Final Call for Mock Newbery Nominations: Select two final books for December
With December just a few days away, it’s time to submit the final two nominations for the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Award. This is the last of three rounds for nominations. Like the real Committee, Heavy Medal readers were asked to select three titles in October and two in November. The 58 titles already nominated are listed here. Now it’s time to choose your final picks.
Making these final decision requires thought and strategy, which Steven outlined last week.
On Heavy Medal, we’ll consider the nominations totals as we select the titles for the Heavy Medal Book List, which will be announced soon. We already know six books that will be on that list, but it’s fine to use your last nominations for any of those six as well.
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Please comment your nominations below: you can just name the titles, but you’re also welcome to include a bit about why you chose them.
If you missed either of the previous nomination periods you can catch up now, as long as you don’t exceed seven total. December Nominations will close on the end of the day Saturday, December 3rd and we’ll post totals on the 5th.
Now own Monday, own your last nominations!
Filed under: Nominations
About Emily Mroczek-Bayci
Emily Mroczek (Bayci) is a freelance children’s librarian in the Chicago suburbs. She served on the 2019 Newbery committee. You can reach her at emilyrmroczek@gmail.com.
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MEANT TO BE by Knowles
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN by Alexander
Oo I haven’t read meant to be yet! Adding it to my list.
Avia vs the Dybbuk Mari Lowe
Farmhouse Sophie Blackall
6. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Characters, setting, and a fast-paced plot are all strengths of this novel that brings little known historical events to life.
7. A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga. Science fiction and scientific facts combine in this tale of explorations by a Mars rover. Developing autonomy of the rover makes the story accessible to young readers.
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson. I’m surprised it hasn’t made the list already since it came out so early in the year, but it’s definitely one of the books that has stayed with me.
Door Of No Return by Alexander
I Must Betray You by Sepetys
BUZZKILL by Brenna Maloney: Really a dazzling presentation of information. She mixes statistics, analogies, scientists in the field, and her own experiments, all related in a distinct voice that’s authoritative and personal. All in service of big themes: bugs are awesome; bugs are important; bugs are in danger; we can help them.
SPARROWS IN THE WIND by Gail Carson Levine: Just finished this one and was so impressed by the storytelling. Cassandra (and readers) know everything that’s going to happen, but it’s still compelling to see how she tries to change it. When we’re all convinced it’s just not going to happen…it does! And it’s believable and satisfying. Also the shift midway from Cassandra to Rin is very effective.
BUZZKILL by Brenna Maloney
AWAY WITH WORDS by Mary Ann Hoberman
6. The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander.
7. Violet and Jobie in the Real World, by Lynne Rae Perkins.
Just clarifying that you mean Violet and Jobie in the Wild? Thanks.
AFRICAN TOWN by Charles Waters & Irene Latham : Incredible concept largely unexplored in children’s literature; unique & distinguished presentation of information via varied types of poetry; vivid setting(s).
THE LAST MAPMAKER by Christina Soontornvat : Really well developed multifacted characters and exploration of theme (colonial exploitation).
AVIVA VS THE DYBBUK by Mari Lowe
Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford
Moonwalking by Zetta Elliott
Moonwalking by Zetta Elliott
The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine warga
I really enjoyed this one though it’s about a mars rover the character is so well done that res almost feels human.
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
I know this is more caldecott territory as the illustrations are the main draw but I hadn’t read any longer books I felt worthy to nominate. I just red this one a few days ago after eagerly waiting for it at the library and it didn’t disappoint. Exeptonal book this book to me must win caldecott and I wouldn’t mind it getting a Newbery honer the words and pictures are wonderful.
I Must Betray You
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
(I also really loved Queer Ducks, but I think it’s too YA.)
Buzzkill by Brenna Maloney
Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
I did not do 2 in November so I am adding 2 more
Invisible by Christina Gonzalez
Cornbread and Poppy by Matthew Cordell
I’ve got a bunch since I haven’t submitted any yet.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
Anybody Here Seen Frenchie (Still my favorite!)
A Duet for Home
Jennifer Chan is Not Alone
The Last Mapmaker
Northwind
I’m hoping to finish reading one or two more books before Saturday and maybe add another nomination.
I agree with Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson. I read it back in January and still think about it all the time!
Alias Anna by Susan Hood is also marvelous.
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN by Alexander – vivid setting, memorable characters, riveting plot, and strong theme.
AFRICAN TOWN by Latham & Waters – Unique and powerful insights into the last ship to bring enslaved Africans to the U.S. Creative writing style, well-told through multiple perspectives including perspective of the ship Clotilda. It was an eye-opening experience that widened my perspective of American History, which included a strong theme of hope and resiliency.
I haven’t submitted any yet so mine are:
The Door of No Return
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
Sparrows in the Wind
The Star that Always Stays
Black bird, Blue bird
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance
These are my first submissions ever:
The Door of No Return
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
Sparrows in the Wind
The Star that Always Stays
Black bird, Blue bird
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance
* Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp – a very engaging story set in the Great Depression, one of my favorite literary time periods in historical fiction. No strike outs for this story – it’s a homerun success!
* The Real Dada Mother Goose by Jon Scieszka – a delightfully imaginative revision of traditional nursery rhymes using a variety of word formats, with humorous results. It had me smiling through the entire reading.
I’m not late… this was SUCH A HARD DECISION
but I’m going with A Rovers Story– i want to reread this a million times and Maizy Chens Last Chance– its stuck with me!