2009 Newbery Winner
Have you read it yet?
An unusual premise and setting, yet author Neil Gaiman had me convinced of the world he created in The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins Publisher, 2008). He breaks one of the unwritten rules of children’s literature–start with your main character. Neil started with the villain. Well, actually he started with the weapon. Listen to this first sentence: “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.”
Hey, that’s passive writing, but doesn’t it work? Aren’t you nervous about what’s going to happen? I was. And the villain is horrible, has done horrible things and is now after a baby!
I’m not going to tell you anything else, because you really ought to read it! But I will tell you Neil’s website: www.neilgaiman.com. And his blog about receiving the award. And a link to the youtube video with Steven Cobear in case you missed any of that.
Enjoy!
P.S. FYI – Neil’s twitter name is neilhimself.
Category: MG Novels
middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)
The Gollywhopper Games
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Chasing Vermeer…
Like solving puzzles? The fun of a contest? Honesty winning out? Then check out Jody Feldman‘s The Gollywhopper Games (Greenwillow 2008).
Gil Goodson’s dad was fired from the Golly Toy and Game Company for embezzling and life has been terrible in Orchard Heights ever since. If Gil can win the Gollywhopper Games competition, the family will have the money to move away. Gil’s been studying the company’s history and merchandise, but first he has to get in to the contest.
Read about this Missouri author at her site, plus get a chance to play some games.
Keeping Score
Keeping Score (Clarion 2008) by Linda Sue Park gives a view into the world of Brooklyn in the 1950s.
Maggie, named after Joe DiMaggio, is a Dodger’s Fan along with the rest of her neighborhood. She becomes friends with Jim, the new fireman at the station who is “gasp” a Giant’s fan. When Jim goes off to the Korean conflict, Maggie writes letters and sends him games she’s scored.
But then Jim quits writing back . . .
This book not only kept my attention, but I also felt I learned some history in a very painless fashion.
Linda Sue Park is a Newbery Medalist for A Single Shard. Check out her website to learn more.
Ways to Live Forever
What’s it like to die? To have questions no one wants to answer? To have goals you know you’ll never be able to accomplish? But Sam’s friend Felix challenges Sam that there’s no reason he can’t try to accomplish those things.
Ways to Live Forever (Arthur A. Levine Books 2008) by Sally Nicholls is a touching and memborable story written in journal format.
I find myself jealous of this skilled author since she was only 23 when she wrote the book. On the other hand, that means she has a long and successful career ahead of her, so there will be more for us to read. Read about this English author at http://www.sallynicholls.com/
The Postcard
What kid hasn’t wanted to find something mysterious and solve the mystery? Jason in The Postcard (Little, Brown 2008) by Tony Abbott has just that opportunity. His grandmother, whom he’s never met, has died and Jason has to go to Florida to help his father. Jason not only solves the mystery of the hidden postcard, but understands more about what is going on in his own family in this story.
Read more about this award winning author at his website: www.tonyabbottbooks.com. Here’s also an interview with him.