Comments for Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog

Comment on Shelf of Shame by Myra from GatheringBooks

Myra from GatheringBooks — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:29:28 +0000

Hi Jonathan, I am a lurker of your incisive and well-thought-out blog posts (and linked to a few of your reviews too). I thought might as well leave a comment. I’ve read The Witch of Blackbird Pond a few years back and remembered being moved by it. I have also recently bought quite a number of Virginia Hamilton titles so I shall join you in your quest of reading more of her books. I don’t have the titles you have here though. I have just looked through my shelves and the titles I currently own are: A White Romance and The Mystery of Drear House. Another author I am interested to know more this year would be Jacqueline Woodson. I have her Feathers and Locomotive.

Comment on 2013 Newbery Reading List by Want to start reading for next year’s Newberys? | Children's Desk

Want to start reading for next year’s Newberys? | Children's Desk — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:22:57 +0000

[...] 2013 Reading List from SLJ [...]

Comment on Shelf of Shame by Colby Sharp

Colby Sharp — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:44:41 +0000

Last year I read all 3 of Jennifer Holm’s Newbery Honor books as well The Trouble with May Amelia. It was a great experience.

Comment on Wonderstruck by Book Talk Tuesday: Awed by Brian Selznick’s Wonderstruck «

Book Talk Tuesday: Awed by Brian Selznick’s Wonderstruck « — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:05:49 +0000

[...] of stunning black and white artwork that is the trademark of Selznick. In the review written by Jonathan Hunt for School Library Journal, he described it as such: The first textual chapter is 12 pages long, the subsequent visual chapter [...]

Comment on 2013 Newbery Reading List by Allison

Allison — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:40:29 +0000

I’m listening to THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE on audio, and my gut reaction is: instant Newbery! I haven’t finished it, so of course I should reserve judgement, but it’s just SO good, I can’t help but get a little enthusiastic.

Ahem.

Can’t wait for PALACE OF STONE!

And as others have mentioned, we have another Grace Lin book to look forward to this Fall- THE STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY, a companion to her Newbery Honor winning WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. And that’s in addition to DUMPLING DAYS, published in January of this year. The strongest volume of the charming “Year of” series yet, in my opinion!

Comment on Small Press Newbery by Rhemalda Publishing

Rhemalda Publishing — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:18:07 +0000

I agree with you that it is refreshing to see the works from small presses succeed.

Newbery has had quite a few successes and I am glad to see it.

Treasury of Greek Mythology and Eddie’s War both look intriguing, I will have to check them out. Thank you for bringing them to my attention.

Comment on 2013 Newbery Reading List by We’ve Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson | Biblio Links

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:05:25 +0000

[...] [...]

Comment on Susan Cooper by Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:13:05 +0000

Yes, Connie, I noticed it was dedicated to Jonathan–but not until I reread it as an adult. How perfect for the subset of Susan Cooper fans fortunate enough to be named Jonathan! Thanks for sharing your experience with your son. I, too, really love DREAMS AND WISHES–and look forward to her speech!

Comment on Susan Cooper by Connie Rockman

Connie Rockman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:16:25 +0000

I remember vividly my first time reading The Dark Is Rising. I was a relatively new librarian and this was the first fantasy that came close to matching my adoration of Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain series. I took it home to my son whose birthday is on the winter solstice and he read it during that Christmas break when he turned 11 just as Will did – how’s that for serendipity? The fact that Susan dedicated that book to her son Jonathan (did you notice that, J. Hunt?) and my son’s name is also Jonathan – well, that was icing on a very delicious cake.

I’ve used Dreams and Wishes: Essays on Writing for Children during all my years of teaching children’s and adolescent lit. to make non-fantasy readers understand the power and purity of fine fantasy. Susan’s essays on writing fantasy – and especially her Newbery speech for The Grey King – are the best I have ever found. Her Edwards speech with be a knock-out, I promise!

Comment on 2013 Newbery Reading List by Sondy

Sondy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:25:57 +0000

I actually read Gary Schmidt’s older book, Straw Into Gold, before any of the Newbery-Honored ones. It’s fantasy, a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, and very good. So I’m excited about this one!