Who do I think (or hope) will win?
For Easy Readers, I'm obviously pulling for the book I nominated, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies by Erica Silverman. The only other nominee that I think could give it a serious run for it's money is We Are in a Book by Mo Willems, because the Piggy & Elephant series is so popular.
For Early Chapter books, I see Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 by Eric Wight as the clear winner. Nothing else on this short list really captivates me as much as Frankie Pickle does.
For Middle-Grade Fantasy and Science Fiction my vote is for Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon. I'm not sure if the fact that it's a hybrid graphic novel (partly illustrated, mostly chapter book, a lá Diary of a Wimpy Kid) will help it or hurt it, but I hope it does win, because it's such a funny book.
For Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction, I have to say, I'm not too familiar with the books that made the list! I guess I'll root for Plain Kate by Erin Bow, because it doesn't sound like dystopian fiction, which I am growing a bit weary of, plus it has a talking cat, and you can nearly never go wrong with a talking feline.
For Fiction Picture Books, I just finished reading (more like, poring over with delight) Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall. What a gorgeous book. There are a lot of great books in this category though. I could easily see the prize going to A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead, or even (although, it wasn't my favorite) The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson.
For Middle-Grade Graphic Novels, I thought it might be hard to say which book I'm rooting for. But then I saw Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess by George O'Connor had made the short list, and I knew that's the one. Athena has always been my favorite goddess, and I love the art, so I hope this one wins.
The Young Adult Graphic Novels category is a true toss-up for me. I was so excited about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel, which I had nominated, but it did not make it to the short list. I think Ghostopolis by Doug Tennapel will win, I've heard lots of good buzz about it.
For Middle-Grade Novels, I wasn't too excited by anything on the list... until I saw The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. It's at the top of my nightstand and I can't wait to read it.
For Middle-Grade and Young Adult Nonfiction, I'm hoping The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe will win. What an important and worthy topic, and I love the Scientists in the Field series. Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot is another strong contender though.
The Nonfiction Picture Books short list has a couple of books that I have seen appeal to adults, especially The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley. I wanted to love Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy but it just didn't grab me. Kids love it though. Ultimately, I hope that Bones by Steve Jenkins will win. His cut-paper collage style art is mesmerizing! I don't think I could ever get tired of Steve Jenkins books.
For the Poetry shortlist, I see a number of books that I hadn't heard of, and I must check out! Borrowed Names: Poems About Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madame C.J. Walker, Marie Curie and Their Daughters sounds fascinating. I think Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer should win for it's sheer inventiveness. I would say that Joyce Sidman's Ubiquitous would be another possibility, but I wonder if Sidman's other book on the short list, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of Night, will end up drawing attention away from Ubiquitous, allowing Mirror Mirror to coast unimpeded to victory?
And finally, in the Young Adult Novel category, phew! Everything on the short list looks like a gritty, challenging read. If I had to guess, I might say that Stolen by Lucy Christopher will take the award.
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