First Impressions aren’t always right: or are they? Beginning of the year 2024 Mock Newbery Survey Results
Thank you to the 34 people who answered our Beginning of the Year Survey! It was very interesting to see people’s thoughts as we entered the year. These survey results will also guide Steven and I’s postings as we discuss throughout the year. You can view the pie chart results below (I love my pie charts) and here are some initial observations. Please leave your thoughts and observations in the comments!
Write-Ins
We didn’t have many write-in titles (I included in the survey questions anything with two suggestions or above). The write-ins we did have were:
- Realistic fiction- WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL RILEY
- Fantasy- ABENI’S SONG
- Nonfiction- THE MONA LISA VANISHES (2 votes) THE STORY OF YOU, THE MONKEY TRIAL
- Poetry- ANIMALS IN PANTS
- Easy Reader/ Short Chapter- THE GUARDIAN TEST, EVERGREEN
- Book in verse- MIRROR TO MIRROR
Trends
It was interesting to see what people’s thoughts were on trends in books this year. There were multiple answers about using humor to deal with serious/ traumatic topics (SIMON and HERCULES I’m looking at you). Also books in verse and realistic fiction titles were brought up numerous times.
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There were multiple comments about a large amount of illustrated books along with classical style art work, which was a connection I did not make before. There was also a shout out to the large amount of graphic memoirs, which is definitely true. An odd trend mentioned was two middle grade graphic novels about travelling to Europe, which yes is an odd connection (and a good post idea cough Steven cough).
Surprises
I know the “fantasy” genre was broad, but I was still surprised by the love for THE SKULL and need to revisit that tile. The answers seemed to mirror our suggestion counts pretty well, with love for the upper end of the age group titles and books in verse being spread throughout the board. I am looking forward to more discussions about those titles.
Filed under: Book Discussion
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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THE SKULL is going to be an interesting one. Really hard to categorize, and not like anything else I’ve read this year (or most years?). And one of several books on our lists that seems like a possible Caldecott title as well…
Oh good, a write-in for ANIMALS IN PANTS. Just when you think every topic has been covered in the topical poetry field…. We’ll note that for our Poetry Round-up on October 4th.