The Hour Approaches–Our Newbery Predictions!

Next Monday, Jan. 25, during its annual Midwinter Conference (which is virtual like everything else this year) the American Library Association will announce the winners of the most coveted awards in children’s literature. There are several categories, but the oldest and most prestigious is the John Newbery Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature. We’ll let you know the actual winners on Monday, but we also like to try our hand at predicting. So, with a spin to the Wheel of Fortune . . .  

Janie: I look to current social and political trends to make my guesses, though that’s not always reliable. Each year’s Newbery committee is notoriously quirky! Still, what else have we got to go on? I consider these to be the most likely:

• Stamped, by Reynolds & Kendi, is certain to win at least honor status in nonfiction (such as the Sibert Medal) as well as Coretta Scott King. But given the focus on race relations and other reinterpretations of history like the 1619 Project, I think it has a real shot at the Newbery, too. Also, even though the ALA has handed Jason Reynolds two silver medals, he’s so far missed gold. The committee may decide it’s about time.
• When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller. I just have a feeling about this one, partly because it crosses the intersectional lines of feminism, racial identity, and LGBT (though the latter is not the main focus).
• King and the Dragonflies addresses racial identity and LGBT, so that’s a real possibility too. I think it’s more likely to win silver than gold, because it’s already won the National Book Award for its category. NBA winners generally don’t achieve the ALA top spot. (The same author published a YA book last year and might be awarded a Prinz as compensation.)
• Fighting Words is a strong contender, even though Kimberly Brubaker Bradley won a silver medal a few years ago. Previous wins are not always a consideration—in fact, I’m not sure if they ever are. Two other novels on a similar theme might have a chance also: Chirp and A Game of Fox and Squirrels.
• The List of Things that Will Not Change has actually gathered more starred reviews than any of the above, but the theme seems rather retro to me: divorce and same-sex marriage. (Admittedly, it’s a sad state of affairs when either of those seems retro!)

What would I like to see on the list? Everything Sad Is Untrue for the gold. Here in the Real World, Things Seen from Above, and We Could Be Heroes for silver.

Betsy: Like many of you, my reading during 2020 looked very different from normal. My library was closed for more than 5 months, and it is still only open for curb-side pickup. As a result, I didn’t read very many new releases. I feel less equipped than usual to make Newbery predictions. That being said, here are my thoughts (which bear a marked similarity to Janie’s!):

• The List of Things That Will Not Change: I think this will get some attention for sure. It’s a much gentler (and less controversial) treatment than some of the other LGBTQ-themed “buzz” books, and it’s the most well-written from a literary standpoint. Stead has earned gold before, but it’s not unheard of for an author to win more than once (e. l. konigsburg, Lois Lowry, Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Paterson, Elizabeth George Speare, and Joseph Krumgold all won more than once). That being said, I don’t see this book as “the” winner, but I’m expecting to hear it awarded an honor for something!
• King and the Dragonflies: It’s hard to think of a book that covers more hot topics in one place. That’s partly why I don’t think this will win the big one (it suffers literarily from tackling too many things in one book), but I think it’s a sure bet that we’ll hear it mentioned in the following categories (maybe all of them!): Stonewall Awards, Newbery, Coretta Scot King.
• Stamped: I also think we’ll hear this one mentioned for Newbery, Sibert, and Coretta Scot King awards. It’s the most provocative of these titles, and that’s not always a good thing for the Newbery committee. Still, it’s a book people won’t be ignoring—not without much debate, I’ll warrant.
• Chirp: This one isn’t being talked about as much, but Messner is a prolific author who is much beloved in the children’s literature community. Chirp is a sweet book and more well-written than King and the Dragonflies, for sure. I’d like to see it get some attention, but I don’t think it quite has “winner quality.”

What would I like to see win? Honestly, I read so little new material this past year that I’d love to see a lineup of really stellar reads that I can then put on my library hold list and enjoy in February!