From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

The Last Cuentista

Donna Barba Higuera

Start date: February 1, 2022

Finish date: February 28, 2022

Discussion: Newbery 2022

Why we're reading this: Winner of the John Newbery Medal
[close] Winner of the John Newbery Medal

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Newbery 2022

* 2022 ALA John Newbery Medal and Honors
By Kristen · 9 posts · 202 views

last updated Mar 30, 2022 08:00PM

* 2022 Mock Newbery Awards
By Kristen · 10 posts · 160 views

last updated Jan 25, 2022 08:24AM

What Members Thought

Feb 08, 2022 Dest rated it liked it

Shelves: newbery, dystopia, audio, latinx, sci-fi, individuality, middle-grade, tween

My hold on the audiobook came in right after this won the Newbery, so I definitely went into it with high expectations. This often leads to disappointment. And...yep. I was not into it. I can't help being more critical when a book has just won the biggest prize in children's literature. But I think even if it hadn't won the Newbery, it would still be a 3-star book for me. Here are some reasons why:

1. Early in the book Petra's dad says, "Equality’s good. But equality and sameness are two differe My hold on the audiobook came in right after this won the Newbery, so I definitely went into it with high expectations. This often leads to disappointment. And...yep. I was not into it. I can't help being more critical when a book has just won the biggest prize in children's literature. But I think even if it hadn't won the Newbery, it would still be a 3-star book for me. Here are some reasons why:

1. Early in the book Petra's dad says, "Equality’s good. But equality and sameness are two different things." This is the main theme of the book. It's also the theme of an absolute banger of a book called The Giver and this other very excellent book called A Wrinkle in Time. Does TLC bring some new depth to this theme? IMHO not really. See also: The Borg in Star Trek TNG.

2. The story and characters didn't have much moral ambiguity. The Collective is absolutely bad -- readers are not given any real opportunity to sympathize with them. Petra is absolutely good -- readers are not given any reason to question the morality of her actions. As an adult reader, I thought Petra had no right to decide the fates of the other Zetas. But since Petra is the narrator and she never really questions her own rightness, I wonder if young readers will see her as a hero doing the absolute right thing. (Side note: I don't think sci-fi has to be 100% realistic/believable, but Petra was practically leading the other Zetas to their deaths and there were zero consequences.)

3. Voxy came across like a flat stereotype to me (the rebel prince).

4. I thought the writing was just ok. Many of the similes didn't land right for me. The dream sequences felt tedious to me. I'm saying "for me" because your mileage may vary. I prefer to feel like the author hasn't wasted a single word and this book felt overly long.

Okay, let's wrap up with some positives! I do love a book that calls out other books by name and celebrates the importance of stories. What are humans without stories? This point is very well illustrated. I particularly loved that Dreamers played such a big role in this book. It was the perfect book to use. Very well done there. ...more

49 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2022 Dan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade, newbery-contenders

By my count, it's been twenty years since a dystopian novel was recognized by the Newbery Committee. The Last Cuentista is my top pick this year. ...more

27 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2022 Mary Lee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: friends, family, science-fiction, 2021, bilingualspanish, theme, science, dystopian

A wonderful story (even though dystopian future-is-now) with themes of the value of diversity and the importance of story and art. A must-read.

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2022 Cheryl Meibos rated it really liked it

Shelves: possible-newbery-2022

I liked the creative combination of science fiction, mythology and space storytelling.
I liked the Spanish inserts and the gorgeous cover art. A bit dark and intense for a children's book, but great for older kids. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2022 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: chapter-books, middle-grade-fiction, chapter-books-sci-fi

I got this audiobook just a few days before the Newbery was announced because a coworker recommended it. The audio was fantastic, and I loved the story.

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