The end of 2016 went by so fast I didn’t have time to post my GOLDEN CUP AWARDS.
It’s not a list of favorite books, but instead recognition for my most memorable middle grade reading moments of 2016 and a giveaway!
One lucky readers will receive a $25 STARBUCKS gift card. All you have to do is post a comment stating your favorite in one of the categories (MG or otherwise) or just state a favorite book you read this past year. I’ll draw the winner on January 12th at 7 pm Eastern Time. You’ll get to fill your own cup with a favorite warm beverage to start off your new year. Good luck!
Without further delay, on to my GOLDEN CUP AWARDS:
- FAVORITE VOICE (FEMALE PROTAGONIST): Claire (FALLING OVER SIDEWAYS)
- FAVORITE VOICE (MALE PROTAGONIST):TIE PERRY (ALL RISE FOR THE HONORABLE PERRY T. COOK) & WAYNE KOVOK (MAYDAY)
- FAVORITE SETTING: Key West (FULL OF BEANS)
- FAVORITE CHARACTER NAME: Florian Bates (FRAMED!)
- FAVORITE OPENING LINE: The back of Kyle Hampton’s head pushes hard against my mouth, and I realize this is not how we should have been introduced. (CLAYTON STONE–FACING OFF)
- FAVORITE PARENTS: Trenton’s mom and dad (MYSTERIES OF COVE–GEARS OF REVOLUTION)
- FAVORITE COVER and TITLE:
- FAVORITE ENDING: Tie THE BEST MAN & SOAR (Tracy Edward Wymer)
- FUNNIEST and SADDEST READ: Ms. BIXBY”S LAST DAY
- FAVORITE READ-ALOUD: SOAR BY JOAN BAUER
- FAVORITE ANIMAL CHARACTER: Pax (PAX) and Dawn, Tobin, & Bismark (THE NOCTURNALS)
- FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM HISTORICAL FICTION: Lizzie (CHASING SECRETS)
- FAVORITE FRIENDSHIP: Topher, Brand, and Steve (MS. BIXBY’S LAST DAY)
- CREEPIEST CHARACTER: Dr. Fell (DR. FELL AND THE PLAYGROUND OF DOOM)
Have a safe and happy 2017 full of reading and writing.
Always in the Middle... 
What a fun idea to have your own “best of” ! A book I loved this year was the historical fiction novel The Freedom Maze, by Delia Sherman. (You don’t have to enter me in the drawing–I don’t go to Starbucks very often.) Happy new Year!
Whew! What great categories. As usual, I’ve added all your picks to my Books To Read list. A book I enjoyed reading this year was Echo by Pamela Munoz Ryan. And I would list it under a new category. Favorite Motif or Literary Device. (the harmonica).
My favorite book to read out loud last year was ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN. I read more children’s books than adult. I’m all in with Starbucks though.
Enjoyed reading your categories, different from just naming a book. Realized I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned. Intended to read PAX, BEST MAN and COUNTING TIME, but didn’t get around to them. Will hold onto your post.
My favorite middle grade contemporary book this year was All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook. I also loved Wish by Barbara O’Connor. I’ll have to check out some of the books you listed here. Thanks for the chance to win a Starbucks card!
Favorite fiction: Frazzled by Booki Vivat
Favorite nonfiction: Level the Playing Field by Kristina Rutherford
This is a great deal of fun! I love the categories you’ve chosen. It would be hard for me to choose one favorite book from last year. I also loved All Rise… but one I didn’t see on your list that I thought was terrific is The Thing About Leftovers. And there were more. I will add some of your winners to my list. Thanks for such a fun post.
Favorite character arc: Finley in “Some KInd of Happiness” by Claire Legrand
Thanks for the great MG posts!
My favorite in many categories, but for this I’ll limit it to cover and titl;e was THE INQUISITOR’S TALE. Thanks for sharing all your favorites, and also for being such an interesting blogger and astute reader. You are a great champion for middle grade. Best wishes for 2017.
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I really loved The Girl on The Train. Thanks for the super RAD giveaway! Happy New Year!
I love that you’ve put together a best of! Makes me wish I kept more careful track of what I read each year, but I suppose MMGM is a step in that direction. 😉
Let’s see…
Favorite Ending: Out of Abaton, by John Claude Bemis
Favorite female voice: Blue Birds, by Caroline Starr Rose
Creepiest character…I’m giving that to: Anya’s Ghost, by Vera Brosgol
Thanks for letting me play!