It’s that time of year .  . .

The excitement usually begins in October. E-mails and Listservs throb with speculation about the book that will be chosen by the American Library Association as the best children’s fiction published within the previous year and receive the Newbery Medal. 

Authors and teachers are looking ahead to the January    announcement of the title and are combing lists of books recommended by various groups that have participated in a mock rating process.

When several lists collided in my email recently, I decided to do some comparisons to see which titles appeared on more than one list.  I decided to pass my findings on to you so that you could be one jump ahead of the others and start reading the books that seem to be serious contenders for the prize. Ready?

 Countdown by Deborah Wiles

 The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

 One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

 Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

 Although there are many other worthy titles in the running, these obviously contain powerful prose to draw young readers.

 What is your favorite children’s fiction title of the year? Share it with us by leaving a comment.