Newbery and Caldecott contenders?

Karen MacPherson, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the possible choices for the Caldecott and Newbery award next Monday. Even if they do not win, these books would be on my "new books to buy" list for my library.

For the Caldecott, child Lit experts are looking at Zen Shorts written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth or Show Way written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Hudson Talbot. There are so many original and beautiful picture books published. I can never begin to choose in this area.

The Newbery possibilites include The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and A Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall, Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles, and The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich.

My vote would be for Day of Tears by Julius Lester. Lester's wholly original work gives voice to the voiceless men, women and children who were sold at the largest slave-auction in the history of the South.