GreenBeanTeenQueen

This year my library hosted our first ever Mock Newbery! We hosted it just for staff, but I think it would be great to host one with our patrons someday as well.  We had a shortlist of six titles that we read and discussed. After much discussion and voting, we came up with our winner and two honor books: Winner:  Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Our group was impressed by the lyrical writing of Brown Girl Dreaming and how each poem stood alone but also contributed to the larger story. There were also comments on the characterization, which is very well drawn out. Even when we are introduced to a character with very little detail and background, we still felt that we knew them. Honor Books:  A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd West of the Moon by Margi Preus  The group again loved the well developed characters in A Snicker of Magic. There was lots of discussion about the wonderful wordplay and excellent world building and se...

Since I'm in the middle of my Committee Year, I haven't gotten to read as much middle grade as I've wanted. It's never too early to start thinking about the Newbery and I'm curious to know what books have been gaining buzz and what you think will be showing up on Mock Newbery lists this Fall. I have a few that I have my eye on! May B by Caroline Starr Rose -A historical novel in verse, I've had my eye on  May B  ever since I reviewed it earlier this year . Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage -I'm part of a group on Facebook called the Centurians and this one has gotten some award buzz from fellow librarians in the group! The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate -I've heard lots of early buzz around this one! Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz -She's a previous Newbery winner and a fantastic writer! Wonder by R.J. Palacio -So many people have been buzzing about this book. I think it'...