From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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The Styling Librarian
Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine – Historical Fiction, 6th grade and up (I know in some reviews it has 5th grade for the level but the topics are more of a middle school level in my opinion.) Released in October – I felt quite honored to read this book by the powerful Kathryn Erskine who creates touching, thoughtful books. I wasn’t sure what to expect but apprecaited her approach to the perspective of a young adolescent boy whose father recently passed away. Red is a pretty powerful character set i ...more
Carol Royce Owen
Oct 13, 2013 rated it it was amazing
Sometimes a story needs to be told purely and simply without a lot of flash, frills or fanfare. The truth has to be told plain and simple as Red, his mama and brother, J. And this is how Kathy Erskine brings us Seeing Red.
Still grieving the loss of his father to a sudden heart attack, twelve year old, Red, is doing all he can to be the man of the house and to prevent his mother from doing the unthinkable - selling their home, shop, and store and moving out of state. Angry and desperate when he
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Barbara
As hard as the unexpected loss of his father is for twelve-year-old Red Porter, the changes that follow that loss may be even harder. As his mother decides to sell the family business--a gas station, car repair shop and convenience store--and the property and move to Ohio where her family lives, Red just can't imagine leaving his Stony Gap, Virginia home. After all, the Porters stand for something in this town, and Red takes seriously the family slogan "We fix it right." But despite his best int ...more
Karen Arendt
This is such a powerful story. At first I did not realize this story was about racism; I thought it was about Red struggling after his dad died. Red does struggle after his dad dies but because Red has a strong sense of what is right instilled in him by his deceased father. There is so much ugliness in the story that makes the reader feel all of Red's emotions. His anger at Darrell's and Rosie's abuse, his poor treatment of his friend Thomas after their friendship ends, and his poor judgement in ...more
Julie Williams
Oct 20, 2013 rated it really liked it
I got this book on NetGalley after seeing that it was nominated for a Cybils award. To me this is another case of a book that is a little too long. There is a lot going on in this book...racial tensions, loss of a father, women's liberation, dealing with the death of a father, abuse, and righting a wrong from over 100 years ago. I really enjoyed the book...especially the last 100 pages or so. I just felt that it dragged a bit in the middle and could have been tightened up some. There is a lot to ...more
Kristine
Well, if you are looking for a book that's a slow-starter and a fast-finisher, this one's for you. It felt like the start of the book just creeped by and it took me a few weeks to hit it's stride somewhere in the middle. Then I couldn't put it down. I think the book might have been stronger with the mystery appearing somewhere earlier in the plot.

AND let's say it together, "ANOTHER DEAD PARENT BOOK!" Sheesh, can anyone out there write a book that has both parents alive? They can be dysfunctional
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Angie
Dec 03, 2013 rated it liked it
Shelves: arcs-previews
Really interesting book about a boy & his family's loss, friendship & prejudice. More for older kids due to some real life violence, but a good read. ...more
Lisa Nagel
May 20, 2013 rated it it was amazing
Wish I could give it five plus stars. A wonderful coming of age story with a wonderful message.
Kathy
May 18, 2013 marked it as to-read
Donalyn
May 20, 2013 marked it as to-read
Camille
Sep 01, 2013 marked it as to-read
Brandy
Sep 10, 2013 marked it as to-read
Mrs. Chatel
Oct 10, 2013 marked it as to-read
Jan
Oct 19, 2013 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Cathy Blackler
Nov 03, 2013 marked it as to-read
Kris Springer
Dec 14, 2013 rated it liked it
Sylena
Jan 15, 2014 marked it as to-read
Katie Day
Apr 14, 2014 marked it as to-read
Margo Jantzi
May 27, 2014 rated it it was amazing
Aimee
Sep 29, 2014 rated it liked it
Rachel
Feb 11, 2015 marked it as to-read
Cori  Grady
May 14, 2015 marked it as to-read
Marisa
Nov 17, 2015 marked it as to-read
Wendy Garland
Feb 08, 2016 marked it as to-read
Sara Card
Nov 04, 2017 marked it as to-read
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