2019 Mock Newbery Watch List

[Susie]

I'm also reading more and more of them as eBooks, although it often takes awhile for the eBook to be available.

[Ivy]

I share library cards with friends in other areas and read a lot of ebooks and listen to audiobooks. My library is ok but not great. If there’s a great title I have to read right away, I may splurge and buy it on Amazon, but only if I can put it into my classroom library (sixth grade). I have a wishlist for birthdays and Christmas that my family and friends know about. I haven’t had much luck finding great titles on Net Galley, but I haven’t been on long. I wait for Scholastic to get the books and use my points to buy them.

[Phil]

My library lends ebooks through Overdrive, which I use a lot.

[Thomas]

Czechgirl wrote: "I was surprised that all the honors books weren’t middle-grade reads. I know. I know—the rules, but it is the middle-grade ages who tend to follow the Newbery."

I actually thought that Long Way Down is too old for Newbery. I know it is listed as 12+, but it really is more like 15+ or 16+ in my opinion.

[Thomas]

Ana wrote: "I was disappointed. I think a few other titles were more worthy of star medal... Good book, but I was hoping for Orphan Island, it Beyond the Bright Sea."

I agree. This year and last had a number of excellent titles that earned nothing. I think this year the committee was looking for books that made some sort of statement. All three Newbery Honors definitely did. And the winner tried (unsuccessfully in my opinion) to address a too-wide variety of topics. But I guess that’s what they were looking for.

[Laura]

I am a lot happier with this year's Newbery selections than last year's overall. Long, Way Down and Piecing Me Together are both young adult titles. Some middle school teachers/librarians may pass on recommending them for that age group. There are reasons books are in different age categories. Some children are mature enough to handle/understand young adult themes-others are not. Eventually, they all will be. Each title is wonderful.

[Alpha Selene]

I just finished Betty Before X and loved it.

[Liz]

Probably a stupid question ... but where does one find what the next group book is, the start date, and the finish date? Thanks! ;o)

[Mary HD]

Kristen wrote: "Vote on the Mock Newbery Listopia list.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Just read Mason Buttle, which I recommend; looking forward to the Curtis/Gunterson/Mosier books.

And did anyone notice Karyn Silverman's (farewell?) plea on the SLJ Printz blog that the relevant ALA committees PLEASE remove the age overlap between the Newbery and Printz Awards???

[Laura]

Mary HD wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Vote on the Mock Newbery Listopia list.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Just read Mason Buttle, which I recommend; looking forward to the Curtis/Gunt..."

Thanks for letting us know. I would be interested in what Karyn has to say. Btw, I agree with you on The Truth as told by Mason Buttle.

[Mary HD]

Liz wrote: "Probably a stupid question ... but where does one find what the next group book is, the start date, and the finish date? Thanks! ;o)"
Liz: go to the home page for the group, https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/.... The third category on the discussion board is "what we are reading this month", and click on the title featured for February for access to the discussion thread.

[Reving]

GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes was incredible.
INCREDIBLE.

[Susie]

Maggi wrote: "Funny, Steve -- I was going to say, "I am an elementary school librarian, so I DON'T have a budget which is pretty healthy to buy books!" I use awards lists, journals and the Starred Titles Google ..."

I know I have seen the starred list before, but had forgotten about it. Do you know who maintains it? What a great resource.

[Phil]

The starred list is maintained by a dedicated librarian named Jen J. Here's her GR page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...

Here's her blog:
https://booksheets.wordpress.com/

Here's her most recent list:

Betty Before X. Ilyasah Shabazz with Renée Watson. Macmillan/Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 9780374306106. (3 stars)
Ghost Boys. Jewell Parker Rhodes. Hachette/Little, Brown. 9780316262286. (3 stars)
Hurricane Child. Kheryn Callender. Scholastic. 9781338129304. (3 stars)
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. Ashley Herring Blake. Hachette/Little, Brown. 9780316515467. (3 stars)
The Journey of Little Charlie. Christopher Paul Curtis. Scholastic/Scholastic Press. 9780545156660. (4 stars)
The Night Diary. Veera Hiranandani. Penguin Random House/Dial. 9780735228511. (3 stars)
The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle. Leslie Connor. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 9780062491435. (3 stars)

[Kate]

Is there a poll for the book to read in May?

[Kristen]

Yes,
I have posted the poll for May. You can vote on it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Briony]

I just finished The Parker Inheritance. Super impressed with it. Right now it's my favorite for this year.

[Bev]

I liked The Parker Inheritance also.

[Jenn]

The Parker Inheritance is the forerunner for me too.

[Mary]

I also enjoyed The Parker Inheritance, but my favorite so far is, Until tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Sheila O'Connor. Even though it's told entirely through letters, it's a beautiful story about family and friendships.

[Erin]

I'm currently reading The Parker Inheritance and LOVE it! It's also my favorite of the year so far - though I just got Sunny, and I am a sucker for anything Reynolds writes.

[Kate]

Is there a poll for a book to read in June?

[Louie]

Kate wrote: "Is there a poll for a book to read in June?"

I've been waiting for somebody to post one too.

[Louie]

The books on my newberry radar are Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth, The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day, Never That Far, and Ghost Boys.

[Kristen]

Newest poll is up. Please vote on the book we read for June!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Scott]

Waiting for "The Parker Inheritance" from my local library, I started my summer reading with "The Book of Boy" by Catherine Gilbert Murdock - LOVED it!

[LS]

I just finished "Jazz Owls" by Margarita Engle. First, I had never heard of the Zoot Suit riots. Very eye-opening. But I was also struck by the timeliness of this book. I think it will appeal to an older audience because many of the underlying messages and implications will be missed by the younger ages. I definitely think this is a contender for an award.

[Czechgirl]

I’m actually surprised no one has recommended Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. This is my favorite read so far in 2018.

[Pam]

I have it on my "to read shelf" and have read only good reviews of it. The cover is certainly a draw!

[Laura]

Pam wrote: "I have it on my "to read shelf" and have read only good reviews of it. The cover is certainly a draw!"

Me, too. The cover art is exquisite.

[Karen]

I also recently enjoyed _The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle_ and would love to see it discussed here.

I must add _Front Desk_ by Kelly Wang to the watch list. So many great themes and things to share about this one!

[Louie]

Karen wrote: "I also recently enjoyed _The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle_ and would love to see it discussed here.

I must add _Front Desk_ by Kelly Wang to the watch list. So many great themes and things to sh..."

I agree that we should read Front Desk. It definitely sounds like a Newberry Contender!

[LS]

I'm waiting for our library to get FRONT DESK. All the reviews I've read sound great. I also want to encourage people to read THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL. It is my favorite new book of this year so far!

[Laura]

Karen wrote: "I also recently enjoyed _The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle_ and would love to see it discussed here.

I must add _Front Desk_ by Kelly Wang to the watch list. So many great themes and things to sh..."

I agree! Both of them are Newbery worthy.

[LS]

I have read some really good books this year that I would encourage others in this group to read. I have not received any ARCs, so these are books that have already been published. I think they are worthy of being on any of the monthly polls and look forward to hearing what others think of these books.

Can I Touch Your Hair
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Martin Rising
Rebound
Hunger: A Tale of Courage
The Length of a String

Happy reading!

[Rachel]

Just picked up AND finished Front Desk today and adored it. Of all of the Newbery award contenders I've read this year, Front Desk stands out the most. Even more than The Journey of Little Charlie, dare I say it!

[Kristen]

Thank you for all your suggestions! The poll is up for what we will read in July. Please vote!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Phil]

I just noticed that Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass have a new book out called Bob.

[Louie]

Phil wrote: "I just noticed that Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass have a new book out called Bob."

Yeah, Bob sounds really good!

[LS]

Phil wrote: "I just noticed that Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass have a new book out called Bob."

I have read it twice! I'm not usually one to like books requiring suspension of reality. But BOB was quite ingenious and very enjoyable. I will be recommending the book.

[Lisa]

I agree with many comments about Front Desk. I absolutely loved this book. It is not only a great read, but a timely and important contribution that can help young people better understand the immigrant experience.

[Pam]

I just finished Amal UnBound. One of my favorites of the year, the other being Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor (not out quite yet). Amal UnBound will be a great addition to ANY library!

[Josephine]

I’m hearing good things about, Where the Watermelons Grow. I think it was just published.

[Susie]

I just finished Kate DiCamillo's Louisiana's Way Home. I enjoyed it as much as any children's book the past few years. The writing is exquisite, and Louisiana's voice is loud and clear.

[Laura]

Susie wrote: "I just finished Kate DiCamillo's Louisiana's Way Home. I enjoyed it as much as any children's book the past few years. The writing is exquisite, and Louisiana's voice is loud and clear."
Louisiana's Way Home is another masterpiece by DiCamillo! I was shocked when Raymie Nightingale didn't win a Newbery. It was a fantastic book!

[Susie]

Laura wrote: "Susie wrote: "I just finished Kate DiCamillo's Louisiana's Way Home. I enjoyed it as much as any children's book the past few years. The writing is exquisite, and Louisiana's voice is loud and clea..."

I actually liked this much better than Raymie

[Louie]

Jo wrote: "I’m hearing good things about, Where the Watermelons Grow. I think it was just published."

Where the watermelons grow does sound really good.

[Jennifer]

I just got an advanced reader copy of "Watermelon ", guess I might put it on top of the "to be read" pile. (But didn't another recent book deal with an unstable mom and a daughter who is blaming themselves and a dad trying to keep it all together?? Sometimes the stories run together. Lol)

[Laura]

Jennifer wrote: "I just got an advanced reader copy of "Watermelon ", guess I might put it on top of the "to be read" pile. (But didn't another recent book deal with an unstable mom and a daughter who is blaming th..."

I heard some good things about Watermelon. There have been too many similar books available. I will read it eventually.

[Phil]

I just read an ARC of Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson. It comes out at the end of August.

I have a hard time imagining a book that could top this one. It's on its own level. Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...