Subscribe RSSLibrarians and bloggers who write about books for young people had widely tipped the book, by Rebecca Stead, as a favorite before Monday’s announcement. The novel, which takes place in 1979 on the Upper West Side, tells the story of Miranda, a sixth grader whose best friend, Sal, stops talking to her. Meanwhile an anonymous writer begins sending her notes that suggest she needs to figure out how to prevent a future tragedy.
The award, considered the most prestigious honor in children’s literature, was conferred by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association , at the group’s midwinter conference in Boston.
Though there has sometimes been a disconnect between Newbery judges and the youthful reading public, that’s not the case this year: “When You Reach Me” has spent eight weeks on The New York Times best-seller list for children’s chapter books.
“We are so very excited about this book because it is exceptionally conceived, finely crafted and highly original,” said Katie O’Dell, chairwoman of the Newbery committee and manager of school-age services at the Multnomah County Library in Portland, Ore. “Every scene, every nuance, every word is vital both to character development and the progression of the mystery that really is going to engage readers and satisfy them.”
