Fall 2016 list for Berkeley Schools Mock Newbery

We are excited to announce the first seven titles for consideration in the Fall 2016 for the Berkeley Schools Mock Newbery. Students in 4th and 5th grade will read and discuss these titles.

• Booked, by Kwame Alexander
• Full of Beans, by Jennifer L. Holm
• The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill
• The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, by Laura Shovan
• Pax, by Sara Pennypacker
• Some Kind of Courage, by Dan Gemeinhart
• What Elephants Know, by Eric Dinerstein

Students will read and discuss these titles, as well as other books published in 2016, throughout September and October. Remember, the actual Newbery committee will consider any book written by an American published in 2016. Our BUSD librarians have selected these seven books as the most distinguished so far this year.

Mock Newbery Book Clubs will meet and discuss in informal meetings each week, creating posters to keep track of their ideas. The final list of 10 books will be announced on November 1st. In order to vote in January, students will need to read at least 5 books on the final list.

If you have any questions, please email Mary Ann or Becca. We are excited to support this project!

Welcome to Berkeley Schools Mock Newbery!

Welcome friends -- this site will help facilitate our Berkeley Schools Mock Newbery group of leaders. We are a group of librarians, teachers and literacy coaches who love getting kids engaged with reading.

Over the summer, we're sharing potential 2016 Newbery book we're reading. If you would like to join our Google email group, please email Mary Ann Scheuer (maryannscheuer@berkeley.net). Here are some books that are potential titles for us to consider.

Potential titles for Berkeley Schools Mock Newbery (links are to Goodreads):

• As Brave As You, by Jason Reynolds 
• Booked, by Kwame Alexander 
• Forest of Wonders, by Linda Sue Park 
• Hour of the Bees, by Lindsay Eager 
• The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson School, by Laura Shovan 
• Paper Wishes, by Lois Sepahban 
• Pax, by Sara Pennypacker 
• Raymie Nightingale, by Kate DiCamillo 
• Some Kind of Courage, by Dan Gemeinhart 
• Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, by Jonathan Auxier

Here are the Newbery criteria, translated into kid-friendly terms:

1. Any book for children published in 2016, written by an American author is eligible. Traditionally, we focus on middle grade fiction, but the committee looks at all genres/formats.
2. The Newbery committee chooses the most "distinguished" book written for American children. The committee specifically discusses the following features of a book: plot, characters, language, setting, information and theme. We work with our students to help them think more deeply about these qualities of the books they read.
3. All genres of children's books are eligible. We will focus on books that appeal to our 4th and 5th grade readers, seeking titles with a diverse range of characters, style and content.

Thanks so much! Mary Ann and Becca