Wednesday Round Up: Easy Reader/ Early Chapter Books

Emily: In today’s Wednesday Roundup we discuss the topic I almost discontinued: early readers/ beginning chapter books. A title that has seldom received Newbery love and has little prospects this year. I think this is always surprising, because early readers are so important to children learning to leave both from an academic and love of reading level. It’s not surprising that FROG AND TOAD TOGETHER and 26 FAIRMOUNT AVE are leading our genre poll... because there’s not really other options…

Steven: I guess seeing an early reader with a Newbery sticker would be a huge surprise. It’s only really happened once before: FROG & TOAD TOGETHER. I checked a copy to remind myself of its Newbery-like qualities and found several:

• Characterizations: We get to know both friends very well, but not so well that they don’t surprise us. I mean, we expect Toad to struggle with will power, but it’s funny (and still right) that Frog also can’t resist those cookies.
• Style: There’s not a single description of either character’s personality. We learn everything from what they do and say. 
• Themes: It’s five short stories about friendship, but the different aspects are always shown, not told. The last story, “The Dream,” introduces a darker side, then wraps up it up in the most positive ways.

There’s more to say, but I still feel great about this choice from over 50 years ago. Any chance we’ll see an ER to match it?

Emily: One day? I mean there’s good books that win the Geisel every year… but they rarely fit out Newbery criteria… I still am sad THE SKULL didn’t get any love last year.. I thought it had the makings…THE YEAR OF BILLY MILLER may be the one short chapter book that received love… and I have to be honest that’s not my favorite!

Steven: The one early reader from this year that caught my Newbery eye was ORRIS AND TRIMBLE: THE BEGINNING. Because of course Kate DiCamillo has a pretty impressive history with the award.  DOG GETS A PET is another excellent early reader. For real beginners, and really funny, but a hard one to see for Newbery. It has my Geisel vote so far (though of course real Committee members can’t consider any non-Newbery awards a book might get).

Emily: O &T was an interesting read… the development of friendship was fun… are you liking it because it meets the criteria or are you just reading it because it’s written by a powerhouse?

Steven: O & T isn’t for brand new readers, so there’s room for some fun with language. Like “the good and noble choice” from the can, with the sardine king’s face: “solemn, regal, expectant.” Orris’ growing courage and trust is a strong theme, and she references the “heart” as a recurring motif. Which is appropriate for the age level but also more substantial than what you get in a typical early reader. I feel like this fits in a Newbery discussion for sure, but there may not be enough plot and character development, even for this format, to stand out.  

Steven: Early chapter books is another category that doesn’t pop in Newbery history much. Kevin Henkes’ THE YEAR OF BILLY MILLER is the only one that kind of fits…but even that book is over 200 pages, though the content, language, and font fit with kids just starting with chapter books. When we think of Newbery qualities like plot and characterization, shorter, simpler books may seem to fall short when compared to longer titles for slightly older readers. If we’re thinking: who’s the most complex/fully developed/interesting character, for example, we’re likely to find them in longer books. Instead, though, we should be thinking: what does distinguished characterization (or plot or themes, etc.) look like in a chapter book for younger readers. I actually think we might have a candidate this year: STELLA AND MARIGOLD by Annie Barrows. 

Emily: I was more of a fan of HENRY AND THE SOMETHING NEW. I think all the Henry titles have strong character development, plot and presentation. All important to the Newbery, learning to read and building a love of literature. But can it stand when you put it next to big characters this year like Pooperman and Ferris?

Steven: I think both Stella and Marigold are are distinct characters. The book is made up of connected short stories, but they form a consistent plot. That form allows themes to build from story to story: the trust between the sisters, the power of storytelling, and the ways stories can help (and sometimes harm). Also, it’s funny and sweet without trying too hard. 

Steven:  BIBS CROSS AND THE BAD APPLE is an interesting early chapter book. Written in broken lines so it almost looks like a verse novel for younger readers. And in the present tense. Bibsy’s teacher thinks she is “too much,” and I kind of did too, but I think she’s a character kids will enjoy, and the adult/child clash is pretty well done. There’s another BIBSY book out this year too (BIBSY CROSS AND THE BIKE-A-THON), which I haven’t read yet.

Emily: I’m glad you had a lot of thoughts on these categories Steven, I’m interested to hear what other people think about this category and titles published this year. Our next Wednesday round-up is picture books, another interesting Newbery category.

Filed under: Book Discussion