Newbery 2001

A Year Down Yonder
Author: Richard Peck
Genre: Historical fiction
Plot: Mary Alice must stay with her grandmother for a year.
Verdict: I love the grandmother
My rating: 4 stars


Hope Was Here
Author: Joan Bauer
Genre: Realistic fiction
Plot: Hope and her aunt move to Wisconsin to help with a diner and become involved in a mayoral race.
Verdict: A study in waitressing and politics
My rating: 3 stars


Because of Winn-Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Realistic fiction
Plot: A story about a girl and her dog who struggles with the fact that her mother left her.
Verdict: DiCamillo's first is a keeper
My rating: 3 stars


Joey Pigza Loses Control
Author: Jack Gantos
Genre: Realistic fiction
Plot: Joey goes to live with his dad for the summer.
Verdict: Surprisingly gritty
My rating: 3 stars


The Wanderer
Author: Sharon Creech
Genre: Realistic fiction
Plot: Sophie, her three uncles and two cousins travel the Atlantic on a boat to visit their ailing Bompie in England.
Verdict: A bit flat
My rating: 2 stars

This year was a lot of contemporary realistic fiction, with the exception of A Year Down Yonder, which is historical fiction. 

A Year Down Yonder is a continuation of the 1999 Honor Book A Long Way from Chicago.  This time it's only Mary Alice staying with her crazy grandmother.  It's a great sequel and very deserving of the medal.  Hope Was Here is an interesting mix of politics and waitressing, told in first person. Because of Winn-Dixie is not my favorite Kate DiCamillo book but it deserves special mention.  DiCamillo tried many times to get a book published and this was the first one that anyone would take (obviously, this was in the days before self-publication became easier).  Not many first time authors get on the Newbery list straight out of the gate.  Joey Pigza Loses Control was a very interesting read.  A lot of crazy stuff takes place but parts of it are very disturbing.  Joey's father thinks he can quit being ADHD by going cold turkey on his medication.  Finally, we have The Wanderer.  I liked the fact that this book is told through the journals of two separate characters and also the fact that one of the characters is adopted but I thought the plot fell a little flat.  It's sad because I like a lot of Sharon Creech's other books.