For what it's worth (which is nothing), here are my "what I would like to win/what I think will win" thoughts. I don't have a great track record in accurately predicting these things, but I always like to try! I'll also throw in "dark horse" candidates just to shake things up (or to cover my bases!).
Newbery
Oooh, the gold standard. What every children's author dreams of winning.
What I would like to win:
Either Amelia Lost or The Trouble With May Amelia. (Hey, maybe one can get the Medal and the other the Honor--a good year for the Amelias.) I'm a huge Fleming fan, think Amelia Lost is nearly flawless, and I would get a kick out of a nonfiction title winning. Jennifer Holm is also a favorite, and I would love her to get the Medal (she's won the Honor several times). May Amelia is a fantastic character.
What I think will win:
Either Amelia Lost or Okay For Now. I would wager Amelia Lost over Okay For Now. Okay For Now is quite an achivement, but the problems that quite a few (raises hand) have pointed out with characterization and plot may dim its chances. If the choices are close, this may become an issue. I'm a Gary Schmidt fan, so I wouldn't be disappointed if he does win (in the end, I care more about having the actual winners in our collection than who actually wins). This is definitely is on the higher end of the age requirements for the Newbery.
Dark Horse:
Young Fredle
Oh, come on, people! Where's the love for Young Fredle? It certainly wasn't shown in the "Best Of 2011" lists, despite receiving excellent reviews upon publication. What happened? Too many mouse adventure stories?
Caldecott
The gold standard for picture book artists.
What I would like to win:
Me...Jane, Blackout, or Naamah and the Ark at Night
This was a fine year for picture books. Any of these would be a fantastic win.
What I think will win:
Grandpa Green
Quite a bit of love for this one. It's definitely memorable and unique, but it's not one of my faves.
Dark Horse:
I Want My Hat Back. If the committee is a little "quirky." For the record, I got a kick out of the ending.
Printz
Not as well known as the Newbery or Caldecott among the general population, the Printz is the award for the most distinguished contribution in young adult literature. I'm hopeless at predicting this; I'm lucky if I've ordered the winner(s) ahead of the announcement. However....
What I would like to win:
Between Shades of Gray
This is getting a lot of love. I know it has its detractors, but I think it's definitely worthy of the prize.
What I think will win:
As I said, I'm hopeless at predicting the Printz. That being said, I'm feeling good about Shades of Gray, unless Imaginary Girls gets the nod from the committee.
Dark Horse: Not going to try. Moving on....
Sibert
The Sibert is given to the most distinguished title in juvenile nonfiction. This is not on the general public's radar, but it's well-known within children's literature circles.
What I would like to win:
Amelia Lost
What I think will win:
Amelia Lost. Unless Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy, which would also be worthy, makes enough of an impression on the committee.
Dark Horse:
I'll go with Flesh and Blood So Cheap on this one, too. I would be very surprised if Amelia Lost doesn't win, frankly.
Other awards that I'm looking forward to:
Coretta Scott King awards, given to distinguished contributions in children's literature by African-American authors and artists.
Margaret A. Edwards award, honoring an author's body of work in young adult literature.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award, which recognizes the translation of a children's book (from a non-English language to English) . The winners are usually new to me; I like to order them to diversify the collection.
Pura Belpre Award, honoring Latino/Latina authors and artists in children's literature.
Schneider Family Book Award, which honors an author or illustrator depicting the disability experience in children's/YA literature. This can include physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or emotional/behavioral issues.
Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, honoring the best in early readers.
There are other interesting awards, but these are my favorites. We shall see next Monday!
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2 comments:
Okay for Now will win the Newbery. I always guess the book I like the least!
LOL, Ms. Yingling. Well, we'll find out soon enough!
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