June
26
POLL: Your Favorite Award-Winning Books
Every summer when the librarians gather for the ALA Annual Conference, the winners of the Youth Media Awards are honored with a whole host of celebrations. (Tonight marks the 2016 Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder Banquet – and even if you’re not there to enjoy it in person, you can probably get a taste of what’s going on by following on Twitter.)
We thought it would be fun for us to share our favorite award-winning titles in today’s poll. Share the title and why it has made such an impression on you in the comments.
Nerdy Book Club 
My favorite book from the 2016 awards is ECHO. The genre mashup: historical fiction-fantasy-fairytale, the suspense, the incredible characterization, and the masterful plot development and the satisfying and surprising ending makes this book truly distinguished.
“The War that Saved My Life,” written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was a touching and beautiful book and an important story for children on so many levels. They will be touched by war, poverty, abuse, history, and love all in one amazing story.
Definitely agree with Carol, also thought Raymie Nightingale was Di’camillo’s best
Wolf Hollow was quite good, different, and I really loved Where You’ll Find Me by Natasha Friend
I would have to say The Giver is my favorite. It introduced me to the Dystopia genre well before its time. Lois Lowery is a genius.
Watsons go to Birmingham
Wonder by R.J. Palacio was a life changing book for me and many of my students. It teaches empathy and the importance of treating all with dignity and respect.
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate will live in my heart always! It is such a touching story of friendship and overcoming adversity. Plus it was the book I used for my very first One Book One School program.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
I loved “Wonder,” but also Gary Schmidt’s “Wednesday Wars,” and let’s not forget “The Moon over Manifest!” All of them were outstanding stories. 🙂
When I read A Wrinkle in Time in 5th grade I felt like an accomplished reader for the first time. I had been a big reader before reading as many Nancy Drew books as I could as well as many other books but A Wrinkle in Time challenged me and took me to a new world. I have loved fantasy and science fiction ever since.
I had the exact same experience! A Wrinkle Time was the first book in which I both discovered science fiction and found myself at the same time!
Thanks for initiating this – great to get another list. I enjoyed Wonder too and would read Moon Over Manifest again. I’m a big fan of Kate DiCamillo – The Magician’s Elephant is a favorite.
My favourite book this year is All American Boys. I think it is a very important book for our times. I think it promotes thoughtful discussion and important discussion.
The War That Saved My Life by far is my favorite. Using it as a read aloud, students felt if Ada can overcome Mam and her club foot, they could overcome anything!
I loved this book, too!! This is a great story, told with a strong voice!
The Bridge to Terabithia. An amazing book.
* no “The” in the title!
* no “The” in the title! Plus an Honor book that could be my all time favorite, Because of Winn-Dixie. And the incredible and incredibly important, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was a life changing book for me, too. I have had my oldest son read it, and I plan to have my youngest son read it, too, when he gets a little older. My 4th grade teacher read it to us and I still remember the story and how it made me feel almost 30 years later.
Have you read the sequel, Amy F., Let the Circle be Unbroken? Also by Mildred Taylor, The Gold Cadillac, The Friendship. As a teacher with over 40 years, I read aloud a lot because I thought that story would have more of an impact than a worksheet, but I incorporated meaningful dialogue, reaction and interaction with the books we shared and the characters we learned to love and learn from. There are more books by this author I need to read. So many books, not enough time ever. Do you read aloud to your kids? I think it is a wonderful thing and wish I had done it more. Jim Trelease’s Read Aloud Handbook, if you don’t know it, is amazing and I believe there is a new edition.
Almost 50 years have passed since I first read A Wrinkle in Time. I still remember the thrill of finding a book that did not fit neatly into any box and opened up new worlds for me.
The Blue Sword. Best female heroine ever!
Walk Two Moons remains my favorite book of all time. It is not only a coming-of-age story, but the ending totally surprised me. I have reread this book so many times and still love it to this day.
I loved The Crossover. When I started looking back through the list to see which other award books from my own childhood stood out (besides, yes, Wrinkle in Time), I was startled to learn that Charlotte’s Web lost out to Secret of the Andes in 1953. Hindsight sure helps with that one!
What fun – I went back over the list today and it was interesting to see which books still hold today. Titles that kids are still reading. I go way back to Old Yeller – an honor book. I started listing and there were just so many. The Giver should be added to the list, Wrinkle in Time for sure. How does not choose a favorite?! Love Last Stop on Market street but Echo and The War that saved my life bring just deep conversations as well.
There are so many it is hard to pick one. ECHO was one of my favorites. The writing reminded me of a quilt that has blocks pieced individually and when put together yield a magnificent piece of art.
Ideas are everywhere!
Because of Winn Dixie, A Symphony of Whales, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon,
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Wonder by R.J, Palacio is a close second.
Peach and Blue by Sarah Kilbourne has been my long time favorite for teaching writing craft to students and to LOVE! I buy they in lots of five and have given more to adults than children. . . the last page the characters, Peach and Blue (toad) are sitting. . . .”I wish you could stay forever. . . .I would love to, but nothing lasts forever. But for now you have me and I have you!” Love, love, love this book.
Oh, I don’t know this book….will have to get it, it sounds wonderful.
I am nearly done reading Orbiting Jupiter. All American Boys is on deck.
A few of the best books I have read this year that have won awards or may in the next year) include Echo, Most Dangerous (even for me, a Canadian with no connection/interest in Vietnam at all) and Rose Under Fire.
Upcoming… All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook and The Serpent King
The War that Saved My Life struck a chord with me and many of my students. When I finished Echo I wanted to start it again…couldn’t because students were waiting for it but I will this summer!
My favorite award winning book this year is Last Stop on Market Street. It is the first picture book to win the Newbery. I like it best because of the illustrations, analogies, diversity, and global literacy appeal. The Echo mashup left me confused, bewildered, and finally, sated with resolution. It is too long for most of my elementary readers, although a few wild readers tackled it. It is full of global literacy appeal. The War that Saved my Life resonated with more than one student born with a club foot (who knew it is so common). It is my second favorite because it is a window into another time, another country, and another culture that expands readers experience of the past.