Comments on: Sequels http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/ A Mock Newbery Blog Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:12:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102999 Jonathan Hunt Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:32:32 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102999 I know that seems harsh, but I think it is good practice. We can't be certain that everybody has read all the classics one might allude to. It also keeps hyperbole from running amok by having people draw comparisons to Great Works of Literature. I know that seems harsh, but I think it is good practice. We can’t be certain that everybody has read all the classics one might allude to. It also keeps hyperbole from running amok by having people draw comparisons to Great Works of Literature.

]]> By: Roger Sutton http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102947 Roger Sutton Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:44:54 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102947 My favorite out-of-school Newbery story was from a committee member who began her remarks "As in Huck Finn . . ." only to be slapped down by the chair for mentioning a book published in a previous, er, century. My favorite out-of-school Newbery story was from a committee member who began her remarks “As in Huck Finn . . .” only to be slapped down by the chair for mentioning a book published in a previous, er, century.

]]> By: As Jonathan Hunt pointed out there at Heavy… « Fairrosa Cyber Library: Bulletin Board http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102835 As Jonathan Hunt pointed out there at Heavy… « Fairrosa Cyber Library: Bulletin Board Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:57:32 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102835 [...] Jonathan Hunt pointed out there at Heavy Medal, we are seeing so many sequels and companion books of former Newbery award and honor books. Just [...] [...] Jonathan Hunt pointed out there at Heavy Medal, we are seeing so many sequels and companion books of former Newbery award and honor books. Just [...]

]]> By: Sam Eddington http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102634 Sam Eddington Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:53:32 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102634 I actually really liked APPLEWHITES AT WIT'S END, but as someone who hasn't read the first one, I was only able to take it as a stand-alone. Which I thought it worked fine as, but which doesn't let me make comparisons. I actually really liked APPLEWHITES AT WIT’S END, but as someone who hasn’t read the first one, I was only able to take it as a stand-alone. Which I thought it worked fine as, but which doesn’t let me make comparisons.

]]> By: Cecilia http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102591 Cecilia Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:55:05 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102591 I love the idea of a series award named for Lloyd Alexander! I liked PALACE OF STONE but it didn't blow me away. I don't think I would have been as drawn in if I hadn't already had knowledge of the world and wanted to know what happened to Miri and the rest of the characters. I love the idea of a series award named for Lloyd Alexander! I liked PALACE OF STONE but it didn’t blow me away. I don’t think I would have been as drawn in if I hadn’t already had knowledge of the world and wanted to know what happened to Miri and the rest of the characters.

]]> By: Alys http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102590 Alys Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:22:38 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102590 I'm with DaNae that the APPLEWHITES sequel was a disappointment. It was fun and I'll give it to kids who liked the first one, but it didn't have the same heart as the first book. (And since "heart" is not a criteria, I'll say the characterization wasn't as strong, the plot felt forced, and the themes were not as strongly interwoven with the story.) I’m with DaNae that the APPLEWHITES sequel was a disappointment. It was fun and I’ll give it to kids who liked the first one, but it didn’t have the same heart as the first book. (And since “heart” is not a criteria, I’ll say the characterization wasn’t as strong, the plot felt forced, and the themes were not as strongly interwoven with the story.)

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102589 Jonathan Hunt Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:06:21 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102589 1. THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE and STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY are both companion novels rather than sequels. I didn't add the companion novels to the title, but I did insert the phrase in the first sentence of the post. 2. The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature can go to a book or a series. For example, the 2012 award went to THE FREEDOM MAZE by Delia Sherman. The 2011 award went to THE THIEF, THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA, THE KING OF ATTOLIA, and A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS by Megan Whalen Turner. This award is only for fantasy, however. 3. We liked WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, and it won one of our two mock Newbery groups (WHEN YOU REACH ME being the other winner). We found the characterization a bit flat, but perfectly in line with what you might expect from a folktale and also perfectly suited to the needs of children bridging from transitional chapter books to middle grade novels. 4. I'm still trying to work through my feelings about PALACE OF STONE, and I'm not sure that I can separate myself from the original, having read it several times during my Newbery year. Needless to say, I'm a big fan of PRINCESS ACADEMY and, like DaNae, felt it was perfect as a standalone. I like this new one a lot, but I miss the distinctive setting of Mount Eskel, and I think Hale realized this too and found a clever way to make Mount Eskel a presence again, but I did find the capital setting almost reminiscent of Bayern (in fact, the plotting and intrigue remind me of RIVER SECRETS). But I'm not supposed to compare PALACE OF STONE to Hale's previous body of work at all, so I'll try to shed my baggage by the time we get around to discussing it. In the meantime, check out these cool Shannon Hale links. Live webcast on October 1-- http://www.slj.com/2012/09/webcasts/celebrate-with-shannon-hale-live/ Real men read PRINCESS ACADEMY and PALACE OF STONE-- http://oinks.squeetus.com/2012/08/real-men-read-princess-academy-and-i-have-the-photos-to-prove-it.html Chapter by chapter discussion of PRINCESS ACADEMY by the author-- http://oinks.squeetus.com/2012/07/squeetus-summer-book-club-princess-academy-chapter-1.html- 1. THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE and STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY are both companion novels rather than sequels. I didn’t add the companion novels to the title, but I did insert the phrase in the first sentence of the post.

2. The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature can go to a book or a series. For example, the 2012 award went to THE FREEDOM MAZE by Delia Sherman. The 2011 award went to THE THIEF, THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA, THE KING OF ATTOLIA, and A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS by Megan Whalen Turner. This award is only for fantasy, however.

3. We liked WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, and it won one of our two mock Newbery groups (WHEN YOU REACH ME being the other winner). We found the characterization a bit flat, but perfectly in line with what you might expect from a folktale and also perfectly suited to the needs of children bridging from transitional chapter books to middle grade novels.

4. I’m still trying to work through my feelings about PALACE OF STONE, and I’m not sure that I can separate myself from the original, having read it several times during my Newbery year. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of PRINCESS ACADEMY and, like DaNae, felt it was perfect as a standalone. I like this new one a lot, but I miss the distinctive setting of Mount Eskel, and I think Hale realized this too and found a clever way to make Mount Eskel a presence again, but I did find the capital setting almost reminiscent of Bayern (in fact, the plotting and intrigue remind me of RIVER SECRETS). But I’m not supposed to compare PALACE OF STONE to Hale’s previous body of work at all, so I’ll try to shed my baggage by the time we get around to discussing it. In the meantime, check out these cool Shannon Hale links.

Live webcast on October 1–

http://www.slj.com/2012/09/webcasts/celebrate-with-shannon-hale-live/

Real men read PRINCESS ACADEMY and PALACE OF STONE–

http://oinks.squeetus.com/2012/08/real-men-read-princess-academy-and-i-have-the-photos-to-prove-it.html

Chapter by chapter discussion of PRINCESS ACADEMY by the author–

http://oinks.squeetus.com/2012/07/squeetus-summer-book-club-princess-academy-chapter-1.html-

]]> By: Sara Ralph http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102586 Sara Ralph Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:21:52 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102586 Starry River of the Sky, which is a companion novel, is just wonderful. The main story is captivating and the stories told by the characters add even more to it, especially finding out the surprise connection between the two. I would be interested in seeing how the experts, being former Newbery committee members, feel like it holds up to the criteria. How did this blog feel about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon? Starry River of the Sky, which is a companion novel, is just wonderful. The main story is captivating and the stories told by the characters add even more to it, especially finding out the surprise connection between the two. I would be interested in seeing how the experts, being former Newbery committee members, feel like it holds up to the criteria. How did this blog feel about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon?

]]> By: Monica Edinger http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102584 Monica Edinger Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:47:17 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102584 I'm not Tom, but I remember unsuccessfully trying to convince someone on that year's Newbery Committee that THE KING ATTOLIA stood alone beautifully. Now if Jonathan had been there... I’m not Tom, but I remember unsuccessfully trying to convince someone on that year’s Newbery Committee that THE KING ATTOLIA stood alone beautifully. Now if Jonathan had been there…

]]> By: Wendy http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/17/sequels/#comment-102571 Wendy Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:36:32 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2430#comment-102571 Tom, do you have examples of books that you think might have been penalized by the Newbery committee for not standing alone? Tom, do you have examples of books that you think might have been penalized by the Newbery committee for not standing alone?

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