Newbery 2013 View All Entries »

Only a couple days left to vote for your favorite YCTNN @ KCLS book!  Voting closes early in the morning on Monday, January 28th, so get your vote in by the end of the Sunday!  Remember, in order to vote, you must have read 4 of the 6 titles.  The winner of YCTNN @ KCLS 2013 will be posted to the blog on Monday afternoon.

The official Newbery, along with many other awards honoring outstanding material for children and teens, will be announced at the Youth Media Awards on Monday, January 28th at the American Library Assocation Midwinter Conference in Seattle at the Washington Convention Center.  The Youth Media Awards begin at 8am, and can be streamed live.  Instructions from the ALA website:

Follow Results in Real-Time
The ALA will offer a free live webcast of the award announcements. Those that are not able to join the webcast can still follow results in real-time by logging on to the ALA Youth Media Awards Facebook page, or via Twitter by following hashtag #ALAyma.

On Saturday, January 12th, students from Bow Lake Elementary, Star Lake Elementary, Camelot Elementary and Moorlands Elementary joined teachers, parents and librarians to battle it out for their pick for the 2013 YCTNN @ KCLS.  Students rotated through six small discussion groups, where YCTNN Committee Members led spirited debates about how the titles did (and did not) fulfill Newbery criteria.  The kids then had an indoor picnic as they filled out their ballots.  After lunch and voting, Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan, joined the kids from her home in California for a G+ Hangout.  Stay tuned for video!

The voting was nail-bitingly close, resulting in a tie for first between R.J. Palacio's Wonder and Kristin Levine's The Lions of Little Rock.  The One and Only Ivan came in one vote behind as an honor winner.

There's still time to vote online for the countywide YCTNN @ KCLS ballot- and remember, every vote counts!

Who: Join classes from Moorlands Elementary, Bow Lake Elementary, Star Lake Elementary and Camelot Elementary to battle it out for which YCTNN @ KCLS 2013 ballot title should win!  Remember, in order to vote you must have read at least 4 of the 6 titles.

What: Discussion of the six titles on the YCTNN 2013 Ballot, voting, and a special web author talk with Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan!

When: Saturday, January 12th, 12pm-3pm

Where: KCLS Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah, 98027

Why: Fun! Excitement! Stimulating debate! Kids talking about books! Adults talking about books! Author talk!

Please RSVP to dsandler@kcls.org

The YCTNN @ KCLS ballot ballot for 2013:

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

The Lions of Little Rock, by Kristin Levine

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead

Bomb: The Race to Build- and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin

Three Times Lucky, by Shelia Turnage

In order to vote, readers need to read at least four of the six ballot titles. Voting will be held online from January 2nd-January 26th.  All students, staff, and parents are also invited to attend the YCTNN @ KCLS 2013 Special Event at the KCLS Service Center on Saturday, January 12th from 12pm-3pm.  Details to come!

Happy reading! 

Bomb; The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon is the story of the development and birth of the atomic age, complete with James Bond-like intrigue; it is fact that reads like finely-tuned fiction. Steve Sheinkin (The Notorious Benedict Arnold) weaves for the reader the web of devices and desires of scientists and spies, common men and countries, from the first inklings of a scientific breakthrough through the dichotomy of success and heartbreak when the bombs are dropped on Japan. Unlike standard nonfiction, this book follows the story from its introduction through its climax and denoument, interweaving characters, conditions, and subplots. There is suspense and intensity and a structure that frames it all--ending with the same line that it begins with. The language allows access to rather esoteric subject matters--nuclear physics and espionage--without dumbing them down nor drying them out. The characters (the Bomb included) flesh out from the reader's first introductions to their final exits, creating a lasting impression of the blood, sweat and tears involved in the infancy of the arms race.

Steve Sheinkin has written an exceptional page-turner, expertly researched and documented, a powerful true story which proves that truth can be wrought as compelling as fiction.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Please note: This book was published 9/4/12, but is not currently owned by KCLS.

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

Beth @ Bellevue 

Winterling by Sarah Prineas.

Young Jennifer, or Fer, as she calls herself, has always been more comfortable in the woods around the farm she and her Grand-Jane occupy than amongst her classmates. Schooled in herbal healing lore and simple spells, Fer feels the draw of a nearby pool where she defends a dog against a wolf attack. No mere dog, this is the shape-shifting puck Rook, who has mixed allegiances within his own world. Seeing Fer for the part-magical character she is, with power yet recognized, he draws her through the Way to a land where her long-missing parents had departed. There Fer meets the Lady or 'Mor', a ruler who must bring the Spring to all the lands through blood sacrifice. Insisting on Fer's allegiance to her cause, the Lady claims Rook's triple-bound oath to spy on Fer. It is only through Fer's compassion and healing skills that she realizes the evil in this usurper, discovering her own inherited power as well as the fate of her parents.

Reminiscent of the Narnia Chronicles, with archery training and woodsy lore from The Hunger Games, this is an engrossing read for middle-grade fantasy lovers. Rich language, well-drawn characters and powerful images of other worlds convey the nobility and fortitude of character that even a young girl can embody, solving a mystery while bringing peace to a community long-steeped in fear and bloodshed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Bekka @ Des Moines Library

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone

From the outside, Louise's life seems perfectly fine and it may even look as though she has a very charmed life.  She is a well-liked, petite middle school girl who recently discovered that she even has a secret admirer!  She lives with her grandparents who give her unconditional love.  She yearns, however, for the good ol' days on Cinnamon Street where she used to live with her parents.  She's settling into a new routine but she's making some drastic changes too.  There are certain parts of her life that she never wants to revisit such as being a gymnast and a poet.  She even wants to change her name to Thumbelina.  Many adolescents seek out new identities but there's something more to Louise's intentions.  Louise slowly starts to reveal and come to terms with the family secret that devastated and changed her world forever. 
Phoebe Stone needs to talk to the book publisher and discuss book covers.  Similar to Stone's The Romeo and Juliet Code, readers will be surprised at the type of book that they picked up.  This is definitely not a simple, lighthearted read about a middle school crush.  Louise is a complex, vulnerable tween who is trying to cope with issues that no one, especially not a young girl, should ever have to deal with by herself.  You'll need a box of tissues in order to get through this novel.  I haven't read a book that will tug on one's heartstrings for awhile.  Make sure that you read the author's note as it will give you more insight into the fictional story. 

Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0