. Guest blogger Abbie Digel introduces WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE: It’s...
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The List of Books That Will Be Discussed: Six titles that will definitely...
In a couple of weeks we’ll announce the Heavy Medal Book List (HMBL): 12-15 likely Newbery Medal contenders that will be discussed and voted upon as part of our Mock Newbery process during January....
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The Funniest, Saddest, and Most Unusual Book of the Year? EVERYTHING SAD IS...
“A patchwork story is the shame of a refugee” (37) What stands out about EVERYTHING SAD IS UNTRUE is the way in which Nayeri expertly sews together his patchwork story. He parcels out bits of his past...
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Last Chance for Mock Newbery Nominations: Select two final books for December
With December just a few days away, it’s time to submit the final two nominations for the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Award. This is the last of three rounds for nominations. Like the real Committee,...
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Three Voices, One Story…and a Newbery Medal?: Character, narrative, and style...
Two motherless girls spending the summer on Long Island during World War II find a baby on the steps of the local library. Amy Hest’s THE SUMMER WE FOUND THE BABY presents this unlikely event in...
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Best Books of the Year Lists vs. Mock Newbery Titles
December’s here, which means major review journals are beginning to release their lists of the best children’s books of the year. It’s interesting to compare their choices to the books we’ve been...
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