UPDATE: Bank Street College Kids’ Mock Newbery, with Kids’ Comments
USA Today’s “Book Buzz” column reports that the majority of Mock Newbery’s are going to Rita Williams-Garcia’s One Crazy Summer.
Going against the tide, the Banks Street College kids (96 fifth and sixth graders), discussed and voted on a list of titles and picked Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper as the winner of their Mock Newbery.
 |
|
Sam, 10 – liked that the story came out of the main character’s mind…that was interesting.
Alexandra, 10 – the story was touching and pulled you in and you wanted to read it all at once
Adam, 10 – you really saw how mean people can be to people who are different. Being disabled is not being stupid.
Carly, 10 – even though she went through tough stuff, she kept trying
Ayra, 10 – because I heard her story from her, it was like being in her shoes
Allie, 10 – I have never read a book like this
Jenna, 11 – it was really detailed and I felt a lot of emotion
Hazel, 12 – …dramatic- felt like a light read…I read fast…It was real.
Casy, 11 -…it touched me deep down. I felt real emotion. My heart was bursting for her.
Francesca, 11– it was cool how that over the time I could see her change and do things
Emily, 11 – I could not let this book go.
Ava, 11 – really realistic and unique. I liked that we could see inside her head. It was bittersweet.
Jules, 11 – there was a mix of emotions, I burst out laughing. The language was juicy.
Evie, 11 – it was great. I felt like I was reading her mind.
Eliana, 11 – it was a fantastic book.
Ghopal, 11 – I disagree. It was perfectly long
Maggie, 12 – draws you in fast. I liked the flashbacks. You really felt her frustration and wanted to scream with her.
Lauren, 12 – really good…I made a connection with her. Her thoughts were just regular.
Joshua, 11 – Original…great first person
Honor Books
 |
|
Casy, 11 – fantabulous mystery – funny, cliffhangers…didn’t want it to end.
Imani, 10 – good interesting mystery. Cliffhanging a lot.
Ava, 10 – better than other mystery books. Characters were real
Adam, 10 – Kept you on your toes. A fun read.
…………………………
 |
|
Dax, 10 – long, unexpected , good descriptions
Sam, 10 – it was a mystery and a fantasy. Satisfying and had many characters and places you wouldn’t expect.
Laura 12 – a whole made up world. Plot was good and characters weren’t human but you could relate to them.
Adrian 12 – I really enjoyed the references and connections to other children’s books.
Patrick 12 – took me awhile to get into it but I stuck with it and now can’t wait for the next book.
…………………………
 |
|
Bobby, 12 – Different than all the other books we read this year
Ali, 12 – I didn’t think I would like this book that seemed random about a finger puppet but I did.
Kerem, 12 – something any student around my age would relate to. It was wack and crazy
Louis, 11 – Everything comes together in the end
Irene, 11 – Funny to boys and girls
…………………………
 |
|
Anya, 11 – really funny, not predictable
Adrien – Had a little bit of everything – adventure , fantasy, from the first moment draws you in – liked the dark grim humor.
Eric – made you want to keep reading
…………………………
 |
|
Donnie, 11 – Most fairy tales are boring. This one was different. Didn’t have a happily ever after ending.
Hazel, 12 – I stayed up all night reading
Evie, 12– well done. I didn’t get bored.
Sophie, 10 – I was entertained…a new creative story from old stories
Raymond, 11 – Funny , creative with a big twist
Ghopal, 12 – I enjoyed the writing style especially the humorous asides
Josua, 11 – Corny, but funny and creative.
January 6th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Interesting choice! I like the honor book choices.
January 14th, 2011 at 8:55 am
This is terrific! Thank you for my winter reading list.