This year, the Newbery winner is:
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca SteadJuvenile, 2009
Summary from Fantastic Fiction: Four mysterious letters change Miranda's world forever.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:
I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.
I've seen it on the shelves, but never thought to try it out - I'll have to get right on it!
The Newbery Honors went to (sometimes just as good if not better than the actual award winner):
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, by Phillip Hoose
From the ALA website:
Hoose reveals the true story of an unsung hero of the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose’s work stands out for its creative approach to narrative biography. Colvin’s own recollections are merged seamlessly with the narrative voice, providing a uniquely personal view of Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly (click for review)
From the ALA website:
On the eve of the 20th century, 11-year-old Calpurnia awakens to new possibilities, and through her evolving relationship with her naturalist grandfather, learns to think like a scientist. Kelly’s rich, evocative language captures Callie’s distinctive voice and lively observations of the natural world.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin
From the ALA website:
A rich tapestry of stories, both original and traditional, transports readers to a fantastic world where Dragon joins Minli on a fortune-changing quest.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick
From the ALA website:
This rollicking yarn, presented through the voice of 12-year-old Homer, uses humor and pluck to mitigate the horrors of the Civil War.
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This year's Caldecott winner is:
The Lion and the Mouse, written and illustrated by Jerry PinkneyFrom ALA website:
The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable. In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends.
I haven't read this, but the cover looks gorgeous, so I'll have to try it on my 'half' and see if I get any growls!
1 comments:
Pinkney deserved to win. I think he has won the honor five times! The honors this year were to All the World ill. by Marla Frazee (my personal favorite) and Red Sings from Treetops (I didn't really like this one, Geddy not at all. But it is typical of a lot of Caldecotts in that it has a very unique style.) As for the Newbery, my favorites didn't even get honors. I had a feeling When You Reach me Would Win. It is a good book, the author's second. Her first book, First Light, I really liked. I had hoped that Anything but Typical or Wild Things would win. (Sorry can't remember authors right now). Sorry for the novel-length comment.
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