Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

One Came Home was cited on the Heavy Medal Blog as a potential Newbery. Do you agree?

So early to pick contenders, but for me this book was uneven. I liked the strong female characters, but there were so many "loose ends" to tie up that I thought the book got bogged down. Started slow, picked up speed, but the ending was a little blah for me.

There were a few missteps. The last bit about the fire survivors seemed a bit tacked on to me. I can see how it helps to drive home Georgie's theme of forgiveness, but I thought it was a little heavy-handed at that point, and not entirely related, more like a fascinating story the author didn't want to leave out.

I also SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER found the resolution to the story too neat. Is it wrong of me that I sort of wish the sister had died? Or, even better, that we just never found out? The coincidences involved were simply too great for it to be realistic. I think the story would have been stronger if it turned out that Agatha had been killed (or that there was never any satisfaction resolution, the way it so often is in real life), but Georgie was still able to find redemption for herself through Billy's confession and her knowledge that her own rash actions have been forgiven.

Here is my review. I try to write my review before I read other people's reviews.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

It is interesting to me that others describe the book as uneven, since that is how it felt to me, too. Some things that seemed important weren't and vice versa.

Loved the main character and the unique setting, but I agree with many of the comments about the ending. Might have been better with less resolution and without the fire storyline.

Pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. It also reminded me too much of True Grit. At points I had a hard time separating the characters in my head. I still liked Georgie, but the story just didn't interest me enough, especially with the way it ended.

This fell flat for me. I liked Georgie and her strength and determination but I couldn't wait for this book to over. I found it a little tedious. It's not a contender for me.

I LOVE Georgie! I think she is really a character that young girls can rally behind and root for (I know I was!). I could really appreciate how multi-dimensional she was as well-Timberlake didn't make her an all out tomboy, and allowed her to convey some of her middle-aged girl emotions towards the reader (how many times did she cite her traveling partner as "well made"?! haha!).
However, I did have some reservations with the ending as well. It was far too anti-climatic that Agatha should be just off in another city after all of the drama that ensued. Do you think maybe Timberlake was just communicating that this is a reality of life? Big drama can fizzle out into a simple conclusion?

I thoroughly expected that Agatha was indeed off at school. I thought there were quite a few hints to that effect. What rather puzzled me, though, was the packed action of the end of the hunt and then the rapid wrapping up of everything. After the beginning half of the book moving at a rather leisurely pace, I felt that the pacing at the end was in odd contrast.

There was a lot of action at the end, however it didn't feel poorly paced to me. To resolve the problem, several events had to occur, but I felt that Timberlake described them in a logical progression that suited the storyline. As one event resolved itself (the shooting of the counterfeiters for example) it logically snowballed into the solving of the murder mystery, the travelers returning home, and the truthful outcome of Agatha. It happened quickly, yes, but still believably to me.

It felt too neat to me - too many co-incidences and unlikely happenings. But that is what different readers see. I like that.

Loved Georgie's character! Loved her determination, strength, and sassiness! Not a fan of the ending...fell a little flat, and I was surprised how little emotion was exhibited surrounding her Grandfather's death. I think Timberlake needed to take a little more time with the resolution. For such a dramatic adventure, it just seemed to fizzle out instead of ending with a bang.

I kind of slogged thru it. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood but it certainly wasn't the best I've read so far. I did like the character development and sense of place but for me It lacked a hook.

Historical fiction can be daunting to some kids but I think One Came Home will be intriguing to them. I loved the picture of Agatha spinning in delight while the rest of the town feels more like an Alfred Hitchcock film. I find Georgies reluctance to pick up a gun believable enough. While I agree that the fire at the end seemed slapped on, I still enjoyed the reference. I have a bit of a fascination with the Peshtigo fire and it's lack of attention in history.

I agree with most of these comments about the resolution being too neat and the fire being sort of an afterthought, but I still really enjoyed the book. I loved Georgie and her pluckiness, capability, and strength (she sort of reminded me of Flavia de Luce in the Alan Bradley series). I would say it probably won't win the medal, but it was still a good read.

Amanda wrote: "I agree with most of these comments about the resolution being too neat and the fire being sort of an afterthought, but I still really enjoyed the book. I loved Georgie and her pluckiness, capabili..."

She is like Flavia de Luce--good call.

I loved Georgie's voice, her matter-of-fact tone. She would make an excellent grandmother. Timberlake has an interesting writing style that was entertaining and consistent.

I finished One Came Home and while I appreciate the lyrical prose I know this book is not for my students. As historical fiction there were too many elements my students cannot relate to in the story. There " history thing" I teach them to watch for in historical fiction is too obscure for them. I just don't think they would get it. As an adult I enjoyed it, but it's not a book I am excited about winning awards. On to my next possible candidate. What a we reading in May?

The Center of Everything
The Center of Everything

I liked this book and see why it's a possible contender (beautifully written), but it just doesn't live up to Doll Bones in my opinion.

I agree with what many have said. I read this a while ago and gave it five stars for the writing. I do think a lot of kids will like it for the action and suspense. But I am not ready to give it my vote for the Newbery.

While I love Georgie the sharpshooter, I was less than thrilled with this book. I loved Timberlake's That Girl Lucy Moon. I don't think One Came Home is as strong.

Rebecca, I agree. I think One Came Home is more disjointed. I liked Lucy much better.

I really enjoyed the scenery of One Came Home. The amazing descriptions of the birds coming through the small town in black clouds were gripping. While the mystery was a little disjointed, I couldn't stop turning pages until the end.

Although I enjoyed this book, I think it missed it's mark for the Newbery.

i thought the book was okay. I thought it ended very quickly and it did not hold my attention. I don't think it deservers a Newbery