Comments on: 2012 Newbery Reading List

By: Doug Flynn

Doug Flynn — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:55:31 +0000

WONDERSTRUCK is an incredible book and is deserving of a nomination. Because half of it is illustrated, I wonder if it will even be considered for a Newbery Award?

By: TAH

TAH — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:38:49 +0000

What about THE INQUISITOR’S APPRENTICE? It’s gotten starred reviews from Kirkus and PW. The opening line is pretty great: “The day Sacha found out he could see witches was the worst day of his life.”

By: Monica Edinger

Monica Edinger — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Here’s the link to the interview with Ness’s US editor again: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1542#m13067

By: Monica Edinger

Monica Edinger — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:08:26 +0000

Oh, sorry, my last point was to Dave R’s concern not Mr. H’s.

By: Monica Edinger

Monica Edinger — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:06:53 +0000

From all I’ve read this is Ness’s story inspired by an idea by Dowd. I had originally thought it might not be eligible because it had been edited in the UK, but in the interview I cited above it was clearly jointly edited by the UK and US editors. Since this it top on my list I hope that ALSC agrees!

As for Mr H’s question about the “content/psychological introspection” goes, I can’t see that as a problem as the age range is through 14.

By: Mr. H

Mr. H — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:30:24 +0000

I haven’t read A MONSTER CALLS but was wondering the same thing. From what I read, Ness found the skeleton of a story that Dowd was going to write. He thought it was brilliant and wanted to do her story justice. Then a new story began forming in his mind. To me, that sounds as if this is an eligible piece. However I don’t know. I bought into the hype though and preordered it on Amazon so I can’t wait to dive into it!

By: dave r

dave r — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:44:41 +0000

Finished The Apothecary and found it to be a very enjoyable read. The writing is tight and the plot keeps the readers’ interest. I can understand why it’s been getting some buzz, but I’m not sure it’s that high up on my list at this point in time.

What I did love was A Monster Calls. This was a wonderful, powerful read. Definitely, in my top three at this time — if it’s eligible.

A couple of concerns about how the committee would handle the “authorship” issue. And wondering if the content/psychological introspection may put it out of the Newbery “range.”

By: Elizabeth Fama

Elizabeth Fama — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:08:13 +0000

So happy to see that Carol E. already mentioned EDDIE’S WAR, by Carol Fisher Saller, which is the one I would like to see you read! It’s published by Stephen Roxburgh’s new press, namelos (release date August, 2011), so it feels like no one has heard of it (although it has a starred review from Kirkus). It’s a lovely, gentle, slim novel that evokes a small town in Illinois before and during WWII, with a sensitive boy narrator coming to terms with both global and personal issues.

By: Mr. H

Mr. H — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:33:51 +0000

I think it was Eric who first recommended it in this thread . . . but I finished reading HIDDEN last night by Helen Frost. Holy cow . . . I think it would be criminal to give INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN proper discussion time here without giving HIDDEN it’s fair shake. Personally, I think HIDDEN was ten times the book INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN was. I hope it’ll get it’s due. Thanks for mentioning it Eric, otherwise I wouldn’t have touched it.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:51:55 +0000

Has no one mentioned Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley? Oh me, oh my.