From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Barbara
Dec 22, 2011 rated it liked it
Shelves: ncbla, word-lovers
I'm often saddened to learn of apple or cherry orchards cut down in the name of progress, and I sometimes wonder what exactly prompts the resolution on the part of the owner to cut or sell the orchards that have produced such delicious fruits. In this particular story, a group of neighborhood children begin their day under the only remaining Valencia orange tree left from a large orchard in California. As most children know, the tree has provided them with a gathering place, shade, something to ...more
Sandy
A sweet story that takes a snapshot of the life of a neighborhood and its residents. As many reviewers have stated the characters are a tad underdeveloped. I didn't mind this at all, however. I think that the briefness of the characters' development is an important part of the incidental style of this kind of story.

While this is a lovely book, I don't know that it is one that will stick with me over time. It's nice, but passing. Then again, this is kind of the atmosphere of the book as a whole
...more
clare o'c
An orange cone shows up near the empty lot where stands a Valencia orange tree on Orange Street. What can it mean? It is all revealed through the residents and their interactions with the tree and one another. Drama, memory, crushes, magic tricks, words, there's lots in there, and it's very sweet. i'm curious to see if it appeals to the kids it's aimed at. ...more
Claire
Oct 13, 2011 rated it liked it
Realistic fiction - a group of children meet under the one last orange tree on Orange Street. Themes of friendship, understanding and misunderstanding, fear, memory and forgiveness.
Jean
Jun 14, 2012 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: audiobooks
This is a case where the strength of the story more than offset the weaknesses of the audiobook narrator. I probably should have stopped listening and just read it.
J.j.
Jan 19, 2012 rated it liked it
3.5

Really enjoyable little book, loved the generational aspect of it, how it comes together, brings out the community spirit on the block. If nothing else you read it wanting to know more about the individual kids, who I wanted to know even more about. Fun little read!
Lorelie
Dec 11, 2011 rated it liked it
I would call this a quiet story. Love the writing style, just a quiet story. Enjoyable.
Kris Springer
Apr 19, 2011 rated it liked it
I thought it was sweet, charming, nice but wasn't super-impressed. I will recommend it to readers; just not sure if it's Newbery-worthy... ...more
Barbara
Jan 19, 2013 rated it really liked it
Lovely story. FOCAL Award winner. 2012.
Deanna
Nov 25, 2011 rated it liked it
A rambling and sweet little realistic fiction book. No real action, nice characters but I didn't find myself particularly interested or invested in them. ...more
Jennifer
Nov 29, 2011 rated it liked it
I like this book.
Wendy
Nov 17, 2011 rated it really liked it
An enjoyable, sweet-but-not-treacly book with an oddly-unusual Los Angeles setting. Blessedly short.
The Reading Countess
Feb 18, 2011 marked it as to-read
Jessica
Jun 14, 2011 rated it liked it
Shelves: realistic, 3-4, 4-5
The Styling Librarian
Jun 30, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: kids-books
Alison
Jul 20, 2011 marked it as to-read
Erin Moulton
Aug 01, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Ann
Aug 18, 2011 rated it liked it
Jessica
Aug 20, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: juvenile-fiction
Laura
Oct 31, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shanshad Whelan
Nov 01, 2011 marked it as to-read
Mary
Dec 02, 2011 rated it liked it
Teresa Garrett
Jan 17, 2012 marked it as to-read
Melisa
Apr 09, 2012 rated it it was ok
Shelves: children-s, 2012
Sharon
Dec 31, 2012 rated it liked it
Elisabeth
Dec 05, 2014 marked it as to-read
Jaclyn
Aug 28, 2020 rated it really liked it
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