2020 Children's and Teen Choice Book Award Winners Announced

As an enthusiastic reader of children's literature, I'm always interested in the various awards presented every year, and I hadn't heard about these before now. 

The Children's and Teen Choice Book Awards are handed out annually by Every Child a Reader, the charitable arm of the Children's Book Council, and are the only national book awards selected exclusively by young readers.

The awards are divided into four categories, and the seven finalists in each category are chosen by children from different regions of the U.S., with supervision by the International Literacy Association. The voting for the winners was held in classrooms, libraries, bookstores, and online at home, from September 14th to November 15th.

The 2020 awards were given to books published in 2019. Winners and honor books in the four categories are:

• K–Second Grade

 Winner: The Good Egg by Jory John, illus. by Pete Oswald (HarperCollins)

Honor: The Babysitter from Another Planet by Stephen Savage (Holiday House/Porter)

 
• Third–Fourth Grade

Winner: The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illus. by Kadir Nelson (HMH/Versify)

Honor: Mr. Posey’s New Glasses by Ted Kooser, illus. by Daniel Duncan (Candlewick)

• Fifth–Sixth Grade

Winner: Guts by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic/Graphix)

Honor: Pandora’s Legacy by Bones Leopard, illus. by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews (BOOM! Studios/KaBOOM!)

 • Teen Choice Book Award

Winner: Mirror, Mirror: A Twisted Tale by Jen Calonita (Disney-Hyperion)

Honor: Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan (Bloomsbury)

(Information from Publisher's Weekly)

These all sound like books I'd like to read...even though I'm several generations past high school age!

 

Book Beginnings: Take a Look at the Five and Ten

 

Take a Look at the Five and Ten
by Connie Willis
Subterranean Press, November 2020

Opening Lines

Everybody has a traumatic Christmas memory, and mine was always Christmas dinner, partly because in my family (a term used very loosely), it's actually a series of dinners — Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, and a New Year's Eve buffet, and if my one-time stepfather Dave had his way, we'd also have St. Lucia's Day and Boxing Day and Twelfth Night dinners, and who knows what else.

About the Book

Ori’s holidays are an endless series of elaborately awful meals cooked by her one-time stepfather Dave’s latest bride. Attended by a loose assemblage of family, Ori particularly dreads Grandma Elving—grandmother of Dave’s fourth wife—and her rhapsodizing about the Christmas she worked at Woolworth’s in the 1950s. And, of course, Ori hates being condescended to by beautiful, popular Sloane and her latest handsome pre-med or pre-law boyfriend. 

But this Christmas is different. Sloane’s latest catch Lassiter is extremely interested in Grandma Elving’s boringly detailed memories of that seasonal job, seeing in them the hallmarks of a TFBM, or traumatic flashbulb memory. With Ori’s assistance, he begins to use the older woman in an experiment—one she eagerly agrees to. As Ori and Lassiter spend more time together, Ori’s feelings for him grow alongside the elusive mystery of Grandma’s past. (Publisher's description)

Initial Thoughts

 

Well, my first thought was: That opening paragraph is just one very long sentence! But intriguing. It does make me want to keep reading.

Of course, it also makes me think about traumatic Christmas memories. Yeah, I guess we've all got 'em. Mine have more to do with Christmas travel. After I moved away from Texas and my family, coming home for Christmas usually meant hours of flying or driving in snowy, icy weather. Or, some years, not being able to get home at all. 

But I've got lots of wonderful Christmas memories, too. So I guess it all balances out. 

It's a little unusual for me to read Christmas-themed books during the holidays. Not by plan, just doesn't usually work out that way. Are you reading anything Christmas-y for the season? I'd love recommendations.

Have a good weekend, everyone.
Stay safe. Stay calm. And happy reading!

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

 

2020 European Reading Challenge: Wrap-Up Post

Now that December's here, I guess it's time to start wrapping up some reading challenges. I didn't join many challenges in 2020, so there's not all that much wrapping up to do.

First on the list is Rose City Reader's European Reading Challenge: always one of my favorite challenges, though I don't always do a great job with it. For 2020, I joined up at the "Business Traveler" level and committed to read just three books. And I was only half successful -- I did manage to read my three, but didn't get any reviews posted. (Sorry about that. Didn't really post many reviews to the blog this year. Must do a better job in 2021!) Here's what I read (links are to descriptions at GoodReads):

The Circus, by Jonas Karlsson (set in Stockholm, Sweden) 

Murder She Wrote: Gin & Daggers (Murder, She Wrote #1), by "Jessica Fletcher" and Donald Bain (set in UK, mostly London)

Snow (St. John Strafford #1), by John Banville (set in Ireland) 

Of those three, Snow was my favorite, although I enjoyed them all. I was just a bit disappointed in The Circus, only because I thought it didn't really come up to the quality of Karlsson's earlier two novels, The Room (which I loved) and The Invoice. But that's a high standard, and it was still a fun read. And I can't believe it took me so long to read my first Murder She Wrote mystery, since I loved the TV series so much. I can see a lot more Jessica in my future.

As I said, I do love this challenge -- it helps me discover new authors and read books I might otherwise ignore. Thanks so much to Gilion for doing the hosting. I'll definitely be joining up for 2021, if she keeps it going.

 

2021 Reading Challenge Announcements

The 2021 List

(In roughly alphabetical order,
with links to announcement/signup posts/pages.)

The challenges listed here are, in general (although it's not a strict rule), year-long challenges, open to everyone. I don't usually list read-a-thons, read-alongs, "personal" challenges, or challenges linked to special days or time periods.

This list is NOT meant to be a complete list of ALL the reading challenges available for 2021. It's mainly just challenges that seem attractive to me. And I'm not necessarily recommending any of these — just keeping track.

Also ― I haven't signed up for ALL these challenges! I'm sure I'll be joining in for a few, but definitely not all. (See the challenges I'm participating in HERE.)

Two more things. In general I'm not a fan of the "check list" type of reading challenge with a bunch of set categories — so I'll list a few, but not every one of them. Also, I don't do a lot of social media hanging out, so if a challenge is being hosted primarily on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, you probably won't find it on this list.

For more comprehensive, up-to-date lists of 2021 Reading Challenges, you can check the Reading Challenge Addict website.

1. 2021 A to Z Reading Challenge | Host: Bookstacks & Golden Moms. 
2. 2021 Aussie Author Reading Challenge | Host: Booklover Book Reviews. 
   
3. Back to the Classics Challenge 2021 | Host: Karen K. @ Books and Chocolate.  
4. 2021 Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge | Host: Novel Knight. 
   
5. Books in Translation Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Introverted Reader.
   
6. British Crime Classics Challenge | Host: The Book Decoder.
   
7. Calendar of Crime Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK. 
8. 2021 Children's Book Reading Challenge - for Adults | Host: Belle's Library.  
9. Chunkster Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Impressions in Ink.
   
10. 2021 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge | Host: Carol @ Carol's Notebook. 
    
11. Color Coded Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK.  
12. Creativity Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jamie Ghione @ Whatever I Think Of! 
13. Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Yvonne @ Socrates' Book Reviews. 
    
14. 2021 Diversify Your Reading Challenge | Host: Kelly Mongan @ Mongan Moments. 
15. 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge | Host: Celebrity Readers.
    
16. 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge | Host: Lukten av trykksverte. 
17. 2021 Dystopia Reading Challenge | Host: Brittani @ Game, Read, Teach. 
18. Epistolary Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jamie Ghione @ Whatever I Think Of!. 
19. 2021 European Reading Challenge | Host: Gilion Dumas @ Rose City Reader.
20. 2021 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge | Host: Celebrity Readers.
    
21. 2021 Georgian Reading Challenge | Host: Becky's Book Reviews. 
    
22. Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Marg @ The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader.
    
23. Humor Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jamie Ghione @ Whatever I Think Of!. 
24. Japanese Literature Challenge 14 | Host: Dolce Bellezza. (Note: This challenge runs from January to March 2021)
    
25. Memoir Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jamie Ghione @ Whatever I Think Of!.  
26. Mental Health Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jamie Ghione @ Whatever I Think Of!. 
27. 2021 Monthly Book Award Reading Challenge | Host: Kim & Tanya @ GirlXOXO. 
    
28. 2021 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge | Host: Kim & Tanya @ GirlXOXO.
    
29. 2021 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge | Host: Kim & Tanya @ GirlXOXO.
    
30. Mount TBR Challenge 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK.  
31. Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Yvonne @ Socrates' Book Reviews. 
    
32. 2021 Newbery Reading Challenge | Host: Julie @ Smiling Shelves. 
33. 2021 New Release Challenge | Hosts: Linda & Brandee @ (Un) Conventional Bookworms. 
    
34. 2021 Nonfiction Reader Challenge | Host: Book'd Out.  
35. The Purrfect Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Yvonne @ Socrates' Book Reviews.
    
36. Read It Again, Sam 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK. 
37. Read the Alphabet Challenge | Host: Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
    
38. Southern Literature Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Introverted Reader.  
39. The Sweet Southern Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Readeropolis.
    
40. Space Time Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Jemima @ Jemima Pett. 
41. 2021 Victorian Reading Challenge | Host: Becky's Book Reviews. 
42. 2021 Victorian Reading Challenge | Host: Belle's Library.
    
43. Vintage Scattergories: Vintage Mystery Challenge 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK. 
44. Virtual Mount TBR Challenge 2021 | Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK. 
45. What An Animal Reading Challenge 2021 | Host: Yvonne @ Socrates' Book Reviews.  
46. What's In a Name 2021 | Host: Andrea @ Carolina Book Nook. 
47. When Are You Reading? Challenge 2021 | Host: Sam @ Taking On a World of Words. 
48. 2021 Witchy Year Reading Challenge | Host: Julie @ Julie Cornewell.
    
49. 2021 World War II Challenge | Host: Becky's Book Reviews.
    

..... 

Book Beginnings: Head in the Sand

Head in the Sand

(Book 2 in the DI Nick Dixon series)

by Damien Boyd

(First published 2013)

Opening Lines

To the casual observer she appeared alive and well, but anyone who knew her would tell you that she had died twelve months ago when her daughter had been taken from her. She was still breathing, still crying and still feeling pain. Apart from that, she did and felt nothing.

About the Book

The discovery of a severed head in a bunker on Burnham and Berrow golf course triggers a frantic race to find a serial killer that brings the seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea to a standstill.

When the connection is made with a series of unsolved murders over thirty years before, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon finds himself chasing ghosts from the past in a race against time that takes him the length and breadth of the country.  (Description from GoodReads)

Initial Thoughts

 

 I read the first Nick Dixon mystery (As the Crow Flies) when the US edition came out, back in 2015, and really enjoyed it. Not sure why it's taken me so long to get to the second book. So far, it's living up to its description as "a fast-paced thriller" ― which is just what I need right now, to help get me out of these reading doldrums I've fallen into lately.

I do have a little trouble with the Detective Inspector's name, however. Keep wanting to call him Dick Nixon, though he really has absolutely no resemblance to "Tricky Dick."

Have a good weekend, everyone.
Stay safe. Stay calm. And happy reading!

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

 

Book Beginnings: The Queen of the Tambourine

The Queen of the Tambourine,

by Jane Gardam

(First published 1991)

Opening Lines

7 February
Dear Joan,

I do hope I know you well enough to say this.
I think you ought to try to forget about your leg.

About the Book

With prose that is vibrant and witty, The Queen of the Tambourine traces the emotional breakdown—and eventual restoration—of Eliza Peabody, a smart and wildly imaginative woman who has become unbearably isolated in her prosperous London neighborhood.

The letters Eliza writes to her neighbor, a woman whom she hardly knows, reveal her self-propelled descent into madness. Eliza must reach the depths of her downward spiral before she can once again find health and serenity.

This story of a woman’s confrontation with the realities of sanity will delight readers who enjoy the works of Anita Brookner, Sybille Bedford, Muriel Spark, and Sylvia Plath.  (Publisher's back-of-book description)

Initial Thoughts

 
Forget about your leg? Well, all-righty. After that opening, I sort of had to go ahead with this one.

I've been wanting to read something by Jane Gardam for years now. (Well, why don't you just do it ?!?) Queen of the Tambourine won the Whitbread award for best novel of the year in 1991; it's been on my TBR list for many years, and so far I'm loving it. And after a couple of not-so-satisfying reads, that's a very welcome occurrence. 

Have a good weekend, everyone.
Stay safe. Stay calm. And happy reading!

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 

Hey, it's November! Suddenly! I'm not sure what happened to October. Did it really have 31 days this year?

Well, even though the month seemed to zip right by me, I did manage to get a little reading done. Here's what I read....

 

Snow (St John Strafford #1), by John Banville

 

 

The Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple #1), by Agatha Christie

 

Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary

 

Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book,

by Diane Muldrow

Not sure what I'll be reading this week. I've got an ARC that I need to read this month:

 

Take a Look at the Five and Ten, by Connie Willis

So that's a definite possibility. Never read anything by Connie Willis before. And I love discovering new authors, don't you?

Happy reading, everyone! And have a great week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. If you want to let the world know what you're going to be reading this week, head on over to her blog and leave your link. It's also a great way to discover new books and new blogs.