PW's Best Books of 2009

Hedgetrimmer · 11-08-2009, 03:08 PM

I came across this list compiled by Publisher's Weekly. It's their list of best children's books of the year. Thought I would share.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6704596.html

JudScotKev · 11-08-2009, 11:54 PM

thanks, Hedge. I added a few more to my TBR list!

Smish · 11-09-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudScotKev

thanks, Hedge. I added a few more to my TBR list!

Me too! I already had Shiver and Wintergirls on my TBR list, but none of the others.

Smish

JudScotKev · 11-09-2009, 09:24 AM

One thing I noticed--the list seems heavy on the YA end, not so much MG, from what I can tell by the blurbs. Or it's edgy MG, anyway.

I wonder if that's a bias on the part of the PW critics, or a dearth of quality MG published this year? (dearth is the right word, isn't it???)

Toothpaste · 11-09-2009, 09:29 AM

I really hope it isn't reflective of a dearth of quality MG this year, as my second one was published in January

.

I've noticed lately a bias against MG in the world of children's books in the same way YA gets considered lesser than Adult books. When I tell someone, for example, in query letter hell that actually, no their book is MG not YA, I often get quite a defensive response as if MG is the last thing anyone wants to write. Le sigh.

Ah well, I did a panel this year with Tamora Pierce about YA books (as the one MG author). And she said she believed that MG was actually where most of the innovation was these days, so I will hold onto that.

Exir · 11-09-2009, 10:15 AM

Where does this bias come from? Never understood it. Okay, adult fiction writers snubbing YA and MG is somewhat understandable, but writers of children's books having the same bias just makes no sense.

Hedgetrimmer · 11-09-2009, 01:58 PM

I think it's possibly more representative of where we are as a culture. MG is void of cursing, sex, romance, drugs, violence. The stories are morally replete. But look at the TV shows and movies that take center stage these days. They fulfill America's desire for sensationalism. YA does the same thing. I've had agents candidly tell me that quiet MG doesn't sell. Another agent wrote me a personalized rejection last year stating that publishers are increasingly resistant to morally sound and uplifting MG.

Kitty Pryde · 11-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Interesting list. I was excited about "Dinotrux", but when I sat down to read it, I was actually pretty disappointed. "Wintergirls" was beyond amazing. Ooh, and I really want to read "Going Bovine". Both my local library and my local bookstore are very heavy on romance-with-supernatural-critters in the YA section, and very heavy on cookie-cutter-ish fantasy in the MG section. I say cookie-cutter because none of it really jumps out at me as being original or much of a fun read (except for a few AWer's books that I saw!).

Hedgetrimmer · 11-09-2009, 11:26 PM

I heard long before the list came out that Marcelo in the Real World is a great read, although the excerpt I read on Amazon didn't grab me right away. Maybe I was just tired. I'll have to give it another try.

I read some good reviews about The Curious Garden some time ago and have been meaning to put a book transfer in to my local branch. I also like Loren Long's illustrations and plan to give Otis a read. He did a fantastic interpretation of Whitman's When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.

Viking Horse · 11-09-2009, 11:38 PM

Yeah, MG vs. YA seems to be a never-ending tug-of-war for the spotlight, and I think Twilight won this round in the absence of Harry Potter. And, as was said, supernatural romance stories especially seem to be on the rise.

I read a bit of Shiver, but that didn't really grab me either. Of course, I'm probably not the intended audience - I didn't much care for the Twilight saga when I eventually read it (but I'm giving the Morganville Vampires a shot, based on more AW recommendations). Interesting list, though.

Hillary · 11-10-2009, 09:09 PM

I scanned the PBs, and I've only read the Day-Glo one. I thought that was odd, since I've now read over a HUNDRED PBs sent from publishers (and the self-published *shudder*) for consideration for an award. (I'm not considering them, so my opinion doesn't matter.) But I really figured I'd have read a few more on the list by now!

And.. To be honest? I wasn't that impressed with the The Day-Glo Brothers. It was all right. Adequate. But it wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination, and I've read a few books that are PURE magic from 2009. And none of them are on the list!

Odd.

kellion92 · 11-10-2009, 11:46 PM

Interesting list. I haven't read any of them yet, although a few are on my TBR list.

I thought that editors in particular were looking for more great MG these days, as Toothpaste said. MG seems far more varied than YA, and thus the room for innovation.

ETA: Oops, I read Catching Fire. I am a big fan of those books.

mware01 · 11-11-2009, 12:25 AM

I've thought about marketing my Upper-MG manuscript as YA, just for the reason's stated here. But, I think in the long run it would hurt more than help.

I read Hunger Games (good, but not great), but the reviews for Catching Fire seemed poor. Anyone read it???

JoeEkaitis · 11-12-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgetrimmer

. . . quiet MG doesn't sell.

Truer words . . .well, you know.

The day may not be far off when some publisher will be hailed as bold and inventive by marketing an obscenity filled, sex charged tome as a middle reader, and the floodgates will open at the other houses.

Hedgetrimmer · 11-13-2009, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeEkaitis

The day may not be far off when some publisher will be hailed as bold and inventive by marketing an obscenity filled, sex charged tome as a middle reader, and the floodgates will open at the other houses.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

11-08-2009, 03:08 PM	#1
Hedgetrimmer AW Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: At the Point of No Return Posts: 674	PW's Best Books of 2009 I came across this list compiled by Publisher's Weekly. It's their list of best children's books of the year. Thought I would share. http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6704596.html

11-08-2009, 11:54 PM	#2
JudScotKev spring fever Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: california Posts: 2,220	thanks, Hedge. I added a few more to my TBR list! __________________ call the neighbor kids with trash can lids and buckets on their heads 'cause I think we're gonna need a little help tonight... "Zombies Ate My Neighbors," Single File

11-09-2009, 09:24 AM	#4
JudScotKev spring fever Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: california Posts: 2,220	One thing I noticed--the list seems heavy on the YA end, not so much MG, from what I can tell by the blurbs. Or it's edgy MG, anyway. I wonder if that's a bias on the part of the PW critics, or a dearth of quality MG published this year? (dearth is the right word, isn't it???) __________________ call the neighbor kids with trash can lids and buckets on their heads 'cause I think we're gonna need a little help tonight... "Zombies Ate My Neighbors," Single File

11-09-2009, 09:29 AM	#5
Toothpaste Sawyer, you make me smile! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,730	I really hope it isn't reflective of a dearth of quality MG this year, as my second one was published in January . I've noticed lately a bias against MG in the world of children's books in the same way YA gets considered lesser than Adult books. When I tell someone, for example, in query letter hell that actually, no their book is MG not YA, I often get quite a defensive response as if MG is the last thing anyone wants to write. Le sigh. Ah well, I did a panel this year with Tamora Pierce about YA books (as the one MG author). And she said she believed that MG was actually where most of the innovation was these days, so I will hold onto that. __________________ My Blog, My Website Hardcore Nerdity - for all your nerding needs Follow Me on Twitter! Alex_and_the_Ironic_Gentleman, now in paperback Timothy_and_the_Dragon's_Gate, January 2009 TIMOTHY_and the_DRAGON'S_GATE IS OUT NOW!!!!!

11-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#6
Exir I feelz likes sakrificing teh rook. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 1,236	Where does this bias come from? Never understood it. Okay, adult fiction writers snubbing YA and MG is somewhat understandable, but writers of children's books having the same bias just makes no sense. __________________ I am Exir. Want some ?

11-09-2009, 01:58 PM	#7
Hedgetrimmer AW Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: At the Point of No Return Posts: 674	I think it's possibly more representative of where we are as a culture. MG is void of cursing, sex, romance, drugs, violence. The stories are morally replete. But look at the TV shows and movies that take center stage these days. They fulfill America's desire for sensationalism. YA does the same thing. I've had agents candidly tell me that quiet MG doesn't sell. Another agent wrote me a personalized rejection last year stating that publishers are increasingly resistant to morally sound and uplifting MG.

11-09-2009, 10:30 PM	#8
Kitty Pryde o! i has a good idea for my NaNo! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,263	Interesting list. I was excited about "Dinotrux", but when I sat down to read it, I was actually pretty disappointed. "Wintergirls" was beyond amazing. Ooh, and I really want to read "Going Bovine". Both my local library and my local bookstore are very heavy on romance-with-supernatural-critters in the YA section, and very heavy on cookie-cutter-ish fantasy in the MG section. I say cookie-cutter because none of it really jumps out at me as being original or much of a fun read (except for a few AWer's books that I saw!). __________________ My WIPs: Darling Boys & the Raver Faeries of Kensington Gardens, 32K/50K The Third Arjuna: 10K/50K NaNo Novel: Micah on Mumbly Peak, 23K -- DONE!

11-09-2009, 11:26 PM	#9
Hedgetrimmer AW Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: At the Point of No Return Posts: 674	I heard long before the list came out that Marcelo in the Real World is a great read, although the excerpt I read on Amazon didn't grab me right away. Maybe I was just tired. I'll have to give it another try. I read some good reviews about The Curious Garden some time ago and have been meaning to put a book transfer in to my local branch. I also like Loren Long's illustrations and plan to give Otis a read. He did a fantastic interpretation of Whitman's When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.

11-09-2009, 11:38 PM	#10
Viking Horse AW Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 239	Yeah, MG vs. YA seems to be a never-ending tug-of-war for the spotlight, and I think Twilight won this round in the absence of Harry Potter. And, as was said, supernatural romance stories especially seem to be on the rise. I read a bit of Shiver, but that didn't really grab me either. Of course, I'm probably not the intended audience - I didn't much care for the Twilight saga when I eventually read it (but I'm giving the Morganville Vampires a shot, based on more AW recommendations). Interesting list, though. __________________

11-10-2009, 09:09 PM	#11
Hillary Neural Trailblazer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 824	I scanned the PBs, and I've only read the Day-Glo one. I thought that was odd, since I've now read over a HUNDRED PBs sent from publishers (and the self-published shudder) for consideration for an award. (I'm not considering them, so my opinion doesn't matter.) But I really figured I'd have read a few more on the list by now! And.. To be honest? I wasn't that impressed with the The Day-Glo Brothers. It was all right. Adequate. But it wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination, and I've read a few books that are PURE magic from 2009. And none of them are on the list! Odd. __________________ ~You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good~

11-10-2009, 11:46 PM	#12
kellion92 AW Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 156	Interesting list. I haven't read any of them yet, although a few are on my TBR list. I thought that editors in particular were looking for more great MG these days, as Toothpaste said. MG seems far more varied than YA, and thus the room for innovation. ETA: Oops, I read Catching Fire. I am a big fan of those books. __________________ Upper MG historical fiction - on sub Next WIP - MG contemporary fantasy - outlining

11-11-2009, 12:25 AM	#13
mware01 AW Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 156	I've thought about marketing my Upper-MG manuscript as YA, just for the reason's stated here. But, I think in the long run it would hurt more than help. I read Hunger Games (good, but not great), but the reviews for Catching Fire seemed poor. Anyone read it??? Last edited by mware01; 11-11-2009 at 12:25 AM. Reason: spelling

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