From: Maggi <librarymaggi_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:58:51 -0500

I am so pleased to see ALL the Newbery winners this year are appropriate for middle grade readers! It is a treat. =)

I enjoyed When You Reach Me very much. I'm a science fiction reader and was fond of A Wrinkle In Time, which factors into the story somewhat, but I don't really see this as a time travel story. I think its great success is that it bridges science fiction and realistic fiction seamlessly. It can be read, and I think ideally should be read, by an unsuspecting appreciator of realistic fiction. Or, I suppose, to be more accurate, historical fiction, as it takes place over 40 years ago... The mystery was spoiled for me long before I read it, but I still waited with bated breath for the moment of discovery.

I just finished Claudette Colvin this morning, and I really enjoyed it. The drama of the time surrounding the boycott, and all the quotes from individuals and primary source documents, enhanced the feeling of being there. I was amazed to read this account of the mysterious figure who played such a crucial role in the bus boycott, and fascinated to comprehend for the first time the politics and complicated reasons behind what was done and why.

I wrote to my colleagues this morning: "It's somewhat long (about 120 pages) but definitely not over the heads of 5th graders, and since it is practically the only resource that even mentions Claudette Colvin, I think it's a worthwhile purchase for elementary. The only potential hot button issue I would point out for schools is a chapter in which it discusses Claudette's teenage pregnancy with a married man." I plan to read several chapters aloud in the coming months.

I read WtMMtM a few weeks ago and was entranced by the beautiful pages! I can't remember the last time I read a chapter book printed in color ink with color illustrations. It was a treat to read. The story began deceptively simply, took plenty of unexpected twists, and had a deeply satisfactory ending. I am looking forward to reading this one aloud someday. I could compare it to My Father's Dragon, but the characterizations are somewhat more complex.

I listened to Homer P. Figg on audiobook earlier last year and absolutely fell in love. Much like Christopher Paul Curtis's books, it drew me in, made me laugh and then kicked me in the stomach. The battle scenes are brutal and memorable. I loved the side stories as well - it felt like a real adventure. My historical fiction buffs are going to eat this one up.

I was not at all surprised by the Caldecotts, but I felt sad that there were so many strong, engaging books this year that were not recognized. My sixty second grade students are in the middle of their Mock Caldecott, and I must say Lion and the Mouse got only three votes; All The World got fewer and I don't think Red Sings got even one. I do think they are beautiful books, but the child appeal is not as strong as it could have been.

I look forward to reading others' comments.

-Maggi Idzikowski Media Specialist Allen Elementary School, Ann Arbor MI librarymaggi_at_gmail.com Blogging with my 3-year-old at http://mamalibrarian.blogspot.com/
Received on Mon 25 Jan 2010 04:58:51 PM CST