The American Library Association awards the Newbery Medal to the most distinguished American children's book published in the previous year. it is named for the 18th Century bookseller John Newbery. The purpose of the Newbery Award according to the ALA Executive Board is "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."
by Lynn Rae Perkins
This story has several intertwined plots involving teenagers in their awkward years. Each character is struggling to figure out their identity, how to find "love", how to fit in, why their parents do what they do, who are their true friends, etc. On the cover is the statement, "She wished something would happen." This book made me think about how in any group, whether it be the workplace, church, class, waiting room at the doctor's office, Facebook, anywhere, we coexist independently and don't always really know each other. Young adults wait "for something to happen," and as we move into adulthood we realize that life is what is happening right now. It isn't always what we always dreamed of, but it is what it is. We can make the best of here and now, or we can just keep wondering what else is out there. This realization is part of the process of maturing from being a child to being an adult.
Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 5.7
Lexile: 820
Stephanie Karker
After Tupac and D Foster
by Jacqueline Woodson
This novel is about the friendship of three girls, the unnamed narrator, her friend and neighbor Neeka, and D Foster, a foster child who wanders one day into Neeka and the narrator's neighborhood. The girls bond over many things, but Tupac in particular. D doesn't tell the girls much about her life, other than the experiences she has had wandering and exploring the city. Neeka and the narrator are confined to their block and enjoy hearing about D's adventures. D becomes an intregal part of the girls' lives, but just like Tupac and his music were short lived, the girls learn that things do not go on forever. A very touching and realisitc tale about what it is like to be young and dealing with issues of family and friends.
Suggested grade level: 5-8
Reading level: 4.7
Lexile: 750
Jessica Schmitz
The Tale of Despereaux The Tale of Despereaux is about Despereaux Tilling, a mouse with unusual qualities, who falls in love with a princess names Pea. Despereaux is banished from Dor because he fails to adhere the rules of his society. He is then joined by Roscuro, a rat that loves the light so much, and ends up in the queen's soup, setting off a string of disastrous events. Despereaux later sets off on a journey to save his beloved Princess Pea. Along the way, they befriend a common serving girl who longs to become a princess. Together, they meet a series of characters that they will never forget. This book was delightful to read! It will have you rooting for the underdog. Suggested grade level: 3-6 Reading level: 4.5 Reviewed by Arlette Leyva
by Kate DiCamillo
Lexile: 670