I’ve wrapped up my reading for the year and that means it’s time to reveal my favorite moments in Middle Grade literature. 
The big name award groups recognize their favorite books, but my Golden Cup Awards look within the stories to find the best in fourteen unique categories.
Without further delay, here are my GOLDEN CUP AWARDS for 2019:
FAVORITE VOICE (FEMALE PROTAGONIST)-TIE:
- Ruby in RUBY IN THE SKY
- Edie in I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE
- Barbara Anne in THE HAUNTING OF HENRY DAVIS
FAVORITE VOICE (MALE PROTAGONIST)-Tie:
- Gideon in THE ASTONISHING MAYBE
- Bertie in HOW I BECAME A SPY
FAVORITE SETTING (TIE):
- An island off the coast of North Carolina in CATERPILLAR SUMMER
- Alaska in SWEET HOME ALASKA
FAVORITE BOOK WITH DIVERSE CHARACTERS:
FAVORITE OPENING LINE:
You’ve probably been to Eerie-on-Sea, without ever knowing it. (From MALAMANDER)
FAVORITE COVER: 
FAVORITE ENDING:
FUNNIEST READ:
SADDEST READ:
FAVORITE READ-ALOUD:
FAVORITE ANIMAL CHARACTER:
- The dragons from RISE OF THE DRAGON MOON
FAVORITE CHARACTERS FROM HISTORICAL FICTION:
- Tsatsi and his sister from STONEMAN AND THE TRAIL OF TEARS
FAVORITE FRIENDSHIP:
- McKenna and Guy in DOG DRIVEN
MOST DISTASTEFUL CHARACTER:
- Günter in CRUSHING THE RED FLOWER
Always in the Middle... 
I love your choices. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! See you in 2020.
This reminds me how many books I haven’t gotten to this year. Thanks for the list. Happy Holidays.
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Great choices! My favorite read was “Song for a Whale,” and it does have a beautiful cover. I also loved the setting on “Sweet Home Alaska.” Amahl Unbound was sad, but I loved that the story was told. Haven’t read all that you chose. My funniest read was “Finding Orion” about the death of a grandfather and his quirky “funneral” and a treasure hunt of sorts. Happy Holidays.
Nice list! Were all these books published in 2019? Or are they from a list of books you read this read?
I think the only book not published in 2019 was Sweet Home Alaska. They were all great reads.
Happy Holidays, Greg. Enjoy the break!