And now for something slightly different

[hwaet.livejournal.com]

In non-ACofK news, School Library Journal's second annual Battle of the Kids' Books has reached round 3. And today's notable judge? One Megan Whalen Turner.

The contenders awaiting her decision: The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge versus Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman (also apparently known as the battle of Team LoCo vs Team CharMa).

Her verdict is here.

Comments

[jennifer19l.livejournal.com]

I love SLJ's Battle of the Kids' Books! I followed them last year and again this year. Unfortunately, this year the books I had read were all knocked out in the first round and I'm playing a frantic game of catch-up, trying to read the final contenders before the winner gets announced. My library hold on Charles and Emma just arrived this morning, but after MWT's opinion of TLC I wish I'd gotten that one first. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into it, but I'll take any recommendation by MWT.

If anyone's interested, there's also a blog on SLJ by Fuse#8 that's counting down a poll of the top 100 children's books. It's a fun read, and I love looking at the collection of covers for each book. It's a trip down memory lane!

[hwaet.livejournal.com]

I feel terrible that out of all sixteen, I have only read *two* from this year. Even worse, my library doesn't even own The Lost Conspiracy, which is particularly bad as I'm the one who buys the teen books! (then again, oddly, no one at all in the entire library system owns it yet) I did finally order a copy for us just today after having read its praises from three different judges now and multiple bloggers, plus a slew of excellent reviews.

I am absolutely loving Fuse#8's countdown, although I was a little annoyed today that Anne of Green Gables came in at #9--because now I want to drop everything I'm doing to go re-read the entire series this very minute.

[emmaco.livejournal.com]

I love The lost conspiracy for the same reasons MWT outlines. Although I haven't read Charles and Emma yet I liked Hardinge's book enough that I'm glad it won :)

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Some of the comments following MWT's post are hysterical. Thanks for posting this.