Countdown to the Mock Newbery

Our Library is having a Mock Newbery activity in February.  This week we finalized our reading list for the event.  The list was assembled by the head of the Children's Department. She made a spread sheet to determine what would go on the list.  Books got one point for each starred review, plus points if they are nominated for other awards, like the National Book Award.  Then they got a point if they were features on "Heavy Medal" the SLJ Newbery blog, recommended by the library director, or if they were one of the favorites of the lady who was making the list.  The top 15 scores were put on the list.  From what I have seen it is a pretty good list.  These really are the books everyone is talking about.  There is only one book I would add, Tumble and Blue by Cassie Beasley, which just got it's 5th starred review.

Here is the List

Alexander, Kwame                    Out of Wonder

Applegate, Katherine                 Wishtree

Bradley, Kimberley                    The War I Finally Won

Grimes, Nikki                            One Last Word

Harris, Chris                              I'm Just No Good at Rhyming

Heiligman, Deborah                    Vincent and Theo

Kelly, Erin Entrada                      Hello, Universe

King, A.S.                                  Me and Marvin Gardens

Ruby, Laura                               The Shadow Cipher (York #1)

Schlitz, Laura Amy                      Princess Cora and the Crocodile

Sheinkin, Steve                          Undefeated

Snyder, Laurel                            Orphan Island

Spinelli, Jerry                             The Warden's Daughter

Williams-Garcia, Rita                  Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

Wolk, Lauren                             Beyond the Bright Sea

If you are an avid reader of my blog, you will know that I have already read and blogged many of these.  I am going to try to read the rest before February.