School Library Journal has announced their 2012 contenders in the Battle of the Kids’ Books.  The competition is between 16 of the best books of 2011, and is judged by top authors in children’s books. 

Here are the contenders:

   

Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Bootleg by Karen Blumenthal

   

The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

   

Drawing from Memory by Allen Say

The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami

Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

   

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

2012 Battle Schedule

Round One

Match 1 (March 13, Judge TBA)

Amelia Lost vs Anya’s Ghost

Match 2 (March 14, Judge TBA)

Between Shades of Gray vs Bootleg

Match 3 (March 15, Judge TBA)

The Cheshire Cheese Cat vs Chime

Match 4 (March 16, Judge TBA)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone vs Dead End in Norvelt

Match 5 (March 19, Judge TBA)

Drawing from Memory vs The Grand Plan to Fix Everything

Match 6 (March 20, Judge TBA)

Heart and Soul vs Inside Out and Back Again

Match 7 (March 21, Judge TBA)

Life: An Exploded Diagram vs A Monster Calls

Match 8 (March 22, Judge TBA)

Okay for Now vs Wonderstruck