tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024002801067718054.post2100602640074430102..comments2024-01-22T08:32:58.608-05:00Comments on For Those About to Mock: 2015 Contenders: West of the Moon, by Margi PreusUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024002801067718054.post-36438557211361620542014-10-09T14:54:42.524-04:002014-10-09T14:54:42.524-04:00Thanks so much for the (extremely) kind words! I&#...Thanks so much for the (extremely) kind words! I'm so glad you've enjoyed reading.<br /><br />I loved looking at your Mock Newbery page for the 6th graders! If you'd like to contribute a review of any of your titles that we haven't already covered, please do! Email me at sam AT esrl DOT org, and we can go from there :DSam Eddingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01008209097162183766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024002801067718054.post-23628523592112055872014-10-08T12:06:48.910-04:002014-10-08T12:06:48.910-04:00Seems the link didn't work. Here it is: http:/...Seems the link didn't work. Here it is: http://www.northallegheny.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=6320Joehttp://www.northallegheny.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=6320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024002801067718054.post-18744339258271629372014-10-08T12:05:26.118-04:002014-10-08T12:05:26.118-04:00I stumbled upon this blog by chance, and have now ...I stumbled upon this blog by chance, and have now spent my entire planning period reading Sam's and yours (and the guest librarians') reviews. <br /><br />I read West of the Moon in the beginning of the summer, and I thought it was an absolute stunner. I loved both of Preus' previous books, but the combination of the oral tradition (and its mirroring to events shaping the character's life) was a masterful stroke. I also enjoyed that the near-fantasy moments (like finding the girl spinning yarn in the room) were actually realistic encounters that shaped Astri's journey. I agree with your comparison to Far, Far Away (which I thought was beautiful, but far too dark for the Newbery), and believe, too, that this will be a strong contender come awards time. <br /><br />If you ever would like another guest reviewer, I'd be happy to contribute. I've included a link to my library's page. My 6th graders and I always have a Mock Newbery. You can see the list on my website as well. <br /><br />Keep up the great work on this blog. It's terrific!Joehttp://www.northallegheny.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=6320noreply@blogger.com