From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

CLM
A sad little book about a girl who has lost her older brother and whose parents are so lost in their grief that they cannot help her cope with hers.
Jennifer
Aug 21, 2011 rated it it was ok
I read this as it's one of the Sequoyah nominees this year and it seems to be the obligatory "death" book from this year's selections. The story would have been somewhat more enjoyable had it not been for the protagonist's too-Junie-B.-Jonesish narrative voice. There comes an age when that type of voice is just not acceptable. If it was meant to offset the weight of the topic, I'm not sure it exactly succeeded. Some aspects were quite realisitc and enjoyable but overall...eh. Two stars may be a ...more
Kris Springer
Dec 21, 2009 rated it it was amazing
I know this one probably won't win the 2010 Newbery but I loved it. I loved all of the clever characters and funny, real-life situations. Lisa Graff is excellent at drawing characters and making them matter, and she is terrific at showing how children really act. This one is about Annie, whose older brother Jared died in the past year. Annie's 10 and Jared was 11 when he died. Jared was a fun older brother, and he died of an unexpected heart problem. So Annie decides that she'll avoid all danger ...more
Jeanette
Dec 11, 2009 rated it liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: childrens
After the sudden death of her older brother Annie copes by becoming ultra cautious about injuries and illness. Instead of racing her friends on her bike she decides to make turtle tracks, a competition to see who can ride the slowest and that is really just the tip of the iceberg. Band-aides covering her body, wearing a helmet, knee pads and ace bandages everywhere she goes Annie is taking no chances.
This was a sweet book about loss, sorrow and friendship. Some great characters, especially Anni
...more
Karen Gibson
I loved this book. The main character is Annie who reminds me somewhat of Junie B. Jones. Annie is facing the loss of her brother and is worried that she might die too. It's hard to imagine a book where you are chuckling one minute and crying the next. Lisa Graff definitely has her pulse on the feelings of childhood. ...more
Susan  Dunn
Jul 01, 2010 rated it liked it
Shelves: j-fiction
After her brother's sudden death, 10-year-old Annie worries about everything that could possibly hurt her or be risky. A new neighbor who is suffering her own loss helps Annie to see that life goes on. ...more
Jess
Jan 27, 2011 rated it liked it
A girl deals with some tough issues with the help of a few friends, old and new.
Jess
Oct 08, 2009 rated it liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: juv
A sweet, engaging story of a girl dealing with fears after her brother's unexpected death. For all of that, it manages to be funny and avoids becoming maudlin, helped along by a cast of likable characters. Its strengths are a depiction of childhood fears that feels real and the avoidance of any preaching or pat answers, combined with story that should appeal particularly to elementary school girl who like the occasional sad moment and realistic stories. ...more
Rachel
Feb 27, 2009 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
Dest
Jul 22, 2009 marked it as to-read
Shelves: middle-grade, death
Megan
Aug 11, 2009 marked it as to-read
Kathy
Aug 16, 2009 rated it really liked it
Amanda Hamilton
Apr 22, 2010 rated it really liked it
Kelly
Jul 04, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Leesa
Feb 28, 2012 rated it really liked it
Donalyn
May 13, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Julie
Jul 03, 2013 marked it as to-read
Lizzie K
Jul 15, 2014 rated it really liked it
Shelves: middle-grades
Marisa
Dec 10, 2014 marked it as to-read
Kristin McIlhagga
Mar 29, 2015 marked it as to-read
Maggi Rohde
Jun 23, 2015 marked it as to-read
Tina
Jul 01, 2015 marked it as to-read
Sherry Holland
Jul 17, 2015 rated it really liked it
sharon
Oct 17, 2015 rated it liked it
Tamsyn
Oct 27, 2015 rated it really liked it
Margo Jantzi
Jan 15, 2016 marked it as to-read
Beverly
Jan 17, 2016 rated it it was amazing
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