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The Popcorn Astronauts
THE POPCORN ASTRONAUTS by Deborah Ruddell is an excellent poetry collection, definitely one of the best of the year, perhaps the best Newbery eligible collection, especially if we think of Marilyn...
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What Are We Looking for in the Newbery?
Seen her before in some book?Now is the time of year I have to triage my reading: I accept I won’t be able to do it all. I use your comments, the Goodreads Mock Newbery list, and Jen J’s starred...
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Listen, Slowly (and Carefully)
I typically read one book at a time, occasionally two books at a time, but when I read for an award committee, I feel the pressure to always be reading, and so I will often have three to four books...
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The Marvels, or What is Text?
Brian Selznick’s latest gives his visual/textual literary form yet another twist, as he tells one story first completely through image, then another completely in text, accomplishing a seemingly binary...
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The Hired Girl
I have always admired the work of Laura Amy Schlitz, but I have never been in love with it. Until now. Not only am I pulling for Newbery recognition for this one, I’d love to see it join THE HOUSE OF...
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Goodbye Stranger
Rebecca Stead’s GOODBYE STRANGER is unnerving–unnervingly realistic, that is, of the minds of thirteen-year-olds. That the book disturbed me is a testament to its strength…since that age is not one I...
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My Seneca Village
I know this book hasn’t published yet–November 1–but this is to serve notice that Nina and I are both extremely enamored of it, so much so that we have decided to put in on our shortlist despite the...
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The Privilege of Serving
In this blog we try to look at books specifically through the eyes of the Newbery Committee. Following my article The 2015 Youth Media Awards: A Crossover Year for Diversity, Amy and I talked about...
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Graphic Novels
Nina opened our running annual text vs. images conversation with THE MARVELS. Last year, EL DEAFO made history by being the first graphic novel recognized by the Newbery committee. Nina discussed it...
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Keeping it Real
I’ve been looking for contemporary middle grade stories to compliment our shortlist-in-progress (soon to be announced), and having a hard time find ones that easily rise to the top for me. What am I...
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Great Expectations
It’s been a banner year for nonfiction yet again. Since we’ve been saying that every year for the past several years maybe it’s time to start speaking of a Golden Age of Nonfiction? In any case, many...
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What We Talk About When We Talk About Children’s Books
Well I can’t say that this hasn’t been an interesting season on Heavy Medal. Jonathan and I will be announcing our shortlist shortly, but I’m due a reflection on the last few weeks. Rather than loop...
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Shortlist!
After much reading and deliberation, Nina and I have decided on the following nine–nine!–titles: DROWNED CITY . . . ECHO . . . GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA . . . GOODBYE...
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Top Five
In the past couple years we’ve checked in with our readers at various points in the year to see what they would nominate. Due to the shorter timetable this year–the YMAs are on January 11th–we’re...
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Rhythm Ride
No one’s commented in surprise to the presence of RHYTHM RIDE on our shortlist, but it is rare that we include a title that we haven’t posted on yet. This year’s early schedule and the intensity of...
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Curse of the Three Star Book, Part 1
We don’t necessarily create our shortlist with the intention of predicting the winners, but it’s nice when that works out. I’ve noticed that we’ve been especially prone to missing or underestimating...
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Curse of the Three Star Book, Part 2
On Friday, we talked about a pair of three star books that I’ve read. Here are a whole heap–seven!–that have either languished in my to-be-read-pile or I’ve started them but not finished them (not for...
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Most Dangerous and Drowned City
Because of the shortened season and early mock discussions, Jonathan and I may not have a chance to do our usual redux of every title on our shortlist, but we’ll attempt to make space for each one that...
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What’s Wrong With the Printz?
Debbie Reese recently noted that ALSC had added language in support of diversity to their committee manuals, but YALSA has had that language in the Policies and Procedures since the inception of the...
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Orbiting Jupiter
Then Pastor Ballou prayed again, and he said that Joseph had put himself in danger to save others, and then he said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”...
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