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September 19, 2016 by Betsy Bird

Newbery / Caldecott 2017: Fall Prediction Edition

September 19, 2016 by Betsy Bird   51 comments

Mmmm.  It’s that time again.  The summer is beginning to cool its jets and with fall on the horizon I need to present the third in my yearly four-part prediction series.  What was that fantastic quote Travis Jonker came up with the other day?  Ah, yes.

“Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.” – Lao Tzu

And like Travis, we’re just going to run roughshod over that one.  As ever, I will remind you that my ability to predict these things is a bit on the shoddy side.  You might be better off reading the Mock Newbery and Mock Caldecott lists of Goodreads.  That said, I can give you something those lists can’t: Scintillating commentary!!  Unless you’re reading Heavy Medal or Calling Caldecott (both of which have just started up again).  Then you’ll get commentary from a variety of different voices.  Anyway . . .

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Let’s do this thing.

2017 Caldecott Predictions

Ideas Are All Around by Philip Stead

IdeasAllAroundI think I’m going to stick with this one.  Here’s what usually happens when I mention this book on a prediction list.  I say I don’t find it very kid-friendly and then someone responds that they know several kids who love it.  They just happen to be older kids.  One forgets that not all picture books are aimed at three-year-olds.  Stead’s book pushes the boundaries.  It may, in fact, be one of those very rare picture books written for a middle grade audience.  With that in mind, a consideration of the text and image together takes on a different light entirely.

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph by Roxane Orgill, ill. Francis Vallejo

jazzday1

Not fish, nor fowl.  Is it nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, or a picture book?  The Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards placed it squarely in the picture book category (those judges must have been awfully smart, don’t you think, huh huh, don’t you think, huh?) though like Ideas Are All Around it’s for older readers.  A bit of a trend here, eh?  Maybe.  After all, the last few nonfiction Caldecott winners (Finding Winnie, Locomotive, etc.) were on the older side as well.

Miracle Man by John Hendrix

MiracleMan

Chant it with me! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!  Now last time I did a prediction edition I mentioned the whole question about whether or not a Jesus book could win a Caldecott anymore (since, y’know, the first 1938 winner was Animals of the Bible).  Now I’ve found out that I’ll get to talk with The Horn Book Podcast soon about religion and children’s literature in the 21st century.  That should help me straighten out my thoughts on the matter.  In the meantime, I’m keeping this one in the mix.  As I mentioned before, it’s the wildest of my Wild Cards, but I think it may have an outside chance.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

Radiant Child

Speaking of the Horn Book Podcast, there was an interesting discussion the other day with Jules Danielson of the 7-Imp blog about whether or not publishers should include information about how the art was made on the publication page of a picture book.  Roger Sutton was asking if knowledge of how a book is made adjusts your interpretation of the art.  I mentioned this to a friend and they pointed out that in 2016 we’re seeing a crazy amount of eclectic and interesting art in our contenders.  From the Moroccan influence and mixed media of Evan Turk’s The Storyteller (we’ll get to that) to the found wood of this book, it has never been a better time to get creative with your medium.  And anyway, this book just blew me away.  Technically a bio won the Caldecott last year, but there’s no rule saying it can’t happen repeatedly.  And how awesome would it be for a Steptoe to win the Caldecott again?  Javaka completely deserves it with this book.

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

snowwhite

Okay!  So graphic novels have been winning Newberys left, right, and center lately, right?  Which is to say, Newbery Honors.  On the Caldecott side, This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki essentially blew our minds when it won a Caldecott Honor two years ago (and it was YA!).  This 1930s reinterpretation of the Snow White story is far younger than Tamaki’s book, and done in an elegant black and white style.  It is, in its own way, very sexy but still child appropriate (I’ll have to review it sometime to figure out how that’s even possible).  Phelan’s never won any Caldecotts that I can tell, but he’s also become more and more accomplished as the years have gone by.  This book would be a risk for the committee, but it would also be a wonderful way of praising Phelan’s evident expertise.

The Storyteller by Evan Turk

Storyteller1

Sometimes a Caldecott winner says something about the times in which we live.  Turk’s book talks about the roles stories have in our lives.  It folds a story within a story within a story and then backs out again without tripping up once.  Visually it’s a stunner, with smart writing to match, but more importantly it’s speaking to the times in which we live.  We are desperate for stories these days.  This book speaks not just to that need but the solution.  Aw, heck.  It may even have a chance at a Newbery.  Look at the art when you get a chance, though.  It’s truly beautiful.

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie, ill. Yuyi Morales

 ThunderBoy

This book was already mentioned on Heavy Medal’s Ten Picture Books That Can Win the 2017 Newbery Medal.  On the Caldecott side of the equation it’s already received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor.  It’s one of those books where the art slowly grabs you.  There are circles within circles, connections upon connections.  A long discussion of the book yields treasures.  You will see things you missed many times before.

 They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

TheyAllSawCat

Someone told me recently that this book is scientifically accurate.  If you’re unfamiliar with it, the premise is that a single cat is viewed in a multitude of different ways by different animals.  I haven’t looked into the veracity of this claim yet, but if true then it’s just another feather in the cap of a remarkable title.  Word on the street says that Chronicle paid a pretty penny for the manuscript.  From everything I can see, it was worth it in the end.


2017 Newbery Predictions

Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet

cloud-and-wallfish

You know, you guys should really listen to that Horn Book Podcast sometime.  It was Roger Sutton who mentioned this book and piqued my interest in it.  I already had a copy at home since it came with rather peculiar swag.  With the book came two little cut out stencils.  One of a cloud.  One of a whale.  Aside from pitying the poor intern that spent at least a day cutting these out, it did interest me.  Good cover.  Good title.  And Nesbet?  That was the author behind that Cabinet of Earths series, right?  Well I’ve been reading it and on some level it reminded me of The War That Saved My Life.  Not the setting so much as just the pure enjoyment I’ve received while reading it.  Roger said something similar himself.  Nesbet has taken 1989 East Germany and just riddled it with interesting details and great writing.  Y’all have to check this out.

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan

FreedomOverMe

It’s been (checks calendar) six days since this book was released.  Have you read it yet?  Have you, have you?  Because I’d really like to talk to somebody about it.  I think 2016 is going to be The Year of Difficult Writing for me.  So many authors are taking risks, doing things no one’s done before, and creating art in the process.  Mr. Bryan is no exception.  I’ve never seen anything quite like what he’s done here.  Naming this book as even an honor would be a powerful statement.

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

InquisitorsTale

I actually did a double take when I reread my Summer Prediction Edition and found, to my shock and horror, that I had not included this book on the list.  I must have read it right after I posted.  In fact, I know I did since three or four readers named it as a top pick.  Whole lotta religion in this one.  And blood and guts too (this is Mr. Gidwitz we’re talking about) but talk about risks!  He’s basically taking Christianity and Judaism and discussing them in a context almost never seen in middle grade historical fiction (fantasy? fiction?).  Gutsy.  Blood and gutsy.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Pax

Ah, Pax.  Let out of the gate early in 2016 with a huge marketing push to match.  It worked in terms of sales, of course.  This book has already become a New York Times bestseller (no mean feat for a book that isn’t part of a series written by a man whose name rhymes with My Own Pen).  It was the earliest book to garner Newbery buzz as well.  Indeed, there’s a reason Heavy Medal chose it as one of the first books of the year to discuss.  Love it or hate it, there is a LOT to chew on in this novel.  It could either sweep the awards or not even get an Honor nod.  Though, if I were a betting woman, I’d say it’s a clear cut Newbery Honor book.

Presenting Buffalo Bill: The Man Who Invented the Wild West by Candace Fleming

presentingbuffalo

The Newbery is not awarded for difficulty.  If it were, Fleming would be a shoo-in.  Instead, she’s written a middle grade nonfiction biography of a figure forgotten by most kids today.  A biography hasn’t won a Newbery since 1988 (Lincoln, a Photobiography, in case you’re curious).  So the chances of Fleming winning for this book are slim, but I’m a fan of the underdog. The writing is extraordinary, the topic impossible, and the take clever.  We’ll see if the committee agrees.

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

RaymieNightingale

Like Pax, this is one of those shoo-ins for discussion.  Also like Pax it came out early in the year.  Will the committee be burned out by the time they actually get around to discussing it?  Considering how much there is to discuss about the book, not likely.  If it wins the Award proper that will be DiCamillo’s third Newbery Award (not counting Honors).  Something to chew on.

When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano

WhenGreen1

Mmm.  Poetry.  Slightly less rare than middle grade biography winners.  After all, verse novels have won.  Monologues done in rhyme have won.  Even straight up books of poetry have, technically, won.  One thing I have learned about this book is that not everybody shares my love of it.  Like humor, the worth of poetry can prove subjective.  Still and all, there’s a groundswell of support for it out there.  One of the loveliest books of the year, by far.

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

WolfHollow

Also known as the book I had to flip to the back of because it became too tense for me not to know how it ended.  They keep comparing it to To Kill a Mockingbird in the ad copy, which I feel is a bit unfair.  Any book compared to Harper Lee’s classic is going to end up with a raw deal.  It’s an interesting take on prejudices and has, by far, the most evil bully in a book I have EVER read.  I wouldn’t call it enjoyable in the same way as the Nesbet book, but it was deeply compelling and beautifully written.

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AND NOW . . . THE BOOK THAT IS GOING TO BE SUPER FUN FOR THE NEWBERY COMMITTEE AS THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF IT’S EVEN UP FOR CONTENTION OR NOT . . .

Are You an Echo? The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, narrative and translation by David Jacobson, Sally Ito & Michiko Tsuboi

areyouecho

Haven’t heard of it?  I bet not.  I have not yet begun to sing its praises on this blog, having just read it, but this is without a doubt one of the most amazing books of the year.

Now this should be an open and shut case of a book that simply can’t be a Newbery contender.  See how I mentioned that there was a translator or two involved in this book?  Right.  Books eligible for the Newbery must have originally been published in the United States.  Case closed, right?  Maybe not.  This book is about the life of a celebrated Japanese poet for children who was rediscovered not long ago, and became famous thanks in large part to one of her poems circulating after the tsunami of 2011.  It pulls no punches and reproduces original translations of her poems throughout the text.

So the book itself was originally published in the States, right?  But the poetry spotted throughout the book comes from a Japanese anthology of Kaneko’s works.  What this means is that even if the poetry has never been translated in this way before, technically the poems have been translated overseas before and therefore the book is not a Newbery contender.  I think.  If true this is a pity since I truly believe that anyone who reads this book will be utterly blown away by what they find inside.  In any case, the author of the poetry is dead and I believe that may be an impediment to its Newbery qualifications as well.  Ah well.  Check it out when you get a chance.  It’s really quite remarkable.

Okay, folks!  Lemme have it!  What did I miss?

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2017 Caldecott contenders2017 Newbery contendersNewbery/Caldecott predictions

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

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About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MIchael Scott says

    September 19, 2016 at 6:41 am

    What about Reynold’s Ghost for Newbery?

  2. Eric Carpenter says

    September 19, 2016 at 7:35 am

    Where did Samurai Rising go? Did you bump it for Buffalo Bill? I haven’t read the Fleming yet but eagerly anticipate it (do I rewatch the Altman movie before or after reading it?). Can we not have two nonfiction Newberys this year?

    Also Jason Reynold’s GHOST….

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 19, 2016 at 7:47 am

      Oh good! That’s two folks supporting GHOST. It may have just been that I was worried that I was the only one into it. Maybe I’ll bring it back for the final prediction edition. I did find it emotionally stellar. As for SAMURAI RISING I haven’t let it go but I also haven’t seen anyone anywhere talking about it, which bums me out. Now when was the last time we had two nonfiction Newberys . . . .?

      • Genevieve says

        September 19, 2016 at 11:47 am

        Three for GHOST!

      • Amy says

        September 20, 2016 at 3:17 pm

        Make that four for GHOST!

        • Elizabeth Bird says

          September 20, 2016 at 3:54 pm

          I think you’re seven, at this point.

  3. Misty says

    September 19, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    A Child of Books!

  4. Pat Zietlow Miller says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    I adored APPLESAUCE WEATHER. It’s simple but deep, has a contemporary feel with a nod to the tall-tale tradition and has lovely language throughout.

  5. Monica Edinger says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Four for Ghost. I was the very first to review it and tout it for the Newbery back in July (https://medinger.wordpress.com/2016/07/10/coming-soon-jason-reynolds-ghost/).

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 19, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      Good. It’ll go back on in the final, then. Very strong support!

  6. Monica Edinger says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    And I’m sure we’ll be talking Samurai Rising on Heavy Medal — it is certainly on my Newbery short list.

  7. Harriett says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    How ’bout Tricia Springstubb’s Every Single Second? Certainly timely.

  8. Elaine says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Five for Ghost! Love it!!

  9. Samantha Berger says

    September 19, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    What a great list.
    And what a golden age for books!
    I’d like to toss in one more Caldecontender (unless it doesn’t qualify, because the creators are Canadian). The Night Gardener by Terry and Eric Fan.
    Turns out *I* am the one who is a FAN!
    It’s such a spectacular picture book.

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 19, 2016 at 10:16 pm

      In all the years I’ve done this I’ve never seen the word “Caldecontender” invoked. How did I miss that all these years?!?

      • Bridget Rieth says

        September 20, 2016 at 9:07 pm

        Yeah, that term is a keeper!

  10. LEE BENNETT HOPKINS says

    September 19, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    ALSO CONSIDER: THE POET’S DOG by Patricia MacLachlan (HarperCollins)

  11. marjorie says

    September 19, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    I will be the crankypants and say that while They All Saw a Cat was just lovely to gaze upon, I desperately wanted some nice science-y back matter to tell us how and why different animals see the cat the way they do. Sure, we can go OH, this animal must be colorblind! This animal “sees” by sonar! But c’mon, throw us an edu-bone here. It felt like such a missed opportunity.

    I’ve only read a handful of the other titles on your list, but I loved them all! (And honestly, They All Saw a Cat is super-pretty and I have a terrible cold and I’m just being a butt.)

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 19, 2016 at 10:16 pm

      Maybe. But you also conjured up the phrase “edu-bone” which has made me deliriously happy. So it’s all good.

    • Barbara Gogan says

      September 22, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Yes, that’s what makes the Steve Jenkins books perfection–all that back matter!

  12. Sylvie says

    September 19, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    Six for Ghost!!

  13. KIM CHILDRESS says

    September 20, 2016 at 8:36 am

    I have Cloud and Wallfish on my radar, and included in the Dec/an 2017 Girls’ Life must-read…

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 20, 2016 at 9:56 am

      Then let the buzz begin!

  14. Sam Juliano says

    September 20, 2016 at 10:03 am

    Well you have sold me on MIRACLE MAN: THE STORY OF JESUS which may well be my favorite picture book of the year at this point. But I can’t wait to lay eyes on SOME PIG!, BEFORE MORNING and Wendell Minor’s book on WILLA CATHER.

    I adore:

    The Storyteller
    Thunder Boy Jr.
    Cricket Song
    The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles (seems to me this is the best book this year by either of the Steads, though I do like the one you feature too!)
    They All Saw A Cat
    There is a Tribe of Kids
    The Night Gardener
    I Am Pan!
    This is Not A Picture Book
    Emma and Julia Love Ballet
    Ada’s Violin
    Maybe Something Beautiful
    The Darkest Dark
    Pond
    Lift Your Light a Little Higher
    Field Guide to Grumpasaurus
    Cloth Lullaby (I know, not eligible -Canadian- but oh that Isabelle Arsenault! 🙂
    Among A Thousand Fireflies

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 20, 2016 at 3:54 pm

      If I could, I’d give CLOTH LULLABY all the awards in the world.

      • Sam Juliano says

        September 20, 2016 at 6:55 pm

        🙂 🙂 🙂

  15. tim podell says

    September 20, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    “When Friendship Followed Me Home” is my pick. If not for the Newbery, at least a Newbery honor book. The tears it brings are real, the characters really do adhere to that “it takes a village” idea AND it has a great boy and his dog story. Anyone else read this one? Oh,and of course you can never rule out anything by Richard Peck. “The Best Man” is great!

    • Carmen says

      September 22, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      I loved that one, too! I keep coming back to it, but hadn’t heard it mentioned within other newbery discussions yet. I’ll be offering When Friendship to my students as an option for our mock Newbery class.

  16. Sarah says

    September 20, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    Some Writer! by Melissa Sweet is on my Newbery shortlist. Such fantastic writing!

    Count me as eight (or is it nine or ten now?) for Ghost! I think it’s also going to be discussed in Odyssey-I think it was one of the best audiobooks of the year.

    I also still think there is a lot of charm and detail in The Airport Book-it’s my dark horse for Caldecott!

  17. Judy Anderson says

    September 20, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Just read The Airport Book this morning. I really like it. Sort of reminds me of Richard Scarry, so much to see.

    • Sarah says

      September 20, 2016 at 5:51 pm

      Yes! I agree-very Richard Scarry-esque. I think the mutliple storylines within each page that follow throughout the book make it one you can read over and over again and find something new. It’s on our library Mock Caldecott list and I’m eager to hear what the kids have to say about it!

    • Sam Juliano says

      September 21, 2016 at 8:35 am

      Count me in too as a big fan of The Airport Book, which I erred in not including.

  18. MotherLydia says

    September 20, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Inquisitor’s Tale is not available for purchase yet! *wail*

  19. A teacher and a parent says

    September 20, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    So many great books mentioned so far. I want to add two more. I was left breathless by the beauty and emotion of THE UNCORKER OF OCEAN BOTTLES. It is surely as beautiful a book as one could ever want. “He had a job of the utmost importance.” Yes, he did. Then there was THE TREE IN THE COURTYARD, which I think has not just American, but international appeal and left me teary more than once. That line about “The tree recalled how few had tried to save the girl” just about slew me.

  20. Laura H. says

    September 20, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    The Lost House by Brian Cronin is my new favorite. It is remarkable. I love The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, too. Btw, Isabelle Arsenault is magnificent. Maybe she would consider a move to the U.S. A Caldecott would be in her future for sure.

    • Sam Juliano says

      September 21, 2016 at 8:36 am

      “Btw, Isabelle Arsenault is magnificent. Maybe she would consider a move to the U.S. A Caldecott would be in her future for sure.”

      Amen.

  21. Avery Fischer Udagawa says

    September 20, 2016 at 11:25 pm

    Thank you for including Are You an Echo? The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, even though it is unclear whether a work drawing on the poetry of a non-U.S. author qualifies for the Newbery. A case for this book can be made, I believe: Are You an Echo? is as much about Misuzu Kaneko as it is by her, with the narrative authored by U.S. writer David Jacobson.

    FYI the poems in it have been published overseas in Japanese and other English translations, but they have never been published in this English translation, by Sally Ito and Michiko Tsuboi, in the U.S.

    Beyond technicalities: In a world of good stories, it’s worth considering whether only an American author can write “the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature.” Given how different our literary landscape would be without the Little Mermaid, Pippi Longstocking, Totto-Chan and more, I hope conversations on this topic continue, and that each Newbery can truly go to the best children’s book published in the U.S.—regardless of its author’s citizenship/residence and the language in which it was first written. U.S. authors write in languages other than English, and non-U.S. authors write works of incalculable value to young American readers.

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      September 21, 2016 at 9:45 am

      This all begs the question of whether or not an original translation can win a Newbery. It’s not the whole of the book, you’re right, but it’s a significant chunk. My suspicion is that many committees would argue that Newberys cannot go to translations, but it is also possible that this is done at the discretion of each individual committee. I don’t find it impossible to think that in the future a translator might share this award with an author if the translation is original. Loads to chew on here.

      • Roger Sutton says

        September 21, 2016 at 10:28 am

        Are you saying then that any translation first published in the U.S. of a book that originated elsewhere would be eligible? I’m guessing that would be nipped in the bud by the “original work” clause.

        • Elizabeth Bird says

          September 21, 2016 at 1:00 pm

          That’s where it all falls down. But what if it was written in another language, never published overseas, and translated for the first time here? Can “original work” be construed as “original translation”? Who is to say a translation isn’t a work?

          I’m just playing devil’s advocate, of course, since that situation doesn’t apply here. But what is a “work” in the technical sense of the term?

      • Sara Ralph says

        September 22, 2016 at 2:27 pm

        If that were the case, I feel like it would have to be shared Newbery. After all, the translator didn’t create the original text. Tricky, tricky for sure.

        • Elizabeth Bird says

          September 22, 2016 at 2:56 pm

          Precisely. And to the best of my knowledge, while there have been shared Caldecotts (the Dillons come to mind) I don’t believe there has ever been a shared Newbery.

      • Avery Fischer Udagawa says

        September 23, 2016 at 10:44 am

        This is all fascinating—could there be a shared Newbery? Could an American author or translator share credit with a non-American author? To pose a situation that (like the “devil’s advocate” one above) doesn’t apply to Are You An Echo, could an American author who writes in a language other than English share credit with a translator? All interesting to ponder.

        • Elizabeth Bird says

          September 23, 2016 at 11:22 am

          In our increasingly international world, these questions may not be so hypothetical in the near future.

  22. Susan Dove Lempke says

    September 21, 2016 at 3:49 pm

    I am with you on the Fogliano, When Green Becomes Tomatoes. Every time I pick it up, I love it more.

  23. Samantha Tan says

    September 24, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Hello, may i recommend this charming book by Japanese author Shinsuke Yoshitake, titled ‘Can I build another me’. It’s sad that there are great foreign works that get missed out. But I am very excited to see you suggesting Misuke Kaneko’s book. Thank you for the lists!

  24. Sam Juliano says

    September 26, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Finally got hold of the F o g l I a n o over the weekend. I thought it utterly magnificent from both fronts.

    • Sam Juliano says

      September 26, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Too bad that Julie Morstad, who is Canadian and lives in British Columbia is ineligible for her lovely, whimsical art in the book, though of course Fogliano, an American is very much in the Newbery equation.

  25. MotherLydia says

    September 26, 2016 at 11:03 am

    We got Thunder Boy Jr out of the library this weekend and my daughter (5 years old) ADORES it. She just wants me to read it over and over! My son (age 9) preferred The Storyteller

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  1. Links I Loved Last Week: A Round-Up of Online Reading 9/25/16 | the dirigible plum says:
    September 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    […] Bird’s Newbery/Caldecott predictions post is up. I still have a lot of reading to do before awards […]

  2. The Winner of This Year’s Newbery Medal Is… | King County Library System says:
    September 28, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    […] Scoping out this list on goodreads or this set of predictions. […]

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