Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Our "Starting Over" thread was getting a little full, so I decided it was time to start another. What have you read lately that is truly Newbery worthy? As January comes closer, and more books are published, it's time to hone in on those select few that are "distinguished."

Favorite recent read is Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Greatly prefer this to any of the other titles being talked about for the Newbery. It is a wonderful, funny story about, gasp, understanding the importance of history. Expertly written PLUS I think it will be uber popular with kids who find it. There are some gruesome episodes which the tender-hearted among us may wince at but I hope that won't put people off from reading it.

I have heard a lot about this one. I can't wait to read it.

I am loving Bird in a Box, haven't finished it yet, but it grabs you...accessible historical fiction, really like it.

And I am waiting for Dead End in Norvelt, have it on hold...

Suzy wrote: "Favorite recent read is Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Greatly prefer this to any of the other titles being talked about for the Newbery. It is a wonderful, funny story about, gasp, understand..."Agree with you. I really liked this one, and added it to my short list for the Newbery.

Is it okay for me to suggest two books that have potential to be Newbery contenders? Both got starred reviews in Kirkus.

Eddie's War by Carol Saller
The Sundown Rule by Wendy Townsend

I just finished Junonia by Kevin Henkes and really liked it.

Yes, we need all recommendations we can get. Thanks!

I'm about halfway through Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradleyand loving it so far!

I liked Dead End in Norvelt, but preferred Okay For Now..they are similar reads and I thought OFN was the better book. Gantos has good pacing and memorable characters, but I prefer Schmidt.

I am reading Jefferson's Sons, too. I love it. I happened to read the one review on Amazon. This person still doesn't believe that Jefferson was a two ladies' man.

I am a huge Gantos fan but Dead End in Norvelt just didn't cut it for me. I lean into choosing books kids will want to read (which I know is NOT what Newbery is about, nevertheless...) and I think this is too much a guy book, limited audience. Even tho it's funny, what kid wants to read about obituaries of old ladies? The constant nose bleeding may gross out some. And the irreverent treatment of murdering senior citizens may bother some - it bothered me. I think Gantos maybe went a bit too far out on this one.

Two that I really like are Eddie's War and The Sundown Rule. Both have beautiful writing but not over done with real child-centered stories to tell. Both have gotten starred reviews and excellent comments. Check them out!

Kristen wrote: "Our "Starting Over" thread was getting a little full, so I decided it was time to start another. What have you read lately that is truly Newbery worthy? As January comes closer, and more books ar..."

I'm going for
Okay for Now and I really enjoyed The Apothecary

Kristen wrote: "Our "Starting Over" thread was getting a little full, so I decided it was time to start another. What have you read lately that is truly Newbery worthy? As January comes closer, and more books ar..."

"Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck. Absolutely delightful animal fantasy and no one can deny the quality of his writing. Also "Sources of Light" by Margaret McMullan - authentic voice of 14 yr old girl in Mississippi during the 60's Civil Rights Movement. This book has it all.

Peggy wrote: ""Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck. Absolutely delightful animal fantasy and no one can deny the quality of his writing. Also "Sources of Light" by Margaret McMullan - authentic voice of 14 yr old ..."

I also recall appreciating "Sources of Light," but I believe that it was published in 2010, therefore ineligible.

One of the best books I've read this year is "Waiting to Forget," by Sheila Kelly Welch. The writing is fine--quiet and powerful--and the characters are irresistible. TJ and Angela, foster children, so earnest and confused. It really packs an emotional punch.

Last night I finished Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby and it was absolutely brilliant; heartwarming, dark, emotional, twisty. It's about motivations and finding out what others see in you and finding out what you have inside. It now tops my list. I just wish it had a better cover.

Has anyone read Icefall by Matthew Kirby? I think it's a strong contender!

I just noticed that Kathy read it - I agree - brilliant!

I'm waiting to receive my copy of ICEFALL as a Chrilstmas gift :) Aside from personal preference, I believe the strongest contenders right now are AMELIA LOST because of it's diverse yet factual plot development of Amelia's life and disappearance; and OKAY FOR NOW by Gary Schmidt because of his expert character development, coupled with a jaw dropping plot among other things. And let's face it- the guys a got a Newbery coming to him some time anyway.

Well, Meg has voiced what I think is behind all the support for OFN -- "the guys a got a Newbery coming to him some time anyway." However, I hope it's not for a book that is as flawed, plot-wise, as this one is. That would be a shame.

I heard someone say, years ago, that to win a Newbery you had have these elements in the plot:

-dead/abusive parent
-a protagonist who renames or remakes himself
-a protagonist who learns to read or teaches someone to read

there were a couple more and the list was offered with tongue firmly planted in cheek but as I read OFN what I thought of was that it was plotted to win a Newbery, rather than written to tell a story the author was desperate/passionate to tell.

Anyway, that is my final post of OFN-bashing. There were moments I thought were excellent but, as a whole, it felt fraudulent and I think a strong middle school reader will sniff it out as a fake in a New York minute. It is not an authentic story. And I don't buy the apologists' argument that it is meant to be a tall tale. It does not read, in the least, like a tall tale, as, say, Holes does. The very first chapter in Holes lets you know you are in Tall Tale category, as does the very first chapter in Everything in a Waffle when the babysitter calls in sick with "bubonic plague." I never got the same sense of voice in OFN that the author was saying, "stick with me. You'll enjoy the ride."

So far the two that are strongest in my mind are Inside Out and Back Again by Lai and Icefall by Kirby.

I just finished A Monster Calls and it's now in my top three, along with Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Okay for Now. I'll admit that OFN has some significant plot issues, but for me, its strengths still put it in the top tier. I think Monster and Amelia are tighter books, but I can't quite shake my love for OFN.

I love BREADCRUMBS and AMELIA LOST --if I had to pick top 2 today. But I also love Sparrow Road. I love so many this year! And I need to move ICEFALL up to the top of my stack!

Jess wrote: "I just finished A Monster Calls and it's now in my top three, along with Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Okay for Now. I'l..."

I LOVED Okay For Now. What plot issues did you detect?

Shannon, I've heard lots of people complain that Gary Schmidt threw in everything but the kitchen sink - that the story was rich and complex enough with Doug's family life, the Audubon prints, the reading issues, Vietnam, etc. without also throwing in the Broadway play and last-minute illness. And the more I've thought about it, the more I've felt that there IS too much going on, or more going on than is necessary for the emotional inpact the story delivers. The illness was one that stood out to me - it didn't feel resolved in the story or necessary to the overall plot. But I'd still vote for it!

I have to admit, I haven't read a single book this year that really stands out for me as Newbery. As a matter of fact, I looked over all the books I read over the past year and I haven't given a single thing 5 stars! I've read a lot of good books, but nothing has really called to me. I didn't read Amelia Lost from cover to cover, but from what I did read, it's the one that has my vote so far. I have Dead End in Norvolt on my pile and am excited to get to it because I usually love Gantos. I'm usually really passionate about at least one title (albeit, never the same title that wins the Newbery!), just not this year for some reason. Seriously, what am I missing??

"My kids," middle school Mock Newbery kids, are really liking A Monster Calls and Between Shades of Gray. Some like Bird in a Box as well as Words in the Dust. And even though a few are impressed with Okay for Now, most just think it's "Okay."

And we can't forget Wonderstruck - I'm sure there will be intense discussion on that one as well.

I have found that many kids here are not big fans of Okay for Now. They thought all the bird info and descriptions were boring.

I agree with you, Hilary. But, I have not read A Monster Calls which seems to be the one will a lot of fans.

Wendy wrote: "I have found that many kids here are not big fans of Okay for Now. They thought all the bird info and descriptions were boring."

It's definitely not a title that will jump off the shelf, but how many Newberys are? The guidelines for the Committee do stipulate that popularity is not a consideration (even if we would like it to be to some extent). I still love the book!

I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned "Small As an Elephant" by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. In my opinion it is at least as good as some of the other books mentioned in this thread.

I just finished Icefall and oh, wow! So many terrific layers in this story. Fascinating setting, great suspense, terrific character growth--this book has it all. I'm adding it to my Newbery prognostication list for at least an honor. Historical fiction seems to do well with Newbery committees. Just sayin'.

Icefall has been getting a lot of attention. Has anyone else read it?

I thought Icefall was great! I don't know if it would beat out some others on my personal top 3, but I agree with what Lana said about it.

I loved A Monster Calls and am looking forward to Icefall soon. Am in the middle of Shine.

I have just finished Icefall, and was so impressed by everything about this great story- I have a feeling about this one, much like the feeling I had the year that Despereaux won!

Wonder if I have time to read Icefall before next week....Wonder if my copy is here or at school....

I've read and loved Icefall, Wonderstruck, Okay for Now, Breadcrumbs, and A Monster Calls.
They were all great books in different ways, but my top 3 would be Okay for Now, Wonderstruck, and A Monster Calls. Sorry I can't narrow it down. Too difficult!

Okay, I just read A Monster Calls this past weekend, after I voted... but it's my new pick to win the Newbery. Okay for Now would be an honor, and I still love Trouble with May Amelia and Dead End in Norvelt. Wonderstruck, too, but I don't think it's eligible for the Newbery as Hugo Cabret was not. Timing is everything (and who has enough time to read all we want?)

I am rooting for Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 4 starred reviews and a favorite of Elizabeth Bird (Fuse #8 blog).

I'm hoping Words in the Dust gets a nod. Katherine Paterson wrote the introduction, so I would think it would at least get looked at.

Dead End in Norvelt won the Scott O'Dell so I'm betting OK for Now will take the Newbery. But I could be wrong, I am wrong every single year. :)

Peggy wrote: "I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned "Small As an Elephant" by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. In my opinion it is at least as good as some of the other books mentioned in this thread."

I thought Small as an Elephant was okay but not great. I thought it started great but got a little bit tedious.

Matt wrote: "I am rooting for Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 4 starred reviews and a favorite of Elizabeth Bird (Fuse #8 blog)."

I can't wait to read Jefferson's Sons-I've heard it's brilliant!

Throughout 2011, nothing just measured up to Okay for Now for me. It's not perfect, but it had such a lasting effect on me. I also really like Amelia Lost, partly because I got to talk with Candace Fleming about it, and I was already so interested in Amelia (after all, I lived in Earhart Hall at Purdue, and my daughter now lives in the hall where Amelia stayed). Discussions with all of you have made me look forward to the announcements Monday like never before! Now to get our students as enthused about reading great books as we are!