Announcing the 2012 Middle Grade Fiction Nerdies
I feel blessed to be able to spend my days talking middle grade fictions with fourth graders in my classroom. I’ve spent the discussing the books with my students that won 2011 Nerdies. Is Origami Yoda real? – is a conversation that students regularly discusss. What would you wish for if you had a magic bread box? -every fourth grader loves thinking about their answer. What did you think about how the two stories came together in Wonderstruck? – Wow! is a common response to that question.
My students and I have spent the first half of the school year falling in love with the books that, today, are being named Nerdie winners. It should be no surprise. Isn’t falling in love with books what Nerdy Book Club is all about?
The One and Only Ivan
By: Katherine Applegate
Harper Collins
I feel like I could write a 30-page single-spaced essay on how much I love this book. But let me just say this, most of all: I respect the pacing of this book with every core of my being. It moves so gently, and so slowly, in a way that I haven’t encountered in a MG book before. And it so totally works. And the exact day that my 6-year-old said, “I’m wondering if anything exciting is going to happen in this book,” Ruby the elephant showed up (and so it got exciting). It was heartbreaking and beautiful. My 8-year-old said, “I like how what it says on the back — ‘I am Ivan. I’m a gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks” — is like a perfect little poem that describes the book.” There you go
Julie Falatko
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Wonder
By: R.J. Palacio
Knopf Books for Young Readers
At some points during my reading of Wonder I kept thinking what people on Heavy Medal would say about the book. It felt like I was looking for the book’s weakness. Probably has something to do with the fact that I read it Newbery weekend. Thankfully, I was able to remind myself that Newbery really doesn’t mean as much as some(me) make it out to be. My job isn’t to look for faults in a book. My job is to enjoy the story, savor the message, and fall in love with the characters.
This book is amazing, and everyone should read it. I had to stop with 3 pages left because I was sobbing. The thought of the book ending broke my heart. Three days later I was able to finish this 5 star read.
Me
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Liar & Spy
By Rebecca Stead
Wendy Lamb Books
An wonderful MG book that I look forward to recommending! It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite childhood books, Harriet the Spy. Stead is a fabulous story teller and makes you feel like you know the characters first hand. The ups and down of life, middle school, friendship, and family relationships are all explored with excellence.
Sherry Gick
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The False Prince
By: Jennifer Nielsen
Scholastic Press
What a fantastic middle grade read! The action begins right from the very first pages and there were many twists and turns that will keep readers hooked to the very end. Lots of action, great dialogue, and plenty of mystery make this a great recommendation for dormant readers…boys or girls! Can’t wait for book 2!
Susan Dee
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One For The Murphys
By: Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Nancy Paulsen Books
I had read 40 pages into ONE FOR THE MURPHYS before I had to leave for family activities yesterday.
So, I picked the book back up, and with a cup of coffee, I sat out on the back deck to read some more.
And then, I ended up finishing the book.
Those in my reading community often wonder what books we will love in the next reading year, and we have certainly had some wonderful titles in 2012 already, but I think ONE FOR THE MURPHYS is a game changer for sure.
Read the reviews. Get a feel for the book. But you won’t know it’s “heart” until you’ve actually read this beautiful book.
For what it’s worth, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS comes with Mr. Hankins’s highest recommendations.
Paul W. Hankins
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Colby Sharp is a fourth grade teacher in Battle Creek, Michigan. He helps out with #Nerdybookclub, #titletalk, and the #sharpschu book club.
LOVE THIS LIST! I love every single one of these books!!! That must be why they won a NERDY! 😉 I am glad I am not on the Newbery committee (touch choices this year)……but I am glad I am a nerd! 🙂
*tough choices 😉
This is a great list! Well done, my fellow Nerdies! I have read and enjoyed every book on this list. I have also book talked every book on this list. I need to hit some of them again and renew the enthusiasm.
No surprises here to anyone who follows Nerdy friends here and on Twitter, but indeed a great list of books! I’m so pleased for Lynda, a Class of 2k12 sibling, especially since ONE FOR THE MURPHYS is her debut-a sign of great things to come from her. And happy to see my own fav book of the year, THE FALSE PRINCE from the lovely Jennifer Nielsen. Congrats to all!
I agree completely about Lynda’s book. It’s wonderful and deserves a spot among these other great titles. Yay!
I have waited all week for this post! I am so thankful “Wonder” made the list. After reading it this summer, I could not wait to share it with my class. About a week and a half after we started it, at least 6 children brought in a copy because my kids wanted to follow along as I read it. That was pretty wonderful!!
Wonder, The One and Only Ivan, and One for the Murphys are my Newbery choices, so I’m so glad they made the Nerdies list! I was also a big fan of The False Prince!
This was a great year for books with heart–I am excited to see what 2013 brings us:)
Heading out to the bookstore today to get One for the Murphys and The False Prince. I love Ivan and Wonder!!
Reblogged this on Digital Media and Me and commented:
Must check these babies out!!
We Nerdys have excellent taste. Strong work. Susan Dee, The Runaway King does not disappoint!
I adored reading each and every book on this list and am currently in the process of finishing The False Prince! Like it’s fellow Nerdy Middle Grade Book Winners, it does not disappoint. The plan is to spend the rest of the snowy New Years Day here in Kansas reading it 🙂
Perfect list! So thrilled to see Lynda’s ONE FOR THE MURPHYS here.
I love the passion of book bloggers. As a bookseller, I appreciate reading your thoughts on books and get a lot of recommendations from you. In turn, I become fans of the books you recommend like “The One and Only Ivan” and “Wonder.” Happy Reading!
Thanks so much, everyone! I am so over-the-top honored, grateful, and humbled to be a Nerdy wInner. So much respect for this community. Also–love every book on this list! Stunning company. Wow! 🙂
It’s a beautiful list, every single one. How can they ever choose? I loved them all, & assume you did, too, Colby. Thanks for all the hard work (if you can call it that). Happy New Year to you, too.
Interesting. A couple of overlaps ith the Cybils’ (www.cybils.com) middle grade lists, which were also announced this week.
Loved all of these, except haven’t read The False Prince yet. Will do soon. Great list, Nerdies!
Loved “When You Reach Me” so I’ll have to get “Liar and Spy!” Thank you!
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