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What has anyone read for the younger students that would be good
Mock Newbery choices? So far I've only decided on A Snicker of Magic.
I need some books more like The Year of Billy Miller for my 3rd-5th grade Book Club. Many of the great books seem more geared to middle school grades 5-8. I keep waiting to be awed and excited, but so far I haven't been thrilled by many.

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord
Odd Weird & Little by Patrick Jennings
Revolution by Deborah Wiles

maybe not Revolution, but perhaps The Fouteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

Brown Girl Dreaming?

Can you include the third in a series? If so what about Christopher Healy's Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw?

You might want to look into The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach for the younger readers. I believe it would be of high interest (and very similiar reading level) to fans of The Year of Billy Miller. It is a fun, interesting and well. written book.

Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan or The Life of Ty - Nonrandom Acts of Kindness by Lauren Myracle (This is book 2 in a series).

The One and Only Ivan

Definitely Fourteenth Goldfish

Also Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle, coming out 8/26, is perfect fantasy for that age group. See my ARC review for more info.

Sorry. I did not read that correctly. I would say Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff.

Life on Mars by Jennifer Brown - funny, realistic fiction with heart, or Seven Stories Up- magic, time travel, family

I don't know if it can win a Newbery since it is a graphic novel but El Deafo by CeCe Bell would be a great book to discuss with 3rd-5th.

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "I don't know if it can win a Newbery since it is a graphic novel but El Deafo by CeCe Bell would be a great book to discuss with 3rd-5th."

I believe that the committee can consider books that are different formats. When I heard a former committee member speak last year, she discussed how publishing is changing so quickly, and and the committee needs to continue to change with trends, etc. (my words, not hers). If someone has understood it differently please share the information.

a. Committee members need to consider the following:

Interpretation of the theme or concept
Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
Development of a plot
Delineation of characters
Delineation of a setting
Appropriateness of style.

Thanks everyone! :) This is great! Let me know if you think of others.

Fourteenth Goldfish for sure!

Thanks for all these great ideas!
Has a graphic novel ever won the Newbery Award?

Margaret wrote: "Thanks for all these great ideas!
Has a graphic novel ever won the Newbery Award?"

Flora and Ulysses had a lot of pictures but I don't think it is considered a graphic novel. I think that may be the closest.

The Newbery committee can only talk about the text not the pictures.... to me this would make it difficult for a graphic novel to win. But they are still eligible.

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Thanks for all these great ideas!
Has a graphic novel ever won the Newbery Award?"

Flora and Ulysses had a lot of pictures but I don't think it is considered a graphic novel. I ..."

Illustrations throughout children's fiction books used to be the norm for decades. I am very happy to see this art form making a grand comeback.

Started Absolutely Almost! Loving it! Sucked me right in!

I loved this book as well. I've heard it called (by Nerdy Book Club friends) the new Wonder.

I am not sure it is the new Wonder--though it could be argued that Albie is marginalized because he isn't "cool" and is perceived to be a dummy by Darren. The difference, of course, is that Albie can blend in, Augie cannot. I loved the story from Albie's pov; it brought out the mamma bear in me--I so wanted to shake his parents at times. As someone who struggled with math and was decidedly not one of the cool kids, this story hit home on several levels.

Having been on the Newbery the year of Hugo Cabret I can say that how to consider illustration and design is challenging these days. Flora & Ulysses was no problem as the focus could be easily on the text -- the illustrations don't play as big a role as they do in Hugo.

Here's the money quote from the criteria:
Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

"Less effective" not "more effective." So it would be challenging for a graphic novel to selected. That said, the folks at the Heavy Medal blog have looked very carefully at graphic novels so it isn't outside of the realm of possibility.

This rule is a pet peeve of mine and I've written about it on my blog many times --- search for my "Thoughts on Newbery" posts (at educating alice) if you want to find some of them. It bugs me because I feel that if Revolution, for example, were to be honored it wouldn't be for the whole thing, the design, the visual aspects, and so forth.

Another good title for the 3rd-5th group is The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy.

I loved El Deafo. Grades 5 & Up

Started All Four Stars... Anyone read it?

Jennifer wrote: "Started All Four Stars... Anyone read it?"

Yes. I really enjoyed it.

Laura- okay for 4th & 5th?

Absolutely. I would say 4th thru 6th would be perfect.

So today as I was cataloging Ava & Pip and The Fourteenth Goldfish I checked to see if there was an F & P level for the books and there was, but I do not agree with the levels. Ava & Pip was assigned a "J", I feel it's more a "P or Q." Goldfish was given a "Z" and I feel it's more like a "T or U." Thoughts??? I know F & P isn't perfect, but these both seem pretty far off.

How about Leroy Ninker Saddles Up? Short chapter book and funny.

Beverly wrote: "How about Leroy Ninker Saddles Up? Short chapter book and funny."

Dory Fantasmagory is amazing. Younger readers will adore it.

Laura wrote: "Beverly wrote: "How about Leroy Ninker Saddles Up? Short chapter book and funny."

Dory Fantasmagory is amazing. Younger readers will adore it."

Our library system has not yet purchased Dory F. Looking forward to reading it though!

Beverly wrote: "Laura wrote: "Beverly wrote: "How about Leroy Ninker Saddles Up? Short chapter book and funny."

Dory Fantasmagory is amazing. Younger readers will adore it."

Our library system ha..."

I agree!!

Nuts to You

Dory was laugh out loud funny! I really think the kids are going to enjoy it and relate to it!

Librarygarden wrote: "Dory was laugh out loud funny! I really think the kids are going to enjoy it and relate to it!"

It is my favorite children's young reader book of the year. It really has it all. The text and artwork are just terrific.

My fourth graders love love: El Deafo, Half a Chance, Snicker of Magic, and Rain Reign.

Alpha wrote: "My fourth graders love love: El Deafo, Half a Chance, Snicker of Magic, and Rain Reign."

I am curious about how El Deafo will do. I think it may surprise a lot of people and nab an award.

Laura wrote: "Alpha wrote: "My fourth graders love love: El Deafo, Half a Chance, Snicker of Magic, and Rain Reign."

I am curious about how El Deafo will do. I think it may surprise a lot of people and nab an a..."

I am reading El Deafo right now with my 5th graders. I'm shocked at how much they love it! Great book!

Librarygarden wrote: "So today as I was cataloging Ava & Pip and The Fourteenth Goldfish I checked to see if there was an F & P level for the books and there was, but I do not agree with the levels. Ava & Pip was assign..."

The F & P levels have a "mystical" component to them where they take content into consideration as part of the rating. The writing and vocabulary on these two are pretty similar, but F & P must have found that the content of 14th goldfish was more mature, therefore giving it the Z level. But I'm with you... I think 14th goldfish would certainly be appropriate for middle grade students (I know mine really like it).

Debbie wrote: "Librarygarden wrote: "So today as I was cataloging Ava & Pip and The Fourteenth Goldfish I checked to see if there was an F & P level for the books and there was, but I do not agree with the levels..."

Debbie, Thanks for your input! The funny thing with Ava & Pip is that level J books are titles such as Henry & Mudge, Adler's Bone series, Fluffy, etc. after consulting with a few 2nd-4th grade teachers, we decided to level it as a Q.