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Award predictions

01/24/2009
What an exciting past week, no matter what your passion!
What an exciting past week, no matter what your passion! Whether it be something with lasting historical value, such as the inauguration, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, or something more lighthearted like the teams to be playing in the Super Bowl, or the Oscar nominations, everyone surely had something to get excited about.

Librarians are beginning to arrive at their Midwinter conference to continue the excitement into the world of children’s literature, when the “Academy Awards of Children’s Literature” are announced Monday morning.

Just like football teams, and Oscar nominations, those in the know love to make predictions. Of course, very very few of us, if any, will have read the volume of books at the intensity that those on an award committee do. But it’s still fun to make your opinion known.

One of the first books I read this year has stayed with me all year as the biggest Newbery contender. Waiting for Normal is the story of 12-year old Addie, who lives in a trailer with her “Mommers” who has just divorced Addie’s stepfather. Mommers is inattentive to say the least, and Addie really raises herself, even as she creates a makeshift family. Leslie Connor lets the story unfold slowly and organically, much like real life. There is suspense, and sadness but ultimately happiness.

I can’t wait to hear the announcement of what our voraciously reading committee members pick! And this year, I’m on the
Robert F. Sibert medal committee for best informational book, and I can’t wait to see what our committee picks as well! Tune in Monday.