Thoughts on the 2013 Mock Newbery and Caldecott

 

     Usually I do a Slice of Life post on Tuesdays, but I'm not sure this one qualifies as a Slice; so I'll just make it a regular post.  My Mock Newbery Club meets this afternoon for our last gathering of 2013.  The kids will look through their Mock Newbery booklets to refresh their memories of books read throughout the year.  Some of them were read aloud by me, some as small group books for class, and some on their own since they were trying to read as many new books as possible.  I'm so excited to see what they choose as their picks for the Newbery 2014!  Reading for and choosing a possible Newbery winner has definitely been a fun part of my life the last couple years.

 

     I've looked over my Goodreads list, and I have a top three I want to talk about with my club.  I haven't picked a favorite out those three yet.  I think I may even reread them. I've considered "kid appeal," personal preference, as well as the characteristics of a Newbery winner.  This is SO difficult because there were a lot of wonderful books this year.  Here they are:

 

 

   

 

     I also have to "cheat" on picking the top three because I'm going to pick a nonfiction book I think has a strong chance of winning a sticker:

 

 

     Other titles I think have strong possibilities are Center of Everything by Linda Urban, Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, Paperboy by Vince Vawter, and The Real Boy by Anne Ursu.  Maybe I'll even reread those.  I'm reading The Real Boy aloud to my class right now.  I'll write a future blog post about what my students choose to win.  Meanwhile, make sure you choose your favorites by voting on The 2013 Nerdies!

 

     By the way, it is no secret that my favorite for the 2014 Caldecott is Journey by Aaron Becker.  I really, really, really want it to win!