Thinking about the Newbery, Caldecott, et al.

Monday January 27th the ALA Youth Media Award winners will be announced. I don't know about you, but I certainly plan to watch the webcast.

I wanted to write a post about my predictions before the event on the off chance some of my predictions might come true. I guess I should call them more wishes than predictions since I am far from an expert in what award committees might choose.

Caldecott prediction:

Journey by Aaron Becker
Out of all my predictions, I think this book has the greatest chance of winning. It certainly has the most buzz, and I think the unusual yet familiar premise has allowed readers to embrace it so willingly.

Here is a list of other books I think have a chance:

The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline 
Locomotive by Brian Floca

Moonday by Adam Rex
The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman

I actually have quite a lengthy list of other possibilities but I'm just going to leave it at these five.


Newbery Prediction:

The Real Boy by Anne Ursu
This is the book I would most love to see win for the simple fact that I think Anne Ursu is a beautiful representative of all that is good and kind in a children's book author, and I just really want it for her.


A couple other predictions/wishes:

 Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Every Day After by Laura Golden

I could also see The Real Boy or Counting By 7s winning a Schneider Family Book Award as well.


Printz Wish/Prediction:

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
This is my emotional favorite to win for the simple fact that I love Ruta Sepetys's writing. I was worried after her emotional powerhouse Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy would disappoint, but it certainly did not.

Other books I hope might win:

Reality Boy by A.S. King
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein


Coretta Scott King Predictions:

Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson
Both of these books are beautiful enough to be Caldecott material, but I will be shocked if one or both doesn't walk away with a Coretta Scott King nod.
 

A book I have no idea what award it might win, but I still hope it will win one:
 
Bluffton by Matt Phelan
Graphic novels are tricky. I could certainly see how it could win a Caldecott award (though with such a strong field of picture books this year, I have a feeling the committee won't consider a graphic novel) but could it also be Newbery material too? I have no idea. Which is why I'm putting it down here by itself and just hoping it will win something.