Wonder author, R.J. Palacio, visits the BCS Mock Newbery Club!

"It was really cool to have the author here to talk about the book." (Rory S.)

"I thought it was really great.  Especially people asking really distinct questions about the book’s characters.” ( Kate S.)

“Made me look at the story from a different perspective.  I saw a lot more of why in the book.” (Henry S.)  

“It made Wonder an even better book for me!” (Ben S.)

This is just a sampling of students' enthusiastic responses to the author's visit.

R.J. Palacio (second from left top row) with the BCS Mock Newbery club grades 5-8

Wonder was awarded the top honor by this year's BCS Mock Newbery club and spirits were high in anticipation of Mrs. Palacio's visit. Here are a few excerpts from her responses to student questions:

Why didn’t you tell part of the story from Julian’s perspective?

"As a mom and a reader, I didn’t want to give a bully a platform to talk. There would be kids who looked like Augie and I didn’t want them to hear something mean especially since it wouldn't advance the story."

Are you going to write a sequel?

"It doesn’t seem like that kind of book. The fact is that we know as the reader, that life is not going to be easy for August. I choose to end the book on a moment of triumph but we know that’s just one moment of his life and he’ll face many more challenges. Hopefully, he will find enough Summers and Jacks that he’s gonna be okay. That’s the point of the story."

Is there another book on the way?

Yes but we didn’t expect this book to take off like it did. It’s been a great opportunity to travel across the country and talk to middle schooler’s about choosing kind...."

Dear Mrs. Palacio,

As a group, we would like to say a big THANK YOU for taking the time out of your busy schedule to drop by and talk to us. We are all eagerly awaiting your next book! No pressure...

WONDER wins BCS Mock Newbery Award

And the 2013 BCS Mock Newbery medal goes to Wonder by R.J. Palacio!

"I absolutely loved this book. You could really see from August's (the protagonist) point of view as he told the story, but as the story progresses, you get to see from a lot of other people involved in his life, like his sister Via, his friend Summer, etc.... The book was well written, very emotional, and very much based on Berkeley Carroll. It was exciting when they went to the Performance Space, the Teacher Pages, and even did the 5th grade Egyptian tomb. While reading this book, I feel like the author's choice of words really connects you to the story. Overall,  I thought it was an amazing book, you should read it! Jori C.

"I thought that Wonder was an amazing book!!! The plot was great, and I felt so much sympathy towards August by the end of the book. The characters are really developed, and the setting is great! I love how the school he goes to is based off of Berkeley Carroll, and I can really see that from the little things that only someone who went to, goes to, or works at Berkeley Carroll could understand. I thought that I could really feel for the characters, maybe not August as much, but for the other kids who don't know how to react to him. Overall, I thought it was an amazing book, and I'm definitely going to be voting for it this year! Sophie M.



The following titles were awarded honors:

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
"Chomp had a very interesting and strong plot. All the characters were like none I have ever read. It made me think about how I really wish that I were closer to animals. At times I found myself not believing what I was reading. Every chapter has something unexpected in it and it makes you want to read more and more. This book was exciting, adventurous, funny, and a joy to read to the end." Sophie

The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
"Suspense, adventure, secrets, friendship, and roller derby! Minty, Raymond, and Paz solve mysteries, annoy older sisters, and play the harmonic. I loved this book because I could really relate to it. A secretive story of friendship and secrets...an amazing tale. READ THIS BOOK!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
"I thought this book was amazing! It was well written, emotional, and sad but one of the best books I ever read!" Natalie H.

"Reading the book, it's like Ivan is talking to you and not pushing you to believe something." Mac O.

Mock Newbery Club grades 7&8

Mock Newbery Club grades 5&6

Berkeley Carroll Skypes with St. Ann's

Members of Berkeley Carroll's 5th & 6th grade Mock Newbery Club had a virtual meeting with  member's of St. Ann's Mock Newbery Club during lunch break. Individual students took the opportunity to highlight their favorite titles, emphasizing why their top choice should be a serious contender for the most distinguished contribution to children's literature in 2012.

2013 Mock Newbery Club Finalists - The Vote Is In!

Members of this year's club have voted. The top five contenders for this year's BCS Mock Newbery Award are:

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Stay tuned for our top choice! We'll vote mid-January, 2013!

2012 BCS Mock Newbery Winner!

Our winner is:




Followed by our two Honor book selections:

Members of the 181 faction of the BCS Mock Newbery Club

2012 BCS Mock Newbery Finalists Decided!

The members of the Mock Newbery Club, grades 4-8, have voted. Out of 44 books, 6 have emerged as top contenders. This year's finalists are:

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Inside Out and Again by Thanhha Lai
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem
Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy
Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo






Stay tuned for highlights from our discussions.

AND THE WINNER IS.........

The BCS Mock Newbery Club held a virtual meeting today, via google's video chat, for what they hoped would be a final vote to decide what book they would award the top medal. Led by Lower School Librarian Ms. Sauro, fourth grader's from 701 and fifth , sixth and seventh graders from the 181 faction engaged in a lively exchange, making a case for the book they believed had the qualities that distinguished it from the rest.

A clear winner did emerge from the pack and the BCS Mock Newbery Medal was awarded to:

Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper.

Reader's comments:
"Out of my Mind is about a girl in a wheel chair who can't speak. She gets a machine that lets her speak and wins a place as a "wiz kid" It is a gripping and touching book. I loved reading this fantastic book and think you should read it too!" -EM

"This book was amazing. It made me cry at the end. I really hope that this book wins the real Newbery award. 10000000000000000000000000000001 out of 10". -CH

"This is a really good book. It is about a girl named Melody who is eleven and hasn't spoken a word in her life. She has a memory like a video camera and has never forgotten anything in her life. She is a genius but nobody knows it until she gets a machine called a medi-talker and it changes her life but not everyone is ready for it." - NT


BCS Mock Newbery Honor Books:

A Tale Dark & GRIMM by Adam Gidwitz
"This book is a twist on Hansel and Gretel. Why were they in the woods? What happened afterward? Do they ever find their way back home? Find out in this book. 4 out of 5. Warning-this book gets a little gruesome." -AZV

"This was a really good book. It was in my opinion the best Mock Newbery book I have read. Touch Blue and Drizzle were pretty good but nothing matches up to A Tale Dark and Grimm. I would give this book 900,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,100 stars!" - OA



The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

"A funny book about a weird 6th grader that folds origami. 4.5 out of 5. Includes folding instructions in the back!" - TP

"This book is a mysterious story, It is kinda crazy. At the end it shows you how to make a origami Yoda. It deserves10 stars." - LM





Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

"A weird book about a dead hippo. This book has many interesting twists and turns, although, all loose ends are tied up at the end. 4.3 out of 5." -TP

"Belly up is awesome. It is about the worlds most famous hippo who was "murdered" and then Teddy has to solve the mystery. It is a cool book and I like the ending." - SH

181 Mock Newbery Club members with their Newbery picks