SLJ's Battle of the Books

The School Library Journal’s (SLJ) Battle of Books pits middle grade books against each other and for each battle there is a judge (and each judge is a children’s author) who gets to choose who will move on in the tournament.  My favorite part of this Battle is the way each author validates their decision by writing up their thoughts on each book – some are hysterical to read, some keep me nodding as I agree with their decisions and others make me want to yell because my choice didn’t make it through, but never the less, I love seeing who comes out victorious and thinking – I’m so glad I don’t have to make the decision!
I don’t think I could have chosen a better final judge than Ann M. Martin, author of The Babysitters’ Club which I devoured as a child and so many amazing boos such as A Corner of the Universe, Rain Reign and A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray. But, when you have to choose a winner between Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia, The Marvels by Brian Selznick and Nimona by Noelle Steveson, I did not envy her in the least!
Check out the beautiful way of explaining her decision on the SLJ website!