Choose the Next Newbery at KCLS! tag:blogs.kcls.org,2008-08-20:/newbery/58 2009-11-20T23:55:44Z Movable Type 4.1-en Final Ballot of Titles tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.3620 2009-09-25T20:58:20Z 2009-11-20T23:55:44Z After a great meeting with lots of discussion the Choose the Next Newbery at KCLS Committee has narrowed the ballot down to eight amazing titles. We will be holding four discussion events around the county where we will also be... Angela @ Redmond After a great meeting with lots of discussion the Choose the Next Newbery at KCLS Committee has narrowed the ballot down to eight amazing titles. We will be holding four discussion events around the county where we will also be giving away advanced readers copies of the many, many, many books we considered.

Redmond Library, Thursday, October 8 at 7pm
Bellevue Library, Saturday, October 10 at 11am
Carnation Library, Friday, October 16 at 2pm
Covington Library, Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm

Update: If you missed attending a discussion event, you can listen to the Covington discussion here.

Choose the Next Newbery at KCLS culminates on December 18, 2009 when we open the voting so King County can choose its own winner. You can vote online or in person at your local library. The official Newbery Award will be announced at the end of January. To be eligible to vote you need to read at least  four of the eight nominees. 

The Final Eight


All The Broken Pieces : a novel in verse / by Ann E. Burg

Read the original blog post and add your comments.

Hear Micheline presenting...


Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal 
Read the original blog post and add your comments.  

Hear Deborah presenting...


Wild Things by Clay Carmichael

Hear Angela presenting...


MNCoversCrop.jpg
Notables Titles That We Really Liked

Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz
Carolina Harmony by Marilyn Taylor McDowell
The Doom Machine by Mark Teague
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Extra Credit by Andrew Clements
Fortune's Folly by Deva Fagan
Gone From These Woods by Donny Bailey Seagraves
Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
Slob by Ellen Potter
Tracktown Summer by Elizabeth Holmes
Tropical Secrets by Margarita Engle
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
]]> Gone From These Woods tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.3558 2009-09-13T22:14:44Z 2009-09-14T03:09:54Z Beth @ Bellevue Donny Bailey Seagraves' story of eleven year old Daniel Sartain, chronicles a family torn asunder. Daniel's family has been in pain for awhile--several years before, his father was the driver in the car accident that killed Daniel's grandparents. Since then his Uncle Clay and his father have been at odds, and his father has developed a drinking problem. Uncle Clay has slipped into the role of a loving surrogate father, but that all ends one November day, when the two of them go rabbit hunting. Purely by accident, Daniel's gun goes off, killing Clay. The remainder of the book is the story of hisstruggle through the grief process and the results for his family. Interwoven throughout all daniel's thoughts are comments (in conversation form) from his Uncle Clay. The book comes o a tense climax, when Daniel finds his gun (hidden away since the tragedy) and goes out into the woods to commit suicide. While there is a "happier" resolution, it is somewhat pat. The author, however, grapples successfully with several BIG issues: gun safety, alcoholism, grief, suicide, therapy, and dysfunctional families. Her writing maintains the tension well and she, for the most part, realistic in her portrayal of this family in crisis.

While this is a well-written, thoughtful book, it doesn't have that extra "something" to put it on my Newbery contender list.

Rating: 4 of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org .

 

]]> Wishworks, Inc. tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.3540 2009-09-09T00:31:48Z 2009-09-09T01:02:45Z Wishworks, Inc. by Stephanie S. TolanMax is going through a tough time.  His parents have recently divorced, and he and his mother and little sister had to move to a new part of the city.  Their new apartment doesn't feel much like... Allison @ Redmond Wishworks, Inc. by Stephanie S. Tolan

Max is going through a tough time.  His parents have recently 
Thumbnail image for Wishworks,Inc.jpg
divorced, and he and his mother and little sister had to move to a new part of the city.  Their new apartment doesn't feel much like home at all.  Mrs. Chang, the woman who watches Max and his sister until his mother comes home from work, gives them broccoli and carrots for snacks instead of cookies.  But worst of all, Max's new school has bullies just like his old school.  Fortunately for Max, he has a vivid imagination that allows him to escape the realities of his new life.  Each time he is bullied at school, he envisions that he has a large, magnificent dog, King, at his side to protect him.  In Max's imagination, he and King have many adventures together, such as fighting off vicious dragons.  But soon, Max decides that an imaginary dog isn't enough.  He needs a real, live King.

Max imagines that he is in a fanciful store, called Wishworks, Inc., where he can purchase a wish that is guaranteed to come true in real life for just an imaginary $20 bill that magically appears in Max's pocket.  The storeowner cautions Max to choose  his wish very carefully, though.  When Max automatically wishes for a dog, he gets just what he asked for, plus an unexpected surprise!

In Wishworks, Inc., what starts out as a sad story turns into a delightful tale of creating your own happiness.  The characters are complex but relatable, and the illustrations throughout the book play an important part in bringing the story to life.  Tolan shows us that life is unpredictable, even if you get what you wish for.

My rating:  4 out of 5.

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.
]]> Tracktown Summer tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2928 2009-09-05T00:07:13Z 2009-09-05T21:01:08Z Angela @ Redmond Tracktown Summer by Elizabeth Holmes

This is the summer that Jake meets Adrian and nothing will ever be the same. Jake is finally visiting his father after his parents separation and has conflicting emotions about being with his dad. Adrian has a secret about his own father that he is desperate to keep. As the summer continues, both boys discover what friendship is and that every family has their own problems.

The constant rumbling of the train going past sets the routine for their summer days and mirror the emotions of both boys. Holmes explores complex issus of separation, abandonment, mental illness, anger management and the importance of a true friend. The ending is neither trite or wrapped up neatly- just like real life.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> The Doom Machine tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2923 2009-09-04T02:49:18Z 2009-09-04T03:50:26Z The Doom Machine by Mark TeagueTake a trip back to 1956 as Jack Creedle (of the notorious no-good Creedle's) and Isadora Shumway (daughter of a very logical female scientist) end up being Earth's only chance to stop the invasion of... Angela @ Redmond The Doom Machine by Mark Teague
Thumbnail image for Doom Machine.jpg
Take a trip back to 1956 as Jack Creedle (of the notorious no-good Creedle's) and Isadora Shumway (daughter of a very logical female scientist) end up being Earth's only chance to stop the invasion of giant spider creatures. The Skreepish empire has already consumed its second planet and is eying Earth for their next home.

As Jack and Isadora cross the galaxy they find themselves hailed as the children in "the prophecy"  that will set the slave planets of Skeerpia free. By using Jack's natural talent for fixing engines and some logical thinking they just might save the universe and make it back home in time for dinner.

This is Teague's first novel for children and he crafts a fabulous tale of time and space, rights and wrongs, consumption and its devestating effects and he even throws in a bit of government subterfuge just for fun. The character development of Jack and Isadora allow them to gorw, and not grow as they are always the same and on Hellebeezia. The rational thinking of Isadora's mother contrasted against Uncle Bud's do-anything-to-stay-alive actions are a great juxtaposition of the ways people can respond to situations.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.


]]> Crows & Cards tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2857 2009-08-23T22:50:08Z 2009-08-24T02:15:59Z Angela @ Redmond

Crows and Cards2.jpgCrows & Cards by Joseph Helgerson

Get ready to travel back to 1849 as 12 year old Zebulon heads off into the world to make something of himself. At least, that's what his parent are sending him off to do- much to Zeb's consternation. Zeb isn't sure about being apprenticed to his Uncle and learning to be a tanner (someone who tans animal hides to change them into leather using chemicals). 

On the riverboat to Saint Louis he is spotted by a proffessional gambler who swindlers him out of his apprenticeship money quicker than you can blink an eye and then cons Zeb into being his new apprentice. As Zeb's conscious battles if cheating is right or wrong he meets an Indian princess, a blind chief who can see right into him and a slave. With all the lucky charms about, will everyone end up ok?  

Like the great Mark Twain, the language of Missouri flows through Crows & Cards. Don't miss the Dictonarium Americannicum that will explain any dialog that might have flummoxed the reader. The afterword gives a thorough list of recommended readings for the many topics covered but it's the character development as Zeb creates relationships with some of the most unlikely of people that creates a magical trip back to 1849.   

Score: 5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> Smoke tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2855 2009-08-21T18:03:19Z 2009-08-21T21:24:22Z Angela @ Redmond Smoke by Mavis Jukes

Smoke.jpgIt's been just Colton and his mom for a long time. His dad is a professional rodeo cowboy so Colton doesn't see him often. When his mom decides to move them from Idaho to California Colton isn't sure, but California turns out to be ok. Moving is easier with Smoke, his twenty pound main coon cat. His dad gave him Smoke when he was two and the cat is his connection to his dad. But when Smoke goes missing in California Colton is distraught.

Jukes writes a solid boy story. Part ghost stories, part learning how to be a man, but mostly just a story about family and friends. Boys can relate to Colton, he isn't a strong reader and needs extra help. He's not good at soccer but he's willing to learn. And the palatable suspense will keep readers anxious to discover what happened to Smoke.  

Scores: 3.5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> Extra Credit tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2854 2009-08-21T04:15:47Z 2009-08-21T04:44:33Z Extra Credit by Andrew Clements Abby Carson lives in Illinois and is in danger of flunking the 6th grade. In a desperate attempt not to be left behind she must get a strong B on everything for the rest of... Angela @ Redmond Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

Extra Credit.jpgAbby Carson lives in Illinois and is in danger of flunking the 6th grade. In a desperate attempt not to be left behind she must get a strong B on everything for the rest of the year and do an extra credit English project. She ends up writing to a pen pal in Afghanistan and life is very different there. Sadeed has the best English so he is asked to "help" his younger sister write letters to Abby because the elders of the village find it improper for a boy to write to a girl. But as they write back and forth Abby and Sadeed make a connection, so much so that Sadeed dares to send her a secret letter so she knows it's really him she's talking to. But people on both sides of the world don't like an American writing to an Afghani and the letters must stop.

Clements is the master of the "school story", but he bests himself with this novel. The plot is current to political world events and by not tying the ending up with a neat clean bow the novel is far more believable. The hope is that we will learn to be understanding of other cultures and finally focus on our similarites instead of our differences.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> Escape Under The Forever Sky tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2852 2009-08-21T03:38:00Z 2009-08-21T03:56:27Z Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve YohalemLucy is the daughter of the American ambassador to Ethiopia. She feels caged in with all the rules about what she can't do and where she can't go. How can she ever have... Angela @ Redmond Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem
Escape Under.jpg
Lucy is the daughter of the American ambassador to Ethiopia. She feels caged in with all the rules about what she can't do and where she can't go. How can she ever have fun when she's being followed by Marines? But when Lucy disobeys her mother and sneaks out to a cafe with a friend the unimaginable happens - she is kidnapped. Tied up and gagged Lucy is told to behave or she will die. After seeing the violence of the head kidnapper Lucy knows she must escape. But how will she survive with no food and water, and not even a pair of shoes on her feet?

Based on the true story of an Ethiopian girl who was was kidnapped and successfully escaped, Yohalem expands this tale to make the reader think. At one point Lucy tells her captors that the problems in Ethiopia don't have anything to do with her, but the author shows that we are all connected and the actions of one nation can most definitely affect another.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.
]]> The Locked Garden tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2839 2009-08-17T23:09:50Z 2009-08-17T23:34:07Z Angela @ Redmond The Locked Garden by Gloria Whelan

The year is 1900 and scientific advancement is everywhere. Verna and Carlie move to the grounds of a large asylum for the mentally ill where their father will help treat patients. He has new theories on how to make people better and spends hours holed up writing his book. 

Since their mother died, cranky Aunt Maude has lived with them and Verna would like her to go back to her own home. But she moves with them and is just as cold and devoid of fun as ever. When the girls and their father become attached to one of the patients Aunt Maude becomes so jealous that a battle of wills begins where there is no clear winner, only losers.

The historical note gives the reader a quick peak into the history of mental illness in the United States and its treatments over the years. While the facility in this story was based on one of the nicest asylums, many in this country were not. This would be a good discussion book for children who know someone with a mental illness or just to bring aweness to a topic not often discussed.

Score: 4 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

 

]]> Dying to Meet You tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2838 2009-08-17T22:45:13Z 2009-08-17T23:08:48Z Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise The first book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series introduces us to a humourous cast of characters. All the names, and many of the situations, are a play on words. So Anita... Angela @ Redmond Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise

Dying to Meet You.jpgThe first book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series introduces us to a humourous cast of characters. All the names, and many of the situations, are a play on words. So Anita Sale's, the real estate agent, name could also be said I-Need-A-Sale. A cranky children's book writer (Ignatious B. Grumpy) who hasn't made a sale in 20 years rents a haunted Victorian mansion only to discover that by not reading the terms of his lease he is responsible for the care of 11 year old boy (Seymour Hope) and his cat (Shadow). Hilarity ensues as the ghost (Olive C. Spence), writer and boy forge new relationships with one another.

Told in the form of letters being sent back and forth and periodical newspaper articles, the illustrations scattered throughout complement the story nicely. The witty names and situations make this a fun read for adults as well as children.

Score: 3 out of 5

To suggest additional titles to the commitee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> The Day Of The Pelican tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2836 2009-08-14T20:55:20Z 2009-08-14T21:38:11Z Angela @ Redmond The Day of the Pelican by Katerine Paterson

Day of the Pelican2.jpgIt all started the day Meli drew a silly picture of her teacher and had to stay after school. Her older brother Mehmet was supposed to walk her home but he left without her- and never made it home. Months go by, and finally one night he stumbles in. Meli and her family are Albanians living in Kosovo, and it is no longer safe for them to remain. They flee their home and hide in the mountains but it isn't safe there either. Each time they move Meli and her family lose more and more, but Baba won't let them give in to the hate and fear that surrounds them.   
 
The reader would think that this story was happening in the distant past instead of the not so distant year of 1998. Paterson crafts an extraordinary story that explores the themes of fear, hate and prejudice. 
 
This book may contain subject matter disturbing to some children, but the stoty is well worth having a serious discussion with an adult. The historical note succintly covers the history of the Serbian/Albanian conflict and the major points of Kosovo's history.   
Score: 4 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org. 
]]> When You Reach Me tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2830 2009-08-12T23:00:19Z 2009-08-12T23:14:54Z Guest post by Jennifer @ Kingsgate When You Reach Me by Rebecca SteadThis story set in 1978-79 New York City defies easy description. It's not just historical fiction, nor an "I need to find a new friend" tale. The story... Angela @ Redmond Guest post by Jennifer @ Kingsgate

When You Reach Me.jpg

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This story set in 1978-79 New York City defies easy description. It's not just historical fiction, nor an "I need to find a new friend" tale. The story begins with a 6th grade girl's life changing when her formerly inseparable best friend begins to distance himself from her. She doesn't understand it, yet deals with it without stooping to self-damaging behavior or melodrama. It doesn't bring a lot of turmoil to her life at school either, but a new awareness starts to dawn on her that not all is as she assumes it to be; from noticing the shabbiness of her own apartment, or the crazy antics of the homeless guy on the street, to the treatment of a fellow student for a behavioral quirk or skin color, Miranda opens her eyes to a number of new ideas. Not all of them make sense to her, or the reader, at first...but it all comes together in the end in this powerful novel.

Score: 4.75 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committe, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.

]]> Murder At Midnight tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2818 2009-08-10T02:28:25Z 2009-08-10T02:46:04Z Murder at Midnight by AviFabrizio is an orphan who has recently come to the home of the magician Magnus- who doesn't want to keep him. When the mistress must leave to take care of her sick sister she instructs Fabrizio... Angela @ Redmond Murder at Midnight by AviMurder at Midnight.jpg

Fabrizio is an orphan who has recently come to the home of the magician Magnus- who doesn't want to keep him. When the mistress must leave to take care of her sick sister she instructs Fabrizio to make Magnus love him as much as she does. But within 24 hours of her departure Magnus is accused of witchcraft and thrown into jail. In his attempts to help, Fabrizio only makes things worse. But despite being dismissed by Magnus, Fabrizio continues to try to save his master from murder at midnight. 

While Avi explores an interesting time period, the ignorance and fear in the kingdom of Pergamontio felt leaden. The plot reveal was so slow I found myself getting irritated at the characters, and the moral that knowledge is true power got lost in the story.  

Score: 3 out of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org. 

]]> Where the Mountain Meets the Moon tag:blogs.kcls.org,2009:/newbery//58.2792 2009-08-01T19:54:15Z 2009-08-10T02:28:09Z Beth @ Bellevue In this fantasy tale moved forward through the use of folktales, author Grace Lin has crafted

Where the Mountain.jpg

 the story of Minli, a young girl who lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, with her mother (Ma)& father (Ba). The world around her is dingy and difficult, full of struggle and disatisfaction. To her mother's annoyance, Minli's father spins fantastic tales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man in the Moon (who is a sort of Wizard of Oz-like, wish-granting character) to make their meager existence seem a little less harsh. These stories inspire Minli to go on a quest to ask the Old Man in the Moon to change her family's fortunes. On her way she befriends a dragon (who wants to be able to fly) and encounters all sorts of magical creatures and situations. The quest broadens to include her mother and father, who set out after her. All along the way, lessons are learned in that way of a good folk tale--not didactic hits on the head, but many "a-ha" moments that leave the reader nodding and saying "Of course!"

The author was inspired by traditional Chinese folktales and the narrative is spun sparely, yet effectively, creating an almost seamless flow between the personal situations and the fantastical explanations, arriving at a satisfying conclusion appropriate to the style of the story. As with all good folk literature, this story spans all ages and speaks a universal message.

Rating: 4.75 ot of 5

To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org .

.

]]>