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The American children’s chapter book Newbery award winner for 2017 is The Girl Who Drank the Moonby Kelly Barnhill, a beautiful fairy tale of sorts about a good witch who protects children, a bad witch who feeds off sorrow, a special girl named Luna, Luna’s imprisoned magical mother, and a woodcarver out for justice. It’s fabulous and my daughter’s favorite book in the last year. See my review here.
Three Newbery Honor Books were named as well:
The free verse poems in Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brough to Lifeby Ashley Bryan tell the stories of the people on a slave plantation– the owner and her eleven slaves. Although their powerful stories are invented by the author, they are based on slave auction documents. Bryan uses collages and paintings in a dramatic way that add much to her writing.
Equal parts historical, fantasy and adventure, The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dogby Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly is a most amazing story about faith, prejudice, and friendship. Read my review here.
Wolf Hollowby Lauren Wolk is one that I skipped reading because I wanted something less dark at the time. It’s on my to-read pile for when I’m up for it. Set in Pennsylvania in 1943, it’s a story of bullying, a mysterious disappearance, and hope.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
illustrated by Javaka Steptoe is the winner for the Caldecott award for illustration. The illustrations are painted (and collaged) on found wood and are EPIC! You could frame every single page! The story is about the sometimes challenging young life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. ( Best Biographies for Black History Month)
Four other books were named Caldecott Honor Books:
Funny, sweet, and relatable to any harried caregiver, Leave Me Alone! illustrated and written by Vera Brosgol, is one of my new must-own picture book favorites of 2016! My review here.
During the horrors of slavery, one day slaves could gather in New Orleans to dance, sing, and set up market. Freedom in Congo Squareillustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford depicts the weekdays and the countdown until Sunday. The folk-art illustrations match the text perfectly.
illustrated and written by Carson Ellis is written in a made-up language with, as you might imagine, gorgeous illustrations which tell the story of a group of bugs. It’s delightful! Read my review here.
illustrated and written by Brendan Wenzel is one of my favorite picture books of 2016and all time! It’s such a wonderful book about perspective taking as we watch the different creatures see the cat in their own unique ways. My review here.
The 2018 Newbery Medal winner is the book Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. I read it and didn’t even post a review because I didn’t find it compelling. Now that it’s awarded a Newbery (and has many starred reviews), I assume I’m in the minority with this opinion. Did I read it on a bad day? Whatever the case, I’m still puzzled by this choice.
The story is about a boy named Virgil who, along with his backpack and guinea pig, gets stuck at the bottom of a forest well thanks to the actions of a mean-spirit bully. A so-called psychic girl, her little sister, and a lonely neighbor team up to eventually find and rescue Virgil. The book ends with the possibility of new friendships.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cutby Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Sitting on the barber’s chair, a young boy reflects on how, when he leaves, he’ll feel like royalty. Not to mention, people will take notice of his fresh cut — his teachers, his mom, and the girls in his class. Because he’ll be looking good. The author transports readers into this boy’s shoes as he celebrates his cool cut, the men around him on the chair, and the barber who cuts his hair. Rhythmic, vibrant words plus bold, oil painting illustrations give this barbershop experience a swagger of it’s own. (See also: Favorite Children’s Picture Books with Diverse Main Characters.)
Long Way Downby Jason Reynolds
I haven’t read this YA novel yet — have you? It’s about a 15-year old boy who is after revenge for his brother’s murder. He’s on an elevator ride that as people step on, reveals new, unexpected details about what happened to his brother.
Piecing Me Togetherby Renée Watson
This is a thought-provoking, coming-of-age, discovering-who-you-are-as-a-woman-of-color story.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Denene Millner Books)
(*Three of my favorite books from 2017that I would have picked for 2018 Newbery books were The Hate U Give, See You in the Cosmos, and Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus .)
The beautiful, heart-warming picture book, Wolf in the Snow written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell, won the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book. It’s a visually stunning masterpiece about a girl in a bright red coat who leaves school in a worsening snow storm. The girl gets lost as does a wolf cub. The girl finds the wolf and carries him toward the distant howling of his pack. It’s a beautiful moment of reuniting the pup with his pack followed by despair as the girl collapses, freezing and lost. The wolves gather around the girl, howling to alert her people. Yes! The girl is found and reunited with her family. She returns home to snuggle by the fire with her parents and dog.
Big Cat, Little Catby Elisha Cooper
This is the story of the friendship between two cats, the grief when one dies, and the healing as life continues. It’s deftly told in simple black-and-white illustrations with minimal text, capturing symbolism, evoking emotions and prompting reflection and discussion. (See also: Picture Books about Death and Grief.)
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cutillustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes
(see description above)
A Different Pondillustrated by Thi Bui, written by Bao Phi
Step into the shoes of a young boy who wakes up early to go fishing with his dad. As they fish for their dinner that evening, Bao helps his dad build a fire and put the fish in a bucket. While they’re together, Bao’s dad remembers fishing in a pond in his home country of Vietnam. The blue-black illustrations and precise prose help us feel the stillness of the early morning hours and the strong bond between father and son. Later that night, the entire family gathers together to eat the morning’s catch. This moving autobiographical picture book of an immigrant family gives us much to appreciate and ponder. (Also read: Children’s Books about Immigration.)
Grand Canyonby Jason Chin
I love the way Chin uses illustrated insets and borders — it catches the reader’s attention. This nonfiction picture book is perfect for elementary readers learning about the wondrous world of the Grand Canyon. We read about the plants, animals, and geology — with just the right amount of text per page — as we follow a girl and her dad walking through the canyon. Lovely.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Denene Millner Books)
注：作者M(jìn)elissa Taylor, mom, writer, and former elementary teacher & literacy trainer.
文章鏈接：https://imaginationsoup.net/
2012
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