Birbery 2021 Selections:
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the Birbery?
The Birbery is a reading program designed by Birmingham Media Specialists for all Birmingham Public School 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It is a “Mock Newbery” program. The real Newbery is an award given each year in January for “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in the preceding year.” The BPS Media Specialists and Baldwin librarians chose 24 exceptional books that they believe are front-runners for the real Newbery Award.
How do I participate?
We have 24 titles to choose from. Read as many of the titles as you like!
* Read the Book Reviews Guidelines sheet
* Submit reviews on the titles you to our 2021 Birbery Google Form.
For each review you submit, your name will be entered into the drawing. Since there are 24 books, you have the potential to be entered into the drawing up to 24 times.
We will have three winners who will receive gift certificates to Book Beat, a local bookstore. Third place will get a $20 gift certificate, second place will get a $30 gift certificate, and first place will get a $50 gift certificate. (We will only give one prize per student.)
Why is the Birbery different this year?
Due to restrictions on field trips and large group gatherings, the Birbery program has been modified for 2021. There were many phenomenal books published in 2020, so we would like to honor a larger number of titles while providing a lower-stress opportunity for kids to engage with great books.
Book clubs will still take place in a modified format, utilizing both Zoom and social distancing.
Kids can read as many of the books as they choose. For each book that they read and then review on Destiny, their name will be submitted into a drawing for a gift certificate to Book Beat. Read & review 1 book -- get your name in 1 time. Read and review 8 get you 8 entries in the drawing! You get it? ;-)
Were do I get the books?
All of the books are available for checkout in the Derby Media Center. Click here to learn about checking out a printed copy of the book during this time.
Baldwin Public Library has copies of each title as well. Several are available 24/7 through Hoopla: From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Jinxed, Notorious, The Oracle Code, Overwatch: The Hero of Numbani, Scritch Scratch, Fright Watch: The Stitchers, and 96 Miles. Overdrive: Stamped: Racism, Anti-racism, and You, The List of Things That Will not Change, Black Brother, Black Brother, Echo Mountain, Notorious, Show Me a Sign, When Stars are Scattered, When You Trap a Tiger.
When are the book clubs?
The book clubs will be held during lunches beginning in late February and running through the first week of May. They are not a requirement for entering your name in the drawing. The exact dates for the bookclubs are still to be determined, but rest assured that they will be available for both students in person (socially distanced and masked) as well as on Zoom.
I enjoy watching book trailers like last year. Do you have any of those?
Yes, we do, for some of the books. Enjoy!
*official
- When Stars are Scattered*
- Snapdragon
- Echo Mountain
- Show Me a Sign
- Blackbird Girls
- Scritch Scratch*
- The Stitchers: Fright Watch
- When You Trap a Tiger
- Stamped
- Millionaires for the Month*
- The List of Things That Will Not Change
- Before the Ever After
- Jinxed
- Oracle Code*
- On the Horizon
Contact
If you have any additional questions, please contact Mrs. Sindelar at ssindelar@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Important Dates:
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January 25
Birbery Program is announced
Book checkout beginsApril 7
Birbery book club (11:05-11:45 on Zoom)
April 13 (Tuesday 8th grade will miss due to PSAT)
Birbery book club (11:05-11:45 on Zoom)
April 21
Birbery book club (11:05-11:45 on Zoom)
April 28
Birbery book club (11:05-11:45 on Zoom)
May 6
Deadline for all reviews to be submitted: 8am.
Winners announced at the end of the day!
Get a Baldwin Library card!
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BPL cards for students
All BPS students are eligible to apply for a Baldwin Public Library card which will be valid for one year. Click the "register now" link.
