Newberry vs. Pulitzer Bracketology
I have created a contest that will henceforth be known as The Best Contest Of All Contests EVER! It came about because I recently was discussing which is a more prestigious prize: The (Fiction) Pulitzer or The Newberry. My friend was inclined to say Pulitzer because it's an award for grown-up books with grown-up themes. I, on the other hand, leaned toward Newberry because the children's publishing industry is much smaller, much less diluted, and really is there such thing as a children's theme anymore?
Anyway, that led to this contest. Here's how it's going to play: I am going to read (or re-read) the last 8 years worth of Pulitzer Winners and Newberry Winners. Then I am going to pit them against each other in a Bracket Cage Match. I'll fill in the brackets and update you as I read. All you have to do is print out the brackets, (I can email you a PDF or you can print out the JPEG from my Flickr), fill in the books that you think will win, and then email/fax/call in/whatever your brackets to Abigail. (abigail.m.schilling[at]gmail[dot]com) You can scan the brackets or take a picture or just email her your answers all typed out.
And here's the best part: When I am finished with the readings, the winner will receive ALL 16 BOOKS:
Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (Pulitzer 2000)
Bud, Not Buddy, Christopher Paul Curtis (Newberry 2000)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (Pulitzer 2001)
A Year Down Under, Richard Peck (Newberry 2001)
Empire Falls, Richard Russo (Pulitzer 2002)
A Single Shard, Linda Sue Park (Newberry 2002)
Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides (Pulitzer 2003)
Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Newberry 2003)
The Known World, Edward P. Jones (Pulitzer 2004)
The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo (Newberry 2004)
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (Pulitzer 2005)
Kira-Kira, Cynthia Kadohata (Newberry 2005)
March, Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer 2006)
Criss Cross, Lynne Rae Perkins (Newberry 2006)
The Road, Cormac Mccarthy (Pulitzer 2007)
The Higher Power of Lucky, Susan Patron (Newberry 2007)
Anyone can enter. The deadline for turning in brackets is 7/23/08 — two weeks from today. 16 free books! It's okay if you're turned on right now. I get it. Now, hop to, and send in those brackets.
[Click for a larger version or email/comment for a PDF]
Comments
I'm really pumped about this bracket contest!! It's like basketballmarchmadness... but bookjulymadness. awesome.
Posted by: Cousin Candice | July 9, 2008 02:48 PM
Wow. I've only read two of these (with a third on my maybe-to-read list). Two is also the number of authors I recognize. You know, because they wrote the two that I read.
I am not worthy, but I shall play anyways. (You should charge us an entry fee, you know.)
Posted by: peefer | July 9, 2008 03:41 PM
This? Is awesome.
There are two books on opposite sides that I fully expect to go all the way to the final two, despite having only read a few more books than Peefer.
Posted by: Grad School Reject | July 9, 2008 04:28 PM
Kavalier & Clay will take you awhile. It's highly thick, as numbers of pages go.
Posted by: You can call me, 'Sir' | July 9, 2008 04:30 PM
Interesting fact about me: I am entirely incapable of understanding the bracket system for winning something. Doesn't matter the subject matter, number of explanations or whatever, don't get it. However, I want to play.
Posted by: Cate | July 9, 2008 04:47 PM
Best Contest Ever. Is it wrong to pick based on how snappy the title is if I haven't read the book?
Posted by: Jenn (the not-sister) | July 9, 2008 06:31 PM
You know, I've always been jealous of people who play all the bracket games during March madness, because it looks like fun, but alas I know next to nothing about it. But I'm very excited because book brackets are way cooler than sporty ones.
The only book on that list that I've read is Kavalier and Clay, and it's really good, but a bunch are either on my list or in my stack 'o books.
It is on.
Posted by: Ashley | July 9, 2008 06:46 PM
I just looked busy at work for like an hour while I perfected my bracket. You are my hero.
Posted by: Heather Nicole | July 9, 2008 07:20 PM
Awesome. You are correct, possibly; best contest ever!
I'm so playing!
Posted by: sarah g | July 10, 2008 11:03 AM
This is an amazing idea. I am a ringer at NCAA brackets, but novels-- probably not so much. Which is sad, because I read far more than I watch men's college basketball.
Posted by: mysterygirl! | July 10, 2008 11:28 AM
For the first time in my life I feel like I'm not athletic enough to read.
You, meanwhile, remain a geyser of creative energy. It's amazing to me.
Hello, Heather Anne.
Posted by: scott | July 10, 2008 01:49 PM
I haven't read any of these books, but I want to play! Can I have the pdf thingie please?
Posted by: Jennie! | July 11, 2008 11:06 AM
Ooh, I want a pdf! This is a great idea--I might just have to conduct my own personal bracket.
Posted by: Gretchen | July 16, 2008 01:10 PM
I know I'm not exactly a regular here, but can I play too?
Posted by: S | July 23, 2008 01:29 PM