2018 Newbery and Caldecott Awards

The ALA (American Library Association) announced the 2018 John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott awards today. Honestly, I’m disappointed with the Newbery winner. The Newbery winner and honors books are meant to be the most outstanding contributions to children’s literature. Of the whole year. This year’s choice did not resonate with me.

I love the Caldecott winner though. The Caldecott medal winners go to the most distinguished American picture book for children.

I’m slightly off-kilter as I process these results.

And I wonder what will you think. Ready for the results?

2018 Newbery Medal and Honor Books

The 2018 Newbery Medal winner is the book Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. I read it and didn’t even post a review because I didn’t find it compelling. Now that it’s awarded a Newbery (and has many starred reviews), I assume I’m in the minority with this opinion. Did I read it on a bad day? Whatever the case, I’m still puzzled by this choice.

The story is about a boy named Virgil who, along with his backpack and guinea pig, gets stuck at the bottom of a forest well thanks to the actions of a mean-spirit bully. A so-called psychic girl, her little sister, and a lonely neighbor team up to eventually find and rescue Virgil. The book ends with the possibility of new friendships.

Hello, Universe

The three Newbery Honor Books are:

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Sitting on the barber’s chair, a young boy reflects on how, when he leaves, he’ll feel like royalty. Not to mention, people will take notice of his fresh cut — his teachers, his mom, and the girls in his class. Because he’ll be looking good. The author transports readers into this boy’s shoes as he celebrates his cool cut, the men around him on the chair, and the barber who cuts his hair. Rhythmic, vibrant words plus bold, oil painting illustrations give this barbershop experience a swagger of it’s own. (See also: Favorite Children’s Picture Books with Diverse Main Characters and Delightful Picture Books That Celebrate Hair.)

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
I haven’t read this YA novel yet — have you? It’s about a 15-year old boy who is after revenge for his brother’s murder. He’s on an elevator ride that as people step on, reveals new, unexpected details about what happened to his brother.

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
This is a thought-provoking, coming-of-age, discovering-who-you-are-as-a-woman-of-color story.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Denene Millner Books)Long Way Down Piecing Me Together

(*Three of my favorite books from 2017 that I would have picked for 2018 Newbery books were The Hate U Give, See You in the Cosmos, and Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.)

2018 Caldecott

The beautiful, heart-warming picture book, Wolf in the Snow written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell, won the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book. It’s a visually stunning masterpiece about a girl in a bright red coat who leaves school in a worsening snow storm. The girl gets lost as does a wolf cub. The girl finds the wolf and carries him toward the distant howling of his pack. It’s a beautiful moment of reuniting the pup with his pack followed by despair as the girl collapses, freezing and lost. The wolves gather around the girl, howling to alert her people. Yes! The girl is found and reunited with her family. She returns home to snuggle by the fire with her parents and dog.

Wolf in the Snow

The four Caldecott Honor books are:

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
This is the story of the friendship between two cats, the grief when one dies, and the healing as life continues. It’s deftly told in simple black-and-white illustrations with minimal text, capturing symbolism, evoking emotions and prompting reflection and discussion. (See also: Picture Books about Death and Grief.)

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut illustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes
(see description above)

A Different Pond illustrated by Thi Bui, written by Bao Phi
Step into the shoes of a young boy who wakes up early to go fishing with his dad. As they fish for their dinner that evening, Bao helps his dad build a fire and put the fish in a bucket. While they’re together, Bao’s dad remembers fishing in a pond in his home country of Vietnam. The blue-black illustrations and precise prose help us feel the stillness of the early morning hours and the strong bond between father and son. Later that night, the entire family gathers together to eat the morning’s catch. This moving autobiographical picture book of an immigrant family gives us much to appreciate and ponder. (Also read: Children’s Books about Immigration.)

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
I love the way Chin uses illustrated insets and borders — it catches the reader’s attention. This nonfiction picture book is perfect for elementary readers learning about the wondrous world of the Grand Canyon. We read about the plants, animals, and geology — with just the right amount of text per page — as we follow a girl and her dad walking through the canyon. Lovely.

Big Cat, Little Cat Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Denene Millner Books)A Different Pond Grand Canyon

More book awards were announced today including the Coretta Scott King awards and the Printz awards. Visit the ALA site to read what books won awards and honors.

You Might Also Like:
2024 Newbery Awards and Caldecott Awards

Imagination Soup’s 2017 Best Chapter Books

2017 Newbery and Caldecott Winners

2016 Newbery and Caldecott Winners

More Books for Kids Who Love Harry Potter