2020 has been a year. I know that is technically true every year, but boy howdy is it especially true this year. I was able, for the first time ever, to buy (some of) the Newbery books the day they were announced thanks to my appendix.
Taking one for the team?
I had been experiencing pains that the clinic in Kaktovik thought, 'may be appendicitis, maybe not'. I flew in on Monday and went to the bookstore. I took myself Tuesday morning to a walk-in clinic in Fairbanks and proceeded to get bounced around town until I found myself checked in to the hospital because, yeah, it was appendicitis. I had the foresight to bring the books with me and finished three out of four honor books by Wednesday. I spent the next week preparing for our school's Battle of the Books and planned to read the last honor book plus the winner and be done by the 10th.... Except on the 7th the school burned down. What I'm trying to say is I hope 2020 gets better because I don't much like the options for getting worse.* Anyhow, you aren't here for a soap opera - you're here for the books, and honestly - they're some great ones!
*See, Katie, this is why you shouldn't put off finishing your blog posts.
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
A free verse book that was a very quick read. The story begins in Syria where Jude lives with her parents and older brother. When tensions begin to rise Jude's brother joins the underground revolution while she and her pregnant mother travel to the USA to seek asylum with her uncle. She begins attending the same school as her cousin and gradually adjusting to life in the US, but she struggles with feeling like she belongs, eventually meeting another Muslim girl close to her age that also chooses to wear a hijab. Just as Jude is beginning to feel comfortable the news of a terrorist attack upsets her new life. She witnesses and is subject to overt racism, making her feel scared and lonely. By the end she has found her voice and made several friends, though her future is still uncertain she manages to look forward with hope and excitement.
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
A tough read, this book touches on heavy topics such as racism, addiction, poverty, and self-loathing; this deeply touching story hits all the perfect notes. Genesis is an only child with an alcoholic gambling-addict father and a mother at the end of her rope. The story opens with Genesis finding all her possessions out by the curb and the house locked up with a large eviction notice. Her father has failed once again to pay the rent. Humiliated because some kids from school witnessed, Genesis adds to her list of things she hates about herself. She believes her father's addictions are because she has very dark skin, like him, instead of lighter brown like her mother. She tries many times to find ways to lighten her skin - even if it may prove dangerous. Her father convinces someone to let them rent a big house in the suburbs where Genesis attends a new school full of rich families. In another story about finding your voice Genesis is encouraged by the choir teacher to pour her feelings into her singing abilities.
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
A picture book but so, so powerful. In the past I've mentioned that it can be hard to justify picture books because the Newbery is awarded for just the writing, but I'm happy to report that this book's writing easily stands on its own. However, The Undefeated also won the Caldecott so you know that this book is bringing the whole package! Honestly, it is short enough that everyone should read it if they are able, but I'm also going to
link the author reading this as a stand-alone poem.
Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker
Children's horror is back. While not the scariest book I've ever read it certainly tried to live up to the title. This is a collection of short stories following the adventures of two young foxes trying to make their way in a world that seems stacked against them. The first story has kits getting attacked by a rabid fox and let's just say it doesn't really go uphill from there until you reach the very end. Just the right dose of scary and uplifting, you feel genuinely glad whenever the foxes overcome a hurdle and hold your breath when they are set back.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
This year's winner is *drumroll please* A GRAPHIC NOVEL!!! It is happening people, a graphic novel has won the highest award that a children's book (published in the US) can win, soon more and more people will have to admit that this genre is real literature. Jordan makes it into a prestigious academy on scholarship. Jordan feels out of place being one of the few African-American students in his new school. He works hard at fitting in, wondering how much the environment is changing him. He makes friends and even finds himself standing up for what is right despite feeling nervous. Overall a great read and well worth winning.
Final thoughts:
I think that my favorite book from the batch was 'Other Words for Home' but honestly they were all great reads. I think only 'Scary Stories for Young Foxes' is the book I wouldn't want to see as the winner. There is a definite thread of belonging and overcoming racism running through these stories which I feel is certainly a reflection on what is happening in the world recently, as I've said before the Newbery does not exist in a vacuum and quite often reflects what was happening at the time.
