2019 Heavy Medal: April Suggestions
This is an invitation for April suggestions from our readers.
Please suggest:
- books that you think could be possible Newbery contenders.
- only eligible books. Check the Terms and Criteria for details. Basic rules: written by an American citizen/resident; original work; published in the US, in 2018, for children up to age 14.
- 1 to 5 titles: title/author, no justification needed.
- only books that have been published.
- only books that you have read.
- a book that you believe could be a contender even if it has already been suggested.
The suggestions are due on the 5th. On the 6th (or shortly after) we’ll post a cumulated list.
We look forward to this month’s titles!
Filed under: Process

About Roxanne Hsu Feldman
Roxanne Hsu Feldman is the Middle School (4th to 8th grade) Librarian at the Dalton School in New York City. She served on the 2002 and 2013 Newbery Committees. Roxanne was also a member of 2008-2009 Notable Books for Children, 2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults, and the 2017 Odyssey Award Committees. In 2016 Roxanne was one of the three judges for the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. You can reach her at at roxannefeldman@gmail.com.
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Just to clarify, you’re good on books that have already been released (earlier in 2018) and books that have already been mentioned in the March thread? Can I suggest books I already suggested in March, just to keep pushing the title(s)?!?
You can suggest a book that someone else has already suggested. But you can only suggest a book one time. At this point the goal is to make sure others read the books you think should be contending…the chances to push particular books come in September and after.
I third THE BOOK OF BOY by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
and in picture books:
ALL THE ANIMALS WHERE I LIVE by Philip Stead
THEY SAY BLUE by Jillian Tamaki
I too, would recommend THE BOOK OF BOY. As well as THE TRUTH AS TOLD BY MASON BUTTLE and THE JOURNEY OF LITTLE CHARLIE.
And, JUST LIKE JACKIE, if I can again!
THE WILD ROBOT ESCAPES by Peter Brown
JUST LIKE JACKIE by Lindsey Stoddard
THE JOURNEY OF LITTLE CHARLIE by Christopher Paul Curtis
Suggestions: THE UNITED STATES V. JACKIE ROBINSON by Sudipta Barhan-Quallen, VOICES IN THE AIR: POEMS FOR LISTENERS by Naomi Shahib Nye, and THE PARKER INHERITANCE by Varian Johnson.
The Journey of Little Charlie
The Book of Boy
The Parker Inheritance
Children of Blood and Bone
Nothing I’m rooting for yet, but I’ve read:
The Truth as Told to Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
The Journey of Little Charlie
(Which you wouldn’t think would have a lot in common, but besides similar titles, they are both about large, not very bright 12 year old boys who are suspected of murder. So my year is off to an odd theme!)
Katrina, are these titles you’re suggesting for others to read a potential Newbery contenders? Or just something you recently finished? These monthly suggestions are meant to be for titles that you would root for if they advance to the level of short listed discussions. Please let me know before I start compiling the titles.
Well, they aren’t things I would personally root for but are things that could be contenders. I thought from the first post we were contributing everything we’re reading, rather than endorsements. But if they’re supposed to be endorsements, then never mind. 🙂
This sentence might have been easily missed from Steven’s first post, “It’s a way for members to share what they’re reading and liking through the year” — the emphasis should be on the “liking” part. Committee members usually won’t suggest titles that other 14 people must read unless they themselves feel pretty strongly to potentially endorse each suggested title come nomination time. Of course, the books one enjoys in February or March might not stay strong as a contender come October to December. So the suggested title do not necessarily get nominated.
However, it is important to note — in the real committee, once a book is “suggested,” everyone else MUST read it to ensure equitable exposure. So, this is still a part of the process that committee members take seriously. Katrina, as per your comment, we will not record these titles in this month’s suggestions.
Ah, I see. Sounds good!
Just like Jackie. …just finished and loved it
Tyler Johnson Was Here
Children of Blood and Bone
Islandborn
Have yet to read, but I’m excited about:
The Parker Inheritance
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson