The 2022 Newbery Medal goes to: THE LAST CUENTISTA
This morning Emily and I both watched the ALA Youth Media Awards webcast in our own separate states (Oregon/me, Illionois/Emily) and shared our reactions live using a shared Google document. That conversation is published below. Please add your reactions in the comments below, and we’ll chime in as well:
2022 Youth Media Award Live Reactions from Emily and Steven
EM- Good morning! It’s a snowy Monday in the Chicago suburbs and I’m excited to share the excitement of the YMA’S with all of you from the comfort of my couch! How’s the weather on the west coast Steven?
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SE- It’s too early to see anything. 6:00 am! But my computer says it’s cold (for Oregon) and clear.
SE – Starting with the American Indian Youth Literature Awards. This one comes every other year.
EM: I definitely need to read more of these picture books. Also 5 honors. I wonder what the highest number of honors will be this year.I’m happy to see love for Healer of the Water Monster..
SE: The high number of Honors in all age levels seems like it might indicate a great publishing trend. I wonder if this award might switch to every year soon?
SE: Apple is from last year…a memoir in verse. Great to see that one win!
EM: Yes, I was wondering what year I read apple. My vote has zero weight, but I think every year is a good idea. Onward to Asian American Award.
EM: First of many wins for Watercress? And YES, Finding Junie Kim for middle grade. Well deserved. This was one of the 15 I was sad
did not make our top 15.
SE: Maybe so, Watercress could contend for Newbery and Caldecott too.
SE: NIcky and Vera as a Sydney Taylor honor. Another one that could win other awards today.
EM: Susan Kusel, author of The Passover Guest is a beloved member of ALSC, so very excited to see her win. Steven, how much are you celebrating Genius Under the Table?
SE: Glad to see Gordon Korman’s Linked as a Sydney Taylor honor too. A deceptively thoughtful (and predictably funny) book.
SE: I’m happy about the Sydney Taylor Honor for “Genius”….but I want even more medals for that book (Sibert?…Newbery?…), one of my favorites of the year.
EM: One of my favorite parts of the YMA’s when I was a committee member is seeing books you loved getting honored for other awards. It validates you that they were quality and is just so nice to see them getting the love they deserve.
EM: Schneider Award went to “A Bird Will Soar” Steven did you read that one? One that I did not read this year.
SE: I did not read the Schneider winner. These announcements always remind me how many books I miss every year. Even though it seems like I read so many with an eye on Heavy Medal.
EM: It’s Stonewall time, fun fact- I was actually on one of the Stonewall adult committees (Barbara Gittings Literature Award) this year. That was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m ready to return to all children’s books all the time now.
EM: Too Bright to See for the Stonewall! YES, YES, YES. and Young Adult is Last Night at the Telegraph Club. I think I deemed “Last Night” too old for Newbery, but definitely want to finish it now.
SE: So glad to see Too Bright win the Stonewall. Will it follow up with Newbery recognition?
EM: Nikki Grimes for Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement. I’m so happy for her, she does such important work.
SE: Love to see a poet honored!
SE: Unspeakable is such a powerful book. Winner of the CSK picture book medal.
EM: I’m very curious how many awards Unspeakable will win today. Author and Illustrator for CSK.
EM: The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi won a CSK Book Award Honor! Yes, my Kwanzaa book I loved so much!!!! I’m so happy it’s recognized!
SE: Has a book ever won golds for both CSK categories? Unspeakable just did! Just browsed the list of winners, and yes, a double CSK win has happened twice: Africa Dream in 1978 and Ray Charles in 1974. Still an amazing accomplishment for Unspeakable…and it could be a Caldecott as well.
EM: Light from Uncommon Stars won an Alex Award and it was an honor for the award committee I was on. I think this is the first (and probably last time) I’ve ever read one of the Alex Award books.
SE: Love to see A. S. King honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award. Such a unique and original writer! I don’t always fully understand all of her books, but I read them all.
SE: Although I like the complete mystery of the Newbery and Caldecott process, it’s kind of fun to get to hear the finalists, like we get for the William C. Morris Award and the YA Nonfiction…
EM: I’ve heard people push for a Newbery shortlist, but I also like the mystery.
EM: OK I’m going to read Fire Keeper’s Daughter now (Morris Award Winner). Steven, does this morning make you want to read/ reread books you missed, or are you ready to move on to 2022?
SE: It makes me think I should read the 2021’s I missed, but from past history, I’m pretty sure I’m going to move right on to 2022…
SE: Ambushed wins the YA Nonfiction. I thought that might be Newbery or Sibert contender too, but probably a better fit for YA
EM: The morning is young, Steven– there still could be more medals ahead for Ambushed!
SE: Wow! Starfish as a Printz! I hadn’t even thought of that.
EM: I was about to type that exact same sentence Steven. I thought it was too young for Printz, but now thinking about it…
SE: These go by so fast it’s hard to keep track, but is that three golds for Firekeeper’s Daughter? Was it a winner for the American Indian Youth Literature Award too?
EM: Umm, they’re blending together a little, but yes, I think you’re right.
SE: Oops. Firekeeper’s Daughter won an Honor for the American Indian Youth Literature Award, but wasn’t the winner…my bad.
EM: I believe this whole press conference is pre-recorded for the digital age. So strange. I also heard the other day that most of the authors found out yesterday (or sooner). That would be much too hard of a secret to keep for me!!
EM: Pura Belpre Children’s Author Award goes to The Last Cuentista! Not surprised about that one.
SE: Yes for Last Cuentista. Also always like to see science fiction getting awards.
EM: Bryan Collier will deliver the 2022 Children’s Literature Lecture Award. That will be a good one.
SE: Bryan Collier won an Honor when I was on the Caldecott for Martin’s Big Words. And he’s won several others as well.
EM: What year were you on the Caldecott? I missed this detail about you! Were you on any other award committees?
SE: Just the Caldecott…2002 Committee (Three Pigs was the winner)
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EM: I think the Batchelder Award would be a fun committee to be on. I’m introduced to so many great titles from this award every year that I would not normally read.
EM: Sibert time! Steven’s favorite award?
SE: I’m really hoping for Fallout and Genius
EM: Five honor books, you have potential for both of those.
SE: Great Stink was excellent! Funny and fascinating.
EM: One of my Heavy Medal nominations was for We are Still Here thank you, thank you.
SE: I love this list so far!
EM: People’s Painter wins. Hope you’re not too upset about “Genius.”
SE: This will make the Newbery recognition all the sweeter for Genius…
EM: As a converted audio book listener I’m excited about the Odyssey award. What year was Emmanuel’s Dream? Did the audio just come out later?
SE: Emmanuel’s Dream is a 2015 book, so yes, it took a while for the audio I guess…
EM: I do love how they play the audio of the Odyssey winners. Really draws you in as a listener.
EM: I better look into these digital media award winners for my children. I could use less Paw Patrol in my life.
SE: Grace LIn wins the Children’s Literature Legacy Award! (she won a Newbery Honor during one of my years for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon)
EM: Waiting for Harry to get some Geisel love… getting nervous….
SE: I wonder if Harry is just too old for Geisel?
EM: Fox at Night, the Geisel winner was a great read.
EM: Now it’s the big leagues “ the oldest and most widely known awards.” Cue the hype up music… Four Caldecott honors
SE: Mel Fell was my favorite for the Caldecott. It got an Honor!
EM: The love for Unspeakable continues, I’ve lost count of the number of awards!!
EM: Watercress for Caldecott! Hooray for Jason Chin.
SE: Great choice! Two golds for Watercress now. It won the Asian Pacific Award as well.
EM: Red, White, and Whole received a lot of early love on Heavy Medal. Uh-oh I never read a Snake Falls to Earth….
SE: I missed Snake too. It happens…
EM: Watercress with an honor, and Too Bright to See… we’re doing well.
EM: OMG OMG LAST CUENTISTA FOR THE WIN! I’m so surprised, but not surprised and so happy!
SE: Marvelous choice! A Belpre and a Newbery for the book!
EM: So no Newbery honor or anything for Starfish. I guess the faults that were discussed were too much, which I do understand. Also first year in a while with no nonfiction for an honor or medal? Wait, no love anywhere for Amber and Clay! Steven, are you OK with this?
SE: Last year’s Heavy Medal Mock winner was Everything Sad is Untrue, which won the Printz. This year’s HM pick, Starfish, won a Printz Honor. Maybe we’re focusing on the wrong award?
SE: No nonfiction, but another year with a picture book Honor. Great day for Watercress.
SE: I’m disappointed for my favorites, but always okay with the results. Even on Heavy Medal we get to see how diverse everyone’s ideas of excellence are.
EM: Well said, Steven as always. Well this was fun live blogging with you and I’m excited to hear everyone else’s thoughts on the winners. As always, let us know in the comments!
Filed under: Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock
About Steven Engelfried
Steven Engelfried was the Library Services Manager at the Wilsonville Public Library in Oregon until he retired in 2022 after 35 years as a full-time librarian. He served on the 2010 Newbery committee, chaired the 2013 Newbery Committee, and also served on the 2002 Caldecott committee. You can reach him at sengelfried@yahoo.com.
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Here’s a link to the press release from ALA listing all of the winners from this morning’s Youth Media Awards announcements.
THE LAST CUENTISTA is an exciting Newbery choice. It’s straight up science fiction, which rarely shows up on Newbery lists. And not even that often in mainstream children’s fiction these days. And the role of folklore that’s woven in gives it an added dimension. Plus it’s a page turner!
I’m really looking forward to reading this one; I’ve been hearing great things! Too bad I thoughtfully kept returning it when I realized I didn’t have time to read it, or it could be on my shelf right now…
I am THRILLED for Last Cuentista! That one snuck up on me; I hadn’t even heard of it until the top 15 was announced here, and then I listened to it and loved it! I wasn’t expecting it to win, and I’m so excited. I also missed the ‘Snakes’ one, but my colleagues say that one might be a little more YA. Surprised to see Starfish as Printz, would definitely consider that more MG. And all 5 Caldecott books were included in my 5th graders’ Mock Caldecott shortlist so they will be thrilled!
This is the first time in a while where I totally missed reading one of the Newbery Honors. I think PAPERBOY by Vince Vawter was the last one (2014). Just placed my hold on A SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH. Looks like it’s in YA collections mostly, but reviews put it at grades 7+, so right in the Newbery range. Would love to hear from others who have read this one…
I absolutely loved A Snake Falls to Earth. I thought it might win the Printz, so I was happily shocked for it to win a Newbery honor. Levine Querido is such a great publisher.
WATERCRESS does what UNDEFEATED did a couple years ago: Newbery Honor for the author + Caldecott Medal for the illustrator. LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET flipped that in 2016, with a Newbery Medal and Caldecott Honor.
Great day for UNSPEAKABLE. It won a Caldecott Honor and also became the first book in 42 years to win the Coretta Scott King Awards for both the Author and the Illustrator categories. Sadly, illustrator Floyd Cooper passed away last July.
I’m so happy Red, White,and Whole got an honor!!! I really enjoyed The Last Cuentista and it was one of my many favorites this year, but I didn’t expect it to win being sci fi. I also have not read A Snake Falls to earth, but just reserved it at the library. So fun!!!!
Yes, Red, White, and Whole!!!!
I am also so excited that Grace Lin won the literature legacy award!!! She is my all time favorite author!!! Where the Mountain meats the Moon is my most recommended book!!!
That brought tears to my eyes.
Looking forward to Grace Lin’s term as Children’s Literature Ambassador. I know it will happen one day!
Along with winning a Newbery Honor, TOO BRIGHT TO SEE is Kyle Lukoff’s second Stonewall Award winner: WHEN AIDAN BECAME A BROTHER won that award in 2020. I believe Kyle is the first transgender author to win Newbery recognition?
I read Too Bright to See last week, just in time to fall in love with it on my own, and then be thrilled to bits to see it win a Newbery Honor!
*Meets, spell check is my favorite!!! 😉
So excited for ‘Red, White, and Whole,’ but perhaps I’m most excited about Grace Lin today. She’s my favorite author. I read ‘Where the Mountain Meets the Moon’ to my class every year regardless of the grade I’m teaching. It’s a timeless masterpiece. Congratulations to all of the winners today!
I started A Snake Falls to Earth over the weekend but only got about 20 pages into it. I am enjoying it but had a hard time committing to a new book with the award announcements so near. I really liked Darcy Little Badger’s Elatsoe last year so I have high hopes for Snake. This year has been a first for me. I predicted the winners for the Newbery, the Caldecott, and the Printz! Pure luck, I know, but I’m still thrilled.
The Last Cuentista was my choice as the winner as soon as I read it. I LOVED it! It’s an amazing story that entwines folk lore and fantasy. You just don’t find that very often. The book also made me feel every feeling imaginable as I read it. I’ll admit, I was dancing in my living room when the announcement was made.
I also almost cried to see Too Bright to See as the Stonewall winner as well a Newbery Honor Book. This book also received 5 stars from me, and I almost reread it as soon as I finished. It was that good!
This years awards were simply amazing! Great job committees!
THE LAST CUENTISTA was not at the top of my list, but I’m glad that a science fiction book won. I loved how the folklore was woven into the book, it was definitely a page turner, and that cover artwork, how awesome!
I was ecstatic that WATERCRESS won a Newbery Honor, was the Asian/Pacific picture book winner, and that Jason Chin won the Caldecott Award. Well deserved!
I’m excited that Grace Lin won the Children’s Literature Legacy Award, and that Nikki Grimes won the Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. Both authors are on my list of favorites.
I was glad to see FALLOUT win a Siebert Honor and GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE win a Sydney Taylor Honor, but was hoping that these books would win more. They were two of my favorites for the year.
Overall I was impressed that so many diverse books won this year, and that so many books that were discussed on this blog got recognition. Great job to all!
Congratulations to everyone! Starfish must be the youngest book to get Pritnz recognition? I just finally started reading Last Cuentista and was pleasantly surprised to discover the main character is disabled! Interesting that that doesn’t seem to get mentioned in the advertising.
With the Newbery list running old-ish (except Watercress) it was interesting to see Starfish get a Printz Honor. I’m sure there were advocates on the Newbery Committee who were secretly thrilled to see the Printz Committee honor the book. It’s maybe comparable to the two David Almond books from 2000 and 2001.
I was so excited that The Last Cuentista won!! This was truly one of my very favorite books of last year. I’m extremely pleased with all of the choices though!
WHat terrific choices for the awards! I am excited to read A Snake Falls to Earth, which I’ve never heard of. And, I am so surprised that Starfish received Printz recognition, but I am happy, too. I suppose some of the scenes skewed more toward ya or were a bit too heavy-handed for some readers. I am excited to reread THe Last Cuentista as I read it rather quickly and don’t feel as if I gave it enough credit. I love the diversity of the books chosen, and I’m excited to see what 2022 has to offer.
One of my favorite things about this time of year is that we get to switch from what should win (being a critic) to what did win (being a librarian). As a librarian, I’m very glad to have books like THE LAST CUENTISTA and TOO BRIGHT TO SEE with shiny seals on them. These are titles that might have been overlooked by some readers, and now they will be seen and read much more often. And I’m not unhappy about STARFISH’s Printz Honor for the same reason…having some just-right-for-6th/7th-graders books on the list of Printz books opens up that award to more readers (and it is for ages 12-18).
I am just thrilled about both WATERCRESS and THE LAST CUENTISTA! Science fiction isn’t usually my go to, but I was so enthralled by the set up of the LAST CUENTISTA, the integration of the Mexican-American storytelling, and just the overall journey that this book takes us. I am so thankful for Heavy Medal putting it on my radar!
Wow, this was so fun to see the exchange between these two Heavy Metal leaders! Thanks for sharing it!