Steven Engelfried

As part of our monthly look at the Newbery's 100th Anniversary, we're asking readers to weigh in on the books and authors that have never been awarded the Newbery Medal. Cast your vote in three polls, then let us know why you believe your choices might have deserved Newbery recognition.

The post Flashback Friday: Never Won a Newbery appeared first on Heavy Medal.

Three excellent authors revisit events from their own childhoods, which include the complications of 8th grade in the 1980s, a young artist's life in the USSR, and a combustible case of sibling rivalry. All three books could be worthy additions to this year's Mock Newbery discussion.

The post Reader-Character-Author Connections: Autiobiographical Possibilities for the Newbery Medal appeared first on Heavy Medal.

2021 may be the year of the ghost in children's literature. Several of the year's best books prominently feature supernatural elements that are employed in highly original ways that lead to fresh explorations of racism, gender identity, self esteem and other topics that we don't often play a part in ghost stories...though we might expect them in Newbery Medal contenders.

The post Ghostly Appearances in the Newbery Conversation appeared first on Heavy Medal.

In every Newbery year there are a handful of books that I thoroughly enjoy, yet don't consider award-worthy. It's possible that some or all of these deserve a closer look...

The post Nice, But Not For Newbery…or Are They? appeared first on Heavy Medal.

It's time to nominate! Select your top three children's books of the year and add them to our October nominations list. The nominations list will reveal which books Heavy Medal readers support most strongly as Newbery Medal contenders. We'll add to the list in November and December, but for now, submit your October three by October 9th.

The post October Mock Newbery Nominations: Share your top three appeared first on Heavy Medal.

FALLOUT traces the key events of the beginning of the Cold War with a wide cast of historical figures. GROUND ZERO presents two suspenseful fictional stories, one from 9/11/01 and the other in Afghanistan eighteen years later. Both titles have earned a place in our 2022 Mock Newbery discussion. Will either rise to the top?

The post War and Conflict in Fact and Fiction: FALLOUT and GROUND ZERO appeared first on Heavy Medal.

Short chapter books don't often fare well in the Newbery, but this year might be different. Here are three books for younger readers that may have all of the literary qualities required to emerge as the most distinguished children's book of the year.

The post HARRY, BILLY, and MARISOL: Can these early chapter books contend for the Newbery Medal? appeared first on Heavy Medal.

Join our Mock Newbery discussion as we look at three middle school novels explore themes of racism and bullying, utilizing a variety of forms including free verse, dual narratives, and an eclectic collection of short stories.

The post Standing Up to Bullies and Racism: three possible Newbery contenders appeared first on Heavy Medal.