Tuesday, December 17, 2013

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:
 
 
Every Day After  Counting by 7s   Beholding Bee
 
     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:
 
Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers
 
     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!
 
Journey
 
 

5 comments:

  1. I love all of these titles, Holly. What an excellent year for readers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly was! It's hard to narrow it down. I have my club's winner now. Will post soon! :-)

      Delete
  2. Aw--I love seeing GENIE WISHES in the photo alongside so many great titles--and such a sweet-looking group of kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are a GREAT group, and there were a lot of fans of Genie Wishes! :-)

      Delete
  3. Great list! I agree with you about Journey. And it would be so wonderful if Every Day After won. Laura is such a beautiful person inside and out.

    BTW... I just now noticed your This is Not My Hat picture hanging up in your classroom. Love. :)

    ReplyDelete