On to 2015!

[Franki]

I just finished Circa Now and Absolutely Nothing. I loved them both and both seem to be getting lots of great reviews and lots of Newbery buzz. I am a huge Lisa Graff fan and this may be her best yet!

[Judy]

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "Thanks Kristine! I do have the hard copy...so I will check it out. :) The audio book is also excellent with the different voices for the news, songs, etc."

Like you I listened to the audio book, but also went back to look at all the graphics included in the book. As someone who grew up then it was fun to hear the jingles and news and then later see the images. The audio was fun. Will look to Revolution, but am wondering if seeing freedom riders a voter registration from the eyes if a young white girl has the same impact as seen through a black character.

[Virginia]

Kristine wrote: "I'm so excited about Revolution! Countdown is on my top 10 MG books of all time."

Okay-- do I need to read Countdown prior to reading Revolution??

[Josephine]

do i need to read Shooting Kabul before I read Saving Kabul Corner? in the acknowledgements the author ays he hopes this book answers the question about what happened to Murium.

[Suzy]

You don't need to read Countdown to read Revolution. They are completely separate stories set in the 1960s. I really liked Countdown; Revolution is BETTER.

[Josephine]

i just finished Saving Kabul Corner. i loved the story and the way the Miriam, Wali and Laila unraveled the mystery piece by piece. i don't think its a Newbery contender, but i think students will enjoy reading this one. now i want to read Shooting Kabul.

[Josephine]

just finished Under the Egg
I like this for the Newbery. It is a mystery all wrapped up with historical fiction and Art as well as interesting and quirky characters. librarians will like Eddie, the reference librarian.

[Jenni]

I read about The Meaning of Maggie on Karen Cushman's blog and managed to get it before I left on vacation. I know I connected to it very personally because it is about a middle school girl during the late eighties coping with a chronically ill parent. I'd love to hear other, more objective, opinions on this book.

[Lisa]

I just finished Hope is a Ferris Wheel, a debut novel which I just loved. The protagonist, Star is a feisty and quirky character, with an authentic and complex voice. I especially liked the tie in to poetry and the clever use of Star's "vocabulary sentences" to advance the storyline and add dimension. I think it could be Newbery worthy, though I think I see a few others as stronger candidates. Still, an admirable first novel by Ms. Herrera and I will be looking for future books by this author.

[Sue]

I am reading West of the Moon now in consideration for our MS reading program. It does seem to wander from story to fairy tale. Not sure if kids will want to follow it. I am enjoying it.Margi PreusWill have a better idea after I finish it.

[Lisa]

I was able to read Fourteenth Goldfish by Holm as an arc, and it was great! One of the best books I've read this year! I love the pace of this book, and the interesting idea presented. Middle school is not easy on anyone, and who would ever want to experience it again? Ellie is trying to make sense of friendship changes, school changes and now her grandfather is going to school with her! He is a scientist and has made a major discovery! He has reversed aging! Is it permanent? Is it harmful over time? Who knows, he is a living experiment. He comes to live with his daughter and Ellie, his granddaughter because now he looks like he is 13 years old!

Holm has crafted an interesting story, compelling characters and wrapped it all up with a tag at the end to recruit new scientists! I loved it. The fast pace will encourage readers, but the story will hook them. I can't wait to get a copy or maybe two for my school library! I do think this book will get some buzz this year.

[Josephine]

I hear a lot about reading arc books. How does this happen ?

[Suzy]

I really loved the Fourteenth Goldfish but for some reason it doesn't feel like it has a Newbery chance to me in the way Jenni's historical fiction books. But it's just such a perfect middle-grade book -- funny, interesting, well-written, full of big ideas. She is really a master of the form.

ARCs are pre-pub paperback copies given to reviewers, booksellers and librarians. You have to get on somebody's mailing list to receive them.

[Josephine]

I am a librarian how do I find the mailing lists?

[Suzy]

I don't think you find the mailing lists, you make a contact at a publisher -- usually a publicist or someone in school and library marketing -- who adds you to their list because you a.) review for a journal, b.) run some kind of reader advisory program, or tween/tween book club, or c.) because they like you. They are usually happy to provide arcs to "big mouths," librarians or others who read widely and can help generate buzz for the books they like.

[Lisa]

I signed up with Net Galley and spent a year reading and reviewing for them. Now, I get emails that say "You are pre-approved for ..." This is how I'm reading advanced copies, as ARC eBooks. Check out Net Galley and sign up.

[Josephine]

Thanks reading friends

[Stephanie]

I received a lot of ARCs from the TLA conference, including Brown Girl Dreaming, publisher booth just handing them out. Highly recommend going to your state or national conference.

[Lisa]

The easiest way to get arcs is to patronize and get to know the folks at your local independent bookstore. I have a wonderful relationship with the children's buyer and staff at ours and not only do I get loads of arc's, but they bring authors to our school and we love to talk books and tell each other about what we have read and liked. They can't read everything and so are happy to share with us as long as we let them know what we think. Local indie's got to love em'! A real asset to our communities and I love to support them.

[Josephine]

Thanks for the advice. Our one and only bookstore just closed here in Boone, NC. : (

[Suzy]

Yeah, no indies in my town either, but attending a conference is a really good idea. If you can get to BEA or ALA, you can really grab a lot of the best forthcoming titles.

[Josephine]

I read Revolution and The Secret Hum of a Daisy making me thankful I don't have to make the Newbery decision. These two books were as different as a pinecone and a kitten, but both so wonderfully written. Both stories made me have such a heavy heart.

[Martha]

Just finished The Paper Cowboy by Levine. Now my favorite.

[Mari Anne]

Jo: Sign up for Netgalley, then read and review and repeat. Make sure to post to Goodreads, they really like that! I can't even accept all the pre-approvals and invitations since I just don't have the time to devote to reading all of them. Netgalley is a wonderful thing.

[Josephine]

Thanks I signed up with net galley and am eating for email confirmation .

[Jess]

Jo, if you're a member of ALA you can add your member # to your NetGalley profile and get automatic access for some publishers.

[Josephine]

Thank you!

[Kim]

I am having an easier time with Edelweiss. I enjoy Netgalley because their arcs don't time out the way that other arc sources do but they are slower to respond.

[Debbie]

Loved, loved, loved The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier.

[Josephine]

Has anyone read Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere? It was very good and one I think students will want to read. Is is about a family living in the Lower Nines in New Orleans wine Hurricane Katrina hits. The father decides not to heed the evacuation issued by Mayor Nagan. You get halfway through the book after the hurricane hits and then the horror truly begins.

[Laura]

Jo wrote: "Has anyone read Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere? It was very good and one I think students will want to read. Is is about a family living in the Lower Nines in New Orleans wine Hurricane Katri..."

Yes. It is fantastic. I am astounded that there is so little buzz surrounding it. I believe it is definitely a Newbery contender.

[Lisa]

I really liked this one too, but for me it stands against some slightly stronger competition.

[Susan]

Jo wrote: "Has anyone read Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere? It was very good and one I think students will want to read. Is is about a family living in the Lower Nines in New Orleans wine Hurricane Katri..."

Yes! Yes! Yes! It would be a shame to loose this one in the Newbery shuffle--it is worthy of notice!

[Dolores]

Here's a link to the pdf of children's books discussed at the ALA annual conference last month.

Association for Library Service to Children/ALA Notable Children's Books - Nominated Titles for Discussion 2014 Annual Conference – Las Vegas

Notable book authors don't have to be "citizens or residents of the United States", so not all of these books will be Newbery contenders.

[Dolores]

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is my favorite, so far, and I can't wait for it to come out so more people can read it. I actually wrote a thank-you note to the author; something I have never done before.

This book!!!

[Jennifer]

Dolores, great post! I wish there was a "like" button in these DB's. Can't wait to read this one!

[Kim]

Thanks for posting the link. Makes me feel better to know that most of them I have read. I seem to be enjoying authors that are not from the US lately which is frustrating when you are looking for Newbery contenders.

[Jennifer]

I just finished Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord. Gave it 5 stars. Beautiful story!

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Jo wrote: "Has anyone read Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere? It was very good and one I think students will want to read. Is is about a family living in the Lower Nines in New Orleans wine Hurr..."

Have you read... Buddy.



It also is about Hurricane Katrina. A moving story about a boy and his dog

[Niki]

I just finished The Night Gardener and loved it! Creepy, Scary, Thrilling- Loved it!!!

[Josephine]

I'll l doe Buddy thanks

[Susan]

Check out the new book Goodbye Monsters at www.goodbyemonsters.com to assist children when their bedtime fears.

[Erin]

Just finished Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere, and it was a very difficult book to read in the best possible way. Devastating, heartwarming, insightful, poignant...I really can't say enough! The Newbery committee is going to have their work cut out for them this year. There are so many great contenders, and I still have months of reading get through.

[Annie]

Can anyone tell me if Gary Blackwood's Curiosity is eligible for the Newbery? Online it says he lives in MO, but on the book jacket it says he lives in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your help!

[Josephine]

I didn't notice that about Gary Blackwood and where he lives. I just finished Curiosity and think if it's a
Eligible it' should be considered.

[Annie]

Jo wrote: "I didn't notice that about Gary Blackwood and where he lives. I just finished Curiosity and think if it's a
Eligible it' should be considered."

I picked it up and started reading it based on a School Library Journal review (Fuse 8 Blog) which said it is a Newbery contender… so imagine my surprise when another librarian friend read the author bio in the back. :) Doesn't change that I'll buy it for my library and share it with students, but it would be nice to know if it is a contender.

[Suzy]

Almost positive that Gary Blackwood is American. Born in the U.S., so unless for some reason he's renounced his citizenship ... I think he's eligible for sure.

[Shivahn]

Gary Blackwood was born in Pennsylvania and is indeed an American, making him eligible. Can't wait to read Curiosity!

[Carol]

Jo wrote: "just finished Under the Egg
I like this for the Newbery. It is a mystery all wrapped up with historical fiction and Art as well as interesting and quirky characters. librarians will like Eddie, th..."

I LOVED Under the Egg! It's my Newbery pick! The characters are so interesting and confident without being quirky or nerdy (not that there is anything wrong with that)! I think it will be my first read aloud for my 4th graders.

[Kim]

Just got an ARC of Esther Ehrlich's Nest. I have a good gut feeling about this one (3 starred reviews + Newbery loves historical fiction). Subject matter sounds heavy, but that's par for the course this year. Can't wait to read it.