100 Scope Notes Predictions: Children’s Lit Awards
How hard would it be to choose these awards? I’m still a youngster when it comes to the field of librarianship (3.5 years and going strong!), so excuse my wide-eyed flabbergastedness, but trying to nail down some likely candidates for the upcoming childrens lit awards is like trying to choose between Swiss Cake Rolls and Nutty Bars – even if you choose the Nutty, you’re still passing up something special. But those who participate have the most fun. So it is with an open heart and an empty stomach that I say unto thee:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Here are my wildly subjective and off-base picks for children’s lit glory*.
Newbery Medal
“Elijah of Buxton” By Christopher Paul Curtis.
Recently on “I Love the 80’s” someone said of the movie Amadeus: “It’s like the film was engineered to win Oscars”. Well, I get the same feeling when discussing “Elijah”. Except, not Oscars.
Newbery Honor
“Feathers” By Jacqueline Woodson.
This title just keeps popping up all over the place. Bound to bring home bacon.
Caldecott Medal
“The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain” By Peter Sis.
Hard to deny this one folks. It’s unique, personal, and was created by a giant in the field who has yet to win the big one.
Caldecott Honor
This book received more critical love than you might think. Don’t count out “Leaves” to pick up some hardware.
I just have a feeling about this one. Do you ever wonder if Caldecott placement is taken into account when designing cover art? Well I don’t think so either (nervous laugh). But wouldn’t that honor medal look nice sitting right in that top right corner? You can’t deny THAT, right?
Be sure to tune in for the awards announcement live on January 14th 2008 at 7:45 am to find out the true winners. Good luck to all.
*Not really. I based my picks on two criteria: personal opinion and critical success.
Filed under: Articles
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SLJ Blog Network
Myrick Marketing Publisher Preview Spring/Summer 2025: Part Four Featuring TOON Books, Walker Books, What On Earth Books, Albatros, and Barefoot Books
The Cartoonists Club | Review
30 Contenders? Our Updated Mock Newbery List
When Book Bans are a Form of Discrimination, What is the Path to Justice?
Take Five: Trans and Nonbinary Characters in 2025 Middle Grade Novels
ADVERTISEMENT
Another book cover that has a just itching for an award look to it is Hugo Cabret. Wouldn’t a nice circular award on the left side be a perfect balance to the moon on the right side?
And I would love to see Pssst! honored too. Although, I’d probably put the award underneath Adam Rex’s name.
-Susan
Ha, yes it would look good there too! All the more reason to give the honor, right?
I love your predictions. I never guess correctly.
Thanks! I guess we’ll see soon if any of these turn out be true. I think the committee members have some tough choices to make.