Join us for four spirited hours of debate and voting on the best children's book of the year! Interested? Here's what to do.

First, read all 8 books on our shortlist--

CLEMENTINE AND THE SPRING TRIP by Sara Pennypacker

ERUPTION! by Elizabeth Rusch

FAR FAR AWAY by Tom McNeal

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHALE by Julie Fogliano

P.S. BE ELEVEN by Rita Williams-Garcia

THE THING ABOUT LUCK by Cynthia Kadohata

THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP by Kathi Appelt

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS by Joyce Sidman

Second, follow the conversation on the Heavy Medal blog.

Third, read the Newbery terms and criteria.

And finally, e-mail me (Jonathan Hunt) at hunt_yellow@yahoo.com to let me know that you're planning to attend.