Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool, winner of the 2011 Newbery Medal.
On Monday, kidlit blogs, Facebook, and Twitter were abuzz with Newbery news as The Association for Library Service to Children announced the winners of their many prestigious awards.
I am, it would seem, even farther out of the loop than usual this year. I’ve read just one of the winners, and that’s because it was originally published in 2007; the award was for audio production. I think I read more YA and adult books this year than MG and PB. At least, that’s the best excuse I can muster.
Are there any winners (Honor books included) that you read and loved?
What kidlit book(s) did you read this year that stand out as personal favorites? The books don’t have to be published in 2010, you just have to have read them in 2010, and I won’t hold you to just one.
Right now, I’m wishing I kept a list of the books I’ve read. It’s hard to pick a favorite when you can’t remember most of what you read. Two titles that come to mind are The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly, and North of Beautiful, by Justina Chen Headley. Oh, wait. Calpurnia was a Newbery Honor book last year. Ha! Well, I guess I liked it as much as this year as the ALA committee liked it last year. And you know what? Having visited Clare Vanderpool’s website to get the link at the top of this post, and searching for cover images and reading some connected blurbs, I expect I’m really going to like Moon Over Manifest when I get my hands on it. Ooooooo…maybe we should make it an S4L Book Club book. Every library in the land–and Norway, I hope–will stock it now.
You know, I think I’m going to start a list of books I read in 2011. I want to be able to really pick my favorites next January. Do any of you keep a record of the books you read?
You know what I think would be fun? To write the names of books I’ve read on a wall in my house. A readily visible and somewhat permanent record seems appropriate. A house reflects who we are as does our reading list. A house shelters us from harsh elements and gives us a safe place to grow, and, in some ways, so do books. To read a book is to live in the world it creates for a time, just as we live in a house for a time.
We’ve got a tiny house, not many walls to choose from. I’m thinking the hallway. Or maybe the stairway coming in. As you enter our house, you would be introduced to us by way of the books we read.
Hmmm…will have to talk to Mike about this.
Categories: Reading
Ok, I’ll fess up. I didn’t read any of those books. Actually, I probably read zero kidlit books last year (not always the case, as I read _The Graveyard Book_ before it won the Newbery Award). My genre is sci-fi and fantasy (which I know Jen doesn’t like the taste of!) LOL. I’ve been trying to keep lists of books I’ve read on the blog. I had a gorgeous notebook I tried to do this in years ago, but I forget to keep it up. Right now my “read” list for 2010 on blog is sadly out of date, but I have been putting most of my finished books on a particular shelf at home, so I hope to get it updated. And I’m already behind by at least three books for 2011!
Your sci-fi/fantasy bent is precisely why I want to be in a book club with you: you’ll filter that genre and bring the best to us. I believe Becca is a sci-fi/fantasy person too, so you’re not alone.
I started a list of books I’ve completed in 2011. The majority of books so far are business books. Bleh. Only one kidlit–The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin.
No, I’m not going to list the business books.
I’ve started The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and really like it so far. I’m trying to keep a list of books I’m reading and listening to. I have an app on my phone called MyBookDroid that lets you track books and even put them on shelves. It’s a fun concept, but I haven’t really played with it much yet.
Kid Lit, I read Marching For Freedom (amazing) Graceling and Fire and the Catching Fire series.
Kat, three books already this year- Impressive! Sci-Fi and fantasy rule.
Of course, currently I’m reading three books and listening to another. I’m making good progress on one I’m reading, but not so much on the other two.
I was going to suggest Goodreads for your book list but WOW I love your idea of a list on the wall! Wish I weren’t so anal and I could do that myself. But I just couldn’t. I want to see yours though!
@Carin – I’m loving the idea more and more. It will take a while to be interesting.
I remember the cabins and art room at summer camp were layered with graffiti. I loved reading those walls.
@Becca – Oh, I forgot about Graceling and Fire and Catching Fire. I’m still waiting for Mockingjay–hrmph. And I’m embarrassed to say I still haven’t read Marching for Freedom. It’s on the list.