The 2010 Newbery Awards, Part 1

In about a week, the American Library Association will name what it considers “the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year.” Of course, those of us who care about such matters have been coming up with Newbery shortlists throughout the year. Unfortunately, no matter how much you care, it’s impossible to read everything. However, one thing I’ve noticed from the books I have read is that none strike me as truly magical or distinguished.

A few months ago, it occurred to me that some things my favorite bloggers – Tom and Lorenzo of Project Rungay – have said about fashion and “Project Runway” also applies to Newbery books. For instance, they have said that a great designer should propose a new way of how a woman should dress. And that the designer should know his/her client. For the former, think of Diane Von Furstenberg’s wrap dress. Or Dior’s “New Look.” (Of course, the fashions aren’t completely new, but perhaps present a sea change at the time.) As for the latter, consider Michael Kors and Calvin Klein – they know whom they are designing for.

Last year’s Newbery winner met these qualifications for me. I loved Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. It felt new to me. And it was intelligent. I’ve recommended it to many children in the library and not one has said they didn’t like it (I asked when I could). The “Harry Potter” books also meet these requirements. Think too of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and, for me, the “Flora Segunda” books by Ysabeau Wilce.

This year, I’m not so sure I’ve found that book yet. And in looking over several blogs and shortlists, I find others feel the same. Yet, in the style of bloggers everywhere, I plan to offer my unsolicited opinions on several books and try to predict a winner. Stay tuned.

(See Jonathan Hunt’s blog on School Library Journal’s site for his shortlist.)

Comments

"The Fifth Season" by N.K. Jemisin

I’m a horrible blogger. Several times this past year, I thought I should just quit this. But I keep being drawn back. So, I’m going to do a little catching up and see how well I remember some of the books I read much earlier this year. Stay tuned. Today, however, I’m just going to write about one. I’ve been singing the praises of The Fifth Season all year even though I’m late to the party: It was published in 2015, and Jemisin is well-known as a gifted writer in the sci-fi and fantasy world. Since then, she has come out with the next two books in The Broken Earth trilogy and has won the Hugo Award three years running. No author has ever done that, let alone a black, female author. Back in 2015 she was the first African-American to win the Hugo for Best Novel. Actually, this year’s Hugos were dominated by women as female authors won in all the major categories. This is important. I’ve been noticing odd twitter posts lately about how women really don’t play video games or ar

"Beartown" by Fredrik Backman

I’m about to be overly effusive: I loved Beartown by Fredrik Backman and I think it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. (See Tangent 1.) I even love the cover. Backman lured us into his Swedish world of curmudgeons and the neighbors who love them with A Man Called Ove and his other novellas. But this isn’t A Man Called Ove . This book has a much larger scope. This feels like the book Backman has always wanted to write but had to wait to give to us until he developed an audience. You got it, bro. I will read whatever else you write in the future. This book more deeply develops his ideas about communities. It is also about parenthood and all the responsibilities that go along with it. It’s about family and best friends who are like family. It’s about belonging. It’s about sorrow and happiness. And there’s some hockey. (Tangent 2.) You will hate some of the parents (Kevin’s, William’s). You will love some of the teens (Amat, Maya, Ana, Benji, Bobo, Leo...). Be prepared

"The Boy at the End of the World," by Greg van Eekhout

I’m very grateful for The Boy at the End of the World , by Greg Van Eekhout. It’s a good, though not outstanding, book. More important, it fills a gap: science fiction for 3 rd -5 th graders. Because at some point during the school year, a teacher will assign a science fiction book report and I will have a hard time recommending books. I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy. And we know how much I like dystopian fiction (a lot). I have no problem finding good science fiction books for teens. In fact, some of the other librarians are tired of me telling teens (regardless of the assignment), “You must read Feed . Everyone should.” Or “You have to read Ender’s Game . You'll love it.” But younger kids come into the library looking for science fiction and it feels like there’s nothing very good. Most of them balk at the length of The True Meaning of Smekday (by Adam Rex), no matter how hard I sell it. They shrug their shoulders at The City of Ember (Jean DuPrau), even when I

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