Have you read Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut fantasy? If the answer is no, do yourself a favor and read it. Kelly’s novel is inspired by Filipino folklore that resonates as a memorable coming-of-age story about loyalty, friendship, individuality, beauty, and heroism of twelve-year-old Lalani Sarita’s mother falls ill with an incurable illness, Lalani begins on […]
Graphic Novels are here to stay.
October 2, 2019 by 27 Comments
Graphic Novels have become an integral part of children’s literature.2015, the Newbery Honor Book was awarded to El Deafo by Cece Bell, and the following year, the Honor Book went to, Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. After these books received the accolades merited, graphic novels, for teens and middle-grade readers, have been embraced as a true mark of distinguished work of […]
The Newbery is Not For….
September 23, 2019 by 23 Comments
The official Newbery Terms and Criteria describe the elements that must be considered when selecting the “most distinguished book” of the year. Here’s a look at some key element that are in the Criteria…and some that are not.
Introduction to the Newbery
September 18, 2019 by 2 Comments
Today’s guest blogger is Lan Gao. Lan currently works as the Senior Librarian in the Youth Services Department at the Cleveland Public Library downtown branch. I asked if she would share how she was introduced to the Newbery Award. I first came across the Newbery Medal only seven years ago. So I am rather new […]
Can Newbery Winners Do It Again?
September 16, 2019 by 21 Comments
Cynthia Kadohata, Gary D. Schmidt, and Kevin Henkes have earned Newbery recognition in past years. Could their most recent books be contenders for the 2020 Medal?
Win a Newbery in 150 Pages or Less
December 14, 2018 by 8 Comments
It’s rare that a fiction title with less that 150 pages gets Newbery recognition. Could there be any short chapter books in the running for the 2019 Medal?
Heavy Medal Finalist – Princess Cora and the Crocodile
January 13, 2018 by 17 Comments
Long List Title: PRINCESS CORA AND THE CROCODILE ( (Titles on our long list will be included in our online conversation and balloting, alongside the short list titles.) PRINCESS CORA received three starred reviews and made one “Best Books of 2017” list (PW). It’s been mentioned here on Heavy Medal, but not extensively. I’m certainly glad to have […]
I’m Still Here, and I’m Not Alone
July 20, 2017 by 9 Comments
Happy July! Can you even believe it’s already approaching the end of July? Well, I’m interupting your regularly scheduled summer of ignoring this blog to give you a little bit of an update about what’s happening with us. As you know, Jonathan has moved on from Heavy Medal and we will miss him dearly. I’m happy, […]
Grand Knowing You
January 31, 2017 by 12 Comments
It’s been grand knowing you Grand knowing you Grand being your friend. You’ve been kind, loyal, and so generous Right down to the end. Please don’t grieve watching me leave That would be much too painful to stand. It’s been fun Now I must run But it’s been grand, perfectly grand! After much careful thought […]
2018 Newbery Reading List
January 29, 2017 by 24 Comments
Here are some of the books on my radar for 2018 consideration. Some of them already have great reviews; some of them are by favorite authors; many of them are nonfiction! Please weigh in if you’ve read any of them already. Please also feel free to recommend additional titles in the comments now and throughout […]
Recent Comments