Believe it or not, I was so out of my mind last January, February, and part of March, that I only recently learned that Erin Entrada Kelly won the Newbery Medal in January 2018 for HELLO, UNIVERSE. (For sports fans, I'm from the Philadelphia area and I also didn't know the Eagles won the Superbowl until August 2018, when my husband finally thought to mention it to me. I said to him, "You're kidding, right? You're pulling my leg!")
I'm so embarrassed that I didn't know about this award back in January 2018. In November 2018, I suddenly remembered that I'd never seen the American Library Association's ALSC Book and Media awards, so I looked them up. Imagine my surprise to find out a Philadelphia author won the Newbery (she's a Professor at Rosemont College)! Plus, I've met her in person.
Huge and much-belated congratulations, Erin! It's so well-deserved. An intriguing, thought-provoking novel from four different points of view (even the bully) and the author pulls it off with great mastery. Three tweens have to work together to outsmart the bully and rescue Virgil, an 11-year-old Filipino American, from a well where he's been trapped. The three rescuers are Valencia (a Deaf girl on whom Virgil has a crush), Kaori Tanaka, a would-be fortune teller, and Kaori's sister Gen, her rope-skipping apprentice.
Coincidentally, HELLO, UNIVERSE was the last book I read a few days before my Sept 29, 2017 rupture. So I never got a chance to review it here. If you haven't read it, it's well worth the read.
As for this year's awards, I've only read half the books I normally read in a year, so I'm probably not the best person to make predictions, as I usually do. I'm quite partial to THE BOOK OF BOY by Catherine Gilbert Murdock and JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS by Melissa Sarno. So I'd be happy if either receives even an honor award. But I've heard good things about THE JOURNEY OF LITTLE CHARLIE by Christopher Paul Curtis and THE SEASON OF STYX MALONE by Kekla Magoon.
What are YOUR predictions?
Thanks for reminding me about this past Newbery winner—I missed it too! I’m excited to see the Newbery winners this year—thanks for the predictions!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm sorry I don't know your real name!
DeleteI loved this book but failed to ever find time to write a review. My favorite this year was THE TRUTH AS TOLD BY MASON BUTTLE.
ReplyDeleteI've actually heard of that one, Greg! Good to know. I'll add it to my never-ending list. Thanks!
DeleteI heard Erin won and was excited for her. Glad you are back when you can, Joanne. Hope you have a healthy and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie. Same to you!
DeleteHappy to see you! Sadly, I haven't read "Hello, Universe." I've heard about it, so I need to add it to my list -- especially since it won a Newbery.
ReplyDeleteIt's a gem, Patricia. Hope you get a chance to read it.
DeleteI'm no good with predictions, since I'm always a year or two behind the books! This one sounds delightful though, and your belated congratulations are appreciated I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteWell, only if she sees them! I hear you about always being a year or two behind.
DeleteSo nice to see you back here! I'm glad you are better. I haven't read this book yet. I need to get to it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock. It's such a good book. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosi. Good suggestion!
DeleteWonderful to see you back! I read a few good books this year but I'm terrible at making predictions. I really liked Front Desk. And ooh, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. And The Length of a String. I don't remember their publication dates though. I may be a year behind too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. I read THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL too. That definitely pubbed in 2018, so it's eligible.
DeleteI read it back in the spring, after getting home from the second round of hospital/rehab center, so unfortunately I remember very little of it! I should read it again.
The other two you mentioned came out around the same time, May 2018. Thanks. I'll add them to my TBR.
Joining my voice to all those who are thrilled to have you back blogging, Joanne. I know the past 12 months have been very grueling for you. I send you all my best as you continue your recovery, and hope that 2019 will see you return to full health.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michael! I've actually been back blogging since May 2018, but only once a month (all I can handle) and then I skipped December because there was just too much going on in the Fritz household! It's actually been more than 12 months since my second aneurysm rupture in Sept 2017. Hard to believe!
DeleteI hope to keep up with book reviews for MMGM, but also to eventually talk about other things, and not limit myself to book reviews only.
Hope you've been well.
I have nor read Hello Universe and had forgotten that it got the Newbery (probably because I hadn't read it). After reading your post I have added it to my list. Hopefully I will get to it this year.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to read your blog post. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2019.
~Jess
Thanks, Jess. Now I don't feel so bad that I had no idea it had won in the first place!
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