As fan of being on book award committees, I could not pass up the chance to be on a Mock Newberry hosted by Wright State University librarian Stephanie Bange. We were lucky to have her facilitate the meeting, since she is on the real committee this year! We discussed the books first by positive comments, followed by concerns. This format works well, since any book that is truly good will still stand strong after discussing the concerns. (note: not dislikes, but concerns). I will summarize the committee discussion, followed by my personal thoughts.
Here are the books we discussed:
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Here are the books we discussed:
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
It is written in verse and the voice and personality of Josh comes through and flows well. While this is a sports book, it is also not. It explores themes of family, sibling relationships, loss, and growing up. This is a realistic story, but one committee member mentioned that the amount of talent on the team and press coverage far surpassed that of an actual junior high team. This book appeals more to teens than children.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The writing is wonderful and pulls you into Josh's perspective. He is such a likable character and this book would appeal to a wide variety of readers, not just sports book readers.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The writing is wonderful and pulls you into Josh's perspective. He is such a likable character and this book would appeal to a wide variety of readers, not just sports book readers.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
This book has great storytelling elements and illustrations. The kids are portrayed as strong, smart heroes who are the ones who come to save the adults. There is advanced vocabulary. The emotional content is dealt with well, and put into historical context. Some thought that this book was too slow, and too creepy. Some also expressed fatigue with the theme of missing or irresponsible parents. There was also critique of the use of "dinna" which is Scottish, not Irish. This shows a lack of consistent research and/or editing.
I loved this books. The haunting story of responsible children who come the rescue of adults who have fallen victim to a haunted tree. I love the storytelling elements and the lesson of the difference between a lie, which helps people hide, and a story, which helps people face the truth. Though the role of hester, the mysterious witch, is a character we see often, I liked her a lot.
Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle
I loved this books. The haunting story of responsible children who come the rescue of adults who have fallen victim to a haunted tree. I love the storytelling elements and the lesson of the difference between a lie, which helps people hide, and a story, which helps people face the truth. Though the role of hester, the mysterious witch, is a character we see often, I liked her a lot.
Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle
This novel in verse is written so beautifully. It explores a topic that many people are not familiar with, and is based on what it was really like to work on the panama canal. It explores race, gender equality, environmentalism, fear, and hatred. Some expressed concern at the lack of background information most readers would have on the topic.
I loved reading from the various perspectives of the workers and of the forest. The layout of the chapters reflected the traits of the animals, trees, and humans. I do not think that you need any background information to enjoy and learn from this book.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
I loved reading from the various perspectives of the workers and of the forest. The layout of the chapters reflected the traits of the animals, trees, and humans. I do not think that you need any background information to enjoy and learn from this book.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
This fun family story focuses on the power of words and symbolism. Words matter more than you know. The characters are strong, and the situations realistic. This books does a good job of weaving magic into reality. The cover is great, not too childish. Although this is a good book, it was predictable and familiar.
I thought it was a decent book, not my favorite though. I didn't quite get the word collecting aspect, and was more into the magical, historical elements, than I was concerned about what would happen in the present day story line.
Rain Reign by Ann Martin
I thought it was a decent book, not my favorite though. I didn't quite get the word collecting aspect, and was more into the magical, historical elements, than I was concerned about what would happen in the present day story line.
Rain Reign by Ann Martin
This book inspires empathy for autistic children. Through Rose's perspective you understand what she is going through, why others get frustrated, and how she grows. This is an emotional read, you can feel the frustration and get sucked into the story. However, there is the concern that Rose may not be the most accurate portrayal of autism. She has trouble outside the home, especially when she sees others breaking the rules. But she can adapt to changes much better at home, alone.
I thought Rose felt real, and I felt her struggle. The story transcends autism, and explores loos, making friends, and difficult family situations. I enjoyed the book, and would recommend for middle school children.
West of the Moon by Margi Preus
I thought Rose felt real, and I felt her struggle. The story transcends autism, and explores loos, making friends, and difficult family situations. I enjoyed the book, and would recommend for middle school children.
West of the Moon by Margi Preus
This historical story of immigration weaves in fairy tales and determination. It had great cultural details. Unfortunately, the historical context given after the story would better serve the reader before the story. Many of the characters were unlikable, and much of the storyline was unbelievable. For instance (spoiler), when she finds out that spinning girl is her sister, she doesn't give it a second thought, but just accepts it as true. There are also some dark elements (rape, killing a baby lamb)
I thought this story was too unbelievable. I did not like the characters. The fairy tales that were weaved into the story did not seem to serve too much purpose, and the characters didn't seem to learn too much from them. I am also not a fan of rape in children books, though it would easily pass over many children's heads, some children will get it.
The Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin
I thought this story was too unbelievable. I did not like the characters. The fairy tales that were weaved into the story did not seem to serve too much purpose, and the characters didn't seem to learn too much from them. I am also not a fan of rape in children books, though it would easily pass over many children's heads, some children will get it.
The Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin
This compelling story discusses civil rights in a context that many people are unaware of. It is a great nonfiction story. It is well researched and makes the struggle personal. Though the story is a good one, the writing should have been done by a better storyteller. The writing was not as engaging as it could be. Some aspects were glossed over, we would have liked more details in some parts.
As far as nonfiction goes, this is a good contribution. It is a good story for children to learn about, and the introduction grabs you in a way that most nonfiction fails to do. The writing throughout wasn't as engaging as it could have been, but that is common with nonfiction.
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
As far as nonfiction goes, this is a good contribution. It is a good story for children to learn about, and the introduction grabs you in a way that most nonfiction fails to do. The writing throughout wasn't as engaging as it could have been, but that is common with nonfiction.
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
This unpredictable story has unique characters, and shows that there are two sides to everything. It has many dark aspects, and would be more appropriate for older readers. A lot is left unresolved, even for being the first in a trilogy. It is hard to summarize for potential readers.
I cannot recommend this book. I have no idea what the book was about, the premise is confusing. There are a lot of side stories that do not add to the main plot. There is sexual abuse, and kids playing with a gun who then shoot someone and do not call the police. If you are going to deal with these issues, you have to do it well. That is not the case here. I did not like the characters and was left more confused than intrigued.
Boys of Blur by N.D. Wilson
I cannot recommend this book. I have no idea what the book was about, the premise is confusing. There are a lot of side stories that do not add to the main plot. There is sexual abuse, and kids playing with a gun who then shoot someone and do not call the police. If you are going to deal with these issues, you have to do it well. That is not the case here. I did not like the characters and was left more confused than intrigued.
Boys of Blur by N.D. Wilson
This wonderfully creative story features a good realistic family story and elements of mysticism. Though it had both realistic and magical elements, they don't flow well. You are reading a realistic story, then are suddenly thrown into a magical element with no warning. The setting is in a small town in Florida, but does nothing to address race issues in the area. It would have been better in a more fictional region.
Overall the story was intriguing, but I was thrown by the sudden change from realistic to magic. I did not feel like the magical aspect was explained well enough, and really wanted to read more about the realistic family aspects. That could have been a good book on its own.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Overall the story was intriguing, but I was thrown by the sudden change from realistic to magic. I did not feel like the magical aspect was explained well enough, and really wanted to read more about the realistic family aspects. That could have been a good book on its own.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
This autobiography in verse is beautifully written. It explores Woodson's coming of age, civil rights, religion, and family relationships. There seem to be some aspects of her life that were relevant, but that she left out, and it is unclear why.
I liked the story, but was left wanting more. I felt that the pace could be slow at times, but had no problems with the story itself.
I liked the story, but was left wanting more. I felt that the pace could be slow at times, but had no problems with the story itself.
Winner: Brown Girl Dreaming
Honor book: The Crossover
Honor book: Rain Reign