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It's time to start taking a closer look at the children's books of 2021. Participating in the Mock Newbery is an opportunity to read the newest children’s books and to discuss them with other passionate readers. A letter certifying participation is available for those applying the Mock Newbery program towards professional development.

Program registration: https://tinyurl.com/newbery22

Mock Newbery webpage: http://www.olis.ri.gov/youth/newbery/index.php

Please read at least 10 books for the first meeting. Books that have not been read by half the number of participants at the meeting will not be discussed and will be removed from subsequent lists.

1. 1. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B Alston
   2. Amber and Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz
   3. Ancestor Approved by Cynthia Leitich Smith
   4. Cece Rios and the Devil of Souls by Kaela Rivera
   5. Clues to the Universe by Christina Li
   6. Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli
   7. Down to Earth by Betty Culley
   8. The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
   9. The In-Between by Rebecca Ansari
   10. Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt
   11. The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm
   12. Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly
   13. Middletown by Sarah Moon
   14. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
   15. The Raconteur's Commonplace Book: A Greenglass House Story by Kate Milford
   16. Red White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
   17. Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen
   18. Root Magic by Eden Royce
   19. Starfish by Lisa Fipps
   20. Strong Like the Sea by Wendy S. Swore
   21. Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
   22. Ways to Grow Love by Renee Watson
   23. The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold
       

This year's Mock Newbery discussions will be held using Zoom. We will experiment with polling apps such as Slido, Polly, etc. for determining which titles should be dropped or stay on the list for voting in January. We'll use the app that works best for real time voting in January.

We'll also be using the RI Mock Newbery Goodreads Group to discuss each of the titles on the first reading a list. A thread is being created for each title and we'll use the comments from the Goodreads discussions as a springboard for our virtual discussions. Start out by introducing yourself in the Introduction thread! Not a member of the group? Click the button below to join now!

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in the United States during the preceding year. The Award is restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United States.

Criteria:
1. In identifying "Distinguished Writing" in a book for children,

a. Committee members need to consider the following:

• Interpretation of the theme or concept

• Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization

• Development of a plot

• Delineation of characters

• Delineation of setting

• Appropriateness of style

Note: Because the literary qualities to be considered will vary depending on content, the committee need not expect to find excellence in each of the named elements. The book should, however, have distinguished qualities in all of the elements pertinent to it.

b. Committee members must consider excellence of presentation for a child audience.

2. Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

3. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.

Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for literary quality and quality presentation for children. The award is not for didactic content or popularity.

Adopted by the ALSC Board, January 1978. Revised, Midwinter 1987. Revised, Annual 2008.

Email: danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov
Website: http://www.olis.ri.gov/youth/newbery/index.php
Location: RI Office of Library and Information Services, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Phone: 401-574-5309
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olisri
Twitter: @olisri