Maud Hart Lovelace Award Winners and New Nominees

On Saturday I attended the MN Youth Reading Awards event to announce the winners of the Maud Hart Lovelace Award.  I've gone now for three years in a row, and this year I really tried to encourage kids to read the Maud Hart Lovelace nominees so they could vote. I plan on doing even more this year.

So on to the winners!

I was actually surprised by the winner in Division 1. Not because I didn't like it! But I just didn't have as many kids read it. But when I thought about the fact that this division is for grades 3-5, and voted on by the kids, then it made perfect sense! 

I was not at all surprised by the winner for this category.  So many kids read, and loved, A Night Divided.  I was super happy to see Ghost as an honor title! 

Now the nominees for next year.

Division 1 Grades 3-5

I'm excited about Framed! and Towers Falling! Oh and Amina's Voice! (I won a drawing at the event and got to pick a book - that's the one I picked!)

Division 2 Grades 6-8

I've had so many kids read Refugee and love it. Plus many have read Terror at Bottle Creek! I'm excited for Piecing Me Together. 

Have you read any of these?  Any you're interested in?

Audiobook Review: Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Title: Book Scavenger

Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Narrator: Jessica Almasy 

A hidden book. A found cipher. A game begins . . . .

Twelve-year-old Emily is on the move again. Her family is relocating to San Francisco, home of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger, a game where books are hidden all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles. But Emily soon learns that Griswold has been attacked and is in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold and leads to a valuable prize. But there are others on the hunt for this book, and Emily and James must race to solve the puzzles Griswold left behind before Griswold's attackers make them their next target.   

One sentence review: For book lovers, this is a fantastic book, but also a great story about leaning into your circumstances. 

Best stick-with-you image: The bookstore that James and Emily visit.  Wish I had one like it near me! 

Thoughts on the audiobook: Very well done.  Lots of voices to differentiate, and she did a great job! 

Final Thoughts: I've been selling this one to all my huge readers knowing they'd love the concept.  They have! 

My 12-year-old self LOVED this book.  It had everything I would've loved as a 12-year-old.  It had books! Lots and lots of books.  And it had a game where you hide and find books! AND it had a mystery.  All those pieces were fantastically fit together to make a fun story that had laughter, tension, mystery and just plain fun.  I've been reading some super serious books lately and it was so great to listen to this book and just have it for enjoyment.  Not to say there wasn't some seriousness in it.  Emily has a learn how to be a good friend, and she's struggling with accepting her families lifestyle.  Her family moves a ton because her parents are on a mission to live in all 50 states.  This had gotten hard on Emily.  So yes some bigger topics, but it's also just fun and enjoyable.  I loved trying to figure out everything with Emily and James.  It really pulled me into the story even more.  I had a few things figured out before them but not all.  

Can I just say that I loved the story part of the story with Emily's brother Matthew? He's pretty cool.  I really liked how he explained to Emily how he came to accept all their moving.  He talked about leaning into the experience and how he realized he'd miss things staying and moving.  It was a great perspective.  Plus I loved his obsession with a band named Flush. 

I did have an issue with the parents moving the kids around so much - especially as they got older.  It seemed selfish.  I will say that was address to my satisfaction.  Thankfully.

Great book that I'll continue to hand sell! 

Book Review: The Nest by Kenneth Oppel

Title: The Nest
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Copy Obtained: Purchased

About the Book From Goodreads
For some kids summer is a sun-soaked season of fun. But for Steve, it’s just another season of worries. Worries about his sick newborn baby brother who is fighting to survive, worries about his parents who are struggling to cope, even worries about the wasp’s nest looming ominously from the eaves. So when a mysterious wasp queen invades his dreams, offering to “fix” the baby, Steve thinks his prayers have been answered.

All he has to do is say “Yes.” But “yes” is a powerful word. It is also a dangerous one. And once it is uttered, can it be taken back?

One sentence review: What an odd little book!
Best for readers who: Ok with books that don't follow normal rules of storytelling and reality.  
Best Stick-with-You Image: The description of the wasps
Library Thoughts: I have two copies in the library because it's a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee this year.  I know several kids have read it, but it's a harder sell.  

I'm not even sure where to start with this review.  I didn't hate the book - I really didn't.  It was very interesting, and it really kept me enthralled.  But it's definitely not a book for everyone.  It has the qualities of mystical realism.  At points, I wasn't sure what to believe if anything!  And then I questioned why any of the events in the story were happening at all.  I've actually kept thinking about, and I finished the book over a month ago!  I can see that Steve is supposed to learn from the events, and I know he did.  And what he learned has stuck with me - and made me continue to think about it.  But in the same breath, I just keep thinking - "What an odd little book!".  I know this is a really vague review, but so much of it, you just need to experience yourself.  

I did like the characters.  Steve was great. He was the right mix of brave and confused and innocent.  I loved his growth, and that was the best part. 

Over-all it's a book I'll need to hand sell to students I know will "get" it.  

Side-note: If you don't like wasps this could be a tough book for you!  My daughter who is really afraid of them won't even think about reading the book! 

Book Review: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Title: Ghost
Author: Jason Reynolds
Copy Obtained: Bought

About the Book From Goodreads
Running. That's all that Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But never for a track team. Nope, his game has always been ball. But when Ghost impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race -- and wins -- the Olympic medalist track coach sees he has something: crazy natural talent. Thing is, Ghost has something else: a lot of anger, and a past that he is trying to outrun. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed and meld with the team, or will his past finally catch up to him?

Short Version: A quick read that had a lot going on! I want to know more and want to read the rest of the books! 

Long Version: First of all I'm so happy to have a series that includes track! I know a lot of kids that are runners, and it's not easy to find books that including track! But the best part - if they read it because it has track/running in it - they'll also get a great story.  About that story - I really liked Ghost (the character).  Did I want to shake him?  Yes.  Did he frustrate me? Several times! Was I proud of him? 100%!!! I so felt for Ghost and all that he's been through.  I can't even begin to say I know what he's going through because I've never been through anything even remotely close.  I do know that his life was shaken to the core and that I can relate to.  As a teacher, I completely bought into him.  I've had kids hurting that much and acting out that much.  They worried me because I didn't know how they would turn out - if they'd find some way to turn around.  I felt that a lot for Ghost.  And honestly - I don't know 100% if he will yet! I want to see more of him in the rest of the series.  I know they focus on the other runners, but I'm sure I'll see a little more about how he's doing. 

I need to comment on Ghost's family.  They were fantastic.  I loved how strong and loving his mom was.  And I loved how he had other family members there supporting him as well.  You don't always see that in books.  So many times we see absentee parents.  That wasn't the case here.  

I truly can't wait to read the next books.  Reynolds does a wonderful job of creating characters that make me care about them.  

Best stick-with-you image: When he runs out of school after the students start laughing at him.  So painfully realistic.  
Best for readers who: Like running and for readers who feel lost, angry or frustrated.  This can help them see there is a place for them.  

Library Thoughts: For sure! So many kids can relate to Ghost! 

Audiobook Review: Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Title: Crenshaw

Author: Katherine Applegate

Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

What a great little book! I had seen this book around and thought it looked interesting.  When it appeared on the Maud Hart Lovelace list, I knew it was time to read it.  Well in this case - to listen to it.  I'm very glad that I did.  It's the story of a young boy whose family is facing being homeless again.  To help him cope with this his imaginary friend reappears - Crenshaw.  I loved Crenshaw.  He made me laugh, he made me cry a little and he gave hope.  He appears to help Jackson "tell the truth". As the reader and an adult, I pretty much knew the truth he needed to admit to, but watch Jackson learn this himself was so well done.  I can see kids gain the understanding that Jackson gains.  I can also see kids learning about being homeless and what that means.  That is the true heart of this book - helping kids learn about homelessness.  It's not the image they might have.  People who are homeless might look just like students they sit next to in class.  What a strong understanding to gain.  This book handles the fact of being homeless in a perfect way for kids because it shows them how it doesn't happen all of a sudden.  And it doesn't happen because you are a "bad" person.  We talk so much about books needing to be mirrors and windows.  This is strong as both.  For the kids in my school it would be a window into a world they don't know a lot about.  But it would be such a great mirror for kids in the same place as Jackson's family.  Well done.

Thoughts on the audiobook: I really enjoyed the audiobooks.  The narrator did a fantastic job bringing Crenshaw to life! That was the strongest part of the reading for me! 

Final Thoughts: Loved it.  So glad I finally read it. 

Thoughts on the library: Yes! for the reasons I talked about above.  

Maud Hart Lovelace Winner Announced!

Yesterday MYRA (MN Youth Reading Awards) announced the winners of the Maud Hart Lovelace award.  I love this award because it's based on kids' favorites.  
They read.  They vote! 

The announcement we held at The Red Balloon bookstore.  My son came with and we got our picture taken!

And here are the winners! 

(Division 1 is grades 3-5 and Division 2 is grades 6-8)

My students were in love with The War that Saved My Life and Beneath.  And of course, we loved Turn Left at the Cow because of its Minnesota connection.  

They also announced the nominees for next year.  Here they are:

What have you read of these??? I know I've got some reading to do now! 

Images are taken from MYRA