Monday Musings: Take backs allowed
As we near the end of the year, yes there are new books still getting published- but with titles being nominated it’s time to begin the rereading process. This is when we look at titles again and with a more critical “Newbery-criteria” lens. I’ll be the first to say that sometimes I get suggestion happy and want everybody to read certain titles. (I may or may not have been told to cool it on suggestions at one point in my life).
That’s what makes this exercise so important for people, me specifically. Is there a book you suggested that you thought was totally Newbery worthy, but after seeing all the other books you decided it didn’t stand up in the field. Now’s the time to voice your opinion! Let us know in the comments. And there’s no need to be embarrassed, this is a critical part of the process!
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(And disclaimer this doesn’t mean the book’s not quality, just that you don’t think it can stand for a Newbery)
I can take two titles back really easily because I suggested them and they weren’t eligible! #oops YOUNG HAG AND THE WITCHES QUEST (British author) and STRONG AS FIRE, FIERCE AS FLAME (published in 2021). And then I would say SPIRIT SLEUTHS by Gail Jarrow, just doesn’t excel enough in all the criteria categories to be on the table.
What doesn’t pass your second glance? Let me know in the comments!
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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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I am not qualified to comment on Heavy Medal about the quality of books but love to read the thoughts of those who have education and experience in the field. I want to say today how much I value this opportunity for your reviewers to revisit their recommendations to date and now make possible changes. In my opinion, to change any opinion when new information becomes available is absolutely not a reason to feel embarrassment. It is a sign of confidence and I agree a critical part in the process.
To me the timing of publication dates seems very influential. A book like THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN, which I personally adore, has been available for months. Perhaps its huge popularity has been at least partially influenced by the time people have had to read it.
Heavy Medal’s October 11th post included a comment that looked at the books Heavy Medal has found worthy of consideration and how those books were ranked on four other mock Newbery sites. HANK and BO are loved by so many.
I believe it takes a village to keep all of us doing our best and I want, as gently as possible, to point out two grammatical errors in your writing today. “There’s new books still getting published” should be THERE ARE NEW BOOKS. . . .” And a very, very common mistake that drives this educator of 78 years absolutely bonkers is the use of ‘s inappropriately. “When we look at title’s again . . .” should not include the apostrophy mark. Small errors to be sure and I thank you for accepting my corrections. I am far removed from the responsibility of the classroom today but will continue to use a gift for detail to “teach” as long as I live. I make similar errors increasingly, especially as I age and could not function without spellcheck!
Heavy Medal is the BEST! I know you will continue your excellent work and I greatly appreciate all you do.
I only suggested 8 out of the possible 35, so I’m sticking with my original suggestions. Granted, I haven’t done a reread of any of them, so I don’t know if they still hold up, but for now, let’s stick with what I’ve got.
Keeping in mind Emily’s note that “take backs” don’t necessarily mean the books aren’t very good, just not Newbery level, I would name these from my nominations:
AMIL AND THE AFTER: My notes to myself say it was “interesting and well-written, but not compelling.”
GREAT GUSTS: Well-conceived nonfiction, but probably not Newbery
WITCH HUNT: A different narrative nonfiction style caught my attention, but it wasn’t 100% successful
WALKIN’ THE DOG: Excellent character and first person narration, and this was one of the first fiction books I read. But the plot wasn’t as strong as others from this year.
THEY CALL ME NO SAM: Suggested because I think we need to look at funny/silly books too. This was a good one, but not Newbery good I’ll admit.
With the last four on my list I was the one and only suggest-er. So maybe this exercise is a good way to remind ourselves that some of the stuff we gravitate to personally may fall away once we look hard at them through a Newbery lens…
I really wish that THEY CALL ME NO SAM was Newbery quality. So many of them are serious or even sad. I agree that even though I enjoyed it, it isn’t quite strong enough to become a Newbery book. I’m still waiting for a new funny book to recommend to my Newbery readers.
I agree about AMIL AND THE AFTER. Definitely tugs at the heartstrings – and we can’t forget that Veera Hiranandani’s THE NIGHT DIARY received Newbery honor status. But I did not find myself asking a critical question I usually ponder while reading middle grade novels: where is this emotional train ride taking me?
I recommended “Tig” by Heather Smith before realizing it’s not eligible, as it’s a Canadian book. It’s a wonderful book, though–highly recommended!