From: Mary Stoiber <mstoibe>
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 19:50:14 -0600

I am one of those who read A Year Down Yonder but did not read A Long Way From Chicago. I have to say I did truly enjoy the book but enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the honor books and not any more. I have to once again state that Stargirl was my absolute hands down favorite this year and didn't win anything! After that it was difficult to pick the next favorite. I understand the committee doesn't judge on favorites but many other criteria which I generally don't do when I read a book. Usually its for my enjoyment and if I enjoyed it some of those criteria must have been met. The grandma in A Year Down Yonder was great and when Mary Alice did her valentine trick I saw a little grandma in her(I think someone else previously said that as well). Another thing I did like about this book is that it can appeal to the wide range of readers the Newbery hopes to cover. That's a tough task. Our 6-8 graders did like it. The results of our Newbery choices can be found on our website at www.cedarburg.k12.wi.us

My last comment which is really a question is the CCBC's pick for the Newbery Silent to the Bone which was the hands down winner did not win anything. It was also the favorite of our readers. I am curious if anyone that sat on that committee might have some words about that. I liked the book tremendously but do question the content a bit for an elementary student. Was that ever discussed when the CCBC was making its choice ? Mary Stoiber IMC Director Webster Transitional School Cedarburg, WI mstoibe at ceddarburg.k12.wi.us
Received on Sat 20 Jan 2001 07:50:14 PM CST