From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Mary Lee
Don't tell my students that I finished this book ahead of our read aloud schedule. But it's a good thing I did. If you needed tissues for The Honest Truth, get two packs for this one. I'm sure I'll still cry reading aloud the last few chapters, but at least I might be able to do it without sobbing now.

Reading this book aloud right after finishing The Honest Truth has been magical. My students have made so many comparisons between the two books, and you should have heard the collective gasp when
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Dest
Another sad one, folks. There has to be a novel published in 2016 that isn't about death and/or other bummers, right? I did really (I mean really, really) like this one. But I'm still and ever weary of this theme.

Set in the late 19th century, this is historical fiction at its most exciting. Our 12-year-old hero Joseph is tragically orphaned and alone in rural Washington State. He goes on a quest with one goal: to get his horse, Sarah, back. She's all he has left in the world. Along the way, Jos
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Kristy
This book toyed so dramatically with my emotions that I almost resented it at times! It is an emotional roller coaster and very very sentimental. Despite getting one's heart pummeled, it is a story definitely worth your time, particularly on audio.

I'm definitely going to give this to the families who come into the library and ask me for "quality" literature, like "the kind I read when I was a kid."
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Shari (Shira)
This is a typical kind of Dan Gemeinhart story: a protagonist who has suffered some terrible life circumstances, trying to do an impossible task. This time, it's Joseph, a nine year old orphan. His guardian sold Joseph beloved horse, and Joseph is determined to get the horse back. Joseph faced one life threatening event after another on his quest, making the story a bit hard to believe. ...more
Cat
Nov 21, 2016 rated it really liked it
I loved The Honest truth and Some Kind of Courage. I'm not usually an adventure book fan but both these books are fantastic and hard to put down. ...more
Jess
Nov 13, 2016 rated it really liked it
Considering I'm not interested in horses, or animals in general, and Westerns don't have any particular appeal for me, I thought this was pretty good. The emotion of the storyline is central, and the search for the thing that represents home and family was nicely done. Recommended for fans of adventure/survival/horse stories. ...more
Maria Caplin
Feb 20, 2016 rated it it was amazing
Just finished so many thoughts, feelings and emotions all rolled into a heart warming story that grabbed my heart as a reader but also someone who knows the love of a horse like Sarah.
Karen Gibson
Excellent Historical Fiction and coming of age book.
Bluebonnet 17-18
J.j.
Jan 31, 2017 rated it it was amazing
Wonderful read-aloud. So full of heart, this book. Thumbs up from the kids and I.
Dan
Jun 07, 2015 marked it as to-read
Jeri
Sep 14, 2015 rated it really liked it
Kate Hastings
Nov 26, 2015 marked it as to-read
Mrs. Chatel
Dec 21, 2015 rated it liked it
Shelves: troybery-2017
Margo Jantzi
Mar 26, 2017 rated it it was amazing
Jenny
Apr 05, 2016 marked it as to-read
Kris Springer
Apr 07, 2016 marked it as to-read
Cathy
Apr 12, 2016 rated it really liked it
Ramona
Jun 08, 2016 marked it as to-read
Melody
Jul 25, 2016 rated it really liked it
Shelves: jfic
Sara
Aug 25, 2016 marked it as to-read
Janice
Oct 04, 2016 rated it really liked it
Karen
Oct 26, 2016 rated it it was amazing
Deanna
Oct 26, 2016 rated it really liked it
Beth
Nov 15, 2016 marked it as to-read
Megan
Sep 21, 2017 rated it it was amazing
Beth Given
Jun 17, 2019 marked it as to-read
Meagan
Jan 23, 2020 marked it as to-read
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