Newbery contender?

I'm almost done reading "When You Reach Me" and you're right, it's very good and if it wins will be deserved but I did read another good book that has gotten alot of buzz. "When the Whistle Blows" is told in 7 vignettes all on All Hallows' Eve and the main character, Jimmy Cannon's father's birthday. Set in West Virginia in the 1940's Jimmy loves the big steam engines that are the life of his small hometown but change is a comin' in the way of Diesel engines

and the relationship between Jimmy and his father. Each story is complete on it's own and also adds to the general story line that unfolds throughout the book to it's climatic end.

It sort of reminded me of my grandparents town where I spent two weeks out of every summer when I was a child and every Memorial Day for the last twelve years or so, celebrating my Grandmother's birthday. This town was also very dependent on the railroad and has been dying ever since the railroad pulled out.

You're rooting for Jimmy to graduate and get out of this town!

I think this would be a great book for older boys, Rory has it on hold next so I'll be anxious to see what other's think of it.