Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Does anyone have a book they feel strongly about for the 2014 Newbery winner? I haven't read anything that has knocked my socks off this year!

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have a book they feel strongly about for the 2014 Newbery winner? I haven't read anything that has knocked my socks off this year!"
I brought it home as one of my holiday break reading, never go to it because, well . . . not a animal story fan. Having admitted that, however, I do love a book with a strong southern voice. I will give it a chance.

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have a book they feel strongly about for the 2014 Newbery winner? I haven't read anything that has knocked my socks off this year!"

No.I still haven;t read a strong contender.

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata has Newbery Gold written all over it (so to speak). Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal is terrific too.

I really liked Counting by 7's, Salt, and Flora and Ulysses, but am not too hopeful they'll get a mention.

Doll's Bones, Water Castle, and Flora and Ulysses are my favorites this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Counting by 7s, Paperboy, or True Blue Scouts recognized, although all three were a little lacking to me.

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have a book they feel strongly about for the 2014 Newbery winner? I haven't read anything that has knocked my socks off this year!"

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have a book they feel strongly about for the 2014 Newbery winner? I haven't read anything that has knocked my socks off this year!"

I also really liked, The Paperboy by Vince Vawter and I hope he gets at least, an honor. The book is so well written. My other favorite is Counting by Sevens. The author does an exceptional job expressing the complex emotions of Willow, the main character. A gem!

I agree with a lot of you, nothing stands out to me yet, though I still have some titles to get to. Maybe it will be non fiction? Courage Has No Color...?

The Thing About Luck was a beautiful story with a quiet plot, and for me theme is most distinguished in this book than any other, so I will look for it to recieve a sticker. I'm surprised Navigating Early has not gotten more discussion as a contender. Perhaps the Pi issue is more of an issue than I thought, but I think Vanderpool may be in store for another sticker as well. My underdog choice would go to Better Nate than Ever. I think this is an important and original work that melds a powerful message with wit and humor, a truly enjoyable read and probably my favorite book of the year. I hope to read True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp and Paperboy before the awards are announced since these seem to be favorites this year.

Moehee01 I loved Navigating Early as well. It was one of my favorites this year!

I'm leaning towards doll bones right now.

Counting by 7s is my current favorite, but I still hope to get through a small handful before the awards are announced!

I loved Flora and Ulysses and Counting By 7's. Also enjoyed Doll Bones. I haven't read True Blue Scouts or The Paperboy though.

I agree with some of you that Navigating Early is outstanding. On the top of my list as well. I don't think that Pi is an issue at all. For me it added to the complexity of the story and make it even more memorable. Perhaps the Pi piece even makes it more accessible to a variety of readers?

The top books in our Mock Newbery club have been Paperboy, Listening for Lucca, Wig in the Window and Ghost Hawk. Just found The Art of Flying ( had to purchase a copy for the club, th library doesn't have it yet!). It looks really interesting but I haven't heard any buzz so far.

I loved both Navigating Early and Paperboy and would love to see either of them win. I still need to read Counting by 7's, Doll Bones, and Flora and Ulysses.

We are having some cold weather days out of school, so I've been able to add to my bookshelf! Some of these titles I read earlier in the year- and some vice added from comments here. I've read Navigating Early, Far, Far Away, Doll Bones, The Center of Everything, Rump, and The Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
Of these, the ones that left that satisfying feeling of reading a well- written, unique book were Navigating Early and Lemoncello's Library. I've already decided to read Lemoncello's Library for my class (sixth grade) read aloud during our mystery unit. Loved, loved it! Felt the same way about Navigating Early when I read it earlier in the year.

I loved Mr. Lemoncellos library was my favorite by far too. I enjoyed Navigating Early also but don't see its appeal to kids a much as adults.

My favorites of 2013 are Navigating Early and Counting by 7's. I've read the rest of the potential canidates and none of them spoke to me as these.

Navigating Early and Counting by 7's

There is listopia for 2014 contenders you can vote on. There are 70 books on the list total, and I've only read 12 of them. Still quite a few I'd like to read: better nate than ever, lemoncello's library, etc. Then again maybe we'll get a year with a winner being a book not on very many mock lists, a la Moon Over Manifest.

So excited to find out!

Stephanie Shouldis wrote: "I loved Paperboy by Vince Vawter and I'm hoping it at least gets an honor. The that fact that this story was written from such a personal experience really spoke to me as a reader."

I totally agree. One of the best I read in '13. In fact, I was reading "Moon Over Manifest" and interrupted it because I got carried away by "Paperboy." It would make a wonderful teacher or parent read-aloud for grades 3 and up.

Unfortunately, I've become so critical that it seems there is something lacking in everything this year. Usually something that I can't define well. I do not like this feeling.

Failed to find Listopia 2014 for Newbery contenders. I use Goodreads, too.

I find it when I enter "2014 Newbery" into the search box. Then when it brings up the results it is just showing random books, but along near the top of the page are different tabs you can click on. One of them is "listopia". If you click that tab you should find it .

I liked Lincoln's Grave Robbers if they want to go with NF...and Doll Bones

My very enthusiastic pick for the Newbery is DOLL BONES; I thought FAR, FAR AWAY was terrific as well, but consider that a Printz contender.

I'm feeling a bit like Martha above, though; there are a lot of books I disliked (and I don't think I will list them...).

I would also like to say that this is the first year I have participated in the Goodreads "mock" awards discussions, and they have been WONDERFUL for keeping me up with (and actually reading) the "best" children's books. (I am a children's librarian in a small public library.)

Thank you to the moderators and all the participants!

I'm with Mary - my two picks are Far, Far Away and Doll Bones, though I'm not completely sold on either!

For me it's a tie between Tangle of Knots and Paperboy--beyond that: Counting by 7's, Zebra Forest and Salt...I have changed my mind so many times in the last few days. Doll Bones is certainly a contender--as is Lincoln's Grave Robbers. But I loved Tangle of Knots and hope that Lisa Graff gets recognized for the wonderful storyteller she is.

Martha wrote: "Unfortunately, I've become so critical that it seems there is something lacking in everything this year. Usually something that I can't define well. I do not like this feeling."

I agree with you -- so many of the potential contenders left me cold. Right now I'm struggling to remember what I read. Tangle of Threads is the one that comes to mind but I had a couple of problems with it.

Susan wrote: "For me it's a tie between Tangle of Knots and Paperboy--beyond that: Counting by 7's, Zebra Forest and Salt...I have changed my mind so many times in the last few days. Doll Bones is certainly a c..."

Lisa Graff is awesome. The kids just adore her books. Tangle of Knots is magnificent. Doll Bones is wonderful too. Many bookstores in the NY area unfortunately did not stock it.

What about The Year of Billy Miller? I loved that book and think that is has a very solid chance at the medal or an honor

Kenny wrote: "What about The Year of Billy Miller? I loved that book and think that is has a very solid chance at the medal or an honor"

In addition to this list, Kristen has a Newbery poll list where people listed additional Newbery contenders, and quite a few (including me) mentioned Billy Miller.

Also, Elizabeth Bird on her SLJ blog today picked Billy Miller for the medal.

Thanks, do you know where I can find the link to that poll? I would be interested in looking at it.

I loved Billy Miller. I teach 7th graders and run a Mock Newbery Club. The ones in the group that read it raved about it. I feel it is a good, wholesome story with characters that are well developed and ones they can relate to...

Kenny wrote: "Thanks, do you know where I can find the link to that poll? I would be interested in looking at it.

I loved Billy Miller. I teach 7th graders and run a Mock Newbery Club. The ones in the group t..."

The poll is part of this Mock Newbery discussion thread; just click on "Mock Newbery 2014" up at the top and it will take you to the topic list for the discussion group. The Newbery poll is entitled "It's January". (Actually, Kristen hasn't actually created the poll yet, she is still gathering titles as you will see.)

Found it...thanks

I met with a lot of teachers and librarians today for a big discussion over seven books and then a selection.

They chose:
Winner: PS Be Eleven
Honor: Navigating Early, The Year of Billy Miller, and Zebra Forrest.

I also loved The Year of Billy Miller!

I just finished Counting by 7s. Wow, what a great book. Loved it. I'm adding it to my list of books I think are contenders for the Newbery.

Jo wrote: "I really liked Counting by 7's, Salt, and Flora and Ulysses, but am not too hopeful they'll get a mention."
I LOVED Counting by 7s and I thought Flora and Ulysses was sweet, thoughtful and fun-a great combination for kids! Haven't read Salt and The Thing About Luck yet.

I just read Counting by 7's- loved it! I think the character development was well done- liked the multiple perspectives. I think Willow's character was written extremely well- she caught that mixture of intelligence and "different-ness" that marks a child with Asperger's. Loved getting inside of Willow's head!

I loved The Paperboy, Counting by 7's and The Year of Billy Miller. Far Far Away was good too, but not sure I see Newbery for it.

I loved Navigating Early and One Came Home. I tend to go by my gut feeling about a book, rather than all the Newbery Criteria. For example, I absolutely loved The One and Only Ivan last year, but was not impressed with Dead End in Norvelt the previous year.

I just finished A Tangle of Knots. I truly liked it although the way people came together were a little too convenient, but very sweet. Spoiler... I wanted V to write again, but then I don't know too much how strokes effect folks. I did wonder if the Zane's Garlic Cake would be referenced in the story. If so I missed it. . I guess that recipe was in there for the "whaaaaaa" factor? Lastly, I personally didn't see how The Owner levitating 2 inches above the ground added to the story. But in the end, the tangle all seemed to resolve into a complete ending.
I am reading these last books rather quickly before the announcement.

P.S. Be Eleven is my favorite for the Newbery. It's the sequel to One Crazy Summer. I expected not to like it because sequels do not seem to live up to my expectations.
However, the writing is amazing. For those looking for character driven plots, this is the book. Delphine, Vonetta, Fern, and Big Ma are all back in their full glory. Each character is well defined through their own thoughts, words, and actions. The plot is fairly intricate, so this book is not for the reluctant reader crowd. Without being didactic, Williams-Garcia delves into the issues of step parenting, PTSD, drug addiction, and changing race relations with her characteristic straightforward style. This is a book readers will remember.

Just finished Counting by Sevens. Beautiful novel. Hope it gets a Newbery nod!

Stephanie Shouldis wrote: "I loved Paperboy by Vince Vawter and I'm hoping it at least gets an honor. The that fact that this story was written from such a personal experience really spoke to me as a reader."

Think it's the best I've read this year, too.

I finished Counting by 7's, but still like "The Thing About Luck" and "Paperboy" as my top contenders. Navigating Early was good, but these other 3 eclipsed it in my view. I am crossing my fingers for Paperboy.

I loved One Crazy Summer- I didn't realize there was a sequel! I'll be headed for the bookstore, again!