 | The Baptism by Shelia P. Moses
Buy new: $12.47 / Used from: $0.31 You needn't read the two books that preceed this book in the series by Moses. Just know that the author's writing is crisp, her characters clear, and the story engaging.
|
 | The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Buy new: $10.40 / Used from: $0.01 Funny. Really funny and fun and smart. Some are questioning the child-appeal of this title, but I think it has a real shot at the Newbery gold. At the very least it may get an honor.
|
 | Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Buy new: $11.55 / Used from: $2.37 A magnificent debut novel. Don't let the awful cover fool you. This book is winning fans left and right and may sweep the Newberys this year.
|
 | Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
Buy new: $11.51 / Used from: $0.01 It's the 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' for kids. Is that a compliment? Dunno. A memorable book just the same.
|
 | Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $4.75 Okay. Fine. It doesn't have a chance. What fantasy with fairies would ever win the Newbery? But if one DID win, it would have to be this one. Best. Book. Ever.
|
 | Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Buy new: $10.87 / Used from: $0.01 I haven't read this one yet myself. Still, when everyone starts to sniff sniff sniff around a Woodson book, you'd be silly not to read it yourself.
|
 | On The Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
Buy new: $11.55 / Used from: $2.13 Peck dips deeply into the realm of nostalgia yet again. Some people think he's phoning this one in, but I disagree. It's nostalgia of the best possible kind and a fun read (after the slow start). Definitely has legs on it.
|
 | The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
Buy new: $11.52 / Used from: $1.44 More than just a business model for kiddies. This book has blood, sweat, and tears in it. It's not just a fun read, but an emotional roller coaster as well. Could well be my top pick for 2007.
|
 | Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Buy new: $10.05 / Used from: $0.65 I'm not joshing you when I say that this is Curtis's best work so far. And yeah, he's already won himself a Newbery before, but doggone it if this isn't one heckuva book. Funny with a historical setting that I, for one, have never seen in a children's novel before.
|
 | No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer
Buy new: $12.47 / Used from: $0.82 Bauer's a first time author, but you'd never know it from reading this book. This story is the perfect balance of magic and realism. The characters stick with you, the message isn't messagey (a good thing, in my eyes), and the first page is suitably gripping. A book kids would actually enjoy reading.
|
 | No Talking by Andrew Clements
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $0.01 Well why not? It's not like Clements has ever won before, and I personally think this book is much better than "Frindle" anyway. It seems to supremely simple, but there's an undercurrent of rebellion to it that comes across beautifully. Quite frankly, I think that this is a great example of what makes a children's book good.
|
 | Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz
Buy new: $9.61 / Used from: $4.90 This book doesn't fall neatly into any one category. It straddles non-fiction and fiction so perfectly that it would be hard to group it. Fortunately, the Newbery Award can go to a work of fiction AND non-fiction. Perfect, no?
|
 | A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $1.11 My number one bet. This book has all the qualifications for the Newbery and the tone is absolutely pitch-perfect. If it wins I'm going to wear a t-shirt that reads "I told you so" for a week.
|
 | Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $3.46 This one may fly too far below the radar to garner much attention, but I've high hopes for Joan M. Wolf's first novel. Historical fiction in its purest form.
|
 | Leepike Ridge by N. D. Wilson
Buy new: $10.87 / Used from: $3.45 The closest thing I've seen to "Holes" this year.
|
 | I Am Not Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $0.40 Gantos has only ever gotten a Newbery honor for one of his Joey books. It would be gratifying to see him win the big award proper for this puppy too. To my mind it stands alone and has enough depth to it to stand apart from the competition.
|
Listmania!
